Poldoore - Hard To Forget / Midnight In Saigon Remixes (Cold Busted)

Poldoore’s The Day After, his brilliant second album for the Cold Busted label, garnered heaps of praise, loads of play, and a multitude of heads nodding to its crafty beats. The next step is to revisit these songs with a collection of delicious remix treatments, contained in the upcoming The Day After Remixes. For an advance taste, Cold Busted has gathered two of these cool versions for a special 7“ single. Rotterdam’s rising production talent Moods, already well-known for his remixes on SoundCloud, tackles ”Hard To Forget“ in a dreamy, unforgettable style. The vocal hook is filtered and accented against boom bap rhythms while a lovely, cut-up string section adds emotional gravitas. ”Midnight In Saigon", featuring vocalist Astrid, is the single’s next selection, and here it’s remixed by Los Angeles producer extraordinaire B. Bravo. He gives the track a cool FM soul vibe, adding G-funk melodies, chunky guitar, and a bubbling R&B bass line that wonderfully compliments the source material. DJs and true funk fans rejoice … this whole record is on point.

Rusty (All Good Funk Alliance / Super Hi-Fi Recordings) – “Nice R&B vibes here. Great remixes.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT Radio Show / Fluke) – “Lovely to hear some tracks that make me excited for the summer to come. Good vibes!”
Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi Recordings) – “Incredible release with some beautiful vocals.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “A real soulful banger!”
DJ Sabo (Sol Selectas) – “The B. Bravo Remix of Midnight in Saigon feat. Astrid is tight!”
Shantisan (Salted Soul) – “The Moods Remix of Hard To Forget is killer.”
Dogu (Ancient Astronauts) – “Very nice groove here.”
Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s) – “Great soul music.”
Dr. Best (Radio Z) – “Two nice reworks on this release, the B. Bravo Remix is my favorite.”
Morphosis (The Hong Kong Ping Pong Club) – “I love the Moods Remix of Hard To Forget. Very tasty indeed.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Junodownload, iTunes, And Spotify.

Poldoore - The Day After (Cold Busted)

Belgian producer Poldoore (born Tom Schillebeeckx) has revealed The Day After, handily providing a sequel to his well-received previous album on Cold Busted, The Day Off. Within its eleven distinctive tracks Poldoore has further developed his vibe-rich sound, creating deft blends of funk, soul, lounge, and reggae topped with punchy drum breaks.

The Day After is filled with highlights and shows Poldoore's keen ability at crafting floor-effective instrumental head-nodders as well as delicate melodic arrangements featuring talented guest vocalists. "No Face" and "A Higher Intelligence" (featuring Kabanjak of Ancient Astronauts) are examples of Poldoore's fine-tuned beatology, mixing hip hop samples and tough DJ-ready rhythms over impressively produced musical elements. The result is much headier than the usual 'instrumental hip hop' fare, with cuts equally at home in the clubs as in the earphones. But it's with the vocal tracks that The Day After really shines. The lovely and soulful "Midnight In Saigon" presents vocalist Astrid who entices the listener with her intoxicating melodies, while London-based rapper Barney Artist adds compelling verses to Poldoore's proper beats on "Broke For A Minute". A pleasant surprise also comes in the form of "The Road", a skankin' reggae prime-mover featuring Thievery Corporation collaborator Sleepy Wonder, as well as sax and flute from Garrett Kobsef who recently recorded with Grammy winners Morgan Heritage. These ambitious moments heighten the resonance of Poldoore's The Day After, placing it firmly in the realm of something special.

