Zone+ & Usif - Laya (Wind Horse Records)

Helmed by Hamza, New Delhi’s Wind Horse Records returns with “Laya,” a collaboration between Zone+ & Usif from Bahrain (the biggest House Music export from the Middle East). Following separate releases on Day I Dream, Underyourskin Records, and Sol Selectas, Zone+ & Usif collaborated on releases for Akumandra/Underyourskin and Talavera Records before collaborating on “Laya”

“Laya” is another in the impressive Wind Horse roster seamlessly melding house music rhythms, traditional instrumentation from Indian and other world music in superlative production standards. The title track is a meandering jaunt through lush soundscapes, deep grooves, percussive and hypnotic house. Haunting flute, keys, and pads weave contemplative strains throughout. “Aria” is a slappy late-night affair with driving bass sounding sonar depths and building slowly with unexpected vocals and polyrhythmic treatments, mounting new surprise midway through the nearly 10-minute opus. Give “Laya” a spin, and be prepared for transport to a globe-spanning ride suited to dancefloors everywhere.

Kenny Substance (Redflux) – “Two nicely done originals.”
Nick Warren (The Soundgarden) – “Both tracks are really cool.”
Fer Ferrari (Deepclass Records) – “Aria is the one for me. Nice.”
Chang (Chang Bang) – “Laya is smokin’. I love the mystical vibe and flute.”
Bob Duskis (Six Degrees Records) – “Love both tracks but ‘Aria’ is particularly beautiful.”
Aryan Sharma (Dimension Radio) – “I really like how ‘Laya’ flows.”
Ejaz Ahamed (Global Mission / Proton Radio) – “These guys are on fire lately. Great EP.”
SimonG / Deep South Audio (Volcano Radio) – “Both tunes are ripe for my deep house sets … Lovely.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) – “Really strong, warm vibes here. Aria stood out on the initial listen, but both have real quality running through them.”
Black Alley (In Control Radio Show) – “Beautiful soundscapes take you on a journey through the Middle East and Asia. Cool stuff!”

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

Troja - Shanti (Wind Horse Records)

The latest release from Wind Horse Records dips once again into India’s fertile deep house movement, this time exposing Mumbai-based DJ / producer Troja to an awaiting global audience. The Shanti EP, consisting of three top notch house tracks, should handily further this goal.

“Shanti” leads the three originals on the EP, instantly mesmerizing with its ringing sitars and vocal chants led forward by a heartbeat-like rhythm. Tabla percussion flourishes and chiming synth melodies add to the deep house cut’s eastern appeal. This sound is expanded with “Ghats”, which adds mystical flute lines and churning layers of percussion to the dance floor equation. The track builds to an exotic bounce as plucked strings and a rising synth drone work to charm the listener. “Mantra” features a deeper, punchier rhythm and intriguing vocals of a magical persuasion. The hypnotic combination of the languid bass line and sparse beats make this one an after-hours treat for intimate venues.

Three fantastic remixes compliment Troja’s addictive originals. Berlin duo Gudio Schneider and Daniel Dreier (Highgrade, Moon Harbour) present their ‘Aztecs Explore India’ remix of “Shanti” which blends the original’s textures into a 14 minute masterwork. The voices and instruments fade in and out of the mix while the remixers’ solid house rhythm and melodic arpeggiation lines confidently anchor the production. Wind Horse Records’ own Kali G also tackles “Shanti”, going for a dubbier treatment that plays with splashes of percussion and echoed instrumentation to create a satisfying aural journey. Another duo, Bahrain’s Zone+ & Usif, are on hand for a version of “Ghats” that may be the deepest effort on the EP. Calming key pads and hand-drum heavy beats combine with smooth sub-bass and swelling snatches of the original cut. It’s a lovely remix, showing the depth of deep house through its continuing global exchange of sound and ideas.

Nick Warren (Hope Recordings) – “Bloody wonderful release, very very good!”
Bruno From Ibiza (Ibiza Global Radio) – “Nice ethnic vibes.”
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite) – “Amazing release! I love the out there, unique sounds and feel of these.”
Chris Fortier (Fade / Mindwarp) – “Great remix from Guido Schneider and Daniel Dreier.”
Larry Tee (Carnage Music) – “Really sweet.”
Hippie Torrales (Cyberjamz Radio) – “Digging this groove.”
Dean Serafini (JjazproJect) – “Mantra hits the spot very nicely.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Wild, seductive cuts!”
Charl Chaka (Radio 1 Dubai) – “This simply awesome. Perfect for my HOUSEofAFRIKA sets.”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On radio show) – “These are beautiful. I love Mantra, Shanti and the Zone + Usif remix of Ghats. I will play them all.”

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