Various Artists - Impossible EP, Chapter 4 (Rebus Records)

The Impossible series of EPs is a place for artists and producers in the Proceed and Rebus Records families to stretch out a bit and try some new sounds. If a track doesn’t quite sonically fit on an artist’s EP on those labels but still has the quality and dance floor appeal that demands to be heard then this is the place for it. The Impossible EP, Chapter 4 solidifies the series as a fixture, once again gathering five tracks from some shining Italian producers for another showcase on the Rebus Records sub-label, named after popular nightclub of the same name.

Proceed’s proprietor, DJ / producer Haldo (who has also released cuts through Transport Recordings, Conya, and Adaptation Music), re-touches a silky-smooth, low-slung groove by fellow Rebus club resident Giuseppe Mancuso on "I'm Back", guiding the producer towards his first introduction to the label side of the club and proving disco never dies. In completely different form and showcasing another lush sound, Haldo's original "Sleepin' Travel" features a squelchy, full-bodied bass line with deep combinations of piano stabs and revolving synth crescendos. Continuing the bass's theme, Italian veteran Fabrizio Marra (Musoul, Liberate) turns in a storming diva house number titled "Lola" that captures the glamor of a NY ballroom with the edginess of a warehouse. Proceed and Rebus label regular DJ E-Ro then creates a spacious and dubby late night atmosphere for "My Friend", where infectious hand percussion, dramatic strings, and vocals urge for the dancing to never end. Another name familiar to both imprints, Odo Makes A Smile, delivers in similar fashion on "Flashback To The Past", but this time with more urgency packed into a techno format and featuring an arpeggiated, Italo-style melodic breakdown.

Taken together, the release proves that the Impossible series' charm has yet to wear off.

Jask - "Top notch tracks!"
Graeme Park - "An intriguingly seductive selection of appealing, deep, chunky grooves."
Gene Hunt (Rush Hour / Dope Wax) - "Nice project … I'm digging the vibes."
Dave Mayer (Strictly Rhythm / Hardsoul) - "Giuseppe Mancuso's cut is perfect for the upcoming summer season at my beach residency."
Natural Rhythm - "I love the variety on this one. Haldo's 'Sleepin' Travel' is classic deepness."
Giom - "Cool tracks."
Abicah Soul - "Fabrizio Marra's 'Lola' is my taste!"
Mauricio Aviles (Movido / Loveslap!) - "I'm really liking the variation in deep house genres of this EP. A little sumthin' sumthin' for beginning, middle, or peak of your sets."
Marques Wyatt - "Tight beats."
Richard Earnshaw (Spiritchaser / Duffnote) - "Decent stuff throughout."
Dutchican Soul - "A really nice and diverse package … I will be supporting this."
Craig Stewart (Montana & Stewart / DCSTrax) - "Some very tasty dance music here. Great work."
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / Mega Jawns) - "A really beautiful collection of tracks here … right up my alley."
Alvaro Hylander (DeepWit Recordings) - "Proper feel-good deep house on Haldo's 'Sleepin' Travel'."
Eddy Spirit (Spirit Crew / Janga Radio) - "Another brilliant release from this Italian label … it's distinguishable for its catchy and penetrating groove. The EP's sound never becomes banal like a lot that you hear nowadays. A piece that you shouldn't miss."
Greg Fenton (Magazine Sixty / DMC Magazine) - "Good track here from Haldo."
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) - "Simply groovylicious."
Dean Serafini (JJazproJect) - "Some serious heat in this lot."

Available now from Traxsource.

Various Artists - Impossible EP #3 (Rebus Records)

The Impossible series of EPs is a place for artists and producers in the Proceed Records family to stretch out a bit and try some new sounds. If a track doesn’t quite sonically fit on an artist’s EP on Proceed but still has the quality and dance floor appeal that demands to be heard then this is the place for it. Thus the third in a series, the Impossible EP #3, gathers five tracks from some of Proceed’s shining Italian producers, this time showcasing them on the Rebus Records sub-label.

Proceed’s proprietor, DJ / producer Haldo, who has also released cuts through Transport Recordings, Conya, and Adaptation Music, is represented by his pure and joyous house Deepfunkmix of “Rebus’funk.” A sure-shot bass line is guided by wonderfully atmospheric pads, key stabs, and synth accents with reverberating disco strings cutting through the layers. Haldo’s touch can also be heard in his additional keyboards on the EP’s contribution from Fabio Mazzei, a talented new deep house producer from Catanzaro. ”Just Me Again Down Here" is a hypnotic trip with growling bass and vocals that playfully question the listener. Having participated on the second edition of the Impossible EP projects, Fuscobeat & Magrini are welcomed back with “Green Afrika.” The track is a tribal floor-filler with flavorful, deep chords by Haldo once again. Tuscany-based Tony Barbato first started DJ’ing throughout Italy in the late ’90s enjoying production success and gigs at venues like the Parisian Djoon club. His work on “Love Is Endless" gives retro inspirations from past decades new life in a modern, big room context. Finally, Odo Makes A Smile compliments the package with his vision, commanding deep house vibes out of otherwise minimal techno elements in “Not Too Bad.”

