Julius Papp - Healing Force (NeoDisco Music)

Coming from a true originator and innovator in the north American house music scene, the unveiling of a new album from Julius Papp is always met with enthusiasm from dance music fans everywhere. From early appearances alongside Mark Farina at the fabled Mushroom Jazz parties, to sought-after singles on the likes of Nervous Records, Kenny Dope’s Dope Wax, King Street, and Yellow Recordings, to the high quality releases on his own NeoDisco Music imprint, Julius Papp has been stirring dance floors for a couple of heady decades. Now his third artist album -- the buoyantly titled Healing Force -- is ready to drop into appreciative sound systems worldwide, opening a new chapter in Julius's vibrant recording career.

Healing Force is meant to touch on the many aspects of Julius Papp's history and musical influences. The album excels at deep house and soulful, vocal house moments as well as in its slices of downtempo, jazz, and disco-influenced flavors. The album even opens with Julius's declaration of sorts -- as the voice in the loungey "All Styles" suggests: "you should absorb all kinds of musical styles." Other album highlights include the dreamy "Kosmosis" (which presents Julius's fantastic take on the familiar "E2-E4" riff), the funky '80s-influenced "Let It Move You", and the inspiring house track "Just Feel It". The smooth, soulful vocal house tracks Julius is known for are also here … the Reprise Mix of the lovely "A Thousand Years", featuring the amazing vocals of Gina Rene, and the Redux of "Primitive Future", with its spoken verse by Tonee Green, give the DJs and dancers alike something to groove on. Healing Force's eleven tracks are like a tour through Julius Papp's record crate, with diverse house, disco, and lounge vibes pleasantly sharing space, ready to warm up the speakers.

Rich Medina - "Banging!"
Abicah Soul - "Love it. Deep excursions."
Jask - "Amazing."
Sunshine Jones (Dubtribe) - "I love Julius Papp."
Hippie Torrales - "Nice, deep grooves."
Hollis P Monroe - "Summertime dopeness!"
Beppe Gioia (Garage Family / Citydeep) - "Memories … I love it."
Graeme Park - "Highly appealing."
Lars Behrenroth - "Super. Full support."
Husky (Random Soul) - "For the love of Papp! Always some nice downtempo grooves from the maestro."
Craig Stewart (Montana & Stewart / DCSTrax) - "A very tasty, well thought-out collection of eclectic music. Brilliant release from the maestro."
Evan Landes (Groove Junkies / MoreHouse Records) - "Julius always delivers the goods and this album is no exception."
Ant Plate (Rhythm Plate / YSE) - "Great and diverse release. Pretty much something for every deep house / soulful music loving DJ here."
Moodymanc (20/20 Vision) - "'Kosmosis' is the sound of sunshine to me."
Groove Assassin (Pacha / Defected) - "Julius Papp always on point … heavy production!"
Vincent Kwok - "What an excellent collection of tracks!"
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "It's always awesome to hear Julius Papp, someone whose 12"s I've been playing since the mid-90s! This is a superb collection, embracing everything from future disco to house to chuggy electronic goodness … a brilliant collection all round."
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - "This mentor of west coast house music is back with another fantastic release … definitely one of the best house music albums of the year."
SimonG (Deep South Audio) - "Heavy weight player dropping a sweet collection … a good insight to the mind of a very talented producer."
Richie Roberts (The Dance Factory, BBC Radio) - "Every now and again a release comes along that just blows you away. This is one such. Perfection."

Available now from Traxsource, Beatport, and iTunes.

Julius Papp - Music Is The Key (NeoDisco Music)

Legendary San Francisco DJ Julius Papp doesn’t need much introduction in most house music circles. His masterful DJ sets, including his early appearances alongside Mark Farina at the fabled Mushroom Jazz parties, are always stirring. Julius’ discography, spanning across classic labels like Nervous Records, Kenny Dope’s Dope Wax, King Street, and OM Records, remains highly sought after. The formation of Julius Papp’s own NeoDisco label afforded the freedom of music on his own terms and has yielded a prolific string of singles and Open Mind, his artist album from summer 2010. Julius’ new album, Music Is The Key, is finally ready to be unveiled and, like his previous album, showcases an eclectic collection of music moods. Highlights include “MIracle,” featuring renowned vocalist Lisa Shaw nestled into a soulful house gem with acoustic guitar warming the song into a feel-good ride; the percussive, dance-floor attitude of “Never Let You Go” providing that peak-time energy boost; “Boogie Buffet” which provides a groovy strut among deep textures for fans of a nu-disco sound; the east coast-meets-west coast excursion of “Believe,” which features DC vocalist Deborah Bond and Deep Culture’s Myles Bigelow and Luis Machuca on live percussion and instrumentation; and “Celestial Journey,” a romantic, guitar-led foray that dives head first into the deep house continuum. Enjoy the ride!

Marques Wyatt - “I am feeling this.”
Chuck Love - “Love this! ‘Miracle’ is the cut … Julius and Lisa Shaw are two great tastes that go great together.”
Rasmus Faber - “Great selection here!”
Boddhi Satva - “‘Believe’ is right up my way. I’m going to definitely support this gem.”
Nick Holder - “I’m digging this!”
Robert Owens - “What a great group of tracks.”
Dave Mayer (Strictly Rhythm) - “Julius is a legend.”
Hippie Torrales - “Great album. The production is excellent and on point.”
Vincent Kwok - “Another hit release from the Papp!”
Master Kev - “A very nice collaboration with Lisa Shaw on ‘Miracle’! I will definitely support.”
Craig Stewart (DCSTrax) - “Outstanding from the maestro JP. Great work for the dance floor as always and all jams are dope.”
Richie Hartness (untitledmusic) - “Fads come and go … class like this lasts an eternity.”
Rudy Kizer (Hit The Decks Radio Show) - “I’m gobsmacked at how good this is.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House) - “A truly wonderful album showcasing Julius Papp’s versatility and ingenuity.”
Jovan Gligorov (Relaxators, Bulgaria) - “Wow, such class. Music is the key, Julius is the answer.”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.

