Klaus Benedek - At The Shore (fortunea)

This summer fortunea head Klaus Benedek returns with a deep and moody two track single.

“At The Shore” is featured on the A-side, and it’s a fitting piece for sunset and after-hours sessions. The track evokes nostalgic memories of a simpler, laid-back, and peaceful time on the beach. A smooth guitar is the key element as the track builds up to a break that dives into the waves of the ocean. Siren-song vocal cut ups and a beautiful, haunting pad splash through the mix, providing the icing on the cake.

The B-side — though similar in vibe to the title track -- has a more somber feeling to it. “South Bronx Depression” reflects the mood of the troubled New York neighborhood during the ‘70s and ‘80s. A bombastic jazz fanfare has been sampled, filtered, chopped, and transformed as the track’s hook. Eerie synthesizer stings make an entrance as a narrator tells his story.

The vinyl is limited to 300 copies. Mastered by Patrick Pulsinger.

Vanilla Ace (Club Sweat, Elrow) – “Cool, laid back grooves.”
Tensnake (Mirau / Defected) – “Lovely tunes!”
Dutchican Soul (Salted Music) - “Both tracks are fire!”
Pete Williams (Natural Rhythm) “South Bronx Depression is an odyssey.”
Andrew Emil (Broadway & Wilson) – “Love this release.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “Gorgeous.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show, Perth) – “Klaus is quality. I like this release a lot.”
Richie Hartness (UM – syndicated radio show) – “Enjoyed the funky swagger to this terrace affair.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel, Sydney) – “Absolutely top shelf house. Inspiring production.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) - “Excellent release from Klaus. South Bronx Depression is superb!”

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

Nick Hanzo - Last Day, Miracle! (forTunea)

The never-at-rest fortunea label digs deeper into the Viennese scene to uncover a new EP from city denizen Nick Hanzo. In addition to his appearance on the fortunea 10 compilation, Nick has been active with Austrian club night Schmusesalon, the audio-visual collective Wiener Endorphine, and his own Belly Dance Services with his partner in crime and collaborator, Yaman. The evocatively titled Last Day, Miracle! EP is his full debut for fortunea and fits right in with four tracks of deep and unique sounds. “20:45” opens the EP with magical tones suitable for casting a spell on the dance floor. Jazzy keys and analog pads synergize with crisp rhythms in beautiful harmony. “Caroline” goes deeper with its ghostly vocal, splashes of guitar, and steady mid-tempo bump. “Your So, …” features layers of Rhodes riffs over snappy beats and vocal teases throughout. The EP closes with the title track, loosening a cut-up Chicago feel, and interspersed with curious breakdowns and moonlit samples. Indeed, it’s another top release from the reliable fortunea crew.

Dutchican Soul (Salted Music) – “Wow! Fresh sounds. I love the vibe on all of these.”
Mark Mac (The Sounds Collective) – “Very cool release guys, top vibes.”
Joey Silvero / Distant People (Seamless) – “The sound here is just fantastic. The contrast of the drums, chords and general feel is something else.”
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) – “Nice vibe on this one.”
Billy Butler (247 House Records) – “These are really nice, carefully shaped tunes.”
Steve ‘Griffo’ Griffiths (Freak Da Funk) – “A tasty Viennese whirl of an EP.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “Quality house music that’s easy on the ears, heavy on the vibe.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Love the jazzy vibes!”
Sparatikness (Synkotik) – “Sooooo Freaking Goooood!”
Pat Lezizmo (Conya Records) – “There is a nice overall vibe to this EP. Nice production, warm smooth atmosphere, and well produced.”

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

Various Artists - fortunea 10 (forTunea)

Austrian underground electronic imprint fortunea celebrates four years and ten releases with fortunea 10, a double 12” release featuring an octet of rising producers from the label family. fortunea has been pushing the deeper side of electronic dance music from Viennese and Upper Austrian talent and — as this compilation attests — this scene is thriving and deserving of dance floor attention.

