Various Artists - The Remixes Vol. 1 (Whiskey Pickle)

The concept behind The Remixes Vol. 1 is simple: take some tunes that mostly did not have remixes on the official release and enlist some high profile talent to put their special stamp on them -- and that's exactly what's happening here. Bundled with the premiere of Whiskey Pickle's brand new logo redesigned by Austin artist Mez-One (of The Royal Mark Makers and TITS Crew), this pack has the label family brimming with excitement.

Up first, Sixth Avenue Express takes on the mighty "Nu Funk" by Abstrakt Audio. He twists the hypnotic swirl of the original into a slick lounge affair that features a gorgeous, roof-raising breakdown. Making his second appearance on WP, Dallas based producer Redsean utterly destroys "Does She Want You Now" by Zack Highwire in the best possible way, churning out some mean dance floor revenge. Cosmic funksters The New Black sought the expertise of The Dead Rose Music Company to beef up their "Stone Cold Groove" with some shuffling percussion and a Moog bass line that would make Bernie Worrell proud.

On the flip-side, label founder Adam Warped dons his Johnny Blackouts guise and bucks all convention by taking "I'm A Freak" into Nordic-house territory. Jason Blakemore, formerly known as DJ Trance, injects Zack Highwire's "Mind, Hearts, Lies" with a classic analogue kick that just won't quit. Titled the Lurky Dub, it's just that: deep, brooding, and seriously dubbed out, sure to leave listeners stuck in the groove and eager to move. Lastly, Austin, TX, mainstay Keine Moniker puts "Traps" by P-Rez in a blender filled with heavy Rhodes chords and a rolling bass, pouring out smooth deepness on his Jazzme Edit. He's had a busy year with heavily lauded releases on Cream Couture, Bush Records, Dead Funk Music, and StayFly Records. His remix shows why, taking the original to a whole new time and place. 

Mark Farina - “This is nice!”
Sleazy McQueen - “A really diverse package … I’m sure I’ll fit a few of these in.”
Robbie Hardkiss - “Stone cold groovy.”
Irregular Disco Workers (Disco Volante) - “The Dead Rose Music Company do the job!”
Hippie Torrales - “A nice package of diverse tunes.”
Alkalino (Estimativa / Audaz Recordings) - “The Sixth Avenue Express remix for Abstrakt Audio is my pick.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings / Fabric) - “Cracking beats from one of my favorite labels … all tracks here are top notch. Reckon I’ll pour me a quick Famous Grouse over ice to mark the occasion.”
Stereo 77 (Plimsoll Records) - “The Dead Rose Music Company remix is terrific! I can’t wait to test drive it tonight.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Funky and chunky vibes … real nice.”
Ken Liu (Headset Recordings) - “Stellar pack. The Sixth Avenue Express Remix is tremendous.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “One of the best labels around in the world at the moment! This package of remixes is awesome.”
Corbin Dooley (Electric Feel Radio Show) - “A great compilation of funky selections … big support!”
Mygaff (Play FM Dublin) - “I honestly don’t know which track stands out more on this album, as like a good team they stand out together. I’ll play them all and let the listeners decide!”
Chris Keys (Another Night On Earth Blog) - “Top marks to The Dead Rose Music Company … that’s gonna light up some dancefloors.”
Black Alley (In Control Radio Show) - “What’s not to like here? Go and play ’em out!”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

Blue Soul - Sinister Ana / The Menacing (Roam Recordings)

A cornerstone of the Roam Recordings revival, Scott Boutin (aka Blue Soul) is an extremely talented and versatile producer. He has been spotted issuing singles for the likes of Whiskey Pickle, Thoughtless, and 3AM Devices as well as more experimental music under the moniker Archetypewriter. In his previous on Roam, "Summer Trip," Scott showed us his smoother '80s infused house sound. This new EP could not be more different, both tracks are mid-tempo, moody acid techno with a lot of attitude. The name of the first cut, "Sinister Ana," says it all; this track meticulously seeps in with an edgy acid bass line, gothic synths, and Arp synths that take mental prisoners through calculated transmutations. "The Menacing" is also aptly named, beckoning in all its glory with twisted horns and relentless acid notes while at the same time proving damn funky. In fact, both of these tunes maintain an 'evil' edge with grooves sure to creep into the body. This is not an EP for the fainthearted, but instead for those more adventurous DJs and dance floors ... dig in.