Julius Papp & Lisa Shaw - Miracle (NeoDisco Music) →

Legendary San Francisco DJ Julius Papp doesn’t need much introduction in most house music circles. His masterful DJ sets, including his early appearances alongside Mark Farina at the fabled Mushroom Jazz parties, are always stirring. Julius’ discography spanning across classic labels like Nervous Records, Kenny Dope’s Dope Wax, King Street, and OM Records remains highly sought after. The formation of Julius Papp’s own NeoDisco label afforded the freedom of music on his own terms and has yielded a prolific string of singles and Open Mind, his artist album from summer 2010. Julius’ next album, Music Is The Key, is already on the way and “Miracle" is its first single.

For “Miracles” Julius Papp combines forces with another legend, house music vocalist Lisa Shaw. Previously the two had collaborated on the big single “Way Back,” which peaked at #2 on the Traxsource charts, and had been itching for a follow-up. “Miracle” features Lisa’s smooth, timeless vocals up against Julius’ tough house music production, buzzing with punchy bass, building synth stabs, and heaps of dance floor attitude. Julius also provides his Sunset Mixes on a tech-soul tip that sit comfortably between deep house and tech-house, potentially appealing to DJs of both persuasions.

WIth the addition of Smash Hunter on a remix, the legends keep coming strong. Known for his 90’s work on his Nu Breed label as DJ Smash (where he first worked with Lisa Shaw) as well as a DJ career long predating that, Smash Hunter was also a remixer included on the “Way Back” single. He returns for his version of “Miracle,” a sexy, mid-tempo house interpretation that has large dose of disco and soul thrown in for an irresistible concoction. Add Lisa’s heavenly melodies and a beautiful track that can be described as ‘pure magic’ is the welcome result.

Tony Humphries - “Nice, hyped track … Sunset Vocal the one for me.”
Marques Wyatt - “I’m loving this. Julius and Lisa topping it once again!”
Abicah Soul - “That’s a sweet, tender, and lush vocal. I like the key arpeggio stabs. The Sunset Vocal my pick.”
Tyree Cooper - “Smash Hunter did the business!”
Mousse T. - “Dope.”
Grant Nelson - “Wicked!”
Graeme Park - “Absolutely wonderful.”
Master Kev - “Great song! I’m loving the Sunset Vocal and Smash Hunter’s remixes as well. Solid!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Wicked sound, The Sunset Vocal and Dub are crazy. Full support!”
DJ MFR (Transport) - ” Excellent delivery from Julius and Lisa. Great rework from Smash Hunter!”
Husky (Random Soul) - “I’m loving the DJ Smash disco vibe.”
Craig Stewart (Universe Media) - “Sunset Vocal is fire, no doubt. I’m loving this jam for the dance floor.”
Marco Fullone (Radio Monte Carlo) - “”Beautiful vocals by Lisa an irresistible groove by Julius! Maximum support.”
Alexandre Klimow (Pure Dance, Belgium) - “Thanks to these legends for this miracle.”

Also supported by King Britt, Quentin Harris, Beppe Gioia, Rasmus Faber, Lars Behrenroth, Robert Owens, Jay West, Groove Junkies, Christos Kedras, Benji Candelario, Doc Link, Hippie Torrales, and Alex Dimitri.

Available now from Traxsource

Julius Papp & Mr. V present Chicago Tribute Remixed (Transport Recordings) →

Transport Recordings' latest release revisits one of their hottest tracks from last year, “Chicago Tribute" by acclaimed house music mainstays Julius Papp and Mr. V. It’s a loving tribute to the city and scene of Chicago, complete with an old school house music vibe as the unique voice of Mr. V intones, “That sound … the feeling we had.” This single contains brand new remixes from Transport’s own DJ MFR and Rome-based DJ/producer Devid Morrison. Full versions and instrumentals are available for each, and these are undeniably floor-filling versions mixing the classic feel with today’s production flair. It’s a sonic treat for DJs and dance floors alike from the always reliable Transport Recordings.

Marques Wyatt - “I’m loving these remixes.”
Abicah Soul - “A moody groove tune. The Devid Morrison Remix rocks.”
Claudio Coccoluto - “Papp rocks the deep!”
Robert Owens - “This is great. Respect to the old and new.”
DJ Heather - “Deepness …”
Graeme Park - “Loved the original mixes and love these, too.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House) - “The DJ MFR mixes for me. Deep infectious rhythms paired with Mr. V’s undeniable vocals and lush melodies make this a sure-fire late night weapon.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “I loved the original mixes, and this is solid. More heavy weight damage!”
Bill Brewster (DJHistory.com) - “The Devid Morrison mix is excellent.” 
Christos Kedras (Kapa Music) - “The MFR mix for me, but feeling the overall thing!”
Alexandre Klimow (Pure Dance) - “Great voice, great producers, and great remix. What more do you want?”
Craig Stewart (DCSTrax) - “The DJ MFR Deep Mix is off the funking charts, a fantastic jam for the dance floor. Great work!”
Clemy Rilley (Soul Heaven) - “Julius Papp and Mr. V … dope beats for true!”

Available Now From Juno Download and Traxsource.