Vipul - Evolve (Wind Horse Records)

New Delhi-based DJ / producer Vipul is an artist evolving with time, back to share with the world his new influences by way of a melodic single for India’s Wind Horse Records. Vipul’s road to the label was somewhat guided by an Indian astrologer who affirmed that DJ’ing was his chosen path rather than a more traditional occupation. Vipul met the Wind Horse owner, Hamza, at his club residency where they immediately formed a friendship, with Hamza guiding Vipul’s growing aspiration and production sound. At a point of more maturity and accompanied by three inspired remixers, things sound much more organic on Vipul’s new release “Evolve,” a title alluding to his progress.

Vipul’s original starts with tribal percussive grooves and introduces a low, extended bass before building with deep, heady chords, all acting as just a tease of what’s to come. Its true bass line emerges with a bounce as the synths open up, and eventually a short, laser-honed stab combines itself with the rhythmic mix. Finally in the breakdown, a xylophone melody with a South African feel comes to the forefront before epically winding back into the regular order of the track.

The first remix of the release comes from Glasgow’s Ross Couch, owner of the Body Rhythm label. He makes more use of the xylophone melodies, layering different variations beautifully on top of one another, and also gives more light to the sparsely used vocal of the original. Orchestral strings add tension while the other elements take a rest at the midpoint. The whole affair is undercut by a distinctly UK style bass line riff.

Wind Horse’s own Hamza takes the song into a much different territory with a dragging bass and some subtle piano play amongst spaced-out synth interchanges. Around the halfway mark the kick takes a few hits off on its four-to-the-floor pattern and a new groove is delineated by a now constricted low end before returning to full force.

Juan Mejia runs the labels Dutchie Music and Grouper Recordings out of Miami, but his remix adds a Chicago warehouse flare to the original, especially noticeable in the bass notes. He strips the track down to its melodic components, all while maintaining drive, and allows elements to shape shift into new forms as others remain consistent, carrying the song forward.

Overall, this evocative offering from Vipul shows his transformation isn’t merely ensuring survival as an artist, but rather gaining him higher ground with each new rung on the hierarchical ladder.

Nick Warren - “The original and Juan Mejia remix are nice.”
Johnny Fiasco - “Solid.”
CJ Mackintosh - “Nice mixes … Ross Couch for me.”
Justin Harris (Music For Freaks) - “I love the Hamza remix!”
Tensnake - “Nice deep cuts.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) - “I’ve gotta give this one 5 out of 5 stars … and I never give 5 stars! Wind Horse has become one of my favorite labels on the planet, and this EP is why. Just sublime!”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Almost impossible to choose one favorite from these, as every mix is exceptional. I’m going for the original here, though, for those percussive vibes Vipul lays down so well. Another wicked Wind Horse release!”
Tom Lown (Savoir Faire / Lost My Dog) - “Nice rolling vibe on this and a cool bass line. I’m liking the original and the Ross Couch remix the best.”
Christos Kedras (Beat Philosophy / Kapa Music) - “Another great release from Wind Horse. Hamza’s mix is my pick … deep and dreamy!”
Dave Storm (Cabrio Records / Ibiza Global Radio) - “I like it! The original is my favorite … a nice atmospheric track.”
Kenny Substance (Pure Substance / Redflux) - “As always, a good original from Vipul. The remixes are dope, too, especially Juan Mejia’s mix.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “There’s a solid groove to this, a really driving bounce.”
Amit Shoham (Tarantic / Noice!) - “Love, love, love this release! Hard to pick a favorite mix here … I’m feeling every track!”
Velanche (Velanche’s Playtime Radio Show) - “Very solid release. I especially enjoy Hamza’s remix … it’s really cool and beautiful.”
CheckPoint Charlie (MyCuppaT / MyHouseYourHouse) - “Beautifully atmospheric and punchy as always. The original and Hamza remixes are stunning.”
DJ Tronic (Dancefloor Mayhem) - “This is a great deep house single. I’ve been a Wind Horse Records fan since the beginning. Will definitely be playing this in my deep house sets.”
Kyka (Housetrap / SSRadio) - “Ross Couch version is great! Hamza did also a very good job on this.”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

Hamza + Vipul - House Music Soldiers (Wind Horse Records)

After three years of spreading India’s blossoming house music sound globally, Wind Horse Records continues to evolve with its sixteenth release, the superb “House Music Soldiers.” This is a collaborative production from Wind Horse’s two major players, Hamza and Vipul, who have individually made their names known through celebrated international DJ gigs and releases on a variety of imprints. Both based in New Delhi, the pair’s output has consistently exhibited sweeping, cinematic production, the inclusion of exotic live musicians, and rhythms drawing on the beats of India to create potent dance floor winners.

