Of Norway - Eyes EP (Beatservice Records)

Oslo’s Vegard Wolf Dyvik and Christian Steenstrup make up Of Norway, an eclectic electronic duo consistently releasing stellar music for over a decade. Through cuts on the likes of Connaisseur Recordings, Rockets & Ponies, and Darkroom Dubs and explosive DJ and live gigs, the two are a well-known commodity in underground dance music. This latest single, the Eyes EP, continues a string of top notch releases from Of Norway on the Beatservice imprint.

The duo recently contributed to Beatservice’s Prima Norsk 5 compilation, delivering two tracks instead of the requested single cut. “Normal Eyes” appeared on the collection to much acclaim, but the other track — the also brilliant “Dim Your Eyes” – demanded to be heard. The Eyes EP exposes both tunes and includes remixes from Syntax Erik, Terje Saether, Karl Fraunhofer, and Prins Oblonsky.

“Dim Your Eyes” is a moody breakbeat number, featuring transported-from-another-world vocals, bouncing sub-bass, and deliciously tweaky synth sounds. Its distinctive vibe will stand out in any DJ’s set. “Normal Eyes” is also from a similar vein, but works in house music rhythms and spacey pad hits. A warehouse bass-line – reminiscent of early Warp tracks — takes the lead, accompanied by fluttering arpeggios that chase up and down the scales. The remixes take the tracks in various dance floor directions, from deep house, to peak time rumblers, to mysterious minimal techno ambiance. These ‘Eyes’ are a sublime treat for the ears.

Three (Hallucienda) – “Both originals and the Prins Oblonsky remix for me. I’m a big fan of Of Norway.”
Bruce Tantum (XLR8R) – “Gorgeous music all around. Loving pretty much all of these.”
Meri (Rulers of the Deep) – “Very very cool release.”
Arne Goettsch (Electronic Earthquake) – “Dim Your Eyes is a bomb! Full support.”
Lönya (Asymmetric Recordings) – “Great EP! Full support.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “These are fantastic. Catchy and hypnotic.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Amazing EP. The Terje Saether Remix stands out amongst a very strong tracklist.”
Sharlese (KEXP) – “Very exciting & nice sounds to bring you into the morning.”
Taigo Onez (Bang Le’ Dex radio show) – “Such a beautiful body of work.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT Radio Show) – “Both lead tracks are extremely good, and the remixes turn this into an excellent release. Thoroughly enjoyable.”

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

The Familiar - White Poison Remixes (Beatservice Records)

The Familiar is an alternative electro-pop duo consisting of Ruth Mirsky (via Brooklyn) and Mads Martinsen (via Tromsø, Norway). The Familiar have previously released two EPs, capturing the haunting icy rhythms of the Arctic Circle and the pulse of New York City. On this latest release, two of The Familiar’s most popular tracks are re-interpreted by the Norwegian house underground. Veteran Tromsø producer Doc L. Junior (Music For Freaks, Paper Recordings) kicks things off with a funky-yet-dreamy remix of “White Poison”, featuring bell-like pads, a solid bass groove, and a lovely use of the female vocal. Fellow Tromsø-ite Syntax Erik is up next, giving “Dark Eyes” a deep, throbbing Italo-influenced treatment. This one plunges the listener into arpeggiated synthesizer bliss. “White Poison” is revisited for the final track, with Oslo wiz-kid Rave-enka (Paper Recordings, Trunkfunk) supplying an addictive jazzy deep house version that will maximize the shuffle sensations on the dance floor.

Nick Warren (The Soundgarden) – “Rave-enka mix is the one!”
Vincent Kwok (Eight-Fifteen) – “I dig the electro feel of Dark Eyes (Syntax Erik Remix).”
Pointbender (Harmonious Discord) – “Dark Eyes – Syntax Erik Remix works for me. Good Synth work.”
Nedj (The Electronic Underground Radio Show) – “3 beautifully crafted house tracks, each offering something different. The Rave-enka remix is just pure bliss!”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “Yes! Loving these cuts.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House Web Zine) – “A truly sexy remix by Doc L. Junior.”
Darrell Stout (Next Level / Beatmatrix Show) – “Deep, dark and bangin!”
Edground (Grooveland Music) – “Very nice release. Great mix by Doc L. Junior.”
Stefan Popovic (DiscoTone Radio Show) – “Doc L. Junior’s Dub is out of this world! Massive tune. Full on hypnosis on the dancefloor. Bravo!”
DJ Nova (Nova Planet Radio Show) – “The deep funk of the Rave-enka Remix is really attractive to my ears.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Traxsource, iTunes, And Spotify.

Syntax Erik - Don't Wanna Dance EP - Beatservice Records

Syntax Erik is Raymond Hansen, originally from Tromsø, Norway, now living in Oslo. He has been releasing music under various aliases from 1997, first as K.Y.D, then as a part of the duo Kyd & Kango. First donning the name Syntax Erik in 2002, Hansen released an EP with Rune Lindbæk’s Romklang label and remixed the likes of Mari Boine, Anneli Drecker, Flunk, and The Familiar under this moniker. Over the years he has maintained steady production efforts with personal tracks, many for his own pleasure.

