Bogota Records celebrated the approaching summer with their seductive, previous “Twilight Room” single. Well, summer is here and Bogota have effectively turned up the heat with another special vocal-driven hit, the kind that just doesn’t come along very often. As a long time planned collaboration between Ivaylo and Slammer, as well as singer Renate, the Guide Line EP is a statement of intent and the start of a new perspective from the label.
Ivaylo is a Bulgarian native based in Oslo at the head of Bogota Records and Slammer is the label’s sound technician, and the two have numerous projects planned. Renate is a good friend of Ivaylo and they have worked together previously, highlighting her delicate vocal delivery over smooth house productions. It’s a combination that just feels right every time, so it’s not surprising the two have set a goal of eventually performing live together.
“Guide" is a piece poised to take beaches by storm and dark clubs by night, all just in time for Ibiza and beyond. Renate’s performance for this song is truly one in a million. Think Zero 7’s prodigious "In the Waiting Line" met with club speed and deep acid production from Ivaylo and Slammer. Half of the track is spent building around the vocals with ambient floating pads, acid swirls, and the shuffle of a 606 drum machine. When it does finally hit, the acid shifts into a tug-and-pull relationship between mid-range stabs and low end groove. The lyrical content is full of metaphor, exulting freedom, independence, and exploratory self-resilience.
Each of the release’s three remixers take the track into a more DJ friendly club territory. First up is Demarkus Lewis, a name where the colloquial “just to name a few” doesn’t even do justice to a shortened list of the iconic labels, compilations, and releases he has graced, including his own imprint Grin Music. Needles to say, Demarkus is a name that’s familiar and his remix also — in a way — is that ever familiar, pure and perfect lush house sound. Just the fantastic bass line in a seven and a half minute loop would probably get the job done, so the inclusion of his shortened Rockit Lab Dub is definitely a welcome touch. South Londoner Tom Gillieron (RvS) is a friend of Ivaylo’s from his days frequenting Bulgaria and it is in these good hands that the listener can really feel the special attention given to his dubby tech remix. Tom really gives the package that extra Ibiza push, this time appealing to the cool driving force of big room underground dance floors. Another friend of Ivaylo, Brokesteady DJ group member Andre Bravo finishes off the release in yet another direction, full of a cosmic darkness with a heavy bass growl. Be on the look out for a future Andre Bravo original release through Bogota.
All in all, a stunning performance from the Bogota crew and indications of a bright summer ahead.
Graeme Park - “This is absolutely delicious.”
Chris Fortier (Fade / Mindwarp) - “I love this.”
Tom Lown (Savoir Faire / Lost My Dog) - “This is awesome. Something a bit different … a real stand-out EP. Brilliant original and remixes … I’ll be playing these a lot.”
Inland Knights - “Loving the Demarkus Lewis remix.”
Nick Holder (DNH Records / Treehouse) - “Dope!”
Vincent Kwok - “Great haunting voice.”
Da Sunlounge - “Nice dub from Dermarkus Lewis … wicked stuff.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Cracking stuff … I’m particularly into the Tom Gillieron remix, which is pretty sensational to be fair!”
Alvaro Hylander (DeepWit Recordings) - “As usual, high quality and proper deepness on Bogota Records. Lovely release with a wider range of house tunes, with the magnificent Renate adding the frosting on top.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “There’s a deeply meaningful groove to this and an effective hooky sound … Ibiza sunset vibe.”
Claudio Coccoluto - “The original is an awesome track!”
Richie Hartness (untitledmusic) - “The Tom Gillieron remix is a stunner!”
Dado Funky Poetz (Radio Monte Carlo) - “Soulful house for the summer with a touch of class. Cool.”
Michael Terzian (Motion FM / Salvation From Sin) - “The Demarkus Lewis re-work, as well as the original mix, is solid. Renate’s haunting vocals are a breath of fresh air.”
Myxzlplix (Subdivisions Global Radio) - “Excellent release … solid mixes all around but the Tom Gillieron remix is absolutely stunning.”
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Influences) - “What an extraordinary release. Amazing collaboration … the original mix is simply out of this world.”
Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.