“House Music Soldiers” continues the label’s string of top notch releases, with this one being a bit extra special. It’s the first time Hamza and Vipul have collaborated on an original even though the two have been close friends since meeting years ago in the New Delhi club scene. “House Music Soldiers” has the cohesive, focused deep house sound of two like-minded DJs working as one in the studio. A rolling, deep rhythm leads a warm, bouncing bass line and electric chord stabs into the cut’s hypnotic spell. A processed vocal hook appears throughout “House Music Soldiers,” seeming almost like an incantation of the track’s name. It’s late night house music business of the highest order.

A trio of first-rate remixes further flesh out “House Music Soldiers.” Dutch DJ / producer Sebastian Davidson (Nightbird Music, Noir, I Records) is first with an atmospheric and evocative re-telling that pulses and grooves for perfect after-hours action. New Delhi’s Kartech, who previously appeared on last year’s Wind Horse Sampler, then provides a fine remix with swinging percussion, dubby flourishes, and dramatic (but still deep) breakdowns. The final version is courtesy of a recent Wind Horse discovery in New Delhi, Steve Conlan, who makes a strong debut with this remix. Steve turns the energy up a little by adding a huge bass line, staccato chord repetitions, and a crisp, steady build that’s primed for the nightclubs. It’s a fantastic package from Wind Horse Records, Hamza, and Vipul ready to be a part of DJ sets worldwide.

Giom - “Nicely done.”
Hippie Torrales - “Pure class and on fire.”
Brett Johnson - “This is nice stuff.”
Alton Miller - “Nicely done … I will definitely support this.”
DJ Rocca (Ajello) - “Kartech Mix is groooovy!”
Inland Knights - “Original for me … very nice and will play.”
Doc Link - “Feeling this!”
James Dexter (Lost My Dog / Om) - “The Kartech mix is nice.”
DJ MFR (Transport Recordings) - “Very good release, all around. Full support.”
Merlyn Martin (Subdivisions) - “The Steve Conlan remix is phenomenal.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Wow, tough to pick a favorite here. The original has all the quality one expects from a Hamza and Vipul collaboration: crisp bass and percussion with a superb warm feel. The remixes are all excellent, too, with Sebastian’s slower deep groove just pipping it for me.”
Kosmas Epsilon - “Beautiful sounds … can’t pick a favorite. This is easily one for the top 10 this month.”
DJ Dennis (Selekta Recordings) - “I’m loving that disco tempo of the Davidson remix … smooth yet driving. I could get some crowd soul clappin’ going on with that one!”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House) - “The super-cool original version with its warm melodies and groovy rhythms is the one.”
Jamie Topham(CDPool) - “Love that original from Hamza and Vipul so much, backed by a strong set of mixes with Steve Conlan’s effort leading the pack for me. Another excellent Wind Horse release!”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.

Vipul Angirish - Persian Love EP (Wind Horse Records) →

India’s Wind Horse Records imprint returns to embrace the exotic with the Persian Love EP, the debut set by rising New Delhi DJ/producer Vipul Angirish. Fans of Wind Horse or the budding Indian house music scene may recall Angirish’s blazing remixes for Hamza’s “Guru Funk” and “Dharma Voyager” on the label’s previous two singles. On the Persian Love EP it’s Vipul’s time in the spotlight, with his first original track in turn remixed by Hamza.

Vipul Angirish’s road to Wind Horse was somewhat guided by an Indian astrologer who affirmed that DJ’ing was Vipul’s chosen path rather than a more traditional occupation. Vipul met Hamza at his New Delhi club DJ residency where they immediately formed a friendship, with Hamza guiding Vipul’s growing aspiration and production sound. This relationship has borne fruit in the form of the mature and expressive sounds found on the Persian Love EP.

The track “Persian Love" is an intriguing mixture of organic, live instrumentation and synthetic house music sounds. The title references the song’s use of the oud, a traditional Persian string instrument. Hypnotic rhythmic sections give way to pronounced breakdowns prominently featuring the oud, creating an air of travel over large, foreign spaces. The cut builds dramatically, filled with pinging reverbs and swooshing cascades. Wind Horse founderHamza provides a more tribal-influenced, percussive version in his remix, complete with live drumming sections and buzzing drones anchored by steady house beats. The oud is ever-present, lifting Hamza’s remix with a melodic build in the second half.

Vipul Angirsh’s second original cut on the EP, “Ranjhana,” is named for, as Vipul says, “an intimate lover in a very famous tragic love story.” Here Vipul collaborates with the vocalist Vin, another first for the young producer. With its more straight-forward house rhythms “Ranjhana“‘s uniqueness comes from Vin’s ethereal, ethnic vocal and the interplay of Vipul’s synth melodies. Deep string pads enter mid-way through the track to accompany the vocal, leading to an effective and emotional breakdown section. This is intensely gorgeous work from Vipul Angirish, sure to become staples of the more adventurous DJ’s sets.