Claudio Coccoluto - “Nice package!”
Richard Earnshaw (Spiritchaser / Duffnote) - “Tony Barbato’ s ‘Love Is Endless’ … very nice!”
Henri Kohn (Conya / Clubstar) - “Cool EP … all tracks have quality!”
Hippie Torrales - “Great EP package.”
Master Kev (Underground Collective) - “Nice! I will definitely play these.”
Nick Holder - “Dope!”
Tyree Cooper - “Nice stuff.”
Deli G (The Touch / Future Sound Of House) - “Every cut on this EP is rocking.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) - “A truly eclectic EP, with Fabio Mazzei’s wicked deep house gem ‘Just Me Again Down Here’’ bringing memories from back in the day.”
Mauricio Aviles (Movido / Loveslap!) - “Dope EP! A little something for everyone.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “There’s something very cool about this one … I’m into it. Haldo’s ‘Rebus’funk’ particularly doing it for me.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “Fuscobeat & Magrini’s ‘Green Afrika’ is probably one of the most uplifting house tracks I’ve heard in 2014 so far.”
Dean Serafini (JJazproJect) - “Haldo’s ‘Rebus’funk’ and Fabio Mazzei’s ‘Just Me Again’ work best for me but I can see myself making use of all five tracks. A nice varied package of well produced deep and funky vibes.”
Michael Stukes (Mystic Vybes Radio Show) - “Some serious grooves on this baby, here!”

Available now from Traxsource.

Friscia & Lamboy - Ha Ha Ha (Rebus Records)

Aldo “Haldo” Carpanzano has been the resident DJ for the past twenty years at one of the most important clubs in Southern Italy, Rebus Disconight. It’s at this club that he’s played host of some of the more important DJs on the soulful house scene, including Little Louie Vega, Tony Humphries, Ralphi Rosario, Victor Simonelli, and many more. Inspired by Rebus Disconight and Haldo’s sonic adventures at the club comes the label Rebus Records. The label’s fifth release comes courtesy of NYC duo Friscia & Lamboy, presenting the inventive house music cut “Ha Ha Ha.” The pair is comprised of Glenn Friscia, eleven year veteran of one of the highest rated radio mix shows in the the USA, and Frank Lamboy, a classically trained keyboardist who has produced and remixed the likes of Michelle Weeks, Joi Cardwell, and Gina G. “Ha Ha Ha” is a high-charged dance track with some potent, churning rhythms and an effective vocal sample hook that inspires the track’s name. This one’s tailor-made for the rowdiest of nightclubs, certain to be a huge dance floor moment when strategically programmed into the DJ’s set.

The aforementioned Haldo leads a trio of remixers with his Dirty Floor Mix. A pulsing electronic bass line pushes the flow while Haldo’s trademark warm chords and shimmering pads are joined by a smooth saxophone riff and rhythmically placed sample hits of the vocal. Next, Proceed Records remixing veteran Odo Makes A Smile delivers a moody, Italo-influenced take on “Ha Ha Ha” that is characterized by rolling arpeggiations, dramatic breakdowns, and big synth sounds. Finally DJ E-Ro, another name familiar to Proceed and Rebus label fans, strips things down a tad with a booming version featuring a metallic percussion line, a swirling synth solo, and a chorus of handclaps to help inspire the dance floor.

Chuck Love - “This one will cause a commotion. Nice deep ride with bumpy bass, and clangy hits. Dirty floor means dirty feets!”
DJ Disciple - “I like the Haldo’s Dirty Floor Remix.”
Grant Nelson - “In the bag for sure!”
Vincent Kwok - “I really like the Odo Makes A Smile remix!”
DJ Memê (Soulfuric / Defected) - “Yes!”
Guy Garrett (DMC) - “Sounding fresh and cutting the crowd in the club for sure … a perfect summer gem.”
Charles Spencer (Galaxy Group) - “Nice release … the Odo Makes A Smile remix is groovy.”
Hippie Torrales - “Nice solid groove.”
Alan Powell (The Midnight Mix Radio Show) - “Wow … the jazz tip on Haldo’s mix is pure heat. I’m giving this mix a 10 out of 10!”
Gordon Murray (Billboard Magazine) - “A great track and remixes.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) - “Haldo’s uber-cool melodious workout is the one.”
Fabrizio Marra (Ibiza Global Radio) - “DJ E-Ro’s mix rocks the dance floor … I love this deep tech vibe.”
Aldrin (Zouk Club) - “A nice, warm groove here from Haldo.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Working a nice blend of soulful and tougher house sounds … I like this.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “Haldo’s Dirty Floor Remix is the one here … a strong deep sax-driven house monster.”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.

