Amir Abbasi - Bipolar Robot (the remixes) (Release Musiq)

The prolific and ambitious Asheville label Release Musiq is back with a new single from Amir Abbasi that blends different styles of house music, including deep, tech, minimal, and classic progressive flavors. On “Bipolar Robot” an arsenal of veteran producers apply their unique and time-tested techniques to remixing the multitalented Atlanta-based Abbasi’s two part original. Shuffling rhythms and driving percussion, accentuated by hauntingly mystic vocals, beckon the listener ever deeper into lush synth laden soundscapes on “Bipolar Robot (Part I)”, while its sequel packs even more of a punch. The host of remixers providing different interpretations include Medway (Hooj Choons), Los Angeles producer Kazell (Bedrock), Andy Slate (CR2, Bedrock), Hungary’s Limitless, and Release Musiq’s own Luis Armando. The sounds on these versions range from Medway’s typically expansive remix to Andy Slate’s chunky tech-house groove to the funky, progressive feel from Luis Armando. “Bipolar Robot” and its mixes touch on enough ground to fill most of the big room scenarios DJs envision when hunting for tracks.

Orde Meikle (Slam / Soma) - “Nice tunes … I’ll try these out.”
Cooccer (Pesto / Deepclass) - “Nice work!”
Spesh (Loöq Records) - “Andy Slate’s got it here. Great remix.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) - “I’m really liking both originals (not to mention the title), as well as the Medway remix. Deep.”
Fabrizio Marra (Ibiza Global Radio) - “Nice, deep tech-house. I like a lot of these remixes, and Kazell’s mix stands out. Dope!”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Some great versions on here … from the remixes the Kazell and Luis Armando versions are excellent, with Luis’ being particularly brilliant. The ‘Part II’ version also has proper chunky beats - digging that! Great release.”
Claudio Di Leo (Housology Radio Show) - “Deep and dark!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Stomping track! It’s got a really nice vibe.”
SimonG (Deep South Audio) - “Deep tech-house beats throughout … smooth and slick, including a lot of quality remixes.”
Jean Jérome (Radio FG, France) - “A lot of great remixes right here … difficult to pick a favorite.”
Bobi (Global Movement Radio Show) - “A really nice release with a strong remix package. The Medway Remix is definitely very good.”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

Various Artists - Miami WMC Sampler 2013 (Release Musiq)

Asheville’s ambitious tech-house label Release Musiq showcase their current roster and some new collaborators with their Miami WMC Sampler 2013. Twelve tracks are included, encompassing the different textures in the club-ready Release Musiq oeuvre, featuring many unheard cuts amongst a few recent ‘best of’ moments. Cuban-born Luis Armando, whose tribal-tinged Futuro EP is presently making waves, leads with three tracks, including the tough, swirling “Peaks,” a remix of “Globatron” by Mitch Major (Adapt Recordings, Suka), and Dathan and Kri‘s Stripped Out Bass rework of “Nico’s Dream,” Luis’ collaboration with Nicodemus Roth. Amir Abbasi, the prolific Atlanta-based producer, DJ, and video artist, is represented by “Bipolar Robot, which gets a superb, floor-filling remix from Medway (Hooj Choons). Release Musiq’s J-Hecht is on board for the slinky and spacey deep tech-house track ”Nothing in this World,“ and a chuggy remix from Piltdown Sound (Bleepsequence, Subsensory Recordings) of Astervoid’s ”Moral Inheratives” rounds out this impressive package. These are just the highlights … dig in and have a listen to what Release Musiq has in store for global dance floors. 

Tyler Stadius - “Great package of late night goods.”
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) - “Impressive release … chock full of cuts.”
Will SumSuch (DeepWit / Etoka) - “Some nice bits here … tasty!”
Brent Nicholls (Matinee London) - “Fantastic collection of tech-flavoured deep house tunes. Medway’s mix of ‘Bipolar Robot’ really stands out while the ‘pump up the volume’ inspired ‘Nico’s Dream’ is a real peak timer.”
Summer (Tulipa Recordings) - “This sounds great.”
DJ Style (Knob Records) - “‘Globatron (Mitch Major Remix)’ … hot tune.”
DJ Aldrin (Zouk Club) - “The Medway remix is on point!”
Velanche (Urban Landscapes) - “Some of these tracks must have banged the floors in Miami! Good stuff.”
Merlyn Martin (Subdivisions Global Radio Show) - “I’m digging the Detroit-vibed ‘Moral Inheratives.’”
DJ Phil T (DJ Times) - “The J-Hecht and Astervoid tracks are my definite picks … love ’em.”
DJ Deep Index (BOP FM, New Zealand) - “Amazing bunch of tracks, just up my alley!”
QuestionmarQ (Red FM, Ireland) - “Great music here, from the body shaking bass of ‘Nothing in this World’ to the twisted brilliance of Medway’s mix of ‘Bipolar Robot’ … but my favorite is the techno-influenced ‘Moral Inheratives (Piltdown Sound Remix).’”

