Trulz & Robin - Dance Music Therapy (Cymasonic)

Oslo-based techno stalwarts Trulz & Robin are back with Dance Music Therapy, the long-awaited follow-up to 2004's Intersexual and their fourth full-length album since the much-acclaimed 2001 debut Mechanized World. After eleven years and a number of 12"s scattered through vinyl shops around Europe, it is about time that Truls Kvam and Robin Crafoord get back into full album mode … and the wait has been worth it. Dance Music Therapy is an excursion into deep, catchy techno, alternating between the unexpected and transcendent to the efficient and functional.

The album is comprised of tracks taken from the Dance Music Therapy singles series released on Cymasonic, a young label based in both Barcelona and Oslo. Spread over three volumes, these singles garnered glowing accolades from the likes of Laurent Garnier, Brendon Moeller, Nick Warren, Peter Kruder, Colin Dale, and Tensnake. This collection commemorates the completion of the series, as well as the two year anniversary of Cymasonic's debut release, which consisted of three of the songs heard here. Giving back to the dance floor and the home listeners alike, the songs on Dance Music Therapy are delicately mixed into one another -- creating a building continuity -- similar to experiencing a Trulz & Robin DJ set.

Highlights include "Daylight"'s strong Detroit pulse, the soul-searching ambience of "Adventure", "Blue Grass, Green Sky"'s mind-blowing techno journey, and the playfully experimental "Beneath the Surface". And there are many other key moments and evocative nuances to be discovered throughout the album's nine tracks. Dance Music Therapy proves to be an apt title as each minute is strongly emotive, but also physically engaging -- sure to spread from Oslo into the collections of techno connoisseurs the world over.

Laurent Garnier - "I will hammer 'Øyestikker'n' everywhere."
Brendon Moeller (Cielo / Bergain) - "Ace originals … well done!"
Nick Warren - “Stunning release … very cool, indeed.”
Sunshine Jones (Dubtribe) - "Stunning. So refreshing and lovely."
Kruse & Nuernberg - “‘The Clearing’ is beautiful!”
Fabrice Lig (Motech / Fine Art) - "I'm always looking for tracks like 'Øyestikker'n' … I'll play it for sure."
Colin Dale (Abstrakt Dance) - “A really cool release … lush sounds.”
Rune Lindbæk (Drum Island / Luna Flicks) - "Love it!"
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite / Dialtone) - "Lovely, atmospheric, spacey tracks."
Dr. Motte (PRAXXIZ) - "I love the sound of the hang drum on 'Adventure'. Great release."
Chris Fortier - “Very nice vibe on all the tracks.”
diskJokke (Full Pupp / Smalltown Supersound) - “Great stuff!”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) - “Beautifully produced - beguiling and compelling - simply a fantastic release.”

Available now from Beatport, Traxsource, and iTunes.

DJ Jarvis - Juno (Cylon Dub Receptor)

Growing up in Buffalo, NY, DJ Jarvis had the benefit of Toronto being just an hour away. Here, he was able to witness the explosion of a world class dance scene. On a more local level, he also was able to experience the fertile electronic underground of the late '90s which swept Buffalo by storm. These experiences have left an imprint that still helps shape his sound today, leading to a string of well-received singles on Cable Recordings and the newer Cylon Dub Receptor imprint.

This third DJ Jarvis single for Cylon Dub Receptor introduces "Juno", a smooth and slightly dreamy deep house number with some appealing disco grit at the edges. The building pads and vocal snatches rise over a groovy bass line that masterfully references '80s electro funk. It's like the soundtrack to a slow motion drive in a sleek star-craft, which is fitting as Layne Fox (40 Theives) steers things deeper towards Jupiter with his remix. It's a prime dose of celestial disco, with Fox setting the controls to 'Moroder' and laying down a slinky strobe-light vibe. Oakland's Jeremy Blake (sound+vision) completes the journey, turning in a lovely version that features layers of ambient-like flourishes over skippy rhythms and some exceptional synth work. All in all, "Juno" delivers the cosmic antidote for an Earth-bound dance floor.

Vanilla Ace - "Nice, deep sound on the original … the Layne Fox remix is good, as well."
Nick Warren - "Great remix from Layne Fox."
DJ Copycat (MB Disco / Eskimo) - "I love the groove on the original."
Alvaro Hylander (DeepWit) - "Very nice release overall, and feeling Jeremy Blake's work the strongest. Well done!"
Hardway Bros (A Love From Outer Space) - "All of this is killer."
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "Cool stuff … tough to pick a fave here really, but Layne Fox's version is something of a cracker."
Irregular Disco Workers (Disco Volante) - "The Jeremy Blake mix is amazing."
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / Mega Jawns) - "Gorgeous original, and the Jeremy Blake remix is a whole other kind of amazing."
Distant People (Foliage / Seamless) - "Space funk action in a tent full of lights and people dancing … great festival sound."
DJ Tomas (ForwardEver) - "The Jeremy Blake remix is a true gem … there's a great build and colorful body to the track."
DJ Zach (Subtronic End Radio Show) - "Layne Fox's remix is dope. I especially like the subtle guitars that ride along with the synth. Of course, there's also a time and place to drop the original with that huge bass line."
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - "The Layne Fox remix has a vintage spirit … an interstellar disco ceremony."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.