Nick Warren (Hope Recordings / Way Out West) - “Two amazing tracks. Well done.”
Sunshine Jones (Dubtribe) - “Deep and dirty!”
Sleazy McQueen - “This sh%t is wild!”
Terry Francis - “‘Sinister Ana’ for me.”
Rodion (Alien Alien) - “Super. Very beautiful stuff indeed.”
Stacey Pullen - “This is cool.”
Chrissy Murderbot (Planet Mu / Loose Squares) - ’Yes! I will play the sh%t out of this.“
Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) - ”‘Sinister Ana’ is great … totally a slow groover.“
Jarle Bråthen (Full Pupp) - ”Nice feel on ‘Sinister Ana’!“
Irregular Disco Workers (Disco Volante) - ”A really obscure and gothic soundsphere. I like the acid sound of ‘The Menacing’.“
The Zars (Till2012 Records / Progrezo Records) - ”Very cinematographic soundscapes.“
Leri Ahel (Mutant Disco Radio Show) - ”‘Sinister Ana’ is brilliant. Great track.“
Tee Cardaci (Low Down Grooves / Sine Qua Non) - ”Mid-tempo acid! A pleasant surprise. ‘The Menacing’ is just that … but a bit playful as well. Trippy!“
Deadbeat Disco Radio Show - ”From the opening squelchy beats it was pretty obvious this was going to be mint. Both cuts are superb … the acid-wiggle of ‘Sinister Ana’, the punchy beats and twisted groove of ‘The Menacing’ – wicked release.“
Danuta Kurkowski (Acid Ted Blog) - ”Dark, pulsating acid techno … fat beats, neurotic synths and all über-danceable."

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

Christy Love - Popcorn EP (Get Up Recordings)

The latest release from Get Up Recordings comes from label co-owner Christy Love. The Popcorn EP contains two original dance floor killers, “B.W.F.A.” and “Popcorn”, with remixes of “B.W.F.A.” from Chicago’s John Mörk and L.A.’s Sharper Image.

Christy Love has been immersed in the house music scene for more than two decades and is one of the most sought-after DJs in NYC as she consistently destroys dance floors all over the city and beyond. Her distinct sets comprise of a clever mixture of classic and modern house bursting with driving beats and funky bass lines; she plays a pivotal role in defining the current underground sound of New York. This DJ prowess, combined with her production work as House of Stank with long-time collaborator, W. Jeremy, and the success of their label, Get Up Recordings, has transformed Christy into a house music triple threat. In 2013, she ventured into solo territory with “I’m Goin’ Under”, a classic underground house monster featuring a guest vocal by the world-renowned Mistress of Ceremonies and Scissor Sisters front-woman Ana Matronic. This single was also released on Get Up Recordings.

The first original track off the EP, “B.W.F.A.”, comes straight out of the gate with an infectious groove that lays the groundwork for the rest of the track, including the commanding melodic trumpet. The rhythm of the track bounces hypnotically, automatically causing hands to propel into the air, while the slow undulating build of the break makes one want to plant their feet back on the ground to stomp some more. The first remix comes from Chicago’s own John Mörk. Mörk, who was one half of The Sound Republic in the mid 2000s with releases on Guesthouse and Dae Recordings, now produces on his own and has remixed for Midnight Magic, The New Division, Speck Mountain, Change Request, and Goldroom. He has released music on Nu Jax Music, Seasons Recordings, Plus Plus, and his own label, NBD Music Company. Mörk’s remix of “B.W.F.A.” features his signature bouncy house style, giving it that extra Chicago house rhythm. The second remix of “B.W.F.A.” comes from Sharper Image. Already part of the Get Up Recordings family with their remix of Mikey V’s “Feenin’”, the L.A. duo showcase their superb remixing abilities here by taking a different approach, creating the perfect happy summer house track with a beautiful nu disco edge.

The second original track is a quirky yet subtle b-side banger. “Popcorn” is a stripped down, bass and percussion heavy track with only a few musical elements that pack a powerful dance floor punch.

