Various Artists - Impossible EP, Chapter 4 (Rebus Records)

The Impossible series of EPs is a place for artists and producers in the Proceed and Rebus Records families to stretch out a bit and try some new sounds. If a track doesn’t quite sonically fit on an artist’s EP on those labels but still has the quality and dance floor appeal that demands to be heard then this is the place for it. The Impossible EP, Chapter 4 solidifies the series as a fixture, once again gathering five tracks from some shining Italian producers for another showcase on the Rebus Records sub-label, named after popular nightclub of the same name.

Proceed’s proprietor, DJ / producer Haldo (who has also released cuts through Transport Recordings, Conya, and Adaptation Music), re-touches a silky-smooth, low-slung groove by fellow Rebus club resident Giuseppe Mancuso on "I'm Back", guiding the producer towards his first introduction to the label side of the club and proving disco never dies. In completely different form and showcasing another lush sound, Haldo's original "Sleepin' Travel" features a squelchy, full-bodied bass line with deep combinations of piano stabs and revolving synth crescendos. Continuing the bass's theme, Italian veteran Fabrizio Marra (Musoul, Liberate) turns in a storming diva house number titled "Lola" that captures the glamor of a NY ballroom with the edginess of a warehouse. Proceed and Rebus label regular DJ E-Ro then creates a spacious and dubby late night atmosphere for "My Friend", where infectious hand percussion, dramatic strings, and vocals urge for the dancing to never end. Another name familiar to both imprints, Odo Makes A Smile, delivers in similar fashion on "Flashback To The Past", but this time with more urgency packed into a techno format and featuring an arpeggiated, Italo-style melodic breakdown.

Taken together, the release proves that the Impossible series' charm has yet to wear off.

Jask - "Top notch tracks!"
Graeme Park - "An intriguingly seductive selection of appealing, deep, chunky grooves."
Gene Hunt (Rush Hour / Dope Wax) - "Nice project … I'm digging the vibes."
Dave Mayer (Strictly Rhythm / Hardsoul) - "Giuseppe Mancuso's cut is perfect for the upcoming summer season at my beach residency."
Natural Rhythm - "I love the variety on this one. Haldo's 'Sleepin' Travel' is classic deepness."
Giom - "Cool tracks."
Abicah Soul - "Fabrizio Marra's 'Lola' is my taste!"
Mauricio Aviles (Movido / Loveslap!) - "I'm really liking the variation in deep house genres of this EP. A little sumthin' sumthin' for beginning, middle, or peak of your sets."
Marques Wyatt - "Tight beats."
Richard Earnshaw (Spiritchaser / Duffnote) - "Decent stuff throughout."
Dutchican Soul - "A really nice and diverse package … I will be supporting this."
Craig Stewart (Montana & Stewart / DCSTrax) - "Some very tasty dance music here. Great work."
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / Mega Jawns) - "A really beautiful collection of tracks here … right up my alley."
Alvaro Hylander (DeepWit Recordings) - "Proper feel-good deep house on Haldo's 'Sleepin' Travel'."
Eddy Spirit (Spirit Crew / Janga Radio) - "Another brilliant release from this Italian label … it's distinguishable for its catchy and penetrating groove. The EP's sound never becomes banal like a lot that you hear nowadays. A piece that you shouldn't miss."
Greg Fenton (Magazine Sixty / DMC Magazine) - "Good track here from Haldo."
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) - "Simply groovylicious."
Dean Serafini (JJazproJect) - "Some serious heat in this lot."

Available now from Traxsource.

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.

Various Artists - Impossible EP #3 (Rebus Records)

The Impossible series of EPs is a place for artists and producers in the Proceed Records family to stretch out a bit and try some new sounds. If a track doesn’t quite sonically fit on an artist’s EP on Proceed but still has the quality and dance floor appeal that demands to be heard then this is the place for it. Thus the third in a series, the Impossible EP #3, gathers five tracks from some of Proceed’s shining Italian producers, this time showcasing them on the Rebus Records sub-label.