The New Black - The Trouble With Monarchy (Whiskey Pickle)

Texas-based cosmic-funksters The New Black return to Whiskey Pickle with their latest offering entitled The Trouble With Monarchy. This slick production duo -- comprised of Nathan Stewart and William Bowers -- have gone on to release with Midnight Riot, Something Different, and Headset after making their initial debut on Whiskey Pickle. Two cuts and a pair of remixes comprise their new groove-laden release, opening with the filtered, low-slung swing of “A Game Of Tones”. Chirpy sample stabs and ominous synth swells usher in a fat bass line and airy pads as things crescendo into a tsunami of enveloped Moog riffs.

Icelandic disco-maestro B.G. Baarregaard (Whiskey Disco, DiscoDat) steps up first to spin the groove of “A Game Of Tones” into an uptempo, cosmic burner. His shimmering synth work adds a carefree vibe to the original's menacing flair. UK duo Hearts Of Darkness, comprised of industry heavyweights Phil Towers and Al Bradley (3am Recordings), construct a dubby take on “A Game Of Tones”. They employ loads of echoes and funky synth riffs with their aim set steadily at club dance floors. Wrapping things up nicely is “The Royal We”, a hypnotic deep house affair from The New Black that oozes like syrup and is just as sweet.

Ursula 1000 - "Sublime."
Graeme Park - "Absolutely bloody wonderful."
Sleazy McQueen - "Solid vibes and production all around."
Hardway Bros (A Love From Outer Space) - "Really cool … I love it!"
Vanilla Ace - "'A Game Of Tones' is the one for me."
All Good Funk Alliance - "Love these deep cuts … the drums on 'The Royal We' are really popping and fresh. These are fun."
Sunshine Jones (Dubtribe) - "Lovely."
Alvaro Hylander (DeepWit) - "Witty title! Cool refreshing sounds overall, but really liking 'The Royal We'."
Spettro (Crosstown Rebels) - "The Hearts Of Darkness remix is very nice … perfect for pool parties boogie dance floors."
DJ Doubles (Freestyle Fusion) - "Great floor-filling breakbeat madness … sticky business to stomp yer feet!"
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - "The summer disco sound of B.G. Baarregaard will be the best choice under the sun."
Kosta (Vibe FM / AWD House) - "Perfect for my disco bonanza sessions!"
Jean Jérome (Radio FG / Kut 'N' Paste) - "Summer vibes coming from Whiskey Pickle."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.

Funk Mediterraneo - Say What (Boogie Basics)

Boogie Basics is a respected house music label operating out of Los Angeles that aims to collaborate with both established scene veterans and promising young guns, often within a single release. Here they reach out to the southern coast of Italy to hook up with the duo known as Funk Mediterraneo. The two DJs that make up this act, Carlos and Rosario, have been DJ’ing together for fifteen years, with differing tastes and styles that end up perfectly complimenting each other. With previous releases on the likes of Flapjack, Juiced, Bounce House, and Boogie Basics the pair have become an established name in the deep and jackin’ house scenes. For their latest, "Say What?", they embark on a journey with '80s flair and sensible rhythms … a discoid ship repurposed and awash with filters.

Dirty Old Boyz is a recently founded project from Daniele Ciancimino and Enrico Mangiapane, two highly respected Sicilian veteran DJs and producers who have been around the block. With a version just as playful as the original, the duo remix "Say What?" into a floor stomping, jackin' number with plenty of tech elements and energizing effects. Boogie Basics co-founder and Dallas maverick Riche Boom was seminal in his city's music culture and he now plays a prominent role with the label. His bouncy beats and abstract synth patterns are in full effect on his remix, upping the funk and energy with guitar licks and arpeggiated notes.

Charles Feelgood - "TIght!"
Vanilla Ace - "I love the main mix … so funky and fresh."
DJ Heather - "Love this touch … the Captain Sensible touch."
Jason Hodges - "Nice release!"
Pete Williams (Natural Rhythm) - "Great funky release … the Riche Boom edit is the jam."
Doc Link (Liberate Recordings) - "Nice … I will be rocking the original for sure."
Diz (Iz & Diz / Vizual Recordings) - "Cool little house groover."
Andrew Macari (Greenhouse / Tastie) - "Great stuff!"
Vincent Kwok (Eight-Fifteen / Transport Recordings) - "The Dirty Old Boyz remix works best for me."
Distant People (Foliage / Seamless) - "Great filter work and groove control … a slamming sound, always building."
Tee Cardaci (Low Down Grooves / Sine Qua Non) - "I'm digging the fun vibe on this one. The quirkiness of the Riche Boom Edit does it for me though."
Kadabra (The House Hookup Radio Show) - "The Dirty Old Boyz remix has got some deliciously old school vibes going. Love it."
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - "The hot spot in the package is Riche Boom's remix … his crazy bass and piano driven synth-o-funk is killer."
Mark Mac (The Sounds Collective) - "A funky driver for the floor."
DJ Widenski (Macadam Music) - "Great jackin' disco house!"

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.