Kartech - Larrisa (Wind Horse Records)

Wind Horse Records is pleased to unveil "Larrisa", its second release from the New Delhi-based artist Kartech. Born as Thakur Kartik, Kartech is an innovative mix engineer and producer who is known in the Indian house music scene for walking his own path and playing by his own rules. His musical background, technical knowledge, and talent as a DJ have done their part in influencing the Wind Horse sound over the years. On "Larrisa", Kartech is joined by a quartet of acclaimed remixers: India-based producers Llewellyn Hilt and Aaryan as well as Alvaro Hylander and City Soul Project from Europe.

"Larrisa", which made its first appearance on the Wind Horse Five Year Anniversary Sampler, is a groovy deep house track characterized by crisp rhythms, reverb-soaked synth hits, and a rumbling bass line riding alongside calming, melodic chords. These are split apart to a moving effect in a particularly gorgeous mid-track breakdown. The single's b-side, "Never Know How", takes things darker and into the psychedelic zone, presenting a bit of twisted percussion and an exciting interplay between a massive bass synth and Kartech's signature chord-play. This cut really comes alive.

The esteemed team of remixers tackle "Larrisa" with diverse and DJ-ready interpretations. Prolific Denmark-via-Spain producer Alvaro Hylander (DeepWit Recordings) presents a hypnotic version that pulses and booms as it draws one in, while UK duo City Soul Project (City Soul Recordings) turn up the swing and add some soulful vocal hits for a cool rework that only loosely references the original. Representing the Indian side of the Wind Horse family, Llewellyn Hilt delivers a sparser but much spacier remix of "Larrisa" that is introduced with a piercing kick drum, while Aaryan's version boasts bin-shaking sub-bass and intricate layers of percussion, memorably completing this club-primed package.

Kartech's "Larrisa" continues Wind Horse Records' forward momentum, having just eclipsed five years of high quality releases. With fine Indian talent as well as global inspirations on board, "Larrisa" sets the tone for the label's exceptional place in the deep house ecosystem.

Nick Warren - "Lovely release … all mixes are excellent."
Toomy Disco (Kitsuné / Under The Shade) - "Superb EP! These deep vibes are making me dance."
Inland Knights - "I'm digging the Alvaro Hylander remix."
Vanilla Ace - "The City Soul Project remix for me."
Motorcitysoul (Cocoon) - "The Alvaro Hylander remix is super sexy."
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / Mega Jawns) - "The original of 'Larrisa' … all the way baby! Aaryan's remix is tidy, too."
SlanG (Spring Tube / Movement) - "'Never Know How' is the one for me."
Craig Stewart (Montana & Stewart / DCSTrax) - "Alvaro Hylander's remix for me … very tasty."
Vincent Kwok - "This is great deep house."
Dave Mayer (Strictly Rhythm / Hardsoul) - "I love 'Larrisa'! Great remixes, too."
Pathaan (Globetronica) - "Super release!"
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "Superb stuff … it's difficult to pick one over another here as all are strong. A great pack all round, as to be expected from Wind Horse."
Jamie Topham (CDPool) - "A class original cut and a welcome return for Wind Horse and Kartech. A cool set of mixes on offer, but it's the City Soul Project guys who take the honours from me on this occasion."
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) - "Wicked wicked remix by City Soul Project."
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - "The deep, mellow, and ethereal sound of Alvaro Hylander remix is really solid."
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Influences) - "Flawless release. Both original productions are stunning. As for the remixes of 'Larissa', I think this quartet of remixers has outdone itself - ace work."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.

Various Artists - Wind Horse Sampler 02 (Wind Horse Records)

India’s very own Wind Horse Records gathers five tracks from both familiar label artists and new names for the imprint’s second sampler. Each selection furthers the Wind Horse mission of combining global influences with tech-driven deep house foundations. Listeners wouldn’t be wrong to pick up hints of a cohesive ‘house sound of India,’ with the majority of the producers hailing from the South Asian country.

Kartech’s early keyboard apprenticeship is put to good use on “Samurai Funk” where he shows precision in production technique while practicing restraint, pushing the melodic elements to their limits, but never overboard. “Revolve” trickles like blood, flowing from the deep reservoirs of Llewellyn Hilt’s veins with thick, liquid pads, pulsing techno stabs, and rhythmic staccato tones. Once a nomad who has since found a home within music, Oma bungee jumps into the abyss propelled back by rubbery synths with adrenaline driven bass on “Glass Cliff.” Sleazy lows, percussive ripples, and cosmic synths back the pitched vocals of Bangalore brothers Audio Units and their fine contribution, “Sleep Talkin’.” Having released with labels like Kompakt, King Street, and Nite Grooves, expectations are always high for Hamza who finishes off the release with a wailing piano-filled remix of “Lonesome Beat” by California DJ / producer Sparkinzi.

Together these Indian producers are helping to shape a vibrant deep tech scene that is spreading its sound throughout South Asia and the globe. The artists all started their craft independent of each other but quickly banded together under a common goal to further house music in India. These are the main producers of a scene that is growing swiftly, and Wind Horse Records has created an exceptional snapshot of where things are now with this solid set of ambitious tunes. Dig in.

Nick Warren - “A lovely release … all the tracks are great.”
Giom - “Some really cool tracks here.”
Tensnake - “‘Revolve’ is nice and deep.”
Randall Jones (Audio Therapy / Baroque) - “Excellent compilation. I will play Audio Units’ ‘Sleep Talkin’’ in my sets for sure.”
Inland Knights - “Cool grooves … I’ll play it for sure.”
Steve Mill (Madhouse Records / Large Music) - “Hamza’s remix has the soul and groove that I like for my summer nights.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Another sterling release from Wind Horse … wicked.”
Pete Moss - “Killer release!”
Nick Holder - “Nice and deep!”
Hippie Torrales - “Real smooth grooves.”
Jaymz Nylon - “A nice ride.”
Tyler Stadius - “Super nice groovy tunes as expected from Wind Horse.”
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) - “Hamza knocks it out of the park … home run!”
Bruno Lepretre (Ibiza Global Radio) - “Great deep house music.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “Full of dreamy sounds … fantastic, euphoric, and uplifting.”
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Influences) - “I’m feeling this package so much … full of quality, classy, deep house sounds. Perfect for the summer season.”
Myxzlplix (Subdivisions Global Radio Show) - “Hot damm. Wind Horse continues to impress me. If this is just a sample, then I definitely want to taste more.”
DJ Naz (Buddha Bar) - “I absolutely love this new wave of Indian house. Clean and elegant, with enough melody and drive, it will sound great in many scenarios and I can definitely see it capturing many sunsets around the world.”

Available now from Juno Download and Traxsource.