Madou Kouyate - Nindjougou EP (Wind Horse Records)

Wind Horse Records presents a stunning EP with an international touch — an ode to the influence of ethnic global music on the Indian electronic music scene. Madou Kouyate, an extremely talented singer and songwriter from Mali, delivers a 6-tracker that also features Indian producers Hamza Rahimtula and Unnayanna on remix duties.

“Nindjougou” kicks things off, a beautiful song that sparks warmth and speaks to the soul. The tune features Madou’s incredible vocals, delightfully layered with ethnic strings and percussion. “Nindjougou” has an almost folk music feel with an addictive melody filled with uplifting emotion and supported by ethereal stabs.

On the remixes, Hamza keeps things clean and groovy, using elements of the title track judiciously to craft a beachside dance-floor burner. This remix springs to life with a piano stab, giving it a Chicago-house-meets-Africa vibe that retains the flavor of the original while standing out on its own. Unnanyanna’s remix is also special as the afro-house exponent gives “Nindjougou” the acid treatment. The rework also features samples from a xylophone that adds an Asian vibe while a deep, bouncy bass line brings the funk.

Madou Kouyate’s next original track — “Souleymane Sangare” — is more upbeat with a simple yet effective drum pattern coupled with raspy percussions. The song builds with effortless ease, accompanied by buoyant pads that offer the required aural ambiance. Once again it’s Madou’s vocals that stand-out and really take this tune to the next level.

The second of the remixes from the effervescent Hamza is positively breath-taking. The veteran DJ’s incredible ear leads him to produce a track that screams ‘Detroit’ and ‘Disco’ at the same time. It’s a reflection of the influences that have helped shape his music. Cosmic pads accompany a bass guitar riff that will get feet moving, making for a mix to throw down at peak-time or to warm up floor. Rounding out the release is an extended version of “Souleymane Sangare” that can be defined as ‘made for the club’.

Rise Ashen (Balanced Records) – “I’m really feelin’ this.”
Mr. V (Sole Channel Music) – “I love this package guys!”
Alexander East (Planet East) – “The whole EP is banging!”
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) – “Beautiful work.”
Pete Williams (Natural Rhythm) – “Love all the flavors on this one.”
Jose Marquez (Tribe Records) – “Yes! Great release with great mixes for all occasions.”
Norbert Borchers (House Sound Of Hamburg) – “The Hamza Afro Disco Mix of Souleymane Sangare is very cool!”
Damian Charles (Pointblank FM) – “Unnayanaa mix is killer!”
Marcia Carr (Mi-Soul Radio) – “Impressive set of mixes, this single is beautiful.”
Dean Serafini (Frisky Rhythms) – “Both tracks are excellent, Unnayanaa Remix of Nindjougou hitting the post nicely as is the Hamza Afro Disco Mix of Souleymane Sangare. Impressive!”

Available Now From: Beatport, Traxsource, Apple Music, And Spotify.

BiGz & Malkov Feat. Below Bangkok - Eastern Lights (Wind Horse Records)

Wind Horse Records is ecstatic to present its latest release, this time from veteran Canadian DJ/producer Adel Ghandour AKA BiGz (and formerly known as BiG AL) in collaboration with Russian DJ/producer Malkov AKA Spring Reason and Croatia’s Amir Jashari AKA Below Bangkok.

The exciting triad join forces and frequencies to land their new single “Eastern Lights,” featuring remixes from Wind Horses’s founder Hamza, Morocco's Kali G, and Sri Lanka's Asvajit.

This release is a representative vision of the global influence and fabric that bind the tapestry of music released on Wind Horse Records. “Eastern Lights” is a gorgeously crafted deep dub-tech groover that could inspire visions of hypnotic space and the introspection of time. Unhurried and unabashedly laid-back, the track is characterized by a lush, enveloping pad to entrance the listener straight away. This is complimented by simple yet effective drums and percussion, mirroring the group’s minimal affinities. A subtle and round bass line helps make this a perfect weapon for the early hours and the after-hours. “Eastern Lights” can be described as an aural trip through the cosmos interpreted the trio.

On remix duties, Hamza renders his own interpretation of “Eastern Lights” with an alluring, ethnic-flavored remix that leans toward the mystical. It’s dance-floor friendly but retains a hypnotic influence and Eastern soul. Hamza's unique individuality and sense for harmony are recognizable. An apt vocal sample is layered effortlessly over the vibe and shows itself fleetingly, adding to the lure of the remix.

Sri Lankan producer Asvajit lends his expertise to conjure a refreshing rerub of “Eastern Lights”. Staying true to the original, the remix is driving and easy-going at the same time. There’s a minimal-dub touch to it, interspersed with well-tuned atmospherics and transitions, complimented by Asvajit's innate ability to craft dance-floor weapons time after time.

Not to be left out, Kali G steps up with his version of “Eastern Lights” which is stripped-down and peppered with piano stabs, vocal snippets, and tropical rhythms. Relentless and addictive, this tune is tailor-made for those high-octane dance-floor moments. A slight departure from his more melodic works, Kali's remake of “Eastern Lights” showcases the incredible versatility and understanding of the dance-floor that he brings to the table with every single track that he works on.

