Drive - Dance To The Beat (Discobox Records)

The London-via-Switzerland producer by the name of Drive is the talent behind this latest release on Discobox Records … it's a feel-good throwback tune by the name of "Dance To The Beat". With Prince and Chic noted as major influences, and a past performing and DJ'ing in hip hop bands, Drive knows a thing or two about laying down the funk in a dance floor fashion. "Dance To The Beat" features Drive's live guitar, some boogie-inspiring vocals, and a solid, organic deep house rhythm all mixed together in a sleek production that recalls some of the best moments in late '80s dance music.

Rotciv (Mister Mistery, Luv Shack) is another multi-national producer -- this time Berlin-via-Brazil -- and he's on hand to deliver the first remix of "Dance To The Beat". He switches out the vocals, drums, and bass line for a blindingly effective late night club rocker. It's always party time at Rotciv's house, no question about that. Rounding out the package is Discobox's resident duo Shake Machine who construct a slinky concoction, only retaining the original vocal … though even that gets twisted a tad. Staccato synth pads, groovy rhythms, and a filtered bass line take this one directly into the space disco. These beats are tailor-made for dancing.

Opolopo - "Feeling the Rotciv remix!"
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - "Great sound!"
Hard Ton (Gigolo / Permanent Vacation) - "The Rotciv remx is the one for me … so good."
Thee Cool Cats (Cuff / Get Physical) - "That Shake Machine remix is cool."
Erik Rug - The Rotciv remix is my pick here."
Generic People (Cut For Life Records) - "We are definitely gonna keep this in the bag for the summer … nice!"
Vanilla Ace - "The Rotciv remix is cool."
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "Excellent beats … all three are top class, but the percussion and stabby play on Shake Machine's remix just stood out for me."
The Reflex (G.A.M.M. / Basic Fingers) - "The Rotciv remix rocks."
DJ Humus (SweatLodge / Dirt Crew) - "Now that's some funk … can't wait to play out at a party."
Johnny Luv (Across The Board Radio Show) - "Echoes of early house music … supporting."
Paul Sawyer (EJ Underground / Krafted) - "A great fusion of disco and deep house."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.

Nytron - I Wanna See You (Discobox Records)

Discobox Records' opening release for 2015 adds a fresh face into its mix with Nytron. The humble Brazilian party-turned-label continues its vision of re-imagining ’70s disco and the classic house sounds that followed with modern nu-disco and tech-house sheen. Nytron certainly fits the bill … with releases on respected labels such KMS, Bunny Tiger, and Sleazy Deep, the well-versed producer / DJ has raised the international profile of Brazil for house and techno in over a decade and a half of output. Listeners can continue to expect nothing but high quality work this talent.

On "I Wanna See You", Nytron delivers an amazing floor burner that exits between nu-disco and tech house, using fresh synths, pumping bass lines, and a superb original vocal. He knows exactly how to entertain, combining elements like drum fills, filters, and breaks to build suspense. The final result surely raises the bar for the Discobox label.

Shake Machine, a project by long time friends and veteran Brazilian house artists Daniel D and Robinho, are back in the studio, delivering the first of two included remixes. Using only the original vocal they construct an entirely new track, bringing back the late '80s acid house vibe. Expect massive 303 riffs, 808 and 909 drum hits, and more of the usual funky stuff from the guys who rocked the floor with their most recent single, "Eu Quero É House".

Rounding off the release, another new artist joins the Discobox gang. Gustavo Peluzo is the talented resident DJ of Deputamadre Club and his remix emphasizes the vibe of the original track, but lends it a more beefed up presence -- the obvious choice for the tech lovers out there.

Lupe Fuentes (Inhouse Records) - "I love the Shake Machine remix … dope dope dope!"
Vanilla Ace - "The original mix is the one for me."
Soul Minority (Kolour) - "I like the original … it will get played for sure."
Norman Weber (Luna City Express / Moon Harbour) - "The Shake Machine remix sounds good to me!"
Elijah Collins (Mullet Records / Retrospective) - "The original's a very fat track. Full support."
Pat Lezizmo (Conya Records / Karmaloft) - "The Shake Machine version makes me wanna shake it! Lovely remix."
Alexander East (Planet East) - "Very nice!"
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "The Shake Machine remix is the pick for me here … wicked teasing acid vibes."
Eric Davenport (Guesthouse) - "A perfect mix of tech, funk, and soul. I'm really digging the original."
Ken Liu (Headset Records) - "I'm feeling the Shake Machine mix the most … pretty filthy."
Indy Lopez (Music Zone) - "WTF … this is the bomb! I love it … full support!"
DJ Craig C (Peace Bisquit / Pound Boys) - "That Shake Machine remix is turnin' me out!"
Velanche (Club 91 Radio Show) - "Really good … excellent music for the floor."
Tariq Ziyad (Planet Rave / Dark Horse) - "Excellent release. I love the acid-warehouse stylings of the Shake Machine remix."
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - "The Gustavo Peluzo remix is stellar … I dig it."

Now available from Beatport and Juno Download.

