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

New Mondo ft. Lisa Shaw - I Want Cha 'Remixed' (Transport Recordings) →

Featuring the lovely vocals of Lisa Shaw, “I Want Cha" was certainly a highlight from New Mondo’s 2010 album Total Control. NowTransport Recordings revisits the song with a quartet of new remixes that take the track in new, surprising directions, showing how this great song can translate to different house music flavors. First off, New Mondo’s DJ MFR reveals a mix in his sleek and deep San Francisco-honed style with some subtle tech-house elements. Fellow New Mondo member Vincent Kwok takes things a bit funkier with a punchy bass line, spacious percussion, and deep, layered pads. Italian producerDoc Vintage revs up the energy with a remix that features tribal-ish rhythms, bright acoustic guitars playing against Lisa’s vocal, and rising synth lines. Finally, fellow Italian producer Devid Morrison takes “I Want Cha” to the big rooms, coaxing out a version that builds with a melodic, peak time European style that’ll be a lot of fun on the right dance floors. The four cuts make for another top notch package from Transport, ideal for house music DJ’s looking for catchy songs, gorgeous vocals, and tight rhythms.

Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Vincent Kwok keeps the track building! I’m really into that mix.”
Simon Mackay (SMM Productions, Thailand) - With his remix, MFR has taken a good track and made it even better. The track has a solid bass line coupled with well-timed vocals and synth sounds. Full support.”
Henri Kohn (Conya) - “Vincent Kwok does it again. Killer remix!”
Nick Holder (DNH) - “Well rounded! DJ MFR Deep Mix is dope. The vocals are proper!”
Joshua Heath (Golden State) - “Vincent knows how to make a jam. His beats are always air tight.”
Soulfulbros - “DJ MFR in top form … deep the way we love.”
Pierre Ravan (KaRavan) - “Groovy and catchy. Lisa Shaw has one my favorite voices.”
Groove Junkies - “It’s a toss up on the face mix between Vincent’s and MFR. All round solid package.”
dj hWah (Deeper Music blog) - “Dope dope dope dope! Lisa Shaw’s voice is heaven sent and all of the producers take care of it in this release.”

Also supported by Jask, Jay West, Hippie Torrales, DJ Style, Mannix, Doc Link, Nacho Marco, Alexander East, and Christos Kedras.

Available now from Beatport and Traxsource

Q-Burns Abstract Message - Innocent (Presslaboys Remixes) (Eighth Dimension Records) →

After the release of Cole Medina’s well-received remixes of “Innocent,” Eighth Dimension and Q-Burns Abstract Message believed all versions of this classic tune had been tapped. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Italian DJ duo Presslaboys have taken everyone by surprise with a new pair of stunning “Innocent” versions. It seems that Presslaboys had prodded the remix parts from the hands of Q-Burns Abstract Message in an unguarded moment, stealthily concocting their version over a few months in their secret Presslab Records studio. Fellow Italian DJ Gianluca Peruzzi joined Presslaboys on the main mix which fuses the gorgeous vocals of Lisa Shaw to a wholly original music accompaniment. The music swells and rises above notably solid club rhythms delivering a house music potion suitable for consuming in big rooms and late, late nights. The dub pares down Lisa’s vocal and accentuates the shimmering music-scape as some seriously tough house beats point the way to the dance floor. All of this adds up to a nice surprise from Eighth Dimension, Q-Burns Abstract Message, and Presslaboys to close out the summer while warming up select DJ sets.

Graeme Park - “This has brightened up my day no end! Wonderful.”
DJ Chus (Chus & Ceballos) - "Presslaboys main mix for me. I love it!”
Scott Hardkiss (God Within) - “Fantastic! Beautiful! Brilliant! These remixes should really tear it up in both big fancy clubs and radical underground parties. Lisa Shaw’s voice is as unique as ever. Q-Burns Abstract Message is officially now on a major roll!”
Kenneth Thomas (Perfecto) - “Nice!”
Redanka (Tarrentella & Redanka) - "Good mixes! Love the dub.”

Available now from Juno Download and Traxsource