Gatto & Eric Shans - Around The Sphere (3Bridge Records)

Long-time NYC producers and DJs Eric Shans (Colour & Pitch, Personal Belongings) and Gatto (Deep Sessions, Soleid Music) team up for 3Bridge Records' first release of 2023, the Around the Sphere EP. The title is fitting as the release touches upon multiple styles of electronic music. Big house grooves, techno influences, and chilled-out workouts; they're all here, replete with memorable melodies and atmospheres.

"Electric Surge" kicks things off with tribal drums, crystalline arpeggios, and smacking percussion, gluing the rhythms together over the course of the track. This one's meant for the late nights and those dark smoky rooms. "Around The Sphere" ups the techno energy a bit with an analog bass line that filters throughout, along with big acid squelches, pristine percussion, and soft ethereal pads serving as a juxtaposition to the tough-sounding beats. "Liquid Comedown" takes futuristic riffs, big synth lines, and dramatic strings, giving this one some moodiness and mystery. And then "Numbers" delivers lush grooves, meticulously programmed drums, and soothing sounds to round out this great EP.

Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “Liquid Comedown and Numbers are the ones for me. Great work both.”
Anders Lyngen (Utzekatze) – “Cool and interesting sounds. Nice synths.”
Cuillere (Jack Junkies) – “Feeling Numbers for sure.”
Rob Zile (Brain Food) – “Great grooves.”
Simon Kirk (Proton Radio) – “Massive release! Liquid comedown is my fave, so deep and uplifting. Magic.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Top notch melodic house / techno. A great collaboration between these 2 experienced producers!”

Available Now From: Beatport, Traxsource, Apple Music, And Spotify.

The Self Help Group - Temple OS (Colour and Pitch)

Brighton alt-folk band The Self Help Group's touching and unique song “Temple OS” gets the remix treatment from Gavin Boyce, Grottoes, Rosko & Sumsuch, and Eric Shans.

The original song, written by Brighton musician Mark Bruce, founder of The Self Help Group, is inspired by the strange and tragic story of Terry A. Davis. Davis began programming the ‘Temple OS' computer operating system in 2005 after a series of visions in which he claimed God had instructed him to build ‘the Third Temple.’

Reunited for the first time since their 2009 low-key underground hit “Latenite Bypass” on Urban Torque, Rosko & Sumsuch turn in an acid-tinged, string-laden, extended rework of the song, putting Mark's powerful vocal out front and dubbing the song out in the second half.

Off-kilter electronic music hero Q-Burns Abstract Message unveils his brand new Grottoes alias for a meditative, ambient Reversion of “Temple OS”, layering guitars over airy synths to build up a densely textured soundscape.

With an album coming soon on Nordic Trax, Irish producer Gavin Boyce delivers the potent and haunting house-fueled 2MB Distro Mix of “Temple OS”, sure to provide many a transcendental dance-floor moment when the clubs finally re-open.

Colour and Pitch regular and 3Bridge Records co-owner Eric Shans stays true to the original version, adding subtle electronic melodies and shimmering chords to delightful effect.

Finally, The Self Group provide an alternate rendition of “Temple OS”, transforming the song into a languid and warm synth-pop gem.

DJ T-Bird (Los Chicos Altos/Something Else!) – “That Gavin Boyce mix is rocking my world! Love the bass on Rosko & Sumsuch's version. Definitely getting played on radio.”
Nick Warren (The Soundgarden) – “Cabin fever and Grottoes mixes for me.”
James Rial (Audiojack) – “The Original is great. The Grottoes reversion is really nice too.”
Kanedo (Personal Belongings) – “Amazing... Eric Shans remix for me!!! Thank you for your quality releases guys.”
Andrew Duke (Andrew Duke In The Mix) – “Incredibly hard to pick a favorite amongst this glorious package of contributions.”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On Radio Show ) – “I love this. The Rosko and Sumsuch remix and the Eric Shans remixes are favorites. I'm sure I'll play them all eventually.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel) – “Beautiful remixes, love the diversity on offer here.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “This is a great selection, every base covered. Outstanding."
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Influences Radio Show) – “This is a super surprise release on CAP but a wonderful one. Full support for the whole package. Totally in love with it!”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify, And Beatport.

Eric Shans & X Miss Ella - Leather Sweater (Viva Recordings)

Brooklyn’s Eric Shans enters the Viva Recordings zone, accompanied by vocalist X Miss Ella. The duo have been working together for many years, Ella’s melodies and vocal style blending perfectly with Eric’s musical creations. Inspired by new wave as well as techno and house music, the two have collaborated on material ranging from sultry synth pop to dark and dirty deep house floor chuggers.

Falling into the second category, “Leather Sweater” is an evocative late night club cut that adds a dose of mood and texture to a DJ’s set. X Miss Ella enchants with a mesmerizing vocal line as Eric’s deep foundation builds into acid line-fueled bliss. The crisp and intricate rhythms point the way forward and keep the nightclub in solid motion. Definitely one for the heads.

Los Angeles producer Tonally — coming off remixes for the likes of Futurewife and Punks Jump Up — takes things up a notch with a driving version that features pulsating, hypnotic synth pads and dramatic stabs. The vocal becomes mysterious, reversed and effected at points throughout the mix. The energy keeps building throughout — a satisfying excursion.

Dubs for both mixes are also available to take the dance floor even deeper. So, let’s see how you look in a “Leather Sweater.”

Mr. V (Sole Channel Music) – “The Tonally Dream Dub is dope.”
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) – “Very nice dreamy acid vibes.”
Jay Hill (Superfreq) – “Dope acid line, and the artwork is killer. Great work!”
Pete Williams (Natural Rhythm) – “It’s tough to pick between the Dub and the Tonally Dream Dub. Excellent!”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “Splendid sounds!”
Zach Van Lue (91X) – “Sick vocal and lovely acid.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Very hypnotic.”
Chango (101.5 FM KTKE) – “Very strong release.”
Richie Hartness (UM – Syndicated radio show) – “Nice acid twister.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Awesome! Straight into my July / August top 10.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Traxsource, Beatport, And Spotify.