Ands Mega - Hypermanic EP (Roam Recordings)

Ands Mega (AKA Andrés Gómez) is a young music producer from Puebla City, Mexico, who specializes in chuggy techno and creative electronic music ‘without limitation’. After releases on Logical Records, as well as cuts for Nein, Play Pal, and others as part of the duo FLXXX, Ands Mega makes a bold statement on Roam Recordings with “Hypermanic”. The track is awash in dark synths and throbbing bass, building steadily over seven minutes with its delightfully foreboding groove. The cut is dynamic and special, evoking John Carpenter film themes and the European underground in sound and melodic flavor. Two remixes accompany “Hypermanic”, led by a version from Madrid-based producer Telesketch (Logical, Nein) who adds a more insistent rhythm and a gloriously huge mid-song breakdown. El Fulminador (Fulmen Records), hailing from Berlin-via-Argentina, follows with a version of “Hypermanic” that gets into a spacier and sexier zone. The original’s ‘chug’ is there, enveloped in obscure pads, gentle keys, and mysterious vocal snatches. It’s another captivating release from Roam Recordings, signaling an ambitious 2017 release schedule.

Nick Warren (The Soundgarden / Hope Recordings) – “3 cracking chuggers!”
Rusty / All Good Funk Alliance (Super Hi-Fi) – “Love the Renegade Soundwave vibes of the original, very cool stuff.”
Tronik Youth (Nein Records) – “Cool package. Live the Telesketch Remix.”
Stereo 77 (Plimsoll Records) – “The remixes are very good.”
Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) – “Solid EP of downtempo groovers.”
DJ Red Eye (Beauty Bar Dallas) – “Wow! Giving me those EBM, Front 242 and Cabaret Voltaire feels! I dig it. It’s a toss up between the Original Version and the Telesketch Remix, depending on the situation. Gold!”
Ilya Santana (Eskimo Recordings) – “The El Fulminador Remix is a nice track. Heavy!”
Kosta (Vibe FM) – “Bombs Away! Super nice, will support.”
Javier Busto (Logical Records) – “Awesome release. It’s not possible to choose just one track.”
Dr. Best (Radio Z – Germany) – “Three nice versions of "Hypermanic" on this release. The El Fulminador Remix is my favorite.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT Radio Show) – “Loving all three of the mixes. This is very much what I am playing at the moment. Fine work Mr. Mega, many thanks!”

Available Now From: Beatport, Traxsource, iTunes, And Spotify.

Nezzy Idy - Soapland (Roam Recordings)

Using modular synths, vintage gear, and sound devices built from DIY kits, Nezzy Idy wades through his web of patch cables to craft layered, hypnotic tracks with a dark aesthetic and analog sound. Emmett Corman, veteran San Francisco Bay Area DJ and producer, is the mastermind behind Nezzy Idy, and has released electronic missives for the likes of Daly City Records, Corpus Lignum, and Katabatik. Self-described as 'dark wave / electro', the Nezzy Idy sound experiences a dance floor metamorphoses for his Roam Recordings release, the Soapland EP. A shadowy disco creature crawls into the abundant fog and strobe light concoction of this nightclub as these five tracks provide a beguiling soundtrack.

The ominous synth chords of "After Dark" start off the proceedings, as sequencer pings and squelchy bass throb under groovy percussive strikes. Soaring but tense melodies abound. "Soapland" is like a ride in Gaff's flying cop car, filled with bright tones and a driving four-on-the-floor rhythm. Strange vocals, vocoded and just plain mysterious, float in and out of the sonic airspace. "Tunnel" gives the listener a more pounding option, as the drums are heavy and the electronics are insistent. This one could've time-warped from an 'industrial night' in days of yore.

A pair of stellar remixes compliment the 'cool as' originals. Zombies In Miami (Correspondant / Cómeme) tackle "Soapland" and deliver a sprawling late night treatment that pulses and glows like a distant dying star. The build in this one is intense, sparkling with electricity and blueshift forward motion. Next, Nezzy Idy reworks his "Tunnel" track, adding a relatively smoother ride accentuated by upward arpeggiations and growling bass synths. The icy combination of multiple sinister melodic lines aurally beckons the listener through the Tunnel without a hesitation for what lurks on the other side.

Tensnake - “The ‘Zombies in Miami remix’ is nice.”
Nick Warren - “’After Dark’ is ace, and the ‘Zombies in Miami remix’ is great!”
Tom Wheeler (Sinchi Collective) – “ Another Top Release … the ‘Zombies in Miami remix’ and the rework of ‘Tunnel’ really stand out.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / Mega Jawns) – “This is wonderful stuff!”
Galen (Sunset Sound System) – “This is a sweet, edgy release from Roam.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing - WRCT 88.3FM) – “Dark & driving … great for those gritty late night sets!”
Gemini Brothers (Skint / Nein) – “This is absolutely amazing and a must have!”
Jon Wesley (Insomniac) – “I love that dark, underground 80s feel … reminds me of Nitzer Ebb in the late 80’s.”
Dave Storm (Cabrio Records / Ibiza Global Radio) – “The ‘Zombies in Miami Remix’ does it for me!”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle radio show / Proton Radio) – “Another awesome release from Roam … the “’Zombies in Miami Remix’ is an absolute monster!”
DJ Doubles (Freestyle Fusion radio show) – “Deep and Sturdy. Reminds me of Meat Beat Manifesto.”