Proceed’s proprietor, DJ / producer Haldo, who has also released cuts through Transport Recordings, Conya, and Adaptation Music, is represented by his pure and joyous house Deepfunkmix of “Rebus’funk.” A sure-shot bass line is guided by wonderfully atmospheric pads, key stabs, and synth accents with reverberating disco strings cutting through the layers. Haldo’s touch can also be heard in his additional keyboards on the EP’s contribution from Fabio Mazzei, a talented new deep house producer from Catanzaro. ”Just Me Again Down Here" is a hypnotic trip with growling bass and vocals that playfully question the listener. Having participated on the second edition of the Impossible EP projects, Fuscobeat & Magrini are welcomed back with “Green Afrika.” The track is a tribal floor-filler with flavorful, deep chords by Haldo once again. Tuscany-based Tony Barbato first started DJ’ing throughout Italy in the late ’90s enjoying production success and gigs at venues like the Parisian Djoon club. His work on “Love Is Endless" gives retro inspirations from past decades new life in a modern, big room context. Finally, Odo Makes A Smile compliments the package with his vision, commanding deep house vibes out of otherwise minimal techno elements in “Not Too Bad.”

Claudio Coccoluto - “Nice package!”
Richard Earnshaw (Spiritchaser / Duffnote) - “Tony Barbato’ s ‘Love Is Endless’ … very nice!”
Henri Kohn (Conya / Clubstar) - “Cool EP … all tracks have quality!”
Hippie Torrales - “Great EP package.”
Master Kev (Underground Collective) - “Nice! I will definitely play these.”
Nick Holder - “Dope!”
Tyree Cooper - “Nice stuff.”
Deli G (The Touch / Future Sound Of House) - “Every cut on this EP is rocking.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) - “A truly eclectic EP, with Fabio Mazzei’s wicked deep house gem ‘Just Me Again Down Here’’ bringing memories from back in the day.”
Mauricio Aviles (Movido / Loveslap!) - “Dope EP! A little something for everyone.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “There’s something very cool about this one … I’m into it. Haldo’s ‘Rebus’funk’ particularly doing it for me.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “Fuscobeat & Magrini’s ‘Green Afrika’ is probably one of the most uplifting house tracks I’ve heard in 2014 so far.”
Dean Serafini (JJazproJect) - “Haldo’s ‘Rebus’funk’ and Fabio Mazzei’s ‘Just Me Again’ work best for me but I can see myself making use of all five tracks. A nice varied package of well produced deep and funky vibes.”
Michael Stukes (Mystic Vybes Radio Show) - “Some serious grooves on this baby, here!”

Available now from Traxsource.

Soundpersecond Sampler (Soundpersecond Records)

Soundpersecond, a new house label from Italy, is pleased to introduce themselves with a compilation of their very first releases in the form of a sampler. This format fits well with their vision to break down the barriers of house music, uniting the full spectrum of soulful, deep, funk, nu-disco, and beyond. They’ve collected songs from veterans including “Turn Me Loose,” a Woodymann (Woody Bianchi) and Arthur Baker collaboration, “What Love Is” from the mysterious DJ duo Face Off, and the ambitious “Revolution” from multi-instrumentalist Dave Davison. Remixes come from deep house chart staple Aki Bergen, ’70s re-inventors Boogie Filtered, and the ’80s-influenced Elektromekanik. The originals were written with vocals in mind, balancing the line between club and song structured pieces. Regardless of influences, each track is well produced using a sound palette of acid, balearic, boogie, and nu-disco to create dynamic dance music.

Tony Humphries - “Great tracks and remixes.”
Claudio Coccoluto - “Nice package!”
Robert Owens - “The Boogie Filtered remix of ‘Turn Me Loose’ … great track.”
Graeme Park - “Yeah, baby … I like it!”
DJ Craig C (Pound Boys) - “Solid, all the way around!”
Benji Candelario - “Good tunes!”
Vincent Kwok - “The Elektromekanik remix of ‘Revolution’ is a funky disco tune.”
Hippie Torrales - “A great groove here.”
Deli G (The Touch / Future Sound Of House) - “Top release … that ‘Turn Me Loose’ joint is hot!”
DJ Danila (Wazzup? Records) - “Sounds awesome!”
Mr. Moon (Duffnote Recordings / Salted) - “Great release. I will be playing this all summer long!”
Corbin Dooley (Electric Feel Radio Show) - “The Original Boogie Mix of ‘Revolution’ is strong … an excellent funk workout.”
Alan Powell (Midnight Mix on Solar Radio) - “Good to see this Arthur Baker classic getting a well earned retouch. I love the Aki Bergen & Daniel Jaze remix … it’s really doing it for me.”
Mark Mac (The Sounds Collective) - “Blinding release … top vibes! I think that ‘Revolution’ is a steaming tune.”
Deepshizzol (MyHouse-YourHouse) - “Pure class! Every track is a killer mix.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “The Elektromekanik remix of ‘Revolution’ is good for the beach and poolside … really excellent.”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.