Stranger Danger - Play Deep / Next Knock (Tarantic Recordings) →

Stranger Danger is no stranger to San Francisco’s underground house music scene. Since 1992 Dominic, a.k.a Stranger Danger has been involved in the underground music scene as a dancer, promoter, DJ, and more recently as a producer. Dominic has been making some noise lately (some very good noise, in fact) which has earned him releases on the likes of Blockhead, Primal Records, Pin Up Recordings, and Bueno Booty. The quality deep and funky sounds coming from this fast-rising talent now also grace Tarantic Records’ catalog, and the label is thrilled to offer the Play Deep/Next Knock EP with remixes by BradElectro and label-head Amit Shoham.

First up is “Play Deep,” a bouncy groove layered with catchy vocal stabs and effects. Dominic recruited Yerba Buena Disco’s Homero Espinosa to mix down the track, and the result is an impeccably-produced funky tune. Next up is “Next Knock,” which keeps the funk going strong with a jazzy horn riff and a light-hearted spoken vocal. Amit Shoham reworks “Next Knock” using his trademark lively percussion grooves to build the energy, and BradElectro gives “Next Knock” a synth-driven makeover using electronic stabs and riffs as the primary elements. Fans of the Tarantic sound are certainly already familiar with Amit and Brad’s work, and are sure to appreciate Stranger Danger’s superb grooves.

DJ Mes (Guesthouse) - “This is dope! My favorite thing from Dom yet. Ill be rocking this for sure.”
Tyree Cooper - “This is a real nice release. I will bang it thoroughly!”
Inland Knights - “I’m liking ‘Play Deep’ and ‘Next Knock’ … good stuff.”
Tommy Largo - “Nice stuff. ‘Play Deep’ and the Amit Shoham remix are my picks.”
Gene Hunt - “‘Next Knock’ is a heater!”
Doc Link - “Very different! Amit Shoham’s mix will catch the floor off guard.”
Al Bradley (3AM Recordings) - “Both originals are sweet. ‘Play Deep’ perhaps the stronger for me, solid deep/tech vibes. On the remix front, Amit’s remix is cool, smart percussion all the way and a lovely rolling vibe. The pick here though is Brad’s squelchy bass-driven groove, wicked stuff!”
Nick Holder - “Bomb release!”
CheckPoint Charlie (MyCuppaT Blog) - “The rumbling bass that courses through all of these tracks Is just awesome. Warm, but punchy, a little techy, jacking and smart throughout. I’m a big fan of all the tracks on this release. Really, really cool!”
Rick Preston - “Another stellar Tarantic release!”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport 

Melissa Rapp, Daniel Schiffer, & Amit Shoham - Lapsed EP (Tarantic Records) →

San Francisco’s Tarantic Records returns with a unique addition to their growing catalog, a collaborative song titled “Lapsed" performed by Melissa Rapp, Daniel Schiffer, and Amit Shoham. Though this release leads with a trio of hefty house music remixes, it’s the original track that may turn the most heads. “Lapsed” is a dreamy downtempo wonder not too far off from the sound of acts like Morcheeba or Air. Featuring Rapp’s bluesy vocals, Schiffer’s accomplished guitar licks, and Shoham’s keys and crisp production “Lapsed” actually came about almost by accident. Rapp was taking a break packing for a move from San Francisco to Los Angeles and decided to give Shoham a goodbye visit. Schiffer, who was helping with the move, tagged along. Conversation and reminiscences turned into an impromptu studio session and the melancholy “Lapsed” was born.

To tie in with Tarantic’s housier offerings, the challenge of creating uptempo dancefloor versions without losing much of the original’s mood was undertaken. Amit Shoham retooled the track himself in the deep and soulful Unrequited Funk mix. Though shifting focus to beats and groove Shoham’s mix still uses Rapp’s entire vocal creating a sublime club track that still holds its own as a ‘song.’ Next up, Andrew Phelan & George Cochrane (AKA Origami), known for their extensive oeuvre of cuts for their Prismatic Tracks label, bust forth with a techy, bass-driven monster of a remix. The vocal is precisely manipulated amidst bouncy rhythms and synth arpeggiations. There’s also a Dub which strips out the vocals for an even techier treatment. Finally BradElectro, coming off his acclaimed Pinstripe Late Nite album for Tarantic, showcases his nu-disco grooves alongside stuttering synth chords and a spacey synth lead.

We hope you enjoy this ear-catching, unique release from Tarantic Records.

Tom Findlay (Groove Armada) - "The Phelan and Cochrane mix is cool. I will play it." 
Graeme Park (DJ, UK) - "Lovely vocal and song. The Amit Shoham remix works." 
Tyree Cooper (DJ, US/Germany) - "I’m really feeling the Amit Shoham mix and the original mix. This is a must have in the Serato crate." 
Pedro Goya (DJ, Portugal) - "The Amit Shoham mix and BradElectro dub are just perfect. Good work indeed! I will definitely play this out." 
Checkpoint Charlie (MyCuppaT Blog) - "Stunningly beautiful original, with 4 equally inspiring house remixes thrown in to create an incredible package. I’m a little speechless! Love the balls-out funk of Amit’s mix - warm bass, a little twisted in the middle, and great use of the vocal. Andrew & George also nail it, throwing forward a naughty bassline that will shake any club’s foundation! Top tune for months to come!" 
Dennis Lowrey (Philadelphia Weekly) - "Amit’s mix could easily be mistaken for a Miguel Migs track. It’s got tight bass, beautiful arrangement. and lush treatment of the vocal. THe original mix is awesome, as well. I’m a big fan of Morcheeba, and yes, it’s in their same vein and is done perfectly!" 
Igor Marijuan (Ibiza Sonica FM) - "Amit Shoham is the man. I love this sound."

Available now from Beatport / Traxsource / Juno Download / Stompy / iTunes