Various Artists - Wind Horse Sampler 02 (Wind Horse Records)

India’s very own Wind Horse Records gathers five tracks from both familiar label artists and new names for the imprint’s second sampler. Each selection furthers the Wind Horse mission of combining global influences with tech-driven deep house foundations. Listeners wouldn’t be wrong to pick up hints of a cohesive ‘house sound of India,’ with the majority of the producers hailing from the South Asian country.

Kartech’s early keyboard apprenticeship is put to good use on “Samurai Funk” where he shows precision in production technique while practicing restraint, pushing the melodic elements to their limits, but never overboard. “Revolve” trickles like blood, flowing from the deep reservoirs of Llewellyn Hilt’s veins with thick, liquid pads, pulsing techno stabs, and rhythmic staccato tones. Once a nomad who has since found a home within music, Oma bungee jumps into the abyss propelled back by rubbery synths with adrenaline driven bass on “Glass Cliff.” Sleazy lows, percussive ripples, and cosmic synths back the pitched vocals of Bangalore brothers Audio Units and their fine contribution, “Sleep Talkin’.” Having released with labels like Kompakt, King Street, and Nite Grooves, expectations are always high for Hamza who finishes off the release with a wailing piano-filled remix of “Lonesome Beat” by California DJ / producer Sparkinzi.

Together these Indian producers are helping to shape a vibrant deep tech scene that is spreading its sound throughout South Asia and the globe. The artists all started their craft independent of each other but quickly banded together under a common goal to further house music in India. These are the main producers of a scene that is growing swiftly, and Wind Horse Records has created an exceptional snapshot of where things are now with this solid set of ambitious tunes. Dig in.

Nick Warren - “A lovely release … all the tracks are great.”
Giom - “Some really cool tracks here.”
Tensnake - “‘Revolve’ is nice and deep.”
Randall Jones (Audio Therapy / Baroque) - “Excellent compilation. I will play Audio Units’ ‘Sleep Talkin’’ in my sets for sure.”
Inland Knights - “Cool grooves … I’ll play it for sure.”
Steve Mill (Madhouse Records / Large Music) - “Hamza’s remix has the soul and groove that I like for my summer nights.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Another sterling release from Wind Horse … wicked.”
Pete Moss - “Killer release!”
Nick Holder - “Nice and deep!”
Hippie Torrales - “Real smooth grooves.”
Jaymz Nylon - “A nice ride.”
Tyler Stadius - “Super nice groovy tunes as expected from Wind Horse.”
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) - “Hamza knocks it out of the park … home run!”
Bruno Lepretre (Ibiza Global Radio) - “Great deep house music.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “Full of dreamy sounds … fantastic, euphoric, and uplifting.”
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Influences) - “I’m feeling this package so much … full of quality, classy, deep house sounds. Perfect for the summer season.”
Myxzlplix (Subdivisions Global Radio Show) - “Hot damm. Wind Horse continues to impress me. If this is just a sample, then I definitely want to taste more.”
DJ Naz (Buddha Bar) - “I absolutely love this new wave of Indian house. Clean and elegant, with enough melody and drive, it will sound great in many scenarios and I can definitely see it capturing many sunsets around the world.”

Available now from Juno Download and Traxsource.

RiCHARD.GEAR - Strange Magick (bodytalk)

RiCHARD.GEAR steps up to the plate for the bodytalk label’s second release with his new “Strange Magick" / "Be Free" single. RiCHARD.GEAR is the moniker of Austin born-and- bred DJ / producer Davey Schacherl. He is a longtime staple of the city’s underground club scene, having been active at many residencies and parties throughout the last ten years, most recently as a member of the Machine Discotheque DJ crew and party collective. Davey is also the manager for Whiskey Pickle, a label created at the onset of 2009 which has seen much success with their eclectic catalog of releases.

The release kicks off with the banging track “Strange Magick.” A feel-good floor filler with a house party vibe, it features a swinging beat, energetic vocal stabs, and sirens that are sure to stir up a mean ruckus. The punchy bass line sets the tone for the track with classic layered chord hits and a lush synth lead that ties it all together with both style and grace.

The second track, “Be Free,” takes on a more club-oriented atmosphere, employing creeping chord stabs and a headstrong bass line that eventually make way for the synth- laden breakdown. A pitched-down vocal reminds the listener that being yourself is the way to absolute freedom.

The mighty George Horn (Acryl Music, DeepWit) is tagged with remix duties for “Strange Magick.” George takes the original to a deeper realm of class and sophistication, where detailed chord work and precise production turn the track into an enchanting and melodic voyage.

Last, but not least, is the remix of “Be Free,” marking the debut of the mysterious production DJ duo M.I.J.A.S.. The track is reinterpreted into a raw, stripped-down techno jam with a massive kick drum and a morphing acid bass line that couple to form a dirty, jacking groove. Deep, reverberating chords complement the other pieces throughout, giving the track an extra element of unrestrained energy.

