DJ Samuel Lawrence - Used To Hold Me (R Side Recordings)

DJ Samuel Lawrence's latest offering on R Side Recordings speaks to those twilight moments when the club becomes a sanctuary of shared consciousness. The two-track release showcases Lawrence's masterful understanding of deep house's spiritual DNA while pushing the dancefloor into fresh territory.

"Used to Hold Me" centers on a masterfully engineered kick drum that anchors floating vocal fragments and precise stereo stabs. The production achieves that elusive sweet spot where technical excellence meets pure dance floor magnetism. Lawrence then orchestrates layers of tribal percussion and crisp snare hits into the moody warehouse burner, "Light Dark." Like watching storm clouds gather through factory windows, the track's ominous breakdown creates tension before unleashing its rhythmic payload.

Both tracks demonstrate R Side Recordings' commitment to releasing house music that prioritizes sonic innovation and DJ utility. Lawrence's careful attention to the subtleties of sub-bass and atmospheric space allows these tools to work in both peak-time slots and deeper sets. Dig in.

John Ferris (Transitions Sydney) – “Both tracks are amazing. Used To Hold Me is a huge classic and done well.”
PillowTalk (PillowTalk Music) – “Great work! Full support.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People)** (Seamless) – “Vocal is working nice here.”
Zack Hill (TribeRadio Podcast) – “What a nice surprise! Used To Hole Me is dope.”
Jon Barnes (KZSU 90.1 FM) – “Love the groove and mood of Light Dark.”
Yogi Haughton (DJ Mag reviewer) – “Always loved the original of You Used To. This is a fierce rub.”

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

DJ Samuel Lawrence - Can't Go Back (R Side Recordings)

DJ Samuel Lawrence returns with a double-sided single that proves his mastery of late-night dance floor dynamics. Released on his R-Side Recordings, "Can't Go Back" and "Downside" showcase the veteran producer's knack for crafting purposeful club weapons that speak to classic sensibilities.

The lead cut, "Can't Go Back," builds around a hefty kick drum foundation, layering filtered female vocals over a muscular bass pattern. Lawrence demonstrates finesse in the breakdown section, where swirling percussion elements create tension before the track's thunderous return. On the flip, "Downside" ventures into moodier territory. The track's tribal rhythmic core pulses beneath cinematic string arrangements, while a processed vocal hook adds an air of mystery. The production nods to warehouse-era aesthetics while maintaining a modern punch, particularly in its gritty low-frequency elements.

Drawing from his two decades behind the decks at events like Love Parade and Burning Man, Lawrence has distilled his understanding of the dancefloor into these two complementary cuts. The release reinforces his reputation for delivering reliable DJ ammunition that sacrifices neither creativity nor impact.

Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “Something very satisfying about both of these tracks.”
Jason Merle (4E&A Records) – “Serious underground bizness right there.”
Jim Stiff (Woodwork Recordings) – “Downside is my favorite. I love when the sustained pads come in and give it a light feel before the vox come in and make it extra heavy.”
Michael Stukes (Mystic Vybes Radio Show) – “Full support for this one. 5/5.”
Juan Moreno (Traum Schallplaten) – “Nice track, perfect for the nighttime.”
Anthonne Shepherd (BoogieKnights) – “I'm really digging the vocal in Can't Go Back. Downside is wicked too and the punters will instantly be singing along.”

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

Various Artists - Vol. 16 (R Side Recordings)

R Side Records bursts out of the US Pacific Northwest with a new four-song release highlighting both the familiar and the fresh. Specializing in deep house with a jackin' flavor, the label goes from strength to strength with its series of showcase EPs. The latest, R Side's Volume 16, is no exception.

Manchester's Deep Trouble (Baldeelox, BlackSoul Music) joins forces with Kamal Imani and Michael Gill to launch the EP with the impeccably groovy "Dream Girl." A crisp rhythm track, throbbing bass line, and an old-school style spoken word vocal blend this builder from speakers to the latest of late-night dancefloors. Next, Los Angeles DJ/producer Kewk and R Side maestro DJ Samuel Lawrence come together for "Giving In." This one tests the bass bins with a pounding tech-house-meets-acid feel mixed with another fiery spoken word performance. Flip the digital wax for two cuts from DJ Samuel Lawrence, leading with the punchy tribal-inflected "Katherind." Rousing percussion and vibrating sub-bass pilot the first half of the track before an infectious horn line takes a flight of its own. Then the second from DJ Samuel Lawrence is "Games and Shit," and deep and intimate after-hours cut full of processed vocal cuts, effected chord hits, and a soulful midsection, all playing out over a driving four-on-the-floor beat. Grab some!

DJ P-REZ – (Not So Fast Records) – “This is an absolutely phenomenal EP. Every track is dope.”
Eric Davenport (Mind Loop Music) – “I dig the laid back groove on Dream Girl.”
Wilbour Craddock (Groovewest) – “The beat drives you and then the sax stabs come in and you are hooked. Katherind is a jam!”
Gihon Monks - “Nice, chunky, deep jacking grooves.”
Culliere (Jack Junkies) – “Great work!”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Katherind is a little gem. Great drums. Infectious stuff.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Traxsource, Apple Music, And Juno Download.

Jacob Poe & DJ Samuel Lawrence - Vol. 2 (R Side Recordings)

From the southern wilds of Oregon comes R Side Recordings, a house music label representing hard working blue collar beats and DJs. R Side's second release is a split single featuring Jacob Poe (Radda Records) and DJ Samuel Lawrence (Uniting Souls, WeJack) each dropping a floor-ready original and remixing each other's track. Jacob Poe starts things off with "Whisper Softly," a deep cut with tech-subtlety. Cut-up vocals, swirling pads, and tight rhythms combine into a smooth late night treat. DJ Samuel Lawrence then remixes "Whisper Softly," raising the tempo and adding a pinch of techno. Bubbling arpeggiations and percussive effects build out the flow. Flip the virtual wax for DJ Samuel Lawrence's "Late Nite Aoili," a dubby, drum-driven adventure for the dance floor complete with rousing sub-bass, spicy vocal drops, and a dramatic mid-section breakdown. Then it's Jacob Poe's turn on the remix, bending "Late Night Aoili" into a hypnotic afterhours groover. A huge grimy bass line fills the sonic palette, rounded out with soulful vocal hits, expressive stabs and pad swells, and a crisp rhythm track. Massive.

Alvaro Hylander (DeepWit Recordings) – “Hard to choose between both remixes. great stuff! will play on my radio show.”
Matt Prehn (Oh So Coy) – “It’s all about Jacob Poes Bassline.”
Sean Smith (Smooth Agent Records) – “Feeling "Late Nite Aoili". Very nice vibe!”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Slick! R Side is doing it right.”
Sandro Bianchi (Ibiza Sonica) – “Excellent originals. Brilliant remixes.”
Snooba (Radio Panik) – “Great delicious moments & top deep production.”

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