ENNE - Acido Futuro (Karmaloft Music)

Karmaloft Music proudly presents the latest EP from ENNE, the prolific DJ, piano player, drummer, and member of Italo-influenced combo Mohear. With an ever-expanding discography including releases and remix work for the likes of Compost, Nang, and Permanent Vacation, ENNE has been spreading his fancy fusion of spacey house, subversive disco, and cosmic funk far and wide. The Acido Futuro EP collects three top notch club cuts showcasing ENNE's flavorful production and a penchant for incorporating his disparate influences. "Acido Futuro" kicks things off with a strong rhythm line as elements referencing Chicago's old school and European house's new one interact playfully. As anticipated, a heavy acid crescendo takes hold midway, pushing the track effectively beyond the stratosphere. "Beatup" keeps the floor moving with a staccato bell-like pattern, squelchy synth chords, and a filtered, repeating vocal phrase. This one's a builder as a rising sequencer pattern enters the fray with an energizing effect. ENNE gets deeper with "Fear", an expectedly moody and percussive affair that features a hypnotizing spoken female vocal over its steady bass punch. Dramatic piano adds to the sonic tension, helping to create a memorable track for those cerebral nightclub moments.

Randall Jones (Audio Therapy / Baroque) - "'Fear' is extreme fire. This is the type of stuff I'm into … it sounds like Guerrilla Records circa '95."
Minus 8 (Compost / Stereo Deluxe) - "Acid always works!"
Larry Tee (Carnage Music) - "Love these."
Chris Fortier (Fade / Mindwarp) - "Sounding nice."
Gemini Brothers (Skint / Nein) - "Damn, what an EP! Each track is a must for our sets!"
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - "Oh yes!"
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) - "Just wonderful, wonderful music here, containing just the right amount of acidity."
Vincent Kwok - "All the tracks have a great old school vibe … I'm loving 'Acido Futuro' in particular."
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "Really crisp production here … you can feel the musicality in the vibes. The pick for me is the warmer 'Fear'. Great percussion and I love the chords that come in as the track progresses."
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) - "'Beatup' … rocking track!"
Rory Hoy (Howlin' Records / Super Hi-Fi) - "'Acido Futuro' is just incredible!"
Distant People (Foliage / Seamless) - "Funky little beauty here … a nice nod to the warehouse days."
Martin Madigan (DMC World Magazine) - "Loving it when 'Acido Futuro' comes back in after the break. 'Fear' is also excellent. All tracks have a lovely build and journey."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, iTunes, and Spotify.

Tom Appl - Downtown (Karmaloft Music)

Karmaloft Music keeps up the summer pace with a new release from Munich-based sound engineer Tom Appl. Tom’s career as a DJ dates back to the early ’90s with the sounds of tech, deep, and melody-infused house music. As a producer he has previously created productions and remixes under the pseudonym Fruitroom. Two originals, “Downtown" and "Klichi,” make up his new effort with remixes from Bes & Meret, Enne, Matthias Freudmann, and Christos Fourkis.

Tom Appl combines old world gipsy style with carnival flair, all adding up with a balearic effect. It’s a blend of guitar plucking, castanets, metallic chimes, and a festive lead organ with folk style vocals delivered as a higher pitched croon. “Klichi” also feels fit for the White Isle, but the growl of its heavily distorted bass and the nerve rattling sensations of its melodic keys lend it a more after-hours appeal. The first to remix “Downtown” are Bes & Meret, two DJs also from Munich whose productions have contributed to some impressive compilations, one such being Café del Mar. They straighten out the track’s groove, providing for more drive. Dresden’s Matthias Freudmann, Munich transplant Enne, and Greek native Christos Fourkis each harden the original around the edges with more club- friendly approaches. Enne, a prolific musician and member of Mohear, with his solo releases finding a home on labels like Compost and Permanent Vacation, is a definitive highlight with a heavy house shuffle on the hats and snare placed over the top of a deep, menacing acid bass line. There’s plenty to choose from on this release for a variety of different nightclub contexts.

