Juan Hoerni - Vallarta (Cha Cha Project Recordings)

Los Angeles house music aficionado Juan Hoerni returns to his Cha Cha Project Recordings imprint with Vallarta, a deep and groovy three song EP. With a discography of over 30 productions — including contributions for the likes of Vega Records, Large Music, WAX — Juan has made a name for himself with a unique style that mixes the deep, Latin, and moodier sounds of house.

Juan draws on his Latin heritage for the flavors on this exceptional EP. The set is led by the uplifting “Vallarta,” featuring bright piano runs, a spicy bass line, a terrific saxophone solo, and the sounds of lively celebration. “Mentor” follows, lowering the tempo without compromising the feeling. Snappy percussion, emotional horns, and a Spanish vocal hook accompany a funky downtempo groove. The EP closes with the disco-flavored “Jungle Juice,” retaining Latin elements and fusing them with a classic ‘70s NY dance-floor vibe. Swirling organ and an exhilarating flute add to this cut’s floor-pleasing potential. Juan strikes again, and in a big way.

Soulfuledge (Soulfuledge Recordings) – “I like this whole release, but Vallarta is my fave on here. I’ll be playing this!”
Spettro (Get Physical) – “Mentira is great!”
Jaymz Nylon (Nylon Recordings) – “The real deal. Funky and festive. I dig all of these tracks.”
Tyree Cooper (Chicago Vinyl Records) – “I’m freekin lovin’ it!”
Deli G (The Touch) – “My man Juan is always on point. Dope three tracker.”
Jonny Layton (The Saturday Soulmine show) – “Outstanding collection of tracks. Essential!”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “Really nice diversity across these 3 tracks. I’m particularly loving Mentira.”
Graeme Park (The Graeme Park Radio Show) – “Vallarta is highly appealing. A great EP.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House Web Zine) – “A masterfully crafted EP.”
Shantisan (Salted Soul) – “A great release! Lovely tracks that work for any occasion – from radio to club. Full support from Vienna!”

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

Ursula 1000's Latin House Listening Party

After the release of the remixes for "Tropical Intention" – Ursula 1000's summery Latin house-inspired extravaganza (out now on Insect Queen Music) – we thought it might be fun to check in with Mr. 1000 to explore the track's inspirations. His previous list of favorite 'cheeky' disco tunes revealed some brilliant unheard gems, so there was no telling what he'd deliver from his record crate in the realm of Latin-tinged club weapons. As you'll find below, Ursula 1000 did not disappoint!


DJ Gregory - "Damelo"

Ursula 1000: Coming out in 2002, this French Latin house monster was a mainstay in my record box. I wore the hell out of this one!


Gypsymen - "Babarabatiri"

Ursula 1000: This Todd Terry side project was also something I rocked to death. Awesome use of a classic Beny Moré and Pérez Prado jam.


Fort Knox Five - "Donde Estabas 2"

Ursula 1000: My good pals from Washington, DC, Fort Knox Five, did a sneaky little remix of a wicked vintage salsa bomb that is a brilliant example of how to do Latin funky breaks.


The Bombdroppers - "Nightbeat (Skeewiff Remix)"

Ursula 1000: Like The Fort Knox Five jam, this Skeewiff remix of this wicked Tito Puente track is pure Latin funk!


Armand Van Helden aka Pirates of The Caribbean - "Rumba"

Ursula 1000: We wrap it up with this old school house classic way back from 1994 from the eclectic and industrious Armand Van Helden under his Pirates Of The Caribbean guise, released on Strictly Rhythm. Thanks to DJ $mall ¢hange for turning me on to this killer.


And while we're at it, have a listen to the superb new versions of "Tropical Intention" – remixed by Pontchartrain and P.A. Soundavailable now from Insect Queen Music:

Sonz of the Pitch - Samba Anna EP (Patsada Records)

Sonz of the Pitch are a funky Belgian house music duo made up of Phil Nobel and Ricardo Martins. With previous releases including their well-received debut on Patsada and the Welcome Home EP for Gourmand Recordings, the pair look to light up DJ booths and dance floors across Europe and beyond. This new single for Patsada Records -- the Samba Anna EP -- features three choice, percussive cuts that feature an abundance of punch and club-driving grooves. "Samba Anna" opens the single with a playful chant over a solid rhythmic base … drum fills and a latin touch help make this one a treat for the dancers. It's accompanied by a 'dub' version that gives the crisp, banging rhythm section some close attention. This one's a perfect late night groove ready to accelerate a party into overdrive. "After The Dance" closes out the release, bringing on a slightly darker vibe but not without a bit of swing and a formidable after-hours slink. Its flow is hypnotic and certainly infectious. The Sonz of the Pitch come correct.