With this being the 27th release for the label, Get Up Recordings is definitely keeping the underground house scene poppin’.

DJ Heather - “I love Christy Love and this EP. The Sharper Image rework is quite nice.”
Hippie Torrales - “Nice mix from Sharper Image.”
Vanilla Ace (OFF Recordings / Bunny Tiger) - “The original and Sharper Image mixes are best and ‘Popcorn’ is cool take on a classic.”
Robbie Hardkiss - “The Sharper Image Remix takes me back to ‘91!“
Al Bradley (3am Recordings / Fabric) - ”Cool vibes. All three versions of ‘B.W.F.A.’ are great … the original in particular is really strong.“
Thomas White (Natural Rhythm) - ”The John Mörk remix is for real … full support!“
Aldrin (Zouk Club / One With Music) - ”I’m digging Sharper Image’s nu-disco-ish remix.“
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - ”Stand up mixes … wall shakers.“
Corduroy Mavericks (Drop Music / Coyote Cuts) - ”Tough call between the John Mörk remix and ‘Popcorn’ … great release.“
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / Mega Jawns) - ”The Sharper Image remix is tasty!“
Nick Jagger (Night Regulation NYC) - ”‘Popcorn’ is pretty hot.“
Louis Hughes (6th Sense Music) - ”Some nice deep jackin’ house. I like the three mixes of ‘B.W.F.A.’ with the Sharper Image mix being my favorite.”
Niksa Dragolin (Eurostar Radio, Croatia) - “Super housey burner … great summer madness stuff.”
Javier Varez (Alma Soul Music) - “Sharper Image made a great remix … support!”
Myxzlplix (Subdivisions Global Radio Show) - “I love the jaunty vibe and tones. Yes, I said jaunty. Supporting 100%. Raising a glass to Christy Love, well done.”

Available now from Beatport and Amazon.

Trulz & Robin presents: Robomatic - Mpc 101 (Cymasonic Recordings)

The Cymasonic Recordings label has gotten its hands on a textbook specimen of the old school electro sound with the Mpc 101 EP. The six track mini-LP is the undertaking of Robomatic, a moniker assumed for this project by Robin C, also one half of Trulz & Robin and Dance Disorder. At a time when much of dance music is being degraded and repurposed for a younger generation mostly unaware of their roots, this 'electro-romantic' homage to the true sound proves a necessary addition to the dialogue: electro said in confidence.

Highlights like "Nya drömmar," "Bleep," and "Elven" take listeners back to a purer time that even predates techno, while worshipping the same seemingly alien electro-pop influences of Kraftwerk, the distinguisher being that it has more to do with early electronic experimentations in hip-hop and funk. The best thing about the electronic culture is that the lines have always been a bit blurred, bleeding over any perceived borders. This is how Cymasonic finds itself releasing in such a classic American style -- but produced by Scandinavians -- and the planet continues to spin 'round.

Colin Dale (Abstrakt Dance) - “A knockout! I love this EP. Excellent electro sounds … all killer, no filler.”
Nick Warren - “Brilliant. A return to electro is long needed.”
Tim Paris (Marketing Music / My Favorite Robot) - “This is REALLY my thing! Great EP.”
Gavin Hardkiss (Hawke / Hardkiss Music) - “Bleepy goodness … love it.”
Dr. Motte (PRAXXIZ) - “A 10 out of 10 killer release!”
Stacey Pullen - “This is cool.”
Phonogenic (Moodmusic / Turbo) - “‘Bleep’ is bang on.”
Alkalino (Estimativa / Audaz Recordings) - “Cool retro electro vibes … I dig them all.”
Baby G (Dance Disorder / BPitch Records) - “Amazing!”
Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) - “I love these … they’re great fun.”
Tyler Stadius - “I love these tripped out, spacey, hypnotic tracks. It’s hard to find tunes like these.”
Adam Collins (Euphoria Records / Omni A.M.) - “Solid acid! This is so dope … I’m going to be playing this at a dirty after hours tonight.”
Tee Cardaci (Low Down Grooves / Sine Qua Non) - “This sh%t is HOT … perfect for some late night excursions!”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.