The New Black - The Trouble With Monarchy (Whiskey Pickle)

Texas-based cosmic-funksters The New Black return to Whiskey Pickle with their latest offering entitled The Trouble With Monarchy. This slick production duo -- comprised of Nathan Stewart and William Bowers -- have gone on to release with Midnight Riot, Something Different, and Headset after making their initial debut on Whiskey Pickle. Two cuts and a pair of remixes comprise their new groove-laden release, opening with the filtered, low-slung swing of “A Game Of Tones”. Chirpy sample stabs and ominous synth swells usher in a fat bass line and airy pads as things crescendo into a tsunami of enveloped Moog riffs.

Icelandic disco-maestro B.G. Baarregaard (Whiskey Disco, DiscoDat) steps up first to spin the groove of “A Game Of Tones” into an uptempo, cosmic burner. His shimmering synth work adds a carefree vibe to the original's menacing flair. UK duo Hearts Of Darkness, comprised of industry heavyweights Phil Towers and Al Bradley (3am Recordings), construct a dubby take on “A Game Of Tones”. They employ loads of echoes and funky synth riffs with their aim set steadily at club dance floors. Wrapping things up nicely is “The Royal We”, a hypnotic deep house affair from The New Black that oozes like syrup and is just as sweet.

Ursula 1000 - "Sublime."
Graeme Park - "Absolutely bloody wonderful."
Sleazy McQueen - "Solid vibes and production all around."
Hardway Bros (A Love From Outer Space) - "Really cool … I love it!"
Vanilla Ace - "'A Game Of Tones' is the one for me."
All Good Funk Alliance - "Love these deep cuts … the drums on 'The Royal We' are really popping and fresh. These are fun."
Sunshine Jones (Dubtribe) - "Lovely."
Alvaro Hylander (DeepWit) - "Witty title! Cool refreshing sounds overall, but really liking 'The Royal We'."
Spettro (Crosstown Rebels) - "The Hearts Of Darkness remix is very nice … perfect for pool parties boogie dance floors."
DJ Doubles (Freestyle Fusion) - "Great floor-filling breakbeat madness … sticky business to stomp yer feet!"
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - "The summer disco sound of B.G. Baarregaard will be the best choice under the sun."
Kosta (Vibe FM / AWD House) - "Perfect for my disco bonanza sessions!"
Jean Jérome (Radio FG / Kut 'N' Paste) - "Summer vibes coming from Whiskey Pickle."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.

Various Artists - The Remixes Vol. 1 (Whiskey Pickle)

The concept behind The Remixes Vol. 1 is simple: take some tunes that mostly did not have remixes on the official release and enlist some high profile talent to put their special stamp on them -- and that's exactly what's happening here. Bundled with the premiere of Whiskey Pickle's brand new logo redesigned by Austin artist Mez-One (of The Royal Mark Makers and TITS Crew), this pack has the label family brimming with excitement.

Up first, Sixth Avenue Express takes on the mighty "Nu Funk" by Abstrakt Audio. He twists the hypnotic swirl of the original into a slick lounge affair that features a gorgeous, roof-raising breakdown. Making his second appearance on WP, Dallas based producer Redsean utterly destroys "Does She Want You Now" by Zack Highwire in the best possible way, churning out some mean dance floor revenge. Cosmic funksters The New Black sought the expertise of The Dead Rose Music Company to beef up their "Stone Cold Groove" with some shuffling percussion and a Moog bass line that would make Bernie Worrell proud.

On the flip-side, label founder Adam Warped dons his Johnny Blackouts guise and bucks all convention by taking "I'm A Freak" into Nordic-house territory. Jason Blakemore, formerly known as DJ Trance, injects Zack Highwire's "Mind, Hearts, Lies" with a classic analogue kick that just won't quit. Titled the Lurky Dub, it's just that: deep, brooding, and seriously dubbed out, sure to leave listeners stuck in the groove and eager to move. Lastly, Austin, TX, mainstay Keine Moniker puts "Traps" by P-Rez in a blender filled with heavy Rhodes chords and a rolling bass, pouring out smooth deepness on his Jazzme Edit. He's had a busy year with heavily lauded releases on Cream Couture, Bush Records, Dead Funk Music, and StayFly Records. His remix shows why, taking the original to a whole new time and place. 

