Fenomenon - Tropic Of Capricorn (Third Attempt Remix) [Beatservice Records]

Fenomenon made a welcome return to release action in 2021 following an extended hiatus, treating admirers of their work to four delectable cuts of immaculately constructed and powerfully moving music. The most up-tempo of a roundly horizontal crop was the EP's "Tropic Of Capricorn." The track's spellbinding melodies, vibrant rhythms, and pristine production made an instant impression on Balearic-minded collectors. With such a seductive set of ingredients, the track was an obvious candidate for rework treatment.

Third Attempt's rise into the cosmic subconscious has been as swift as it is richly deserved, with the young artist consistently serving a steady stream of beautifully-formed sounds since first arriving on Beatservice in 2018. True to the form he's displayed throughout his outstanding release inventory, Third Attempt's delicate remix of "Tropic Of Capricorn" is the latest in a long line of sparkling compositions. Making use of the memorable melodic signature of the original, Third Attempt pulls the track's dreamy refrains sharply into focus, re-framing the emotive top-line over snappy beats and sub-heavy bass for a stirring club workout. The music effortlessly unfolds, building to a blissfully introspective breakdown before bursting back into floor-filling life, with delicate textures subtly supporting the track's iconic synth lead.

Providing a gentle yet startling rendition of this gorgeous track, Third Attempt breathes renewed vitality into an already magnificent composition - and the results are unmissable.

Flash Atkins (Paper Recordings) – “I really like this. It reminds me of something I can’t quite put my finger on. A perfect track for my non-existent residency in Ibiza.”
Pillow Talk (PillowTalk Music) – “A really cool closing track.”
Redstickman (The Ambient Mafia) – “Super dreamy. I’m throwing this into a poolside set for sure.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Magical.”
Sandro Bianchi (Ibiza Sonica) – “100% in love! Brilliant.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Show) – “Achingly beautiful track. I love it.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Juno Download, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Fallen Fronds - Recycled Air EP (House of Fronds)

Recycled Air is the new EP from Fallen Fronds, the synthwave/experimental project of the Seattle-based artist/producer/DJ Charles Guilterre. Cutting his teeth in New York City's East Village music scene in the late ‘90s, Guilterre has remixed and collaborated with the likes of O Future, Ursula 1000, Forest Robots, and Xico Peligroso and also commandeers the more dance-oriented House of Fronds production team.

Recycled Air includes collaborations with experimental artist something human (Caleigh Fisher) on "Spine" and ambient composer Fran Dominguez (aka Forest Robots) on "Spring/Fog." There are distinctly different tones to the EP’s four tracks, and the overall feel of Recycled Air incorporates more ambient and techno leanings in comparison to previous Fallen Fronds releases.

"Kenton Blues" is an ethereal track comprised of analogue synth sounds supported by a bubbly bass line and underscored percussion, highlighted by a break that allows for a breath of recollection before returning the advancing rhythm. On “Spine,” intricate percussive elements take center stage, which each element winding its own path to create a complex symphony of reverb, all the while reminding the listener that ‘there are always new keyboards all the time.’ "Spring / Fog" was created by taking ambient elements by Forest Robots and adding a succinct bass and beat underpinnings to dramatic effect, resulting in ultrasonic soundscape reminiscent of early 4AD artists. Rounding out the release is "Gatekeeper," easily described as hardest and most techno-oriented track of the release, flirting with the dancefloor but still firmly rooted in the Fallen Fronds' headspace mantra.

Kid Loco (Flor) – “Kind of dark but really great music. This is coherent and well achieved.”
Andreas Kinzl (Aromabar) – “Gatekeeper is the solid one for me.”
Redstickman (The Ambient Mafia) – “Kenton Blues is a lovely and lush downtempo track that has me wanting more! Definitely going to keep Fallen Fronds on my radar.”
Sean Johnston (Hardway Bros) – “I’m really liking Spine.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “A really interesting listen. Had me full of anticipation throughout the experience.”
Leri Ahel (Mutant Disco Radio Show) – “All 4 of these tracks are great.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel) – “Kenton blues has cured my hangover! Really love Gatekeeper as well. Will play on the radio – and out when it can happen again.”

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

Of Norway & Linnea Dale - Heart & Soul (Beatservice Records)

In 2019, Linnea Dale and Of Norway released Pets, an album collecting the pair’s beguiling collaborative tracks. Now Beatservice is releasing two sets of EPs featuring cool remixes of songs from this album. “Heart & Soul” — the cosmic cover of the Joy Division classic — is the topic of this second EP. In addition to the original mix, this set includes a revamp from Manchester's talented Lovebreak, as well as two reworks from Norway's ambient mastermind Mind Over MIDI.

