Various Artists - Talking About EP (Fresh Cream Records)

Fresh Cream Records continues an ambitious pace with their fifteenth release, the Talking About EP. It's a diverse compilation, quite varied in sound, featuring the talents of Ru.DiJ, Max Ferrante, Achille Lombardi, and vocalist D'Layna.

Kicking things off, Ru.DiJ constructs "You Can Do It", a driving tech-influenced track perfect for the terrace and with just the right touch of house piano chords. It also features the empowering diva vocals of D'Layna. Producer Ru.DiJ grew up where Italian club culture was born, in the famous Riccione township, while D'Layna has made her name as a vocalist and songwriter with a focus on uplifting the spirits of club revelers. She's done so on collaborations with some of the world's most renowned DJs, a list that includes Sandy Rivera (KOT), Julius Papp, and Oscar P.

Doing as the Romans do, Max Ferrante divides and conquers this EP with two roles as both solo producer and vocal provider. Max has, over a decade, worked as a DJ at some of Italy's best clubs, playing alongside top house artists like David Morales and Dennis Ferrer. Working alone on "LoL", he lays down a funky bass line accompanied by softer guitar plucks and deep, melodic keys. It winds up with a lighthearted Parisian beach summer getaway feel. Together with Simil Masiano, Max shows his vocal side on "Amazing." The track features a pep-in-the-step vibe sure to make dancers flood the boogie zone.

To finish the EP, Achille Lombardi introduces the most eclectic sounds of the release. The Castrovillari born son of a radio announcer credits his father with helping spark his exploration of music. Somehow, it's all culminated in "Maria". Tribal in a folk sense, the song stomps along beneath vocal chants with hard to place string instruments, finding its energy in high pitched pings.

Hippie Torrales - “Nice package.”
Fabio Tosti (Music Plan / Transport Recordings) - “‘You Can Do It’ is the song for me. Nice, deep atmosphere.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “I like the vocal samples, the beats are crisp, and the groove is rolling.”
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - “‘LoL’ is an instant classic – I love the novel sample – and ‘Amazing’ lives up to its name.”
Tony Powell (Bounce Muzik) - “I’m really digging D’Layna’s vocals on ‘You Can Do It’. But the standout out is the disco-house Philly-style of ‘LoL’. So much fun!”
Black Alley (In Control Radio Show) - “Achille Lombardi’s track ‘Maria’ is tripped-out in a really nice way.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) - “An amazing and truly eclectic EP sure to rock the floor.”
DJ Phil T (DJ Times) - “‘You Can Do It’ and ‘LoL’ are hot.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “The deep house sound of Max Ferrante’s ‘‘LoL’’ is the one for me … impressive bass line, warm and laid back guitar, total Mediterranean chill.”
Mark Mac (The Sounds Collective) - “A couple of gems on this release. The Fresh Mix of Ru.DiJ feat. D’Layna’s ‘You Can Do It’ is a deep and funky hit.”
Pierre Ravan (KaRavan) - “Great EP. Simil Masiano’s ‘Amazing’ has a lovely beat and gritty bass line.”
DJ Deep Index (107.4 BOP FM, Australia) - “The Ru.DiJ feat. D’Layna track is gold. An awesome track … in my set you go!”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

Max Ferrante feat. Heidi Vogel - Hold My Hand (Fresh Cream Records)

“Hold My Hand” is the new single on Italy’s Fresh Cream Records, produced by the Rome-based Max Ferrante and featuring the magnificent vocals of Heidi Vogel. This is Max’s second offering for the Fresh Cream label, and Heidi is a vocalist of much renown, loaning her voice to past releases from the likes of Cinematic Orchestra, Ananda Project, IG Culture, and Liquid People. “Hold My Hand” is a pulsating builder of a house music track, with blissful layers of pads and rhythm complimenting the vocal. A squelchy, filtered synth line enters at the breakdown and completely takes the song to a new place, guiding the dance floor along the way. A trio of remixes is led by the label’s own Marco Rea and Ru.DiJ, collaborating on a version that is flavored with key work by Frankie Mancuso. It’s more of an uplifting, melodic, peak time affair adding balance to the underground vibe of the original. A couple more talented Italian producers follow, with a deep, bass-fueled mix by James Gutierrez and a somewhat spacier version from Luca Cucchetti touching on tech-house elements. It’s a well-paced vocal house single from Fresh Cream, sure to please DJs of many different stripes.

Graeme Park - “Delicious vocal.”
Robert Owens - “The Luca Cucchetti remix … cool track!”
Claudio Coccoluto - “Nice tracks.”
Benji Candelario - “‘Hold My Hand’ … good tune.”
DJ MFR (Transport Recordings) - “Bella!”
Phonatics (Housesession Records) - “This is brilliant!”
Edground (Grooveland Music) - “Amazing sound. I’m loving the vibe and the vocals.”
Vincent Kwok - “Great tracks!”
DJ Therry (Jerk House Connection) - “Great voice … I love it. Full support.”
Igor Marijuan (Ibiza Sonica FM) - “Loving it all!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “The bounce to James Gutierrez remix is a real smooth instant mover … subtle sounds and rocking bass.”
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - “The vocals on this track are stellar … Heidi is in fine form. The melodic Marco Rea & Ru.DiJ mix is a serious stand-out.”
Eddy Spirit Spirit Crew / Janga Radio) - “I’m having a hard time deciding which track to pick as a favorite. They are all equally brilliant in their own way.”
Cherokee (Cherry Global Radio Show, Australia) - “Excellent! I love Heidi Vogel and the remixes are all great!”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download