Lenny Fontana - "Great latin dub style."
Onionz - "That 'Samba Ana' dub is on point."
Jason Hodges - "'Samba Ana' is a serious tune."
Lupe Fuentes (Inhouse Records) - "I'm really feeling the 'Samba Ana' dub."
Joeski - "Nice!"
Inland Knights - "Liking the dub … a proper DJ tool."
Nick Jagger - "Nice quirky elements … fun."
Moodymanc (20/20 Vision) - "I love these!"
Doc Link - "Hot! I will be supporting this."
Andrew Macari (Greenhouse / Tastie) - "Really solid summer vibes."
DJ Craig C (Pound Boys) - "This dub is really lettin' me have it!"
Robert Owens - "Cool tracks."
Diz (Iz & Diz / Vizual) - "Hotness!"
Ant Plate (Rhythm Plate / YSE) - "I'm liking the quirkiness of the original mix."
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "'After The Dance' is ace … a really solid underground heads-down vibe."
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Influences) - "I'm digging the banging tribal drums of 'Samba Anna'."
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - "I love 'Samba Anna' -- killer track -- and the dub is a ton of fun."
DJ Jazzy L (Jazzy Lounge Radio) - "This is great … a mix of electronics, house, and samba. I love it."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.

King Mono - Straight to VHS (Tummy Touch)

King Mono is the band / production duo of Little Shalimar (né Torbitt Schwartz) and Jeremy Wilms. The two met doing time in the rhythm section of the legendary Afrobeat unit Antibalas. In the early 2000s they founded the sophisticated disco soul machine Chin Chin who put out two records on the now defunct Definitive Jux record label. Yearning for an outlet for their more contemporary and quirky electronic impulses they began work on a new series of tunes based around a bunch of analog synths and drum machines, modern programing, and psychedelic mushrooms. Combining elements of funk, RnB, house, dance hall, hip hop, and '70s big beat rock, King Mono’s sound should be welcomed by fans of other genre bending futurists like Pharrell Williams and Little Dragon.

With Shalimar and Wilms' eccentric backgrounds, one must be prepared for their work to reflect this. King Mono's new EP, Straight to VHS, handled by the equally eclectic Tummy Touch label, is off-kilter but hits the mark. As this is in preparation of their forthcoming debut album Bump In The Night, any kind of guess as to what will happen on the full length would be frivolous. Plenty of character abounds on this new EP which serves as a first taste of what's coming with tunes featuring vocal appearances from Tiombe Lockhart, Chico Mann, Micah Gaugh, and -- yes -- David Lee Roth and Notorious B.I.G.. "Tiger Tiger" is the DJs highlight, an electro funk track with sly vocals that exude unequivocal cool all with an '80s sleaze. "Mosca" follows with breakbeat and booty bass wrapped up in Latin flavor. Curveballs like "Corriendo Con El Diablo" and "Can I Get Wit Cha" are thrown in for good effect. A strange twist of salsa and classic American rock, "Corriendo Con El Diablo" is hard to explain, but easy to shake the hips to. Equally surprising, a classic piano swing fit for an old time saloon underlays big hip-hop vocals sure to make "Can I Get Wit Cha" notorious for all those who listen. In addition, the EP also features the bleepy, subdued techno of "Room," once again featuring vocals one would not imagine, this time a disillusioned croon.

ALTZ (Altzmusica / DFA) - “Yeah … super summer breeze!”
Tee Cardaci (Low Down Grooves / Sine Qua Non) - “This sh%t is mental! Every cut is from its own freaky planet. Looking forward to dropping Mosca in the middle of a house set at an upcoming gig in Buenos Aires. It will either go over massive or there will be a lot of head scratching. Either way, looking forward to it!”
Tony D’Onghia (Radio Koper-Capodistria) - “So strange, it’s brilliant!”
Ennio Styles (Stylin’ Radio Show) - “I miss Chin Chin, so its good to hear a new project from these guys. Tiombe Lockhart, Chico Mann, David Lee Roth and Notorious BIG on one EP … now there’s a lineup!”
Mojo Rising (Cold Busted / F.A.M.I.L.Y.) - “A very unique and diverse release here. The real win for me here is ‘Tiger Tiger’ … funky beat with kick ass bass, and those slinky vocals.”
Niksa Dragolin (Eurostar Radio, Croatia) - “Nice twists, and an interesting combination.”
Corbin Dooley (Electric Feel Radio Show) - “Great fun. It brings back memories of the electroclash days.”
Velanche (Velanche’s Playtime Radio Show) - “Things that just should never go together somehow result in a sly bit of brilliance. This. Is. Great.”
Borja Señorlobo (Lovemonk) - “King Mono rocks!”

Now available as a free download from The Tummy Touch Shop.