Ursula 1000 - “Hot!”
Severino (Horse Meat Disco / Dalston Superstore) - “Pretty cool.”
Vanilla Ace - “Big support for RiCHARD.GEAR!”
Robbie Hardkiss - “Cool sound here.”
Da Funk (Acryl Music / Pacha) - “George Horn’s take on here is nice.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) - “The George Horn remix is winning for me right now … tasty!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Loads going on in this really developed journey.”
JP Soul (Roam Recordings) - “Nice grooves. I like the deepness and flow of the George Horn remix.”
Daniel Poli (Suspect Package / Distant Strangers) - “The M.I.J.A.S. remix sounds cool.”
Myxzlplix (Subdivisions Global Radio) - “‘Strange Magic’k keeps it groovin’ for me. Nice and easy and slightly sleazy.”
Leri Ahel (Mutant Disco Radio Show) - “The M.I.J.A.S. remix is massive. Love it.”
Joan Ribas (Ibiza Soulstice / Cafe del Mar) - “Excellent grooves for the floor.”
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - “‘Strange Magick’ is a beautiful track, and George Horn’s remix of it is stellar!”

Available now from Beatport.

Flunk - Blue Monday 2014 (Beatservice Records)

Norwegian label Beatservice is pleased to present Blue Monday 2014, the sequel to Flunk's debut “Blue Monday” single released over a decade ago. Flunk is an Oslo-born electronic band formed by producer Ulf Nygaard, guitarist Jo Bakke, drummer Erik Ruud, and vocalist Anja Oyen Vister. Their 2002 album For Sleepyheads Only was widely popular and its waves clearly still resonate today. In fact, last autumn Nygaard received separate requests from two German labels requesting to remix the Flunk version of “Blue Monday.” As the label has mostly featured Norwegian remixers and artists in the past, this single with the German outsiders’ new takes creates a special release for Beatservice … one that also includes an updated version of the original by Flunk themselves.

Representing the Klang Gymnastik label from Freiburg, Germany, Marcapasos & Janosh's remix opens the release. Bringing the cover full circle, the two return Flunk's downtempo electronica back to the new wave synth pop styling of New Order with a rolling bass line and pumping kick breathing new life into it for the modern club. Gernot Lange takes a slightly moodier approach on his remix for Colortape from Freiburg. He also speeds things up in a mid tempo house number with a percussion led groove underlined by full bodied, deep sub bass - while the original’s guitar work makes it prime balearic material. As a special treat, Ulf and the Flunk crew have provided a 2014 Mix, glossing over its precursor with only the lightest of necessary touches.

Tensnake - “‘Blue Monday’ was always a fave – the original and the Flunk version, too. Happy to have this.”
Gavin Hardkiss (Hawke) - “Bravo!”
Vanilla Ace - “Nice remix by Gernot Lange.”
Chris Fortier - “Well done!”
Chris Coco (Melodica) - “Lovely to hear this again …”
Nick Holder - “This is dope!”
Michael Reinboth (Compost Records) - “Nice cover version … I like it!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “I like this quirky take on this … real funky and fresh.”
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - “This is a beautiful cover, and the Gemot Lange mix is crazy-good!”
Velanche (Velanche’s Playtime Radio Show) - “The mixes are pretty solid and all do New Order good.”
Pepe Link (insel radio / Cappuccino) - “A balearic hit for the summer.”

Available now from Beatport and Amazon.

JP Soul - Take Control (Roam Recordings)

Roam Recordings’ latest release features the label’s very own Jason Peters, aka JP Soul, with a remix from San Francisco’s disco-house-sleaze aficionado Anthony Mansfield (Hector Works). This four track release sets off what is looking to be a big year for JP Soul with several more productions already scheduled, including collaborations with 40 Thieves and Sleazy McQueen / Space Coast, and more singles for Roam.

“Take Control” is a minimal yet catchy tune that teases out a sample from Audio Angel, a San Francisco vocalist and frequent conspirator with Bay Area producers. Anthony Mansfield’s remix brings “Take Control” into dubby funk territory while maintaining the main keyboard motif of the original. “Just a Little Groove” is a funky cosmic roller meant to smooth out the edges on any given night while keeping the heads nodding. “Italo Americano” pays homage to the raw electronic vibes of Italo disco while infusing it with a bit of contemporary style from the States.

JP Soul has taken the reins with this one … keep an eye out for more from him and Roam Recordings in the near future.

Ilya Santana (Eskimo Recordings) - “Anthony Mansfield’s remix is very nice!”
Tensnake - “‘Just A Little Groove’ is nice.”
Sleazy McQueen - “Tight drums, beautiful melodies, and hooky leads. These are three key elements that make each of these tracks fantastic for the post-nu-disco audience.”
Danny Ashenden (C90s / Earl Grey) - “‘Italo Americano’ is great!”
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - “Very good production here.”
Hippie Torrales - “Some nice mid-tempo grooves.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Wicked EP all around … the three originals are ace. ‘Italo Americano’ in particular is cracking! Anthony Mansfield also drops a superb remix … really excellent beats and deepness.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) - “Another charming release from Roam … really engaging music.”
Corbin Dooley (Electric Feel Radio Show) - “High marks for the the slow burn of ‘Italo Americano.’”
Joan Ribas (Ibiza Soulstice / Cafe Del Mar) - “I love these cosmic disco vibes.”
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - “‘Italo Americano’ is a beast of track … the obvious Italo disco flavor is pitch perfect.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “The deep house west coast acid funk of ‘Just a Little Groove’ sounds so beautiful, and the retro Italo disco meets Moroder ‘Italo Americano’ is taking me back in the early ’80s … I really like it.”

Available now from Beatport and iTunes.