Vincent Kwok (Eight-Fifteen / Transport Recordings) - “Great remix from Mathias Freudmann.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Good selection of vibes and solid beats here … I’m really digging the original ‘Downtown’ and the Christos Fourkis remix. ‘Klichi’ is also superb.”
Pete Williams (Natural Rhythm) - “‘Downtown’ has a very unique and infectious sound. My favorite is the Bes & Meret remix.”
Pat Lezizmo (Conya Records) - “‘Klichi’ is just my cup of tea … such a powerful track. Loving it!”
Fine Cut Bodies (Chi Recordings) - “Some nice vibes here.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “The Mathias Freudmann remix is just slammin’ … the bass knocks you about nicely.”
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Influences) - “Beautiful and at the same time a pretty twisted release. I must say that Tom Appl has done a very intriguing job on these tracks. Enne’s Garage Remix and then Christos Fourkis’s one are my favorites but I’m quite sure I’d use the other tracks here, too.”
Kosta (Vibe FM, Romania) - “I haven’t heard of Tom Appl previously, but his work comes as a nice surprise. Good remixes, too … the Bes & Meret mix is the cherry on top.”
Mark Mac (The Sounds Collective) - “The Mathias Freudmann remix takes this track track to another level. There’s a great summer feel to this deep, driving stunner. Tune!”
Dado Funky Poetz (Radio Monte Carlo) - “A possible hit!”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

Kitt Bang & Enne - SOUL PREACHER EP (Electunes)

Young gun Kitt Bang became a famous Munich resident DJ over the past ten years, most notably for his sets at Zombocombo freak-theater. The old dog Enne has spun and produced records for nearly thirty years. He’s created and remixed tracks for labels like Compost, Permanent Vacation, Nang, and Tirk. Enne is also a member of the acclaimed Electunes band Mohear. The combination of these two DJs should probably result in a generation clash. But, instead, they’re creating cool sounds that touch on the ‘retro’ while bringing in the ‘new’ for a decidedly timeless dance music style. Their dance music is funky and weird, born from plenty of hours of sessions utilizing classic, analog gear like those of Moog infamy. It’s a step beyond the usual nu-disco glut … quality sounds from qualified sound-makers.

The SOUL PREACHER EP features three snazzy original tracks, opening with the beat-tastic “Be Careful.” This cut is hardly as cautious as its title might convey, with heavy bass lines, thick analog synth work, and a vocal recalling the ‘Electronic Body Music’ glory days. A funky breakdown with electric piano and bongo percussion is unexpected but adds to the delicious caliber on display here. Deep house territory is breached with “I Got the Word” which also reveals the origin of the EP’s title. Uplifting pianos, high strings, swingy beats, and the ‘soul preacher’ vocal combine for a confident, soulful detour. “The Bush” follows, further showing the diversity of this duo with its jumpy, bluesy rhythm, ageless organ riffs, and a spoken vocal taken right out of swampland. Also, “Be Careful” gets a special remix from the Munich-based Bartellow (keyboardist in the band Pollyester). A driving four-on-the-floor replaces the original’s vintage-sounding breaks, and the track throbs and snakes along a late night path, enhanced by ultra-low bass and synthy stabs and melodic lines. Four cool cuts … another winner from Electunes.

Tensnake - “Somewhere between house and disco, this four tracker makes me smile over and over.”
Da Sunlounge - “I like! Refreshing stuff.”
Kid Loco - “‘I Got The Word’ and ‘The Bush’ are ace.”
Diz (Vizual, Classic) - “Chunky with a wiggle!”
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - “Pretty cool.”
Toomy Disco - “‘I Got The Word’ … house banger!”
Flash Atkins (Paper Recordings) - “I love ‘Be Careful’ which is right up my street and ‘The Bush’ is sweeeeeeet.”
Sleazy McQueen - “I’m into ‘I Got The Word’ … yeah!”
Irregular Disco Workers - “Really excellent tracks from house to indie sounds. Full support.”
mikeBurns (Disco Devil) - “‘I Got the Word’ is a total winner. Love it!”
Bruce Tantum (Time Out NY) - “Loving all of these, but ‘I Got the Word’ is freakin’ fab! Can’t wait to play that one at some outdoor party this spring or summer.”
Niksa Dragolin (Eurostar Radio, Croatia) - “A great mix of old and new with a twisted funky disco touch. Hmmm … seems I like it!”
Acid Ted (music blog) - “Downright funky in the sun.”
Phuturelabs (music blog) - “Sounding great! I want to play this on a big sound system soon!”
Deadbeat Disco (Radio Show, UK) - “Some very quirky deepness going down right here. ‘Be Careful’ in its original form is the pick for us; love that break and change in vibe midway through … very smart indeed. ‘The Bush’ is also cool for a more varied groove.”