Mark Farina - “This is nice!”
Sleazy McQueen - “A really diverse package … I’m sure I’ll fit a few of these in.”
Robbie Hardkiss - “Stone cold groovy.”
Irregular Disco Workers (Disco Volante) - “The Dead Rose Music Company do the job!”
Hippie Torrales - “A nice package of diverse tunes.”
Alkalino (Estimativa / Audaz Recordings) - “The Sixth Avenue Express remix for Abstrakt Audio is my pick.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings / Fabric) - “Cracking beats from one of my favorite labels … all tracks here are top notch. Reckon I’ll pour me a quick Famous Grouse over ice to mark the occasion.”
Stereo 77 (Plimsoll Records) - “The Dead Rose Music Company remix is terrific! I can’t wait to test drive it tonight.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Funky and chunky vibes … real nice.”
Ken Liu (Headset Recordings) - “Stellar pack. The Sixth Avenue Express Remix is tremendous.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “One of the best labels around in the world at the moment! This package of remixes is awesome.”
Corbin Dooley (Electric Feel Radio Show) - “A great compilation of funky selections … big support!”
Mygaff (Play FM Dublin) - “I honestly don’t know which track stands out more on this album, as like a good team they stand out together. I’ll play them all and let the listeners decide!”
Chris Keys (Another Night On Earth Blog) - “Top marks to The Dead Rose Music Company … that’s gonna light up some dancefloors.”
Black Alley (In Control Radio Show) - “What’s not to like here? Go and play ’em out!”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

The New Black - 1,000 Little Black Dresses (Whiskey Pickle Records)

Whiskey Pickle Records is beyond stoked to present the debut EP from Texas’ own cosmic-funksters The New Black. This slick production duo, comprised of Nathan Stewart and William Bowers, have a combined resume that includes releases on Kolour Recordings, residencies at the legendary Houston club night Dedicated, and support duties for the likes of Inland Knights, Fred Everything, and Chris Lum. The 1,000 Little Black Dresses EP kicks off with the filtered funk stomp of “Stone Cold Groove,” which combines a soulful, earthly bass and a horn sample that unfolds under heavenly pads, leads, and arpeggios. The b-side, “Androids Are Sexy,” ups the tempo with a groovy synth bass as psychedelic found samples lend to its druggy, warehouse vibe. Rounding out the package, “Like I Can” utilizes a classic groove that pays tribute to the Brothers Gibb while bittersweet chords pulsate over sub bass and filtered vocal stabs. This is the sound of Whiskey Pickle Records celebrating the sounds of summer a bit early. Crack open a Tecate, squeeze some lime, and let the vibes flow through. ARRIBA! ARRIBA!

Nick Warren - “Groovy indeed.”
Tensnake - “Cool dance floor cuts!”
Sunshine Jones - “This is so welcome … it’s totally the time for this sound.”
Mark Farina - “I like it!”
Atnarko - “‘Like I Can’ is the one that does it for me. Nice one!”
DJ MFR (Transport Recordings) - “Nice package. Full support from me.”
Roual Galloway (Faith / Strobelight Honey) - “Strong collection of retro nu-grooves for a discerning dance floor.”
Inland Knights - “Nice release!”
Nick Holder - “Super fresh music … I’m feeling every track!”
Spettro - “Solid feel good groovers with ‘Stone Cold Groove’ and ‘Like I Can.’ Full support!”
Will SumSuch (DeepWit / Etoka) - “Nice hypnotic grooves here. I’m liking all three tunes.”
Tal M. Klein (Aniligital Music) - “Summer-sounding grooves indeed! Will be rocking ‘Like I Can.’” Stereo 77 - “I need more of this … I love it!”
Thomas White (Natural Rhythm) - “Holy smokes, this is a dope project!”
Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) - “Solid, fun house tracks. I will play these for sure.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “I love the disco style, those bass lines are doing it, and the drop is hot.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Whiskey Pickle is becoming one of my favourite labels … they always hit the spot! All three here are wicked. Club support, radio play, and word of mouth yelling about it is guaranteed!”
Stephen Glass (Headset Recordings) - “’ Like I Can’ has the kind of brain damage that I enjoy with my disco. Brain grooves! All are great for pool party season.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “Hyper discotek funk! Five stars are too little to rate this this EP.”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.