Cyrus - Tribute To The Master (Smooth Agent Records)

Cyrus is an exciting new trio featuring Carmello Guarnera AKA Mello, da.loca, and Sean Smith AKA The Smooth Agent. They’ve come together to forge an organic twist on electronic dance music, building off sounds and traditions of the past to push Cyrus’s music into the future. This mission couldn’t be better expressed than on their new single, “Tribute to the Master,” which pays homage to Fela Kuti, the Nigerian King of Afrobeat. Featuring vocalist Tosha Marie, the song includes pounding layers of rhythm, melodic horns, staccato guitar, gliding electric piano chords, and Tosha’s expressive, soulful voice. It’s a rousing affair.

Four fantastic remixes back “Tribute to the Master,” starting with the Tribute Groove Mix from David Harness (Moulton Music, Vega). Focusing on the magic of the musical instrumentation, Harness lays down a deep kick drum that guides his version into dancefloor bliss. Sean Smith (The Smooth Agent) is next, paring down the track a touch but still keeping the rhythmic interplay and Tosha’s lovely vocals. Welsh DJ/producer Paul Lyons (Quantize, Marivent Music) gets in the tribal zone with his deep Tribe Vibe mix, and Cleveland’s Karu (Intimate Venues) transforms “Tribute to the Master” into a sleek late night groover. This pack is filled with exquisite, Afro-inspired sounds, all ready for DJ deployment.

Soulfuledge (Quantize) – “Sublime stuff from David Harness on here. This one’s definitely for me.”
DJ Pope (Poji Records) – “This entire package is hot.”
Col Lawton (Deep Fix Recordings) – “David’s remix is sooo nice.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle radio show) – “Wonderful remixes celebrating a legend. The Karu mix is my fave. Full support.”
DJ Jazzy L (Jazzy Lounge Radio) – “It only took a couple bars before my feet started moving. On Point.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House web zine) – “An expertly crafted and truly amazing tribute.”

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

Sean Smith feat. Carla Prather - So Gone (Smooth Agent)

Smooth Agent is proud to present the highly anticipated single “So Gone.” Label head Sean Smith comes correct with vocals from the one and only Carla Prather. Smith’s production highlights include his classic edits, a remix for Brandy’s “Talk About Our Love” on Atlantic Records, and a recent release on Smooth Agent called “The Revival” with Roy Davis Jr. Carla Prather’a voice has been in demand by artists like Jellybean Benitez, Lenny Fontana, and the Mr. A.L.I. project on Nite Life Collective, amongst others.

Together, the singer and producer craft “So Gone” into a soulful vocal mover flavored with latin percussion. Additional classic-sounding piano and synth arrangements are provided by Niles Bess. Carla lays down her exceptional, soulful vocals to lyrics telling a tale of being done with a relationship and ready to move on to a better, brighter day. On remix duties, French dance music legend Greg Gauthier pairs up with fellow Parisian Djoon resident Alex Finkin. Greg and Alex’s mix is another stellar performance with smooth, fluid keys and classic organ arrangements. Next, Denz Daverez, an LA transplant and Amsterdam native, adds contrast to the release with a remix of his own. More heads down in nature, Denz’s Dub Mix is soulful deep house with a distinct electronic edge for a contemporary club sound. Complete with instrumentals, this is a strong package that should not be missed by DJs with a love for real soulful and classic house music.