CheckPoint Charlie (MyCuppaT Blog) - “Another incredible release from Wind Horse - undoubtedly one of my top labels of the year. This release has everything; huge bass lines, deep rhythms, scintillating  hooks, hypnotic breakdowns - they are absolute dance floor weapons.” 
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Hamza’s remix has a smooth vibe. I love the percussion on this.” 
Marc Lacasse (Urbnet/Jackhouse) - “Ranjhana is straight up solid deep tech-house with a driving bass line. The chanting and floaty chords make for a great late night track.” 
Will SumSuch (Ibiza Global Radio) - “A really different sound, loving the traditional eastern vibes in these tracks. ‘World’ influences so often sound forced in house music, but this hits the mark perfectly.” 
Dave Mothersole (Ministry Of Sound) - “Nice release. I  like Ranjhana best on first listen, but all three are cool.” 
DJ Morpheus (Radio Campus Brussels/Freezone) - “It’s all good! I like all 3 tracks in here especially the Hamza remix. Wonderful stuff indeed!” 
Aaron-Carl (Wallshaker Music) - “OMG, Ranjhana is gorgeous from beginning to end. Much respect to Wind Horse Records — they NEVER disappoint!”

Available now from Beatport / Juno Download / Traxsource

Hamza - Guru Funk EP (Wind Horse Records) →

The prolific house music label from India, Wind Horse Records, introduces an exceptional fifth release: the Guru Funk EP from New Delhi-based DJ/prducer Hamza. With this offering Hamza is on a mission to prove that Indian musicians can indeed have, as he says, “serious funk in thier blood.” Thus we’re given three seriously funky house tracks, including a riix by gifted Indian newcomer Vipul. 

Hamza finds inspiration by merging ‘western’ house music and experiences in different countries with the sounds and styles of India. The songs on theGuru Funk EP have roots in France, another country whose electronic musicians have heartily ibraced funk music. The title was conceived in Paris and proudly wears this sonic influence, filled with breaky house rhythms, a punchy “old school” bassline, and disco string swells. Originally Hamza had also included vocal samples from one of Mali’s top divas. A dio of “Guru Funk” was sent to the singer who loved the track and approved, but unfortunately label politics got in the way. With sample clearance becoming unlikely Hamza grabbed the microphone and added his own heavily processed vocals, a first for the producer. The result is the relentlessly catchy dancefloor shaker that is “Guru Funk.”

Vipul Angirish was on his way to a more traditional career in computers when an Indian astrologer convinced him that life as a DJ was his destiny. Subsequent DJ adventures introduced Vipul to Hamza and he was soon asked to join the Wind Horse Records team. Vipul’s riix of “Guru Funk" is his debut production for the label, and it is an impressive one. The beats are retooled to a bouncy, four-on-the-floor thump and the track steadily builds with rising sounds and staccato synth chords. Hamza’s vocoder vocals are used as rhythmic stabs boosting the danceability of the cut. A potent addition to any house DJ’s virtual record crate. 

The French are hat-tipped once again in the follow-up track “Delhi 2 Paris,” which was inspired by a night out at famed Parisian nightclub Batofar on the day of the Fete De La Musique. It’s Hamza’s take on the “French filter funky house" that he heard, complete with a crunchy, rolling bassline and repetitious chords and jazzy flute licks. The vocal part in the break is frequent collaborator Loopy Juice repeating the words “Nasha Charh Gaya,” Hindi for “I am getting high!”

Wind Horse Records continues to expose India’s rising house music talent to a worldwide audience. The efforts of Hamza, Vipul, and the Guru Funk EP will undoubtedly make waves in nightclubs and DJ sets everywhere. House music is proving to be a notably malleable, international art form and Wind Horse is certainly leading the way.

Giom (DJ, UK) - "This is a great release, and the Vipul mix will go down a storm in my sets. Love it." 
Atnarko (EIGHT-TRACKS, US) - "Guru Funk is super dope! I’m really into both mixes." 
Tyree Cooper - "Guru Funk is PHAT! I will bang the Vipul Riix for sure when I get into my jackin phase in my sets. Nice job." 
DJ Sneak - ”Groovy joints!” 
Richie Hartness (Untitled Music Blog) - "Kicking ass with the Vipul Riix - jacked out funk and the Hazma flavour all over it!" 
SimonG (Deep South Audio, New Zealand) - "This EP really flexes its funk! All 3 tracks take you on an Indian-inspired 80’s retro take on house. Wind Horse Records is starting to pick up some serious steam!" 
Al Bradley (Bugged Out, UK) - "Yet more fantastic grooves from Wind Horse & Hamza, the original cuts on here are both superb! ‘Dehli 2 Paris’ a brilliant, a really b striaght-up house cut. My pick though is the techy Vipul mix of ‘Guru Funk’, what a debut!" 
Bob Duskis (Six Degrees Records) - "Every time I play a Hamza track on our weekly radio show I get an e-mail from someone asking who this guy is and where people can find his music. A great hybrid of House, Tech and Indian sounds."

Hamza on Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/hamzarahimtul 
Vipul Angirish on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/djvipul

Guru Funk EP is available now from Beatport / Stompy / Juno Download