Grand Reserve - Thoughts on Romanthony (DingBat Records)

The Kentucky house music DJ trio of Trevor Lamont, Mutt, and Reverend T make up the promising new studio project Grand Reserve. Named after their state’s sought after liquid libation, Grand Reserve specialize in a classic mash of old and new that’s likewise blended and aged for impeccable taste. DingBat Records has snatched up their debut EP, Thoughts on Romanthony, an inspired and moving tribute to the late house music legend Romanthony. Included are three dance floor gems, each with a modern arrangement and an old school shine. The first cut, “All You Need,” is an intoxicating little number with pounding rhythms, climbing techno stabs, and deep vocal stylings. “Leftover Lover” is a darker tune with melodic voices drowning in pools of deep pads and strings. Ending on a meaningful note, “RomanthonE” features euphoric synth washes over Trevor Lamont’s ode of remembrance, painting a picture of deep respect and admiration for the much-missed Romanthony, an enormous talent that was tragically lost earlier this year.

Tensnake - “Clever house music with some nice, dubby elements.”
Tyree Cooper - “This is really nice.”
Hippie Torrales - “Nice, deep grooves.”
Spettro - “I love the chord progressions on ‘Leftover Lover’ and the great vibe on ‘RomanthonE.’”
Tony D’Onghia (Radio Koper-Capodistria, Italy) - “A classy, respectful, and, as it seems, heartfelt homage.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “Grand Reserve provide three high quality house tracks with a retro-future-soul-tech sound that has the magic of the unjustly departed producer. I love this tribute.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) - “Groovy deep tracks oozing with beautiful, luscious melodies.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Tight sounds and nice retro bumpin vibes.”
Alkalino (Estimativa / Audaz Recordings) - “Nice set of tracks. ‘Leftover Lover’ is my favorite.”
Jamie Topham (CDPool) - “A cool three track tribute to the great man of house. ‘RomanthonE’ is an energetic effort with definite trademarks of the man himself.”
Kadabra (House Hookup) - “‘RomanthonE’ is beautiful. You can feel the soul in that track.”
Dr. Best (Headz Radio Show, Germany) - “I love the warm and soulful vibe here.”
LavaLava (Subcity Radio, Scotland) - “Pretty solid EP … really nice deep vibes with a summer flair to them.”
Acid Ted (music blog) - “Lovely set of tunes. Proper house music.”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.

Spettro and Trent Johnson feat. T-Rent $ - Side by Side / Bring It Back (DingBat Records)

DingBat Records claims to have the “best in baroque funk” but, until now, no one has really been sure what that means. If such a sound actually exists it’s manifested in the new EP from Spettro and Trent Johnson, Side by Side. With past releases between them for the likes of King Street, Bush Records, and Nightshade Music, the veteran Texas house music duo has been making waves with cool dance floor cuts running the gamut from deep house to big room breaks. Joined on this single by the mysterious vocalist T-Rent $ (though you can probably unravel the mystery), Spettro and Trent have busted forth with two totally powerful and effective after hours jams. First off, there’s “Side by Side,” rich in color, mood, and space, moving from dark to light. It’s got all the best elements of deep tech-house with a tribal underbelly. This is followed by “Bring It Back” which is part electro acid robot noise and part tribal hip-house. This is the dirty house sound of the South, ready to bump in the Jeep as well as the club. On the remix tip newcomer Ian Bortolotti, a staple of the mid-west DJ scene and part of the DingBat family, unveils a version of “Bring It Back” that captures the sound of the newborn offspring of a Korg M1 and a TB–303. This mix has a totally different vibe from the original and is something for seedy basement clubs and dark warehouse parties where people like to do bad things. DingBat approved!

Johnny Fiasco - “Slammin’!”
Leigh Morgan (Urban Torque) - “‘Side by Side’ is a quirky little thing. I dig and will play.”
Tyler Stadius - “‘Side By Side’ … always loved that Aphrohead beat!”
Tensnake - “‘Side By Side’ is quite nice!”
Louk (Compulzion / Druck) - “That ‘Bring It Back’ remix is definitely my favorite … Korg M1, 303 vibes, and lovely choir chords a-plenty! Yes, mate!”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) - “Really loving Spettro and Trent Johnson’s recent output and this is no exception. ‘Side By Side’ is huge! I’m really liking the Ian Bortolotti acid remix, too … can’t wait to play these!”
Manuel Sahagun - “Loving it!”
MIke Clark / Agent X (Strictly Beatdown) - “Nice and groovy … I love the energy in ‘Side By Side.’”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “This is a funky sound that’ll make you move.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Cool vibes right across the release here. I’m feeling the stabby ‘Side By Side’ and Ian’s acid tinged remix of ‘Bring It Back,’ but the original ‘Bring It Back’ is the pick for me - quality freaky beats!”
Bogdan Taran (Dance Box Radio Show) - “This reminds a bit of the Spirit Catcher sound … very nice EP.”
Still Rob G (Smoke N Mirrors / Om Records) - “‘Side by Side’ is nice, but I really dig the more eccentric ‘Bring it Back.’ Ian did a nice job combining the acid and garage genres on the remix.”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.

Kinky Movement - Growth EP (DingBat Records)

Introducing DingBat Records, a new US house music label launching with an effort from renowned funky combo Kinky Movement. Kinky Movement started out in 1997 as a collective of DJs hosting underground house nights in and around the Nottingham area. In 2004, Andy Mcloughlin, Lee Eden, and John Symms became the producers for the outfit releasing their music on cool labels like Tango Recordings, Mobile Trax, Drop Music, and, now, DingBat Records. This latest release, the Growth EP, features a trio of tracks laden with Kinky Movement’s quality mix of synth heavy funk, soulful vocal hooks, intergalactic disco sounds, and lively house rhythms. The title track leads things off with a bang, containing a killer vocal hook sure to stick in the head as the feet move on the dance floor. This one’s already a definite classic in the Kinky Movement oeuvre. “Feel It” follows with more of a disco vibe as snappy guitars and synth melodies interact with a vocal line that urges the listener to ‘get up and feel it.’ Finally, “I Need To Dance” brings things a tad deeper, but this chord-led tune is still dripping with the (P-)funk. A squelching bass line and tripped out, interplanetary noises never miss a beat in what might be called the Mothership of dance floor grooves. Kinky Movement strikes again, laying out the funky welcome mat for the promising DingBat Records.

Chuck Love - “Great EP all around! Swingy, funky, and soul punchy. Mad love for all three tracks.”
Soul Minority - “Nice funk-age!”
Giom - “‘Growth’ is cool.”
Jay West - “Funky!”
Dejan - “Feel it? Love it!”
Jevne - “Dope release! It’s great to hear new music from Kinky Movement. I will play these this weekend!”
Robert Owens - “This is great.”
Rick Preston - “Hot damn! Great EP.”
Alexander East - “All three tracks are FIRE!”
Nick Holder - “Fresh … I’m feeling this EP!”
Sebastian Davidson - “Nice!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Funky bounce and cool retro vocals.”
So Called Scumbags - “We love all three!”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House) - “A truly versatile EP oozing with a gorgeous fresh sound.”
Sista Stroke (5 Magazine) - “I can use all of these … which pretty much makes it a keeper!”
Velanche (Urban Landscapes Radioshow) - “Mad beats for the floor!”
DJ Deep Index (107.4 BOP FM, New Zealand) - “Has Kinky Movement ever produced a bad record? It’s a beauty again!”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “I love the club-tastic super groove of the bouncy ’‘Growth’ … the vocals are full of energy.”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.