Various Artists - Talking About EP (Fresh Cream Records)

Fresh Cream Records continues an ambitious pace with their fifteenth release, the Talking About EP. It's a diverse compilation, quite varied in sound, featuring the talents of Ru.DiJ, Max Ferrante, Achille Lombardi, and vocalist D'Layna.

Kicking things off, Ru.DiJ constructs "You Can Do It", a driving tech-influenced track perfect for the terrace and with just the right touch of house piano chords. It also features the empowering diva vocals of D'Layna. Producer Ru.DiJ grew up where Italian club culture was born, in the famous Riccione township, while D'Layna has made her name as a vocalist and songwriter with a focus on uplifting the spirits of club revelers. She's done so on collaborations with some of the world's most renowned DJs, a list that includes Sandy Rivera (KOT), Julius Papp, and Oscar P.

Doing as the Romans do, Max Ferrante divides and conquers this EP with two roles as both solo producer and vocal provider. Max has, over a decade, worked as a DJ at some of Italy's best clubs, playing alongside top house artists like David Morales and Dennis Ferrer. Working alone on "LoL", he lays down a funky bass line accompanied by softer guitar plucks and deep, melodic keys. It winds up with a lighthearted Parisian beach summer getaway feel. Together with Simil Masiano, Max shows his vocal side on "Amazing." The track features a pep-in-the-step vibe sure to make dancers flood the boogie zone.

To finish the EP, Achille Lombardi introduces the most eclectic sounds of the release. The Castrovillari born son of a radio announcer credits his father with helping spark his exploration of music. Somehow, it's all culminated in "Maria". Tribal in a folk sense, the song stomps along beneath vocal chants with hard to place string instruments, finding its energy in high pitched pings.

Hippie Torrales - “Nice package.”
Fabio Tosti (Music Plan / Transport Recordings) - “‘You Can Do It’ is the song for me. Nice, deep atmosphere.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “I like the vocal samples, the beats are crisp, and the groove is rolling.”
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - “‘LoL’ is an instant classic – I love the novel sample – and ‘Amazing’ lives up to its name.”
Tony Powell (Bounce Muzik) - “I’m really digging D’Layna’s vocals on ‘You Can Do It’. But the standout out is the disco-house Philly-style of ‘LoL’. So much fun!”
Black Alley (In Control Radio Show) - “Achille Lombardi’s track ‘Maria’ is tripped-out in a really nice way.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) - “An amazing and truly eclectic EP sure to rock the floor.”
DJ Phil T (DJ Times) - “‘You Can Do It’ and ‘LoL’ are hot.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “The deep house sound of Max Ferrante’s ‘‘LoL’’ is the one for me … impressive bass line, warm and laid back guitar, total Mediterranean chill.”
Mark Mac (The Sounds Collective) - “A couple of gems on this release. The Fresh Mix of Ru.DiJ feat. D’Layna’s ‘You Can Do It’ is a deep and funky hit.”
Pierre Ravan (KaRavan) - “Great EP. Simil Masiano’s ‘Amazing’ has a lovely beat and gritty bass line.”
DJ Deep Index (107.4 BOP FM, Australia) - “The Ru.DiJ feat. D’Layna track is gold. An awesome track … in my set you go!”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

Max Ferrante feat. Heidi Vogel - Hold My Hand (Fresh Cream Records)

Hold My Hand” is the new single on Italy’s Fresh Cream Records, produced by the Rome-based Max Ferrante and featuring the magnificent vocals of Heidi Vogel. This is Max’s second offering for the Fresh Cream label, and Heidi is a vocalist of much renown, loaning her voice to past releases from the likes of Cinematic Orchestra, Ananda Project, IG Culture, and Liquid People. “Hold My Hand” is a pulsating builder of a house music track, with blissful layers of pads and rhythm complimenting the vocal. A squelchy, filtered synth line enters at the breakdown and completely takes the song to a new place, guiding the dance floor along the way. A trio of remixes is led by the label’s own Marco Rea and Ru.DiJ, collaborating on a version that is flavored with key work by Frankie Mancuso. It’s more of an uplifting, melodic, peak time affair adding balance to the underground vibe of the original. A couple more talented Italian producers follow, with a deep, bass-fueled mix by James Gutierrez and a somewhat spacier version from Luca Cucchetti touching on tech-house elements. It’s a well-paced vocal house single from Fresh Cream, sure to please DJs of many different stripes.

Graeme Park - “Delicious vocal.”
Robert Owens - “The Luca Cucchetti remix … cool track!”
Claudio Coccoluto - “Nice tracks.”
Benji Candelario - “‘Hold My Hand’ … good tune.”
DJ MFR (Transport Recordings) - “Bella!”
Phonatics (Housesession Records) - “This is brilliant!”
Edground (Grooveland Music) - “Amazing sound. I’m loving the vibe and the vocals.”
Vincent Kwok - “Great tracks!”
DJ Therry (Jerk House Connection) - “Great voice … I love it. Full support.”
Igor Marijuan (Ibiza Sonica FM) - “Loving it all!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “The bounce to James Gutierrez remix is a real smooth instant mover … subtle sounds and rocking bass.”
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - “The vocals on this track are stellar … Heidi is in fine form. The melodic Marco Rea & Ru.DiJ mix is a serious stand-out.”
Eddy Spirit Spirit Crew / Janga Radio) - “I’m having a hard time deciding which track to pick as a favorite. They are all equally brilliant in their own way.”
Cherokee (Cherry Global Radio Show, Australia) - “Excellent! I love Heidi Vogel and the remixes are all great!”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download