Various Artists - Summer Soulstice 2021 Compilation (Uniting Souls Music)

Seattle’s house music mainstay Uniting Souls Music has queued up another of its anticipated label samplers to add to the heat of the summer months. The Summer Soulstice 2021 Compilation offers a state-of-the-label overview, featuring cuts from familiar names from the label’s vast discography as well as some inspired newcomers. There are too many highlights to spotlight among the compilation’s ten tracks — top notch deep house and west coast flavors abound. NY-via-Italy producer Alicia kicks things off with the hypnotic “Meraki’a,” followed by the crisp deep sound of Build It Records’s Bello. Seattle is represented by essential tracks from Snapdragon, Tony H, Gruv1 (AJ Sorbello), and FunkTonix (Jackson Mindt & James Nocchi), all prominent DJs and producers from the city. And, rounding out the other points in the nation (and the world) there’s Mikey "Lil'T" Tello, Jake Beautyman, DJ Sulli, and Anthony Zmoda. The Summer Solstice 2021 Compilation excels in vibey sounds for lockdown-liberated dancefloors — give ‘em all a spin.

Cohuna Beatz (B.A.B.A. Records) – “I love these grooves. Summer may come!”
Lönya (Asymmetric Recordings) – “Good stuff here.”
Jon Lee (Tilted Records) – “Outstanding work on this. Very solid tunes.”
Dean Facer (Resident Advisor) – “A truly fantastic release throughout.”
Snooba (Radio Panik) – “Infectious. Great and dope house music!”
Harry Avers (NOICE! Radio show) – “A very nice collection of music.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Another very strong release from USM.”

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

Jake Beautyman - Shadow Them Hills (Harmonious Discord Recordings)

Harmonious Discord is excited to welcome Suffolk-based producer Jake Beautyman (Bosh, Bombis, Damolh Records) to the label with an abstract-leaning dance record focused on disorienting melodies and sharp percussion. “Shadow Them Hills” is a tense and satisfying exploration of audio signals and sonic creepiness. Label mainstays Tobor Rellik and Onium provide a pair of fantastic remixes.

“Shadow Them Hills” tempers warehouse drum construction with carefully-placed sampling. Escalating arpeggios dance around each other as siren sounds move the music forward. Theremin-esque haunted leads sweep through during the multiple reprises. “Shadow Them Hills” is a fantastic tool for turning up the energy and setting sail for darker waters.

Tobor Rellik puts forth an amazing bass-driven rework. Focusing on the processed effects and rumbling sub-bass, the rework is guaranteed to wake the neighbors. Onium dives deeper with a dub techno re-imagination. Swirling pads settle the sampled material and the raw techno elements are preserved but rolled in with precision. Jake closes out the project with a fitting b-side called “Release and Guidance.” The selection features a similar focus on the abstract now accompanied by vocal samples and detuned modular plucks.

Colin Dale (Abstrakt Dance Records) – “Excellent EP. All cuts are rocking. A+”
Lcaise (Tanztone Records) – “Strong release. Tobor Rellik and Onium remixes for me, but the originals are also great. Will play for sure.”
Al Mackenzie (Great Outdoors) – “The Onium mix is really nice.”
Brian Busto (Serious Soul) – “Excellent tracks all around. Full support on this one.”
Lee Guthrie (Wiggle / Click Therapy) – “The Original of Shadow Them Hills is for me here.”
Dean Facer (OurHouse Magazine) – “A truly excellent release.”
SimonG (Volcano Radio) – “These are some solid late night beats.”
Brandon Bass (Aspect Ratios – KMET Radio) – “I really dig the Tobor Rellik remix. Supporting.”
Rob Zile (Brain Food Radio Show) – “Great deep, techy beats.”
Rob Pearson (Sinefm.com) – “Lovely EP here from Jake. The title cut stands out at first listen, but I’m looking forward to working with all of these cuts.”

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