Haldo & Stereo Junkie feat. Silvio Gigante - Higher Ground (Rebus Records)

Aldo “Haldo” Carpanzano has been the resident DJ for the past twenty years at one of the most important clubs in Southern Italy, Rebus Disconight. It’s at this club that he’s played host of some of the more important DJs on the soulful house scene, including Little Louie Vega, Tony Humphries, Ralphi Rosario, Victor Simonelli, and many more. Inspired by Rebus Disconight and Haldo’s sonic adventures at the club comes the label Rebus Records. The label’s third release is courtesy of Haldo in collaboration with London’s Stereo Junkie who also does double duty on this single as vocalist under his given name, Silvio Gigante. In the spirit of the Disconight, the tune “Higher Ground” is an uplifting, floor filling house music track with anthem potential. Silvio’s sweet falsetto vocal beckons faces to smile and bodies to groove as Haldo’s original mix compliments this with warm organ chords, tough rhythms, and an effective percussion breakdown. House music bliss! Stereo Junkie also provides his own version, featuring a breaky house beat, an almost Italo-inspired bass line, and dramatic synth chords. The vocals fit easily into this new accompaniment, almost giving this version an evocative 80’s club vibe.

It’s almost as if Haldo’s circle of producer friends lined up to remix these fantastic vocals, as this package features five more reworked treatments. Gianni Sponti, Italian scene veteran and partner with Haldo in Hadogy Records, arrives first with a deeper take on “Higher Ground.” In Gianni’s mix, breezy rhythms, dubby key elements, a bouncy low end, and flowing pads drive Silvio’s vocals forward and into the after hours. The curiously named Odo Makes A Smile is up next, following his recent remix of Haldo’s “Faraway” on Proceed Records. Odo’s take is a more progressive take, though still intimate and underground, with bold synths and snappy drum hits alongside the vocal melody. Another longtime Italian veteran follows, with Rey Pedroso adding some moody, atmospheric magic to “Higher Ground.” This remix is bravely cinematic, bordering on a chill out vibe, with its dramatic pauses, timpani percussion, and string synths. The rhythm picks up as the vocal builds and echoes, adding to a concoction that’s impossible to ignore. Portuguese DJ Miguel Mancha is up next with a driving version aimed squarely at the floor, enhancing the vocal with punchy bass, piano chords, subtle arpeggiations, and, surprisingly, an electrifying guitar solo. Miguel’s also included a dub of his mix that accentuates all of his intricate musical contributions. Last in the queue is Haldo’s regular remix collaborator DJ E-RO (also known as Ettore Rossi) who provides a deep, tech-house flavored remix of “Higher Ground.” Led by a prominent synth bass line, E-RO’s version theatrically builds with its string swells, vibrant percussion, and electronic embellishments. All of this makes for another superb release from the Italian underground ready to spread worldwide. Have a listen.

Roy Davis Jr. - “I’m dropping this tomorrow night.”
Marques Wyatt - “This is tight!”
Robert Owens - “Miguel Mancha Vocal Mix … great mix.”
Abicah Soul - “Right up my alley.”
Graeme Park - “I like it!”
Joan Ribas (Ibiza Soulstice / Cafe Del Mar) - “Love it.”
Nick Holder - “Dopeness!”
CJ Mackintosh - “Haldo’s original for me … working.”
Tyree Cooper - “I’m feelin’ the Gianni Sponti Mix. It’s nice and housey.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House) - “Haldo’s smooth yet contagious original oozing with luscious melodies is the one.”
Soulfulbros - “Haldo is in top form … groovy and catchy like usual. Love it!”
Vincent Kwok - “The original mix is the one for me.”
Alexander East - “Very nice!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Yeah! Smooth but has a great bounce to the bass. Very cool.”
Eddy Spirit (Spirit Crew) - “This song is absolutely brilliant! The vocal is strong and the track is simple and straight forward. A definite party starter!”

Available now from Juno Download and Traxsource.