Kartech - House Shift (Wind Horse Records)

Following two previous compilation tracks under his Kartech moniker on Wind Horse Records, Thakur Kartik is now primed to release his debut EP, House Shift. The label is excited to showcase this out-of-the-box deep house producer and mix engineer who has already done much to help shape the Wind Horse sound with his technical knowledge and musical background. Kartech has also proven himself as a talented DJ on the New Delhi scene, and fits right into the Wind Horse Records family as the label continues to push the promising new house music talent of India.

Kartech provides two melodic and provocative deep tech originals for the release. “House Shift” has slight psychedelic accordion-like flurries over warm keys and echoing stabs, all propelled by a rubbery bass line. Light touches of dub effects round the track off nicely. Still undoubtedly deep, “Saturn's Solution” rings true within its minimal electronic groove. A jacking snare cuts through the ebb of synthesizers as the track travels through unchartered sci-fi territory.

Wind Horse enlists three familiar names from the label’s roster to compliment “House Shift” with remixes, a tough task as the original is already impressive. Label owner Hamza gets loopy with the melodies, embellishing the low end through the reverberating vibrations of a fat bass guitar riff. House music soldier Steve Conlan also goes for the funky bass, even further testing the elasticity of the original with plenty of movement. Hailing out of Mumbai with a promisingly mature sound, Priyesh Patil provides the bounciest of the remixes with the use of short, impactful notes, all while maintaining an impressive atmosphere – the Wind Horse signature.

Djuma Soundsystem (Get Physical / Toolroom) - “Quality from India!”
Fabricio Peçanha (Moodmusic / Definition Records) - “Stunning!”
Pete Moss - “Great release. I really like the Priyesh Patil remix.”
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) - “Every Wind Horse release has been a burner. This one’s just as hot!”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “A really excellent selection of grooves here. ‘Saturn’s Solution’ in particular is superb … I love the effects flowing through the rhythms.”
Tyler Stadius - “Sweet, warm grooves. It’s tough to choose a favorite.”
Matt Prehn (Oh So Coy Recordings) - “Damn! ‘Saturn’s Solution’ is frikken’ bad ass! Love it to bits! Very clever musically. The Priyesh Patil mix is also very good.”
Vincent Kwok - “Great deep house!”
Phonatics (Housesession Records) - “So much goodness in this release!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “A fresh, funky feel … strong summer sounds.”
Kenny Substance (Pure Substance / Redflux) - “Another good release from Wind Horse. Both originals are wicked and the remixes are solid, too.”
Kadabra (House Hookup Radio Show) - “Really nice textures, especially ‘Saturn’s Solution’. Just all around great bass lines. Very warm.”
Dean Serafini (JJazproJect) - “Excellent work. Hamza’s mix stands out above the others a little but all sound pretty tasty to me.”
Jamie Topham (CDPool) - “Another great Wind Horse release. Quality productions all round with Priyesh Patil just nicking the remix honors for me.”
Niksa Dragolin (Eurostar Radio, Croatia) - “Wind Horse are starting to open up new frontiers in deep house … this is the latest example.”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

Hamza + Vipul - House Music Soldiers (Wind Horse Records)

After three years of spreading India’s blossoming house music sound globally, Wind Horse Records continues to evolve with its sixteenth release, the superb “House Music Soldiers.” This is a collaborative production from Wind Horse’s two major players, Hamza and Vipul, who have individually made their names known through celebrated international DJ gigs and releases on a variety of imprints. Both based in New Delhi, the pair’s output has consistently exhibited sweeping, cinematic production, the inclusion of exotic live musicians, and rhythms drawing on the beats of India to create potent dance floor winners.

“House Music Soldiers” continues the label’s string of top notch releases, with this one being a bit extra special. It’s the first time Hamza and Vipul have collaborated on an original even though the two have been close friends since meeting years ago in the New Delhi club scene. “House Music Soldiers” has the cohesive, focused deep house sound of two like-minded DJs working as one in the studio. A rolling, deep rhythm leads a warm, bouncing bass line and electric chord stabs into the cut’s hypnotic spell. A processed vocal hook appears throughout “House Music Soldiers,” seeming almost like an incantation of the track’s name. It’s late night house music business of the highest order.

A trio of first-rate remixes further flesh out “House Music Soldiers.” Dutch DJ / producer Sebastian Davidson (Nightbird Music, Noir, I Records) is first with an atmospheric and evocative re-telling that pulses and grooves for perfect after-hours action. New Delhi’s Kartech, who previously appeared on last year’s Wind Horse Sampler, then provides a fine remix with swinging percussion, dubby flourishes, and dramatic (but still deep) breakdowns. The final version is courtesy of a recent Wind Horse discovery in New Delhi, Steve Conlan, who makes a strong debut with this remix. Steve turns the energy up a little by adding a huge bass line, staccato chord repetitions, and a crisp, steady build that’s primed for the nightclubs. It’s a fantastic package from Wind Horse Records, Hamza, and Vipul ready to be a part of DJ sets worldwide.

Giom - “Nicely done.”
Hippie Torrales - “Pure class and on fire.”
Brett Johnson - “This is nice stuff.”
Alton Miller - “Nicely done … I will definitely support this.”
DJ Rocca (Ajello) - “Kartech Mix is groooovy!”
Inland Knights - “Original for me … very nice and will play.”
Doc Link - “Feeling this!”
James Dexter (Lost My Dog / Om) - “The Kartech mix is nice.”
DJ MFR (Transport Recordings) - “Very good release, all around. Full support.”
Merlyn Martin (Subdivisions) - “The Steve Conlan remix is phenomenal.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Wow, tough to pick a favorite here. The original has all the quality one expects from a Hamza and Vipul collaboration: crisp bass and percussion with a superb warm feel. The remixes are all excellent, too, with Sebastian’s slower deep groove just pipping it for me.”
Kosmas Epsilon - “Beautiful sounds … can’t pick a favorite. This is easily one for the top 10 this month.”
DJ Dennis (Selekta Recordings) - “I’m loving that disco tempo of the Davidson remix … smooth yet driving. I could get some crowd soul clappin’ going on with that one!”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House) - “The super-cool original version with its warm melodies and groovy rhythms is the one.”
Jamie Topham(CDPool) - “Love that original from Hamza and Vipul so much, backed by a strong set of mixes with Steve Conlan’s effort leading the pack for me. Another excellent Wind Horse release!”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.