Asvajit - Wait A Minute (Wind Horse Records)

Wind Horse Records serves as a champion of India’s many talented resources for export to the outside world, all the while pioneering the deep house movement in its own country with releases, parties, and ground-breaking collaborations. Their newest release sees the label pairing up with an artist not far removed from India and of a similar mindset. Asvajit, a hardworking producer, label owner, and party thrower from Sri Lanka, has made a name for himself in and outside of his country through the always quality Bang Bang collective events and Jambutek Recordings platform which mirrors its independent underground artists. As a producer he has seen success molding the dub, house, and techno sounds to his own sensibilities, releasing on an assortment of international labels. Asvajit has received a global reception often proceeded by acclaim, like with his underground steamrolling collaboration with Soul Phiction, "Waran Dub".

Asvajit's take on the world-influenced deep house and tech sensibilities Wind Horse has defined itself by comes in chunky form. "Wait A Minute" places exotic leads, percussion, and ambience over a punchy groove, then shakes it up with nu-disco flair. It comes with all the bells and whistles, but heavy with tech upgrades. Its companion track, "Laptodyctalycus", also features a powerful backbone in the kick and bass departments and makes for a more emotionally charged and somber piece melodically. It contrasts the natural world of bird song with glitchy synthesized sounds to provide a lush landscape that can't be completely traversed with just one listen.

As is part of Wind Horse's charm, the cast of remixers is carefully crafted from all corners of the world. Steve Mill is a Greek-born Londoner with the backing of New Jersey's house master Kerri Chandler as part of the Madhouse Records family. To have that kind of pillar in support is a stamp of the highest 'house scene' approval and Mill's remix of "Wait A Minute" shows it. Made to dance, it features body-jacking snares, a full-bodied bass line, and plenty of mentally stimulating pops and clicks. In another flawless reworking of the source material, California's Sparkinzi turns "Laptodyctalycus" into a mesmerizing labyrinth of pianos and pads that winds itself into a deep acid trip. Finally, the trans-dimensional Indian artist Aaryan puts his vision to work creating an equally hypnotic and orchestrally rich rendition of "Laptodyctalycus”. All of this makes for another Wind Horse Records release for the ages.

Jaymz Nylon (Nylon Recordings) - “‘Wait A Minute’ has that bounce…”
Hollis P Monroe - "The original and Aaryan's remix do it for me."
Darin Epsilon (Perfecto / Baroque) - "Good remixes here by Steve Mill and Sparkinzi."
Jay West (Candy Music / Off Recordings) - “Steve Mill nailed it!”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings / Fabric) - “I’m loving this … both originals sparkle with high-end deepness and wicked bass vibes, but Sparkinzi turns in the cut for me here. I love the flow and acid elements … superb stuff.”
Pete Williams (Natural Rhythm) - “Aaryan’s remix is a smooth, tropical dream.”
Matt Prehn (Oh So Coy / Large Music) - “He smashed the groove on ‘Wait A Minute’ with super chunky production. I like Steve Mill’s different remix vibe too … good stuff!”
Distant People (SSRadio / Foliage) - “Steve Mill remix of ‘Wait A Minute’ has a nice elastic bass line … funky and deep.”
Eric Davenport (Guesthouse / Various Club) - “Tracks that take you on a ride. Asvajit has a unique arrangement style all to his own … dig it.”
Kohra (Qilla Records / Sui Generiz) - “Nice work from Asvajit here … I’m also digging Aaryan's deep interpretation!”
Leri Ahel (Mutant Disco Radio Show) - “Sparkinzi's Deep Tech Soul Remix of ‘Laptodyctalycus’ stands out, but love original too.”
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite / Dialtone Records) - “Another excellent release from Wind Horse! Pure class.”
Adnan Sharif (D-Edge / PR2 Recordings) - "Deep feelings for that dance floor."
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - “The original mix of ‘Wait a Minute’ is killer … I love the subtle use of Asian samples.”
xyddhartha (Digital Gathering Radio Show, India) - “Wind Horse Records is turning into one of my favorite Indian labels … such variety of vibes.”
Jamie Topham (CD Pool) - “Once again the quality shines through on a Wind Horse release. Asjavit and company provide a five-some of lush deep / tech sounds.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - "What else? The evergreen sound of acid, of course, Sparkinzi's Deep Tech Soul Remix of 'Laptodyctalycus' is more juicy than an orange!"
Kadabra (House Hookup Radio Show) - “Wind Horse has finished 2014 incredibly strong. I love the deep acid groove of Sparkinzi’s mix.”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