Available now from: Beatport, Juno Download, iTunes, and Spotify.

Forlove - Missing Persons (Roam Recordings)

Forlove is San Francisco's Jasper Speicher, the latest addition to the Roam Recordings family. Specializing in deeply authentic and retro-touched music for physically dancing while mentally drifting away, Jasper conceived Forlove as a solo project after time spent playing in a number of Bay Area bands. In fact, his Missing Persons EP is the debut release for Forlove, despite its confident and distinctly otherworldly sound. The title track sets the tone with squelchy synths and dramatic sections playing the line between twisted and lovely. "Deep Eyes" brings on '80s influences in structure and style, and includes splashes of tasteful vocals from Forlove himself. The slinky deep house feel of "Softshell Hard" follows, featuring some clever change-ups and bass bounces, while "Iraklia" is a spacier number that feels like a secret sonic treasure pulled from an underground cave. Forlove fits right in with the Roam Recordings roster and the always compelling San Francisco sound … it's ready for spins.

Jamie Jones (Hot Creations) - "This sounds cool."
Gemini Brothers (Skint / Nein) - "'Deep Eyes' is a damn great track. Fantastic release … just fantastic."
Massimiliano Pagliara (Live At Robert Johnson) - "Groovy acidic tunes."
Larry Tee - "Nice ones!"
Rune Lindbæk (Drum Island) - "'Deep Eyes' is the one for me."
Nadia (Phantasy Sound) - "Yes … cool stuff."
Hardway Bros (A Love From Outer Space) - "I like 'Deep Eyes' a lot."
Chris Massey (Paper Recordings / Electriks) - "Lovely sounding druggy, hypnotic vibes."
Scheibosan (Shanti Roots) - "'Missing Persons' is super … trippy sound."
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) - "Brilliant!"
DJ Tomas (Google Play / ForwardEver) - "This comes correct with the early UK, Detroit, and SF tech influences."
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel Radio Show) - "Great late night tunes. I love that Arpy change-up on 'Iraklia'."
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing Radio Show) - "Very unique and creative … great bass sounds, too!"
Richard Hardcastle (Solid State / All Out War) - "Excellent EP. I love all four tracks with the opening squelches of 'Missing Persons' placing it ahead by a nose."
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) - "This is staggering. 'Deep Eyes' is killer … what a release!"

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.

Galen & Shiny Objects - Purest Sound / Sunday Freeze (Roam Recordings)

Roam Recordings has enlisted Galen and Shiny Objects, two heavyweights of San Francisco's dance music scene, for a collaborative release that lives up to their storied reputations – the bright and techy "Purest Sound", backed with the equally formidable "Sunday Freeze".

Galen started out by setting up speakers and a generator at a park in Berkeley every Sunday, and soon hundreds of people were dancing while watching the sun set behind the San Francisco skyline. Now he's behind the Sunset Sound System with its world-renowned outdoor events, boat parties, and annual Sunset Campout Festival. Shiny Objects is Christopher Smith, the founder of Om Records and the producer of of over one hundred tracks and remixes under various aliases. Smith is also a core member of the Burning Man camp Disco Knights and a proprietor of Monarch, one of the Bay Area's most respected nightspots.

The release certainly exudes a current San Francisco style: tech'ed out but still playful, and fitting firmly within Roam's party vibes aesthetic. "Purest Sound" gives the dance floor all it's got, with a beefy bass line, chiming percussion, and ominous spoken vocals over a compulsive rhythm. This one builds nicely into late night bliss mode. "Sunday Freeze" qualifies for 'double A-side', as it's a production that's just as potent and compelling. With a little more dub in its bones, the track moves in constant motion as echoey synths, thumping kicks, and a rumbling low end steer the course. The extended breakdown at the half-way mark succeeds in delivering after-hours power.

Mark Farina - "I dig it."
Gemini Brothers (Skint / Nein) - "Great summer hits … lovely!"
Larry Tee - "Hot one!"
DJ Harri (Sub Club / Subculture) - "I'm liking the old school Murk feel on these."
Vanilla Ace - "Cool tracks."
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - "Yes … I'm into it!"
Atish (Desert Hearts / Robot Heart) - "'Sunday Freeze' is punchy, deep, and playful."
Da Funk (Acryl Music / Pacha) - "'Purest Sound' here for me … nice!"
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "A truly exceptional release … both cuts are just so good. 'Sunday Freeze' with its gradual build through the track just shaded it for me. Amazing sounds."
Bachelors Of Science (Code Recordings / Dirtybird) - "'Purest Sound' … what a monster earworm! Smashed it."
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing Radio Show) - "I love both of these. Funky and spacey with catchy vocal samples … just perfect!"
Jean Jérome (Radio FG / Kut 'N' Paste) - "Huge beat and nice groove … perfect for my sets."
Tariq Ziyad (Nu Urban ERA) - "I love this. It's like John Carpenter making spaced out, dubby house."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, iTunes, and Spotify.