Danny Massure (Spring Strut) - "Poldoore is amazing … one of the only producers to successfully blend '70s soul with with modern downtempo while keeping the vintage feeling intact, yet taking it to a dreamy place of bliss."
DJ Moneyshot (Solid Steel) - "Sublime beats to get you in the right mood … no fakin'."
Fort Knox Five - "The sound of contemporary downtempo! Solid beats and beautiful melodies."
Dogu (Ancient Astronauts / Switchstance) - "Nice!"
Belabouche (Midnight Riot / DiscoDat) - "I am feeling this!"
Tim "Love" Lee (Tummy Touch) - "I dig the dub vibe of 'The Road'."
Quincy Jointz (Timewarp Music) - "Yeah … so good to get new dope music from Poldoore. I love his sound."
DJ Tomas (Google Play / ForwardEver) - "A great evolution on Poldoore's already rich and layered sound. The production is clear and full of sparkling ideas. A producer at the top of his game."
DJ BMF (Phat N' Jazzy) - "Good stuff! I like how Cold Busted is keeping the classic acid jazz vibe alive."
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) - "Rockin' fresh with all styles here … dope!"
Aja Allsop (Ketch-A-Vibe Radio Show) - "The sweetest of grooves."
Bruno From Ibiza (Ibiza Global Radio) - "Super good. I will play most of these tracks."
DJ Krimi (Radio Krimi) - "Poldoore … toujours aussi efficace. Big up!"

Available now from Bandcamp, Beatport, iTunes, and Spotify.

Koka Mass Jazz - Smile (Cold Busted)

Koka Mass Jazz is the solo-project-turned-party from Konstantin Katsarski. Katarski is a sound designer, musician, songwriter, composer, producer, and engineer -- he does it all -- based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Konstantin could remain a solo artist, but after creating the concept of Koka Mass Jazz in 2013 a band of musicians quickly became involved. Their sound is that of a drunken funk brigade … fun and full of embellishments. Listeners can expect this talented group's work to cover styles ranging across funky breaks, nu jazz, funk, soul, and even a bit of afro-beat. Much of the music and arrangement of the songs are composed by Katarski while the lyrics are written by Denitsa Georgieva.

Their first single release, "Smile”, made its way onto Cold Busted's Bust Free compilation, also serving as the first single from their forthcoming album Groovy Jam Shoes. The original shines bright enough to get anybody out of their shell -- it's a true, feel good funk party starter. For this follow-up, Cold Busted has pulled from its collective family of producers to provide an eclectic, beat-heavy remix package as only their roster could.

The young, prodigious Belgium-based talent Poldoore twists and squeezes "Smile" out into a model nu-disco affair with cut up vocals for added energy. In the hands of the Green Street the song is somehow made even funkier with extra drum rolls and only the best bass line bits. mister T. steps up to the plate with the release's most club-friendly remix … the Athens transplant gives it some serious Greece with a sleazy electro drum break and lead synth. Diving deep into that Cold Busted downtempo sound the world has come to know and love, Manchester's My Neighbour Is packs things into a condensed form while the Polish producer LoopMaffia extends the original elements out in his subtle, and slightly psychedelic, Moonsoul Dub. To wrap up the single, label boss Vitamin D delivers a more linear Re-Edit alongside an instrumental version of the remix from Green Street.

Kid Loco - "Great original track, and superb remixes."
Fort Knox Five - "Loving the jazzy breakbeats! I'm digging the mister T. remix and the original."
All Good Funk Alliance - "Wow, all these remixes are really dope … nice, jazzy, soul vibes all over the fu--king place."
Shantisan (Salted Soul / One Note Samba) - "It's not easy to select a favorite remix here … a nice bundle from start to finish."
Quincy Jointz (Timewarp) - "A very good remix package. I like the remixes by My Neighbour is, Vitamin D, and Poldoore."
tOtALcULt (Cult Music / NuFunk) - "Wow, tough job picking a favorite version. The original is super funky, and the remixers all bring something special to the party. Another strong release."
Flashbaxx - "Nice, diverse remixes. I like the Poldoore remix … it reminds me of the good old Thomas Bangalter days."
Lebrosk (Mixmag) - "I'm loving the chilled vibes on the Poldoore remix!"
Neil Bopperson (Wah Wah 45s / Le Mellotron) - "Loopmaffia's Moonsoul Dub is nice."
DJ Chewy (Alphabeatsoup) - "The original version of this is such a good tune … great vocal in particular. The remixes turn it into a banger, especially Poldoore's disco lick and Green Street's more b-boy breaker."
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) - "Great rockin' vocal funk ... yeah. Moving!"
Aja Allsop (Ketch-A-Vibe Radio Show) - "Eclectic … full of energy and funk with a gritty bounce."
Clairvo (Tilos Radio, Hungary) - "Each remix has its place during a DJ gig. The originality shines through this release."

