Koka Mass Jazz - Smile (Cold Busted)

Koka Mass Jazz is the solo-project-turned-party from Konstantin Katsarski. Katarski is a sound designer, musician, songwriter, composer, producer, and engineer -- he does it all -- based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Konstantin could remain a solo artist, but after creating the concept of Koka Mass Jazz in 2013 a band of musicians quickly became involved. Their sound is that of a drunken funk brigade … fun and full of embellishments. Listeners can expect this talented group's work to cover styles ranging across funky breaks, nu jazz, funk, soul, and even a bit of afro-beat. Much of the music and arrangement of the songs are composed by Katarski while the lyrics are written by Denitsa Georgieva.

Their first single release, "Smile”, made its way onto Cold Busted's Bust Free compilation, also serving as the first single from their forthcoming album Groovy Jam Shoes. The original shines bright enough to get anybody out of their shell -- it's a true, feel good funk party starter. For this follow-up, Cold Busted has pulled from its collective family of producers to provide an eclectic, beat-heavy remix package as only their roster could.

The young, prodigious Belgium-based talent Poldoore twists and squeezes "Smile" out into a model nu-disco affair with cut up vocals for added energy. In the hands of the Green Street the song is somehow made even funkier with extra drum rolls and only the best bass line bits. mister T. steps up to the plate with the release's most club-friendly remix … the Athens transplant gives it some serious Greece with a sleazy electro drum break and lead synth. Diving deep into that Cold Busted downtempo sound the world has come to know and love, Manchester's My Neighbour Is packs things into a condensed form while the Polish producer LoopMaffia extends the original elements out in his subtle, and slightly psychedelic, Moonsoul Dub. To wrap up the single, label boss Vitamin D delivers a more linear Re-Edit alongside an instrumental version of the remix from Green Street.

Kid Loco - "Great original track, and superb remixes."
Fort Knox Five - "Loving the jazzy breakbeats! I'm digging the mister T. remix and the original."
All Good Funk Alliance - "Wow, all these remixes are really dope … nice, jazzy, soul vibes all over the fu--king place."
Shantisan (Salted Soul / One Note Samba) - "It's not easy to select a favorite remix here … a nice bundle from start to finish."
Quincy Jointz (Timewarp) - "A very good remix package. I like the remixes by My Neighbour is, Vitamin D, and Poldoore."
tOtALcULt (Cult Music / NuFunk) - "Wow, tough job picking a favorite version. The original is super funky, and the remixers all bring something special to the party. Another strong release."
Flashbaxx - "Nice, diverse remixes. I like the Poldoore remix … it reminds me of the good old Thomas Bangalter days."
Lebrosk (Mixmag) - "I'm loving the chilled vibes on the Poldoore remix!"
Neil Bopperson (Wah Wah 45s / Le Mellotron) - "Loopmaffia's Moonsoul Dub is nice."
DJ Chewy (Alphabeatsoup) - "The original version of this is such a good tune … great vocal in particular. The remixes turn it into a banger, especially Poldoore's disco lick and Green Street's more b-boy breaker."
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) - "Great rockin' vocal funk ... yeah. Moving!"
Aja Allsop (Ketch-A-Vibe Radio Show) - "Eclectic … full of energy and funk with a gritty bounce."
Clairvo (Tilos Radio, Hungary) - "Each remix has its place during a DJ gig. The originality shines through this release."

Available now from Beatport and The Cold Busted Shop (Bandcamp).

Vitamin D - Hard Times (Cold Busted) →

The Hard Times album from Colorado’s forward-thrusting downtempo label Cold Busted label and its owner Vitamin D is a 20 track soulful Trip Hop experience with original-yet-vintage sounds and techniques accentuated by the excellent analog mastering by Mark Dann from NYC. Analog gear as well as ½” inch 20 ips analog tape were used in the process, bringing out the warm and overall feel in this album’s cuts.

Highlights include the fresh Hip Hop beats and cunning bass in the first track “No Love for Hard Times.” There’s also “The Drop By" featuring suave chilled beats and an infectious gangster melody, displaying Vitamin D’s dexterity of styles. A wonderfully clever dialogue sample gives way to more soulful hard breaks on "9000 Look-A-Likes" while "Walking Through The Streets" is sure to please the breakdancers on your dancefloor with its heavy rhythm and pervasive vinyl crackle. Other tracks further Vitamin D’s reputation as a master of abstract beat-ology.

Hard Times from Vitamin D is cinematic, well executed, and diverse, encourages and oozes expression, and filled with those much appreciated warm subtle sounds and pops. What’s more, the entire album is getting remixed by 20 different artists which will be released August 2010.

Fort Knox Five - “Really nice and crunchy cinematic beats!" 
Kraak & Smaak - “It’s a top release, one for the headz!" 
Kid Loco (France) - “This is really, really good stuff." 
DJ DRM (Bastard Jazz, US) - “Crackly, warm goodness. There’s a lot to like about Vitamin D’s production sensibility. I’m hearing echoes of classic Pork Recordings material at times. It really takes me back." 
Freddy Fresh (Howlin’ Records, US) - “Yeah, this is pretty dope." 
Jamie Topham (CD Pool, UK) - “What a cool album for these Hard Times! Often reminds me of classic Madlib or J-Dilla.” 
Properly Chilled Blog - “This is insanely good! Not a weak moment among the tracks." 
DJ Fonetik (Hungary) - “If you like RJD2 or Ohmega Watts you’ll definitely have to give this a shot.”

For more information visit Cold Busted on the web by clicking HERE.

Available now digitally from iTunes and Beatport. Hard Times is also available on compact disc from Amazon.