Lorenzo al Dino (7th District Inc.) – “All 4 mixes are well done.”
Pathaan (Globetronica / BBC) – “Full marks for the whole package! Love it.”
SimonG (Volcano Radio) “Quality Sounds across the board. Always a pleasure having these in the DJ and Radio sets.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Deep & Seductive! All of these mixes are great.”
Peter Evans (Viva Recordings) – “Lovely deep, atmospheric groove on this one.”
Dean Serafini (Frisky Rhythms) – “The original mix is the one that works best for me. Excellent deep, atmospheric vibes!”
Salvatore Logicfusion (Deepinradio) – “Great vibes. Already playing on Deepinradio.”
Aryan Sharma (Dimension Radio) – “Great pack from the Windhorse stables. Really loving Hamza's remix and Asvajit's remix.”
Steve Perez / DJ P-REZ (Not So Fast Records) – “I like how each track is perfect for all hours of the night … or day!”
Steve 'Griffo' Griffiths (Freak Da Funk Radio Show) – “My fave is the Asvajit Remix, a deep and techy rework that brings to mind some of doc martin's work in years gone by.”

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

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.

Various Artists - Neon Grooves (Wind Horse Records)

Wind Horse Records is elated to announce a new EP - Neon Grooves. This is the 33rd EP by Wind Horse Records and the inspiration behind it has been taken from a label showcase that happened in Goa in December 2016. In an effort to spread quality house music across India, the label launched a party called the ‘The Wind Horse Experience’ and the ‘Neon Grooves’ edition in Goa was the first time they had organized an event such as this. The label’s party soon became the place for all house music lovers, especially those searching for a more groovy, funky, and ethnic vibe, complimented of course by Goan sunsets and starry nights. Wind Horse were were thrilled to see the reaction of people to their sound given that Goa is more known for a harder vibe. The line up consisted of DJs that have produced music for Wind Horse over the years and a couple of international guests. After the success of ‘Neon Grooves’ Wind Horse decided to make an EP around this party to remember the magical moment and keep the memory alive. The label invited the artists that performed at the party to borrow from the energy cultivated then and create a beautiful journey to embark on the now.


The EP opens with the dutch maestro Thee J Johanz and his remix of “Agama” by Umeme. A real intricate work of art here with its afro vocal vibe weaved into more raw analog elements that evolve and alternate in the midst of a drum-tastic, exotic, and tribal-influenced disco bomb. “Neon Afro” by Hamza goes deeper into the tropics with the thrilling combination of percussion and drums with a sprinkling of sweet melodic uplifting elements, teleporting the listener to a sunny beach. “Khawatta Ceremony” by Farhan Rehman (Mumbai) and Stalvart John (Bangalore) is a bit harder, a bit darker. This synth-track will have the dance floor grooving with its refreshing vocals and echoey chord progressions. “Antares” (also the name of the place Wind Horse hosted Neon Grooves in Goa) by Troja (Mumbai) is a change of tempo with a beautiful, ethereal sort of sound formed by warm Indian ethnic instruments and meditative melodies. Oma (Delhi) turns his track up with “One Shade Brighter”. A happy bouncy bass with solid vocals teleports the listener back to the beach party, but with a deeper edge. “Whisky Flask” by Nigel Perera (Sri Lanka) changes up the beat with a groovy number consisting of beautiful chords and twisted sounds, the perfect beach-side sunset tune. To end the journey, Priyesh Patil (Mumbai) brings “Vagabond” with smooth beats and beautiful sax samples and a deep bass to guide the floor right into the horizon.

Nick Warren (The Soundgarden) – “Cracking EP. Khawatta Ceremony is brilliant!”
Sebastian Voigt (Visionquest) – “Agama - Thee J Johanz Remix is dope!”
Eric Davenport (Guesthouse) – “Solid world house grooves. Neon Afro will sound great at pool and beach parties. Can't wait to drop it!”
Tyler Stadius (Dialtone Records) – “Too tough to choose a favorite. Wind Horse never fails to impress. These are real unique beauties!”
Simon Fknhndsm (Radio X 97.7 FM, Reykjavik) – “I really like Whisky Flask, it’s groovy.”
Joey Silvero / Distant People (Soul Elements Radio Show) – “I’m a sucker for a good track with strong percussion and this is wicked.”
DJ eMe (Tunnel FM – Stockholm) – “Outstanding compilation.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Sweet blend of worldly sounds and irresistible beats.”
Steve 'Griffo' Griffiths aka F (Freak Da Funk radio show) – “Stand out track for me is the deep, grooving Vagabond.”
Bob Duskis (Six Degrees Records) – “As usual, the folks at Wind Horse have deftly mixed up quality grooves with global textures for a crowd-pleasing sound.”

Available Now From: Traxsource, Juno Download, iTunes, And Spotify.