Syntax Erik is presently on a roll with a series of fantastic EPs for Beatservice Records. 2015’s EPs, Keep It Deep and I Can Feel You, were met with wide acclaim from the likes of Tim Sweeney (Beats In Space), Terry Francis, Pete Herbert, Flash Atkins (Paper Recordings), and Robert Owens. Now Erik busts forth with the Don’t Wanna Dance EP, the third in the series. This time, the tracks are more focused to the four-on-the-floor side of deep house but with Syntax Erik’s distinctively funky touch. The title track is propelled by old school embellishments, a high-hat heavy drum loop, and some serious acid. The key breakdown adds some unexpected loveliness. “Love Jail” grabs the dance floor with its swinging, jackin’ beat, buzzy synth bass, and melodic arpeggiations and pads. Things get a bit moody on “Back On Track” which builds masterfully using bright layers of synths and keys. As a bonus, veteran producer Doc L. Junior (Music For Freaks, Paper Recordings) rounds out the EP with a more floor-heavy treatment of “Don’t Wanna Dance”, which he lovingly refers to as his Horror Dub.

Severino (HorseMeatDisco) – “Yes! Great Doc L. Junior remix of Don’t Wanna Dance.”
Gavin Hardkiss (Hawke) - “I love Eric’s sound. +++”
Sunshine Jones (Dubtribe) – “Lovely.”
Phonogenic (Turbo / Cocoon) – “With Syntax Erik you don't know what you're getting but the getting is always good. And weird.”
Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “Nice acid house vibes.”
Andy Riley (Toka Project / Drop Music) – “Love Jail is cool.”
Iron Curtis (Hudd Traxx / Mule Electronic) – “Title track sounds huge!”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing – WCRT 88.3 FM) – “Nice chunky acid grooves!”
Zach Van Lue (107.7 FM – The End) – “Damn, this is filthy.”
Deep South Audio (Volcano Radio) – “Nice twisted jacked out beats. The Doc L mix is a winner.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, iTunes, Junodownload, And Spotify.

Syntax Erik - I Can Feel You EP (Beatservice Records)

Syntax Erik returns to famed Norwegian electronic music label Beatservice Records with the I Can Feel You EP, his latest exploration in dance music eclecticism. Real name Raymond Hansen, the producer is originally from Tromsø, but now lives in Oslo. In 1997 he released his debut EP as K.Y.D with a string of twelve inches following in 2000 / 2001 as a part of the duo Kyd & Kango (collected on the High Above CD on Beatservice). First donning the name Syntax Erik in 2002, Hansen released an EP with Rune Lindbæk's Romklang label and remixed the likes of Mari Boine, Anneli Drecker, Flunk, and The Familiar under this moniker. Over the years he has maintained steady production efforts with personal tracks, many for his own pleasure.

The I Can Feel You EP is the second in a series of distinctive 'from the vaults' releases from Syntax Erik. It consists of three house-style tracks, each with touches of Norwegian techno flavor. The EP starts off with the banging dance floor frenzy of "Midnight Express" … a mindful layering of synth textures and balearic vocal phrases fully captivate over the cut's ten minutes. Erik goes deep and dubby for "I Can Feel You", a dark late-night track that proudly wears its experimental flourishes on its sleeve. "Blindness You Can't Focus" is the third track, with its ambient intro and subdued techno rhythms leading into moody blankets of atmosphere and swirling melody. Lastly, Oslo-based producers De Fantastiske To (Paper, Omena, Truckfunk) round off the EP with their groovy magic on "Midnight Express". Their remix adds a dash of funk to the beats and large helpings of growling bass and soaring arpeggiations. It's a wild ride!

Terry Francis - "'I Can Feel You' for me!"
Larry Tee - "This is nice."
Mugwump (Kompakt / Throne of Blood) - "Cool EP."
Anthony Pappa - "Some nice tracks here that will be used."
Rune Lindbæk - "More top stuff from Raymond! I've been digging 'I Can Feel You' for years. Great to see it being released."
Vanilla Ace - "Cool sounds."
Phonogenic (Moodmusic / Turbo) - "I like the quirky vibes of 'I Can Feel You' … oh yes, I do."
Spettro (Get Physical) - "I'm really into 'Blindness You Can't Focus'."
Pete Herbert (Reverso 68 / Disco Deviance) - "Top stuff."
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - "Yes … this is super nice."
Hardway Bros (A Love From Outer Space) - "Yes! I like 'Midnight Express'."
Alkalino (Estimativa / Audaz Recordings) - "'I Can Feel You' is cool!"
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite / Dialtone Records) - "Cool EP. Plenty of out-there, twisted, and unique sounds."
Bogdan Taran (Dance Box) - "The De Fantastiske To remix of 'Midnight Express' is my favourite here."
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) - "A superb release. It's hard to pin down a favorite but lurking at the end is the De Fantastiske To remix of 'Midnight Express' – a monster of a track. This is huge!"
Richard Hardcastle (Solid State / All Out War) - "The best sort of the 'Norwegian' sound – wigged out heavy and warm for the club systems, amazing production, plus it sounds fresh. Fantastic."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.