Jon Gravy (Step Back Trax) opens the release with Prescription-influenced “Soul Groove,” followed by Peletronic’s deep, stabby, and appropriately named “Raw Culture.” Klaus Benedek (Piston, TNZBR) hypnotically ramps things up with “The Power Of Sweat” and HANZO (Club Celeste) presents “Veni Vide,” a chuggy late night wonder. The second half begins with “Do It Over” by Alex Kolodziej (Soul Shift, Czak Recordings) which is a funky bass and sax-led number, and is followed by Roman Rauch & Precious K. together as Twinpeaks (Secret Crunch Records, Janefondas) with “Here To Stay”, a track that will delightfully transport the nightclub back in time. LP & Johann Destroy are next with the acidy “Wax Mining,” and Lee Stevens (Luv Shack Records) closes out this top notch compilation with a sunny and chilled deep house tune titled “Magharibi.”

fortunea 10 was mastered by Patrick Pulsinger and the vinyl is limited to 300 copies.

Dutchican Soul (Strictly Rhythm) – “Here To Stay and Magharibi are my favorites here.”
Rise Ashen (Balanced Records) – “Very nice sounds here. Looking forward to absorbing this and spreading to the dancefloor.”
Edground (Grooveland Music) – “Very nice release, great tracks here.”
Black Mighty Wax (Irma Records) – “There’s a lot to play here. I’ll be a fan of forTunea from now on.”
Fernando (Redux Records) – “Raw Culture sound very good.”
Pat Lezizmo (Conya Records) – “Great package with real house cuts. I’m digging the Peletronic track a lot.”
Sean-Michael Yoder (Ibiza Voice) – “Nice compilation, cool label.”
Daryl Dee (The Chewb Radio Station) – “Top work guys! What a selection, full support.”
Hober Mallow (Might Reel, Sydney) – “Classy sounds right through. There's a soul and energy to these I really like, and it's hard to find. Thanks for the beautiful music.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “Oh this is just wonderful. Must have been tough narrowing the field down to 8 but what a selection! A job well done and more reason why the fortunea imprint will continue to make big strides.”

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

Limited edition 2x12” Vinyl available from: Bandcamp.

Anatol - Don't Go (forTunea)

The forTunea label jumps out with its latest vinyl release, the deep and techy “Don’t Go” from Vienna-based DJ/producer Anatol. Originally from Munich, the recently relocated Anatol keeps a busy DJ schedule throughout the city and beyond, and has previously released and remixed for the likes of Hungarian Hot Wax, Tulipe Records, and Plus Recordings.

“Don’t Go” wastes no time in getting right down to business, deftly mixing a snapping rhythm and a deliriously bouncing bass line, and adding loads of builds and strategically placed samples. The cut is laser-focused on the dance floor, sure to shake nightclub speakers into submission. On the b-side, Precious K — one half of Janefondas — and Secret Crunch boss Roman Rauch team up for a cool mid-tempo house remix. The ominous, laid-back vibe leads to mesmerizing synth arpeggiations that’ll send the after-hours crowd into a groovy dream state.

Anatol’s “Don’t Go” 12” will be limited to 300 copies.

Tensnake (Mirau / Defected) – “Great release!”
Spettro (Get Physical Music) – “Killer groove. Dubby. Just the way I like it.”
Chrissy (Smart Bar / Razor N Tape) – “Really enjoying this!”
Rise Ashen (Balanced Records) – “I like the Original. Deep!”
Jarle Bråthen (Full Pupp) – “Lovely Precious K & Roman Rauch Remix.”
Shahrokh Dini (Compost / Sound of K) – “The Original rocks!”
Daryl Dee (The Chewb Radio) – “Bumpy, Deep and that Bassline! Full support.”
ALTZ (Altzmusica) – “Original version feels so smooth.”
Mason Rothert (Below Zero Radio Show) – “This will get the people movin’.”
Steve ‘Griffo’ Griffiths (Freak Da Funk Radio Show) – “Old school vibed groover that brings to mind Adonis 'No Way Back' (from 3 decades ago!) with added early 90's deep tribal house feel.”

Available Now From Beatport, Traxsource, Spotify, And Apple Music. Vinyl at deejay.de.