Todd Edwards - “Love this song and the vocal.”
Graeme Park - “Very good.”
Abicah Soul - “Solid tune … I love all the mixes.”
Hollis P Monroe - “Solid production emulating that soulful ‘90s vibe.“
Tyree Cooper - ”Hot sh#t!“
CJ Mackintosh - ”Loving the Greg Gauthier & Alex Finkin mix!“
Lars Behrenroth (Deeper Shades Of House) - ”All about the original.“
Tedd Patterson (Vibal Recordings / Shelter NY) - ”Great vocal, great production … I’m on it!“
Groove Assassin (Pacha / Cielo) - ”Slammin’ stuff!”
Nick Holder (DNH Records) - “I’m digging this!”
Luka (We Go Deep / Peng) - “Lovely package … class all around.”
Joseph Hines (FOMP / We Go Deep) - “This is hot. Any thing by my man Greg Gauthier is always gonna be quality. Loving all the mixes. Real timeless soulful music.”
Spiritual Blessings (Gotta Keep Faith Records) - “This is an awesome soulful track. Original and instrumental are already 5 out of 5 stars for us, but Greg Gauthier & Alex Finkin made an amazing re-work on it. Wow!”
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - “The Greg Gauthier & Alex Finkin remix is something special: upbeat and funky, with that KILLER organ!”
Alan Powell (The Midnight Mix on Solar Radio) - “My good grief what a tune! Every mix is fabulous, the original has such a beautiful soulful edge that I love. The Greg Gauthier & Alex Finkin mix is slightly more clubby, but still retains its soulful edge with the incredible Carla Prather powerhouse vocal. Love it!”
Marc Lacasse (sHIFT Radio, Canada) - “Just what soulful house should be … lovely vocals and some percussion to move it along nicely.”

Available now from Traxsource and Juno Download.

The Zars - Some More Dope (Smooth Agent Records)

Smooth Agent Records reaches out to Europe, and a decidedly European flavor, for a new single from Italian duo The Zars. Made up of Alex Tessarolo and pAd, The Zars’ music moves easily from techno-dub to house to disco but always executed with a deep touch. After previous releases on the likes of Progrezo, Till2012 Records, and Ampispazi Recordings, the pair grace Smooth Agent with the cool, nasty groove of “Some More Dope.” Over a popping mid-tempo four-on-the-floor the track is filled with layers of sound, including a rousing, dubbed out vocal part. This slinky affair builds, and is ready to create some spicy after hours action on the dance floor. “Some More Dope” gets the remix treatment from Glasgow’s acclaimed OOFT! (Foto Recordings, Midnight Marauders) who delivers a dark and slinky synth-led masterwork containing many subtle twists and turns. The cut also gets an evocative version from fellow Italian Luminodisco (Danny Was A Drag King, Hell Yeah) who treat the tune to their rollicking percussion, bouncing Italo bass lines, and rich, crystal clear production.

The Zars close out the EP with a couple of exceptional bonus originals, starting with the churning “Saxa Rubina.” With its echoed stabs, crisp rhythm, and rising energy the track feels like a trip on a midnight subway headed to parts unknown. This is followed by “Bagheera,” another mid-tempo house music stomper, this time characterized by a low, throbbing bass, exotic instrumentation, and curious exclamations of the track’s title. All in all, The Zars have offered a top notch package here ready to hit all the right notes in the adventurous house DJ’s more cosmic sets.

Peter Kruder (Kruder & Dorfmeister) - “I love the original track. Great, tripped out stuff. The OOFT! and Luminodisco remixes are cool, too. I’ll play this.”
Tensnake - “What a great pack. OOFT! and Luminodisco deliver some great remixes.”
Sunshine Jones (Dubtribe) - “Dope. I really like this release.”
Kraak & Smaak - “‘Saxa Rubra’ has a nice drive to it.”
Lars Behrenroth (Deeper Shades of House) - “The Luminodisco remix is KILLLLERRRR. ‘Saxa Rubra’ just oozes deepness, too. Dope release!”
Brett Johnson - “Nice cosmic funk!”
Q-Burns Abstract Message - “Solid package all around, but it’s the Luminodisco mix that’s got me psyched the most. Stellar stuff.”
Severino (Horse Meat Disco / Up Yours) - “Good stuff here … ‘Saxa Rubra’ (great name) is pumpin’!”
Sleazy McQueen - “More dope? Yeah!”
Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) - “The original is bananas and the remixes are all top notch. Will play for sure!”
Ant Plate (Rhythm Plate / YSE) - “I’m liking the heavy beat and loopy, bouncy vibes of the originals.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) - “Wowzers … the OOFT! Remix is off the chain! I’m feeling ‘Saxa Rubra,’ too. Dope!”
Craig Stewart (DCSTrax / Montana & Stewart) - “The OOFT! Luminodisco jams are very hot. Nice work.”
Deadbeat Disco Radio Show - “Deepness par excellence! OOFT! and Luminodisco both conjure up sultry grooves, however we’re down most with the super-deep ‘Saxa Rubra’ and ‘Bagheera.’ Loving that break on ‘Bagheera’ … a wicked dance floor surprise!”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