A guitar-strewn, downtempo ballad across barren vastness, “Heart & Soul” makes for a slow-burning invitation to withdraw oneself from the binary frenzy of our tech-weary world. Both warm and cold at heart and seeking depth amidst an oceanic width of superficiality, Of Norway and Dale bring a lost harmony to life. Linnea Dale's vocals cast a spell of tranquility upon the sore souls, and Of Norway cloak it in the most delicate, bespoke bower.

Lovebreak's Trance Mixx does exactly what's written on it, morphing the original's faded vibe into a concert of elated beauty and teleporting the listener to a positive-minded 90s-like atmosphere. The Manchester-based producer succeeds superbly in giving that crucial upswing that makes a real difference, whilst preserving the track's unique character.

What is the distance between a remix and a reshape? Mind Over MIDI answers that question with the gameness for which he's known. MoM’s remix remains true to the matrix's essential spirit, extrapolating elements and reconfiguring the ballad into something of an even more incandescent ride. Meanwhile, his reshape steers closer to the all-engulfing calm and introspective force of his own compositions, rendering Of Norway and Dale's attributes in all their ambivalence and complexity.

Kid Loco (Flor) – “This is huge. Love the Original and the Mind Over Midi Remix.”
Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s) – “This is amazing, I think I love this. OG version for me.”
Sonic Union (Lowbit Records) – “The original is lovely. Amazing vocals. I’m also digging the Lovebreak Remix.”
Joe Silva (Purespace) – “Digging the catchy original and the beautiful Mind Over Midi Rework. Great sound overall.”
Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “This is a great release, thanks for sending.”
Eric Shans (3Bridge Records) – “Nice one! I’m digging this a lot.”
Dr. Best (Radio Z, Nuremburg) – “The Lovebreak Trance Remix is my favorite on this one.”
Riz Rollins (KEXP) – “This is lovely, thanks.”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “The ambient rework by Mind Over Midi is incredible. Seriously atmospheric. Good for the soul.”
Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “Always a tricky one covering a Joy Division classic, but personally I think this is a lovely version. Superb.”

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

Various Artists - The Content Label - Sampler 5 (The Content Label)

The Content Label is a Los Angeles project-based record label and worldwide collective. As the logo illustrates, over the years various elements have combined to produce works that have contributed to the lineage of sample-based music with an emphasis in electronic and hip-hop production. Curated by critically acclaimed recording artist Dday One, the LA-based boutique label’s exclusive catalog is exquisite and experiential.

This fifth label sampler is an overview of The Content Label’s latest exploits and the variance of the artists involved. Parisian producer, visual artist, and MC Lex (de Kalhex) sets the scene with “Solstice,” transforming from a jazzy boom-bap experience to spacier realms partway through the cut. Salty, the accomplished Japanese beat-maker, delivers on “ADSL,” showcasing an introspective hip-hop terminology via phased electric piano vibes, timeless vocal drops, and shimmering atmospheres. Dday One, The Content Label’s guiding force, next drops “Cielo Azul.” The track features layers of intricately assembled sound for a melancholy, worldly take on the sampler’s overall vibe.

The next two artists hail from Russia, underscoring The Content Label as a global affair. With a deft, strings-laden soundscape, Fiji unveils his “Sketch,” a sonic imagining of moodier, distant climes. LTF then shows the funkier side of Moscow with “Soviet Groove Machine,” an upbeat stew of drum beats, plucked guitar rides, and dubbed-out horns. Returning the artist roster to the USA, but inspired by Soviet-era classical music, the duo of Gone Beyond & Mumbles exhibit their poetically constructed “Apropos For The Wet Snow.”

Enigmatic Los Angeles producer Marques Lafelt adds a dreamy four-on-the-floor flavor on “Love Unlimited,” complete with night-scape chord pads and an echoey, bass synth lead. The innovative electronics continue with audio/visual quartet Von Neumann Effect who close out the sampler. “A.I Assisted Climax” is descriptive of its sound, evoking possessed circuitry and sentient rhythm.

Dj Halabi (Reversion Records) “Solid stuff from Dday One on Vol.5 of this label sampler. For me, Lex really shines on this project. Top Stuff.
Mr. Bristow (Subtek) – “Heavy business. Nice work.”
Andrew Emil (Glenview Records) – “So damn good!”
DJ Friction (Bodymovin / Complex) – “Dope beats. Solstice and ADSL are my faves, but all of these are really good.”
Renegades of Jazz (Agogo Records) – “Absolutely love this.”
DJ Wash (Butter Music) - “Nice release, especially feeling the Soviet Groove Machine track.”
Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “ Absolutely stellar release.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “Top notch work from all involved.”
Dr. Best (Radio Z, Nuremberg) – “A true 5 star deluxe package.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “A real box of musical goodness. They cover all the beats!”

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