Animal Friend - Stokin (Green Gorilla Lounge)

Animal Friend's "Stokin" takes on new dimensions in the hands of San Francisco production duo Sleight of Hands, who transform the original's indie-disco framework into something altogether more expansive. This remix package, released via Green Gorilla Lounge, showcases the source material's strength and the remixers' deft touch at reconstruction.

The Sleight of Hands remix maintains Kazuko Anne Kimura's haunting vocals while building new sound architectures beneath. The duo's production style shines through in the careful layering of breaks and house rhythms, creating dance floor momentum without sacrificing the original's psychedelic undertones.

What's particularly striking is how the remix honors Animal Friend's evolution from an 80s-inspired rock outfit to electronic innovators. The original mix, included in the package, provides context for this transformation and highlights how Kimura and Jasper Speicher have developed their distinctive voices in San Francisco's electronic music landscape.

Jon Wesley (Insomniac) – “I love the Slight of Hands remix. It reminds me of Plastic Dreams a bit. Love the vocal too. Great San Francisco-style house.”
Juan Moreno (Neo Ouija) – “Nice. Perfect track for the night.”
Luis Machuca (Friskybeat Records) – “New funky wave vibes.”
Ket Shah (Mucho Soul) – “The Original Mix is a Strong Dancefloor tool.”
DJ Morpheus (Lysergic Factory Radio Show) – “Excellent track and remix by Sleight of Hands! I dig it very much.”
Simon Kirk (Proton Radio) – “This is pure class. Stokin original mix is my fav, the punk influenced vocal against that backdrop of bass, keys and swirling pads! 10/10.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Traxsource, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Sleight of Hands - Lipstick Shades (Green Gorilla Lounge)

The Green Gorilla Lounge crew have been big movers and shakers on the San Francisco underground scene since the mid-'90s and Sleight Of Hands is the label's flagship combo. This collaboration between collaboration between DJ M3 and Phil Collis is responsible for singles on Smoke N' Mirrors, remixes for Om Records, and consistently working crowds on the club and festival circuit. Now Sleight Of Hands come at dancefloors with a potent collection of tracks from their Lipstick series. Behold: Lipstick Shades!

This beauty batch of beats is 10 cuts strong and explores a range of influences, from jungles of Tulum to old school electro to synthwave for late night drives, The vintage-meets-the-new vibe of "Yucatech" is pure nightclub bliss, as are the sleazy midtempo handclap strut of "Arpwave" and the ecstatic Chicago House homage "Are You With Me." Sleight Of Hands are also ready to deliver more pensive sounds, such as the dreamy techno of "Lone Driver" and the dubbed-out Balearic House Remix of "Thankful." Championed around the scene, heard round the block, now's the time to grab some shade.

Tyler Stadius (Deepen) – “So good! Every track stands out. Can’t wait to get playing these.”
Magnus Asberg (On The House Records) – “Yes yes! Full support on this.”
Spaceotter (SCOHM) – “Hey Hey has extraordinary levels of vibe.”
Brian Busto (Serious Soul) – “For me, it’s one of the best releases of the year. Excellent work!”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Show) – “Awesome selection here – I can see featuring all of these in my sets.”
Leri Ahel (Mutant Disco Radio Show) – “Some brilliant tracks here. Already played on my show!”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.

ThrillHammer - Bohemian Berlin Disco (Hardkiss Music)

ThrillHammer is a musical hybrid created by the Silk Road Truckers' frontman, Coltorious, and DJ/producer Duserock.

After the tragic murder of Anthony "Bubbles" Torres, Coltorious approached Duserock about collaborating on a track that he and Bubbles were writing. This spawned the single "Bohemian Berlin Disco." ThrillHammer performed the song on the main stage at Gay Pride 2018 in San Francisco as a special tribute.

