Koka Mass Jazz - Smile (Cold Busted)

Koka Mass Jazz is the solo-project-turned-party from Konstantin Katsarski. Katarski is a sound designer, musician, songwriter, composer, producer, and engineer -- he does it all -- based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Konstantin could remain a solo artist, but after creating the concept of Koka Mass Jazz in 2013 a band of musicians quickly became involved. Their sound is that of a drunken funk brigade … fun and full of embellishments. Listeners can expect this talented group's work to cover styles ranging across funky breaks, nu jazz, funk, soul, and even a bit of afro-beat. Much of the music and arrangement of the songs are composed by Katarski while the lyrics are written by Denitsa Georgieva.

Their first single release, "Smile”, made its way onto Cold Busted's Bust Free compilation, also serving as the first single from their forthcoming album Groovy Jam Shoes. The original shines bright enough to get anybody out of their shell -- it's a true, feel good funk party starter. For this follow-up, Cold Busted has pulled from its collective family of producers to provide an eclectic, beat-heavy remix package as only their roster could.

The young, prodigious Belgium-based talent Poldoore twists and squeezes "Smile" out into a model nu-disco affair with cut up vocals for added energy. In the hands of the Green Street the song is somehow made even funkier with extra drum rolls and only the best bass line bits. mister T. steps up to the plate with the release's most club-friendly remix … the Athens transplant gives it some serious Greece with a sleazy electro drum break and lead synth. Diving deep into that Cold Busted downtempo sound the world has come to know and love, Manchester's My Neighbour Is packs things into a condensed form while the Polish producer LoopMaffia extends the original elements out in his subtle, and slightly psychedelic, Moonsoul Dub. To wrap up the single, label boss Vitamin D delivers a more linear Re-Edit alongside an instrumental version of the remix from Green Street.

Kid Loco - "Great original track, and superb remixes."
Fort Knox Five - "Loving the jazzy breakbeats! I'm digging the mister T. remix and the original."
All Good Funk Alliance - "Wow, all these remixes are really dope … nice, jazzy, soul vibes all over the fu--king place."
Shantisan (Salted Soul / One Note Samba) - "It's not easy to select a favorite remix here … a nice bundle from start to finish."
Quincy Jointz (Timewarp) - "A very good remix package. I like the remixes by My Neighbour is, Vitamin D, and Poldoore."
tOtALcULt (Cult Music / NuFunk) - "Wow, tough job picking a favorite version. The original is super funky, and the remixers all bring something special to the party. Another strong release."
Flashbaxx - "Nice, diverse remixes. I like the Poldoore remix … it reminds me of the good old Thomas Bangalter days."
Lebrosk (Mixmag) - "I'm loving the chilled vibes on the Poldoore remix!"
Neil Bopperson (Wah Wah 45s / Le Mellotron) - "Loopmaffia's Moonsoul Dub is nice."
DJ Chewy (Alphabeatsoup) - "The original version of this is such a good tune … great vocal in particular. The remixes turn it into a banger, especially Poldoore's disco lick and Green Street's more b-boy breaker."
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) - "Great rockin' vocal funk ... yeah. Moving!"
Aja Allsop (Ketch-A-Vibe Radio Show) - "Eclectic … full of energy and funk with a gritty bounce."
Clairvo (Tilos Radio, Hungary) - "Each remix has its place during a DJ gig. The originality shines through this release."

Available now from Beatport and The Cold Busted Shop (Bandcamp).

DJ Pippi & Sandro S - Fatal (Cold Busted)

Italian by name, German by trade, and with a career forged by Ibiza, DJ Pippi once again has hooked up with Sandro S, the name behind one of Italy's top house labels, CibiCaldi Recordings. Together, along with a short vocal feature by Laurance B, they have created a vibe-laden, breezy and jazzy cut for Cold Busted. Chilled, but not lacking in groove, "Fatal" is a rhythmic and classy killer with impeccable timing, landing during a summer where much of the world's attention is focused on Brazil. Using bells, shakers, and a hiccup of vocal chants, a tinge of samba gives way to the refined cool of a balearic touch, both reflective of paradise settings.

Moving on to the remixes, Green Street are three production minded friends that host the Str8 Busted Podcast out of the southeastern United States. Their Dub ups the funk with more prominent guitars and the introduction of a wailing organ melody and stabs. Mojo Rising hails from a Los Angeles rave DJ background, having taken that initial spark and channeled it into academia in order to grow as a downtempo and trip-hop producer. He adds smooth, rhythmic glitches, more booming -- but deep -- bass, and an angelic vocal hymn to the breakdown. Finally, Polish Cold Busted fam LoopMaffia takes a complete departure from the original heading towards experimental electronica with mutating synths, hard-to-place percussive elements, and strange voices fitting of the 'Grim Void' remix title. An included instrumental of the original rounds off another hot Cold Busted release sure to kickstart an idyllic summer.

Bill Brewster (djhistory.com) - “I really like the original and the Green Street dub.”
Basement Freaks (Goodgroove / SunsetSoul) - “Cool … I like the quica!”
Kid Loco - “The Green Street dub … nice one!”
Jask - “This is very nice.”
All Good Funk Alliance - “Cool jam … and I’m loving the remixes.”
Inland Knights - “Love it!”
Quincy Jointz (Timewarp Music) - “All good, it’s hard to choose a favorite. I think the Green Street dub is the one for my DJ sets but I also dig the spaced-out version by LoopMaffia.”
Robin Parris (Parris & Vanucci / Dancefloor Outlaws) - “The Green Street dub sounds like the ghost of Morcheeba’s ‘Big Calm’. Cool for hot, lazy summer evenings.”
Pathaan (Globetronica) - “Groovy!”
Black Mighty Wax (Irma Records) - “Great vibes for the summer!”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) - “I like the original’s pulsating rhythm and driving bass.”
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - “The LoopMaffia remix is a solid left field number.”
Clairvo (Tilos Radio, Hungary) - “Each song here has its own character, and all will get played!”
Niksa Dragolin (Eurostar Radio, Croatia) - “Very hot stuff. I love the original tune … it’s perfect for what I’m playing at beach parties. Yeahhh!”
Roger Cowell (The Joint Sessions, Barcelona) - “Very nice. I’m going for the original version for this summer’s beach party sessions … it will fit in perfectly, with the Brazilian vibes.”

Available now from Beatport and The Cold Busted Shop.