Available now from Beatport and The Cold Busted Shop (Bandcamp).

Poldoore - The Day Off (Cold Busted)

Cold Busted returns to familiar label artist Poldoore (born Tom Schillebeeckx) to release his new album, The Day Off. It features some talented guests, including the mysterious Maverick, emcee duo The 49ers, American blues singer Bodhilynn, and trumpeter Will Magid.

Based out of Belgium, Poldoore started producing at an early age and eventually his potential was realized by Cold Busted’s offer to release his debut L.A.X. EP . From there the pairing has only grown stronger. Poldoore’s sound is about good vibes, creating warm atmospheres that blend funk, soul, lounge, and reggae with punchy drum breaks.

Among the album’s many highlights is “Morning Glory,” featuring a rocksteady beat with bright arpeggiated synths at select moments, with the bulk of the track carried by wailing guitars and chopped up blues vocals. “Ahhh Yeah” enters like a walk in the park with bright keys, lovely strings, and funky rhythms, the results of rearranging an original sample into suitable bits and pieces with a little help from Maverick. “Heard It All Before” has Bodhilynn’s soulful vocal hook accompanied by The 49ers’ rhymes and a key-based beat with soaring highs. “Natural High” elicits psychedelic vibes with plenty of effects, a sporadic, low electric shock, and interwoven, layered guitar play. “Unconditional” uses a Motown-like backing track beefed up by a strong kick and slow, sizzling hats, cymbals, and snares. Midway through “Unconditional” Poldoore is joined by Will Magid’s saucy, bayou-evoking horn solo. “Call It A Day” is a dreamy funk affair full of shimmery, echoing melodies, teetering guitars, forward-staggering key stabs, and a stand out bass line.

The Day Off is full of sonic sunshine, exactly the kind of sonic weather fit for enjoying what little time there is for leisure and much appreciated in today’s musical climate.

DJ Moneyshot (Solid Steel Radio / NinjaTune) - “The moods are lush, the production sheen next level. On that Gramatik tip, but with a richer sub. Very classy, chaps.”
Tim “Love” Lee (Tummy Touch) - “Good stuff!”
Irregular Disco Workers - “Magic moments here … will be played for sure!”
Danny Massure (Spring Strut) - “Dope! I love the soulful vibes, and the trumpet sounds great!”
All Good Funk Alliance - “Nice grooves.”
Dogu (Ancient Astronauts / Switchstance) - “‘Morning Glory’ is really cool!”
Flashbaxx - “I love the positive, optimistic vibe of the tracks. Nice cut’n’paste work, too.”
DJ Kid Stretch (Warriorz Records / Goodgroove) - “Nice beats … I love this release.”
Zamali (Timewarp Music) - “All tracks are good, warm, phat, and groovy. Just what I need now. Respect.”
Clive Craske (RadioReverb) - “Hyper-cool trip-hop with a genuine hip-hop vibe. Very ‘Big Chill.’”
Basement Freaks - “Yeah! Sweet beats …”
Djouls (Paris DJs / T.I.M.E.C.) - “With each new release Poldoore gets more soulful and more funky.”
SimonG (Deep South Audio) - “Dope beats as ever … I always love to have Cold Busted in my DJ sets.”
DJ BMF (Phat N Jazzy) - “Jazzy grooves live! Bunch of great tracks here and the vocalist is on point, too.”
DJ Chicken George (Swedish Brandy) - “Always quality … Poldoore never disappoints!”
DJ Tomas (Friday Night Session / ForwardEver) - “A really strong release with each track showing consistency and diversity at the same time. ‘Heard It All’ has a fantastic vocal performance and production, and the instrumentals all sound strong too. Great work.”
Marc Lacasse (sHIFT Radio, Canada) - “Chilled to the right degree … sounds like a glimpse into the summer.”

Available now from Beatport and The Cold Busted Shop.