A San Francisco anthem in the making, there are remixes from a cross section of local dance music producers. The original version by Colton (Coltorious) and Ryan (Duserock) lunges forward with fury. Video and audio collagist Dtek offers up the delightful TheShoplifters Remix. Gavin Hardkiss and Ryan trick out TheShoplifters version in the G&R Dub. Gavin then takes an acid direction with his late night excursion. Manny Alfarez (Monarch and The Great Northern) and Phil Rene Collis (Bachelors of Science), in their Sleight of Hands guise, spawn the Sleight of Hands Remix.

Draw your own conclusions from the song’s lyrics, but there’s certainly enough to entertain the new, the old, and the fabulous from the Castro, the Tenderloin, and the Marina. There's something here for everyone.

Fondly remembered, Bubbles left skid marks and scandals everywhere he visited. His Facebook videos from Berlin, London, Santa Fe and festivals and nightclubs in California are testimony to his unabandoned quest for freedom. Although his murder is unsolved, and the perpetrator has not been caught, Bubbles’ music lives on in this release on Hardkiss Music.

Severino (HorseMeatDisco) – “This is fun!”
DJ Schugar (Whiskey Pickle) – “This is great! Love the vibes.”
Trotter (Royal Soul Records) – “Nice one guys. TheShoplifters Remix is really dope!”
Kirby (Nordic Trax) – “Cool remix by Gavin. Twisted Disco!”
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) – “Awesome on so many levels. Love this.”
Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “An absolute cracking selection. A great original to work from here.”
Christian Homan (RTE Pulse show) – “Quirky, and all the better for it.”
Ken Liu (Broad Street Bait & Tackle) – “Been waiting on this for a second. Loving the whole thing, and I’ll probably play the Sleight of Hands Remix.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Another winner from Hardkiss … Powerful.”
Mikebee / Mike Battaglia (Vinyl Dreams) – “Thanks for this. Bubbles is missed by myself and everyone over here at Vinyl Dreams. Glad to see this finally see the light of day, and the remixes are great!”

Available Now From: Junodownload, Spotify, iTunes, And Amazon Music.

Sleight of Hands - Neon Dreams EP (Green Gorilla Lounge)

Sleight of Hands – comprised of San Francisco rave stalwarts Manny Alferez (DJ M3) and Phil Collis (Bachelors of Science) – have delivered the Neon Dreams EP, featuring six deftly produced cuts ranging from mid-tempo electronic funk to silky deep house to prime time club stompers. Previously responsible for singles on Smoke N' Mirrors, remixes for the likes of Groove Armada and Dirty Vegas, and top tracks for their own Green Gorilla Lounge imprint, the duo has been consistently working crowds on the club and festival circuit. The Neon Dreams EP cements their reputation as a rising act on the global electronic music scene.

The release features female vocals are the forefront, with the sexy, slowed-down groove of “Thankful,” the emotional ride of “Not In Love” with the vocals of Jesse Rennix, and Octavio Genera's gorgeous interpretation of “How Long.” The Neon Dreams EP also nods its hat to Sleight of Hands’ clubbier inclinations, presenting the after-hours deep house of “Hypnotize,” “Walking Alone” with its peak time build-ups, and the shimmering dance floor magnet “Last Disco In The Attic.” Sleight of Hands’ acute sense of funk binds all six tracks, making for a compellingly diverse yet unified EP.

Severino (HorseMeatDisco) – “Oh Wow Yes!”
Chris Todd (Crazy P) – “Wicked EP. Cuts through the deluge of mediocre promos like a hot knife through butter!”
Flash Atkins (Paper Recordings) – “This is great. Super fresh and orginal. Top marks for all tracks!”
Amrisha Prashar (IAMRISHA) – “Love it!”
Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “Epic Ep. Thanks for sending!”
Tronik Youth (Nein Records) – “Great EP.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “Seriously groovy selection!”
Quincy Jointz (Timewarp Music Radio Show) – “Very nice modern pop music.”
Dr. Best (Radio Z) – “Thankful feat. Jesse Rennix is a bomb! Big tune.”
SimonG (Volcano Radio) – “Dang, Walking All Alone develops into a skanky jam. I’ll be looking forward to testing it on the big rigs.”

Available Now From Beatport, Traxsource, Apple Music, And Spotify.