Mark Graham feat. Jean Honeymoon - Passion (Smooth Agent Records)

Smooth Agent Records is proud to release the long awaited single “Passion” by UK-based producer Mark Graham with Glasgow’s Jean Honeymoon on vocals. Having released most of his music on his own Rehab label since 2008, Mark is a producer who likes to blend classical, jazz, latin, and hip hop into his stew of dance music sounds, influenced by everything from Aphex Twin to Thelonious Monk. The vocals on the jazzy, liquid drum n’ bass of “Passion” are by Ms. Jean Honeymoon who has a unique, almost whisper-like singing style. Jean has released numerous productions from house to downtempo chill-out, and has worked with producers such as Monodeluxe, Rubberlips, Union Effect, Victor Maximilano, and Burkina Lounge.

The strong songwriting of “Passion” has lent itself to a number of exceptional remixes, touching on deep, soulful house, broken beat, and drum n’ bass styles. Smooth Agent’s own Sean Smith delivers a dreamy and soulful afro-flavored house remix that will delight the deepest of DJs. Chicago’s Union Effect (Mindfood, Smooth Agent) reveals a spacious, classic sounding deep house mix with melodic piano complimenting Jean’s lovely voice. Canadian DJ / producer Scott Totem adds a splash of tech-house to his deep treatment resulting in a pulsing, bass fueled ride while Don Clark aka Re:search (Re:direct Recordings, Deep Hype Sounds) presents a bright, cascading interpretation of “Passion.” Italy’s Monodeluxe (Little Angel, Vibe Boutique) flips the script with a broken beat, downtempo version that’s soulful and chill. Also, Cleveland’s Quentin Allen unveils two remixes under two different guises - a shuffling Deep Tech mix as Karu and a meaty drum n’ bass remix under the name of Illform. There’s a lot of variety here, courtesy of Smooth Agent Records … sit back and dive in.

Ron Trent - “I like the Moondelux, Union Effect, and Sean Smith versions.”
Graeme Park - “A very cool and interesting selection of grooves … particularly feeling the Monodelux mix.”
Alton Miller - “Very nice music … I’ll support this for sure.”
Glenn Underground - “The original of ‘Passion’ is hot on its own.”
Abicah Soul - “Love it!”
Mr.V (Sole Channel Music) - “Dope! Great vocal.”
Davidson Ospina - “It’s all about Scott Totem Remix for me … slammin’!”
Andy Compton (The Rurals / Peng) - “Lovely!”
Daz-I-Kue - “Yep, I’ll be playing a number of these mixes.”
Jaymz Nylon - “Incredible mixes all tied together with soul and heart.”
Edground (Grooveland Music, Brazil) - “Amazing release. Great remixes here.”
Fish Go Deep - “Good range of mixes with Sean Smith’s standing out. Nice vocal.”
Groove Assassin (Pacha / Defected) - “Super dope … a slamming set of mixes.”
Christos Kedras (Kapa Music) - “Strong package with lots of great mixes. Sean Smith, Union Effect, Monodelux, and Karu all have done excellent job.”
Andre Harris - “I’m loving the Scott Totem mix.”
Dean Serafini (JJazproJect) - “Such sweet vocals. It has to be the Union Effect Mix for me.”
Alex Dean (Low End Theory Radio Show) - “I’m loving the Sean Smith mix … beautiful vocal house music.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “I like the bounce to the bass. The Re:search mix is really cool.”
Jamie Topham (CDPool) - “Cool release from Mark Graham with the Smooth Agent label delivering a heavyweight mix package.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) - “The glamorous remixes by Union Effect and label head Sean Smith are by no means to be missed.”

Available now from Juno Download and Traxsource.