Jevne feat. Robert Owens - Like Now (Onethirty Recordings)

Stalwart Minneapolis based house music label Onethirty Recordings leaps into the new year with perhaps its most anticipated release yet. On “Like Now,” label honcho Jevne collaborates with celebrated house music vocalist Robert Owens for an epic and uplifting piece of deep, vocal tech house. Jevne’s been busy with DJ travels and a recurring extended residency in the Florida Keys but has found the time to create recordings and remixes for his own label as well as Urban Torque, Shifted, and Klassic Fiasco. Robert Owens is, of course, Robert Owens, with the “I’ll Be Your Friend” vocalist recently collaborating with the likes of Freaks, Atjazz, Coldcut, and Ralf Gum. Jevne joins this esteemed roster with his flowing, late night production that’s propelled by a warm sub bass, crisp drum patterns, and hypnotic bell-like synth rhythms. Owens’ impeccable vocal performance is the tastiest icing on the cake, riding the music with layered harmonies and emotive phrases. It’s trademark Robert Owens all the way.

The package comes with a trio of top notch remixes from two quickly rising house music talents. Scandinavian producer Andeas Saag (Freerange, Z Records, Room With A View) hits first with a pair of stellar reworks that take “Like Now” into uncharted territory. His first mix draws from classic house music sounds with its chord stabs and skippy four-on-the-floor, confidently building with the vocal into some solid floor action. Saag’s accompanying Stripped Remix places Owens’ vocal squarely on the rhythm section as the bass line creates the main drive. This is some dark, after hours basement material, for sure. The next remixer is the Greece-based Steve Mill (Global Underground, Elevation, Plastic City) who firmly sets Robert Owens against a building, dynamic house music backdrop that should get more than few hands in the air. FIlled with drama, Mill’s mix soars to its climax, giving Owens room to show off his vocal chops in some masterful breakdown sections. Finally, instrumentals to both of Saag’s remixes are also included, completing yet another superstar package from Onethirty Recordings.

Jimpster - “Killer remix from Andreas Saag on his Stripped version. A fat sound and bumping groove make this one really playable.”
Laurent Garnier - “The Steve Mill and Andreas Saag mixes are brilliant … will play!”
Tom Findlay (Groove Armada) - “The original is nice and epic.”
Tyree Cooper - “With Robert Owens on the vocals you can’t go wrong!”
Jay West - “Andreas Saag + Robert Owens + Onethirty … ‘nuff said. In the bag!“
Lars Behrenroth - ”It’s all about Andreas’ Stripped mixes!”
Alton Miller - “I like this tune! Good job on the remix and Robert never fails to bring it.”
Leigh Morgan (Urban Torque) - “Great release. Andreas Saag and Steve Mill mixes are crackin’. Good work.”
Shur-i-kan - “Top stuff from Andreas Saag!”
Leo Portela (PMB / Soulstar) - “The dynamic sound of Jevne is now bringing us Robert Owens! For me he’s the best male voice in house music.”
Chris Fortier - “The Stripped remixes bring the sexy out.”
Will SumSuch (DeepWit / Etoka) - “Loving the original, and two of my favourite artists on the remix here. Steve’s version is smooth and slinky, while Andreas takes it straight to the club and bumps it good! Proper.”
DJ MFR (Transport Recordings) - “Excellent release. Full support!”
Jon Pierce (Da Wiseguy, RTE Pulse) - “The epic Robert Owens lends his golden voice to produce yet another deep house burner. Top notch.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House) - “Amazing production featuring the one and only, the legendary Robert Owens, not to forget to mention the incredible remix by Andreas Saag which brings back the almost forgotten sounds of early house music.”
Joshua Jacobs (Music You Need) - “Super deep old school house with a touch of disco and a whole lot of groove. These tunes will transport you back in time to the deep underground scene. Get ready!”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.