Available now from Beatport.

Luis Armando - Futuro EP (Release Musiq)

Luis Armando returns to Release Musiq for the Futuro EP, a finely crafted set of bouncing world music-flavored tech-house tracks tailor-made for serious nightclub escapades. Armando’s previous output for Release Musiq and Electrik Soul Recordings cemented his trademark style of tough, house music beats over rolling bass lines, accented with latin-inspired percussion flourishes that hint at the producer’s Cuban heritage. These four cuts build and expand on this recipe, yielding some solid, peak time after hours heat. One will find “Futuro” with its exotic, otherworldly feel; the crowd-pleasing jackin’ stomp of “Dia de Los Novios;” the almost mythic, hypnotic vibe of “La Puerta;” and “Child of Us” with its dense, reverb layered melodies and atmospherics. It’s another choice EP from Luis Armando and Release Musiq, and one that will certainly find a home in DJ sets for years to come.

Tensnake - “‘La Puerta’ will definitely rock the dance floors … latin vibe.”
Dibby Dougherty (Bedrock / DhARMA) - “NIce EP … a cracking selection.”
Makossa & Megablast - “Solid stuff.”
Moodymanc - “Cool tracks … sounding great here.”
Justin Harris (Freaks) - “ACE!”
Jevne (Onethirty Recordings) - “Nice tribal tech.”
Hippie Torrales - “Great hard grooves on this EP.”
Gavin Hardkiss (Hawke) - “Will play for sure.”
DJ Harri (Sub Club) - “Nice.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “Enjoyable deep house with techno edges … a mystic journey to Canarian and Caribbean destinations.”
Alien Tom - “The latin vibes are deep with this one.”
Bobi (Global Movement Macedonia) - “The whole package is amazing. I can’t wait to play this.”
Grant Paterson (Castle FM, Edinburgh) - “I’m digging the percussion and hypnotics … very nice. Reminds me of something Tenaglia would play.”

Available now from Beatport.

JRR Foolkiller - Try EP (Release Musiq)

Release Musiq, the prolific and ambitious house music label based in the creative hub of Asheville, NC, aims for the eclectic with the debut release from the fabulously named JRR Foolkiller and his Try EP. JRR Foolkiller is actually John Brinker, an Asheville based producer who has been producing electronic music since 1999, with a highlight being an EP release under the alias Lifestyle Interiors on Swayzak’s 240 Volts imprint in 2003. Brinker’s musical explorations are surprising and varied; in addition to DJ’ing and producing tracks his past exploits include playing in an electroacoustic improvising ensemble, a Guinean ‘ballet,’ and in a Queen cover band. With the Try EP, JRR Foolkiller presents four tracks in varieties of retro styled EDM infused with contemporary production techniques that fill the gambit from chill-out to deep house. This quartet of tracks includes the smooth, rolling, deep tech-house of “Zanzibar Fred,” the pulsing, electronica-flavored downtempo track “Try,” the intriguing “Disaster Challenger” with its 90’s breakbeat vibe that recalls classic Orbital, and the hyped-up club stirring four-on-the-floor of “Ground.” Those looking for an EP, and a producer, that boldly skips from style to style can look no further … JRR Foolkiller is here to save the day.

Nick Warren - “Brilliant EP. Every track is ace.”
Gavin Hardkiss (Hawke) - “This is supa-killa. Will play for sure.”
Ant Plate (Rhythm Plate / YSE) - “Courageous mixed bag of tracks … nice to hear.”
Leo Portela - “Good release with an intelligent sound.”
Justin Harris (Freaks) - “Nice EP!”
Robert Owens - “Great grooves and tracks.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “‘Zanzibar Fred’ is awesome, low-slung house of the finest order, while ‘Try’ twists itself into a funk-laced beauty when the bass kicks in … superb! Full support.”
DJ Rocca (Ajello) - “Nice stuff!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “‘Zanzibar Fred’ … So many little elements that make up this hypnotic groove.”
Red Rack’em - “Some good stuff on here. ‘Ground’ is really melodic.”
Moodymanc - “Nice tracks!”
Jamie Topham (CDPool) - “‘Ground’ is the track I’m feeling most here with its classy retro licks and soulful-tech production while ‘Zanzibar Fred’ surely wins best track title of the year!”
Alexander East - “Nice!”
Kosmas Epsilon (Epsilon Trax) - “it’s all about ‘Zanzibar Fred’ here … a beautiful deep track. I’m gonna play this straight out tonight!”

Available now from Juno Download.