Thomas De Lorenzo - Dirty Happy People (Fresh Cream Records)

The summer might be gone, but Fresh Cream Records is ready to set the rest of 2012 on fire with a string of hot releases. Follwing the top 30 charting success last spring of “In My Heart,” Fresh Cream Records presents “Dirty Happy People,” a new floor-filler from label don Thomas De Lorenzo. After releasing memorable deep, soulful house tunes on labels such as Defected and Purple Music in the last couple years, as well as his well-received “Remember My Name” for Gooseneck Records, Thomas dove head first into 2012 with a terrific new sound. And that sound, incorporating eighties and nu-disco production elements combined with contemporary house music affections, is in full effect with “Dirty Happy People.” The slinky rhythm and bold bass line drive an almost ominous synth melody while the infectious, effected vocal sample builds in volume. It’s dark, it’s groovy, and it’s most assuredly a track that will stand out in the DJ’s set. Yet another superb, unique, and club-ready treat from the heart and soul of Italy’s Fresh Cream Records.

Mark Farina - “Nice.”
Vincent Kwok - “Funky 80’s feel!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “The strong retro influence captures a really cool feel.”
Jerk House Connection - “So deep. Full support.”
Jask - “Nice.”
Rick Preston - “Digging the 80’s thang!”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Yes yes! This is superb - combining all the elements of deep house. nu-disco, and a solid groove to create an absolute winner. Love this!”
Igor Marijuan (Ibiza Sonica FM) - “Great stuff. I love it.”
Jeannie Hopper (Liquid Sound Lounge) - “Deep and dreamy … nice stereo panning isolated effects … sweet! Lovin’ his sound.”
Russell Deeks (This Is Why We Dance) - “Cool tuffer house grooves with plenty of drama and texture.”
Malik Fulsoul (Image Radio 103.0 FM) - “Love the dirty 5 AM vibe on this jam!”
Thomas Pudell (Black Alley) - “One for the big moments on the floor … loving it!”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.

Steeve Mask feat. Adama - Loosen Up (Fresh Cream Records)

Italy’s Fresh Cream Records continues its ambitious pace with the sixth release from the label, marking the return of Steeve Mask and regular collaborator Adama. Steeve is a veteran DJ on the Italian scene, one half of The Bulletz with Thomas De Lorenzo, and co-owner of Fresh Cream. He’s starting to really make a name for himself with his refreshing deep house style, incorporating elements of nu-disco and funk into a floor-pleasing sound. Parisian vocalist Adama provided vocals on Steeve Mask’s single that launched Fresh Cream, the well received “Sweet Romance,” and now they’ve combined forces again for the brand new “Loosen Up.”

“Loosen Up” instantly creates a feel-good floor vibe with its disco rhythm, captivating bass line, housey piano chords, and Adama’s silky vocal delivery. This is the perfect track to knock the party into next gear and get the dancers flooding the boogie zone. Prime mover! Fresh Cream regulars Marco Rea & RU.DiJ are on hand for the first remix, a delicious ‘dub’ that pulls things deeper and in a more electronic realm, using repeated phrases from Adama’s vocal track to a hypnotizing effect. This one’s solidly placed for an after-hours affair. The second remix in the package comes from Steeve’s partner in The Bulletz and Fresh Cream, Thomas De Lorenzo. With lush synth pads, clappy 808 percussion, effected vocals, and a pulsating bass line this treatment borders on Balearic deep house, making it a top choice for summer beach-side soirees. Three beautiful tracks from Fresh Cream Records here, ready for residence in your digital DJ crate.

Quentin Harris - “The Thomas De Lorenzo Rework is my pick.”
Vincent Kwok - “Really feeling the original and Thomas DeLorenzo mixes.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Deep, heavy remix. Really nice sound. The vocal is haunting.”
Eddy Spirit - “In this time when voices seem to be lacking, a nice and dreamy vocal with the right amount of power is just what was needed! Especially if, like in this one, it is accompanied by a smooth hypnotic vibe that pushes everything forward. Rocks!”
Spiritual Blessings - “Nice, deep, smooth electro funk. The original for us.”
Christos Kedras (Kapa Music) - “Nice package. The Thomas de Lorenzo remix is my pick. I like the dark edge.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “Fresh Cream Records already has a characteristic sound, where nu-disco and house connect through sexy moods, fat bass lines, and old school influences to make a lot of buzz. Loving the original here and the retro Thomas De Lorenzo Rework.”
Rudy Kizer (Hit The Decks Radio Show) - “Holy balls! The original is brilliant!”
Stefan Popovic (DiscoTone Radio Show) - “The original mix has a soulful and chilled groove that just anybody can love. The bass line in Lorenzo’s rework can seriously shake the floor and it’s one of those tunes which will shine on strong system.”
Jeannie Hopper (Liquid Sound Lounge) - “A very Sunshine Jones West Coast vibe on the original. Thomas De Lorenzo is one of my new favorites. The vocals are nice and deep in the mix!”
Bobi (Global Movement Macedonia) - “Solid late night bump. Diggin’ all three cuts!”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.