Shake Machine - Eu Quero É House (Discobox Records)

The humble Brazilian party turned label Discobox Records is back again. Their vision involves re-imagining ’70s disco and the classic house sounds that followed with modern nu-disco and tech house sheen. The label acts as a natural extension of this, and their latest record marks the second release by Shake Machine, a new project by long time friends and veteran Brazilian house artists Daniel D and Robinho. After a well received debut single with support from artists like Miguel Migs, Horse Meat Disco, and Flash Atkins, the duo is back with "Eu Quero É House" and "Get Up."

The title song features a fat bass line, quickly becoming a characteristic of Shake Machine, along with groovy percussion and crispy synths. A funky vocal sample recorded by the duo itself, "eu quero é house" is Portuguese for "I want house" which mirrors the demanding response the Shake Machine has seen for the song in recent sets.

Exchanging moods with a more Italo-disco oriented vibe, "Get Up" uses complex drums with futuristic synth riffs and a female vocal sample. Another typical Shake Machine element is at play on this one: the breakdown uses a broken beat to transform the track into an exploration of funk fusion possibilities.

Remixing "Eu Quero É House", 294 Records owner Lucas Rezende makes his second appearance on Discobox and, as expected, delivers convincingly. Using only a few elements of the original, Lucas creates a totally different track with heavy bass lines, old-school drums, and 303 riffs - it's an acid flashback!

Vanilla Ace - “Good remix from Lucas Rezende.”
Robbie Hardkiss - “I’d dance to that … I dig it!”
Tommy Largo (Lost My Dog / Kolour) - “The Lucas Rezende remix for me … nice deep groove.”
Thee Cool Cats (Cuff / Get Physical) - “Nice one!”
Andrew Macari (Greenhouse / Tastie) - “Solid remix from Lucas Rezende! Great stuff.”
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - “Fun!”
Tad Wily (Homebreakin / Retrofit) - “Ace single … I’m loving the originals and the Lucas Rozende remix, too.”
Tee Cardaci (Low Down Grooves / Sine Qua Non) - “Dope release from Discobox! Parabéns para os meus irmãos no Brasil … valeu!”
Snooba (Radio Panik, Belgium) - “Happy, euphoric, and contagious.”
Cherokee (Cherry Global Radio Show) - “Cool! Nice crisp production … these tracks make you bounce!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “This one does not take any prisoners! Heavy all the way.”
Niksa Dragolin (Eurostar Radio, Croatia) - “Old school disco vibes with nice synths and very nice groove changes and breaks.”
Brewster Brigham (Hip Replacement Radio Show) - “Just gimmie that bass line!”
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - “Love this … pure, simple four-on-the-floor house that stomps!”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download

Shake Machine - Make It Funky (Discobox Records)

What started as a humble party in Brazil back in 2006 has since outgrown itself in vision. DJ Daniel D and promoter Vinilcius have shifted focus, determined to push their Discobox night’s musical concept on a greater scale. In 2013 they emerged as a label with one foot in the past and the other toeing the future - imagining a ’70s dance move in today’s skinny jeans, and that’s one hell of a spilt. Sonically they look to blend that era’s disco and the classic house sounds that followed with modern nu-disco and tech house sheen.

The latest Discobox release comes from Shake Machine, a new project by long time friends and veteran Brazilian house artists Daniel D and Robinho. Here to prove four hands are better than two, “Make It Funky” layers disco percussion over old school funk bass lines, all wrapped up tightly in ’80s new wave form. A massive synthetic drum roll introduces a breakbeat intermission where curvy synth keys come into play. Packing a more straightforward rhythmic punch, De Pin Up Club divulges into interstellar Italo disco and evocative piano melodies.

That’s two party ready tracks checked off by Discobox that touch on retro vibes without getting lost in any tropes … just remember to shake well before use!

Miguel Migs - “The original mix sounds cool.”
Mousse T. - “Groovy little monster.”
Phunktastike (Spirit Soul Music / Undertones Gang) - “Great release here!”
Gavin Hardkiss (Hawke) - “The De Pin Up Club remix is a keeper.”
Graeme Park - “This is quite appealing.”
Claudio Coccoluto - “A real good sound.”
Sunshine Jones (Dubtribe) - “Even more beautiful at –8! Love it.”
Flash Atkins (Paper Recordings) - “‘Make It Funky’ makes me funky!”
Christos Kedras (Beat Philosophy / Kapa Music) - “De Pin Up Club does a great job here … it’s a rich and melodic remix with a solid groove and nice touch on the piano. In the bag.”
Chris Massey (Paper Recordings / Electriks) - “Phwoar, this is massive! The huge italian vibe is gonna make this an essential one for my record box.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “That bass hook is a beast … dirty funk the way I like it.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “The future-retro-boogie style of the original sounds really dope … I love the bass line. De Pin Up Club’s remix recalls Arthur Baker meeting New Order … it rocks, too.”
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Influences) - “De Pin Up Club’s remix is absolutely fantastic. Truly overwhelming and refined sound and yes … the piano is the one thing that really got under my skin!”
Tom Conrad (Adaptation Music) - “Cool groove and a nice blend of influences.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “I’m digging the chuggy groove on the De Pin Up Club remix … really cool vibes. But I’m feeling the original most here … wicked, low-slung deep house vibes with cracking disco leanings.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) - “Utterly fierce old school-inspired vibes.”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.