Available now from Juno Download and Traxsource.

Enne - Animus 90 EP (Electunes)

Viennese music label Electunes proudly presents the latest EP from Enne, the prolific DJ, piano player, drummer, and member of Mohear (who released the previous single on Electunes). With an ever-expanding discography including releases and remix work for the likes of Compost, Nang, Permanent Vacation, and Innervision, Enne has been spreading his fancy fusion of spacey house, subversive disco, and cosmic funk far and wide. Enne’s latest release, the Animus 90 EP, features three stunning original tracks accompanied by remixes from a couple of rising stars and one bonafide Italo legend.

The package opens with “Animus 90” and its rolling toms, soon joined by a punchy and squelchy bass line over a steady four-on-the-floor kick. Gentle pads and keys create a balance, revealing the track as a unique deep house groover. “Song for Kezia” follows, with electronic percussion flourishes and a classic sounding house organ exposing the melody. Spacey keys and piano chords soon enter, with the piano taking on a rousing solo at the track’s midsection. As its title implies, “Deep Vibes” takes things even deeper for Enne’s third original. Light, hypnotic keys lead the way over Enne’s trademark percussion and swinging house beats as a processed vocal appears, beckoning the dance floor further into dreamland.

For the selection of remixes, Alexander Robotnik, famed producer of the Italo classic “Problèmes D’amour” is at the front of the line with an acid house treatment of “Animus 90.” A bouncy acid line is indeed the focus, while almost Prince-like funky guitars and building pads add fuel to the track’s fire. Tom Appl (AKA Fruitroom) is next with an appealing take on “Song for Kezia” that trades the organ for some fat, bassy synth action with the other musical elements joining in for a rolling and melodic late night revision. Munich-based electric disco rocker Macchina Nera also tries his hand at “Song for Kezia,” creating a club-primed version also drawing on an Italo influence. A distinctive, rhythmic male vocal accents the beat while female vocal snippets accompany on top. Spirited instrumentation and a stirring arrangement seal the deal making this remix a surefire after hours champion.

Sunshine Jones (Dubtribe) - “Amazing. Back to what’s really important.”
Robert Owens - “‘Song for Kezia’ is a great track.”
Justin Robertson - “This is great.”
Pete Herbert - “Robotnick rules.”
Scott Hardkiss - “Pianos and drums! Two of my favorite elements in dance music which are properly WORKED HARD here. Love these songs! ‘Animus 90’ is a real winner, I’ll definitely play the original mix, and I love Robotnick’s ‘acid-piano’ remix as well. But ‘Song for Kezia’ is my favorite, proper build up into the soaring piano. Great work.”
Sleazy McQueen - “Loving that Robotnick remix!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Cool old school feel on the main mix, but the Macchina Nera remix is the stand out for me.”
Jay West - “Robotnick all the way!”
Tal M. Klein (Aniligital) - “Great package! Will play the Tom Appl and Robotnick remixes. Props to Enne!”
Sean Johnston (Hardway Bros / Love From Outer Space) - “All of these tracks are great. I will be trying them out at the weekend.”
Justin Harris (Freaks) - “Great EP!”
Gavin Hardkiss (Hawke) - “Tasty … funky guitar and aceeed in the Robotnick mix.”
DJ Rocca (Ajello) - “Very nice EP indeed. All the originals and remixes are great.”
Murray Richardson - “Can’t escape from Robotnick’s acid vibes!”
Makossa & Megablast - “My mate Enne does it again … good release!”
Danny Ashenden (C90s / Earl Grey) - “Robotnik remix is killlleeeerrrrrrr!”
Leri Ahel (Cosmic Disco Radio Show) - “Great release. The Tom Appl remix is beautiful.”
Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) - “Lots of fun tracks on here, especially the Macchina Nera remix and the Robotnick remix. Everything Robotnick touches turns to gold.”

Available now from Juno Download and Traxsource.