NRVS LVRS - City Lights Remixes (Green Gorilla Lounge)

Green Gorilla Lounge returns to the fray with a top tier set of remixes of "City Lights", a cool song by acclaimed San Francisco-based indie band NRVS LVRS. "City Lights" was the first single off The Golden West, NRVS LVRS's debut album released earlier this year. The powers-that-be at Green Gorilla headquarters fell in love with the song and quickly envisioned a plan for more dance floor-oriented interpretations. Fellow conspirators Sleight of Hands, Pezzner, Tone of Arc, and the duo of Lucas Hulan & Petr Braun were enlisted, and this outstanding release is the result.

GGL's in-house heroes Sleight of Hands – made up of DJ M3 and Phil Collis – provide the first version, which is filled with big stomping beats and dirty bass lines and utilizes the original's vocal in a particularly moody manner. This one's a late night monster. Seattle's Pezzner (Freerange, Systematic) is up next, and his remix will certainly satisfy all the Pezz-heads out there. Pezzner's main mix and dub both feature the creative rhythmic high jinks and clearly produced sonics that this masterful tunesmith is known for. Tone of Arc, a quickly rising project formed by Derrick Boyd AKA Dead Seal, delivers a cinematic treatment peppered with distinctive sound design moments and cavernous percussion blasts over its entrancing deep house foundation. Czech producers Lucas Hulan & Petr Braun (Nightphunk Recordings) then close things out with a shimmering rework that samples and manipulates the vocal while it provides spaced-out aural scenery for the dance floor.

Laurent Garnier - "Pezzner's mixes for sure."
Phonogenic (Moodmusic / Turbo) - "I'm really digging this. The Sleight of Hands remix is serious business."
Larry Tee - "Pezzner's remixes are lovely." Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - "The Sleigh of Hands remix … sexy!"
Tensnake - "Very nice Pezzner remixes."
Chris Fortier (Fade) - "Some great remixes here."
Lars Behrenroth (Deeper Shades of House) - "I'm loving the Pezzner remixes!"
Shahrokh Dini (Shahrokh Sound of K / Compost) - "Nice release … the Sleight of Hands remix is good."
Jamie Kidd (BYC Music / Box of Kittens) - "Sleight of Hands and Tone of Arc mixes get the vibe … right on!"
Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) - "Great stuff here … all killer, no filler."
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite / Dialtone Records) - "The Pezzner remixes slay! Super addictive poppy concoctions."
Anthony Mansfield (Roam Recordings / Hector Works) - "Nice package. The Sleight of Hands mix has the swagger."
Strictly Underground Music (music blog) - "We can't stop playing the Sleight of Hands remix … great tune, beautifully produced, super grooving sound. Gotta love those claps!"
Manel Sanmartin (Cambrils DEEP) - "Wow … awesome release! The singer has a very sensual voice."
KP London (FEEL Radio Show) - "The Lucas Hulan & Petr Braun remix is just what the people need … well done!"
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) - "Fantastic! What a package we have here. Pezzner comes out on top for me with those rich, deep grooves but all of these mixes will be used with pleasure."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.

An Interview With Zona

Los Angeles producers Dimitri Craven and Jerry Andrews form the core of Zona, a house music outfit that also includes a rotating cast of live musicians and vocalists that contribute to recordings and club performances. The sound is soulful and groovy, drawing upon the classic foundations of deep house as well as the songwriting elements of disco and R&B. Zona's latest single, the buoyant "Never Forget You", is a prime example of the group's aesthetic.

We caught up with Zona to talk about their music and the Los Angeles scene. Scroll below the interview to check out the brand new video for "Never Forget You" … it's a party starter.

What was the origin of Zona? How did you guys meet and what are your backgrounds in house music?

Jerry: I met Dimitri 20 years ago as our bands used to sometimes play together. My musical background is eclectic. I grew up on all kinds of music. I became a fan of house music when I heard Mark Farina'sMushroom Jazz. It struck a chord because it mixed R&B, hip hop, jazz, and lounge within the context of house music. This appealed to me as a fan of all kinds of music.

Dimitri: When I met Jerry I knew I had to work with him. He is one of the most talented producers around. He also plays many instruments and is good at them all. Working with him is so easy … he's like a brother to me.

Valerie Moise regularly collaborates with Zona, and she sounds fantastic. How did you guys find her? What’s it like working with her, creatively?

Dimitri: I met Valerie at church … you find the best singers there. She used to be a backup dancer for Britney Spears and Madonna, so she knows how to feel a song. We love working with her. We have five different singers on the album. I choose the singers after the music of the song is finished, so I can feel their vibe with the songs.

How did you choose the different remixers for “Never Forget You"? Is there something in particular you were looking for in remixes of this song?

Dimitri: We usually try to find remixers we know from L.A. because they're cheaper and they're my friends (LOL). But they also have to have a soulful vibe. However, now I'm finding it's great to spend the money on a big name because it can get the song more recognition.

There are a lot of cool live elements in the song – Greg Brown on vibraphone, and Greg Velasquez on percussion. How important is a live element to Zona’s music?

Jerry: We aim to mix in live instrumentation to distinguish ourselves from all of the electronic / sample-based house music out there.

Tell me about the Zona live show. Do these musicians regularly join Zona in the clubs?

Dimitri: We have a full band. Jerry is mainly a producer and works with major artists, so he can't play with us. But I go out with a full band. After years of singing in band myself, I want that live element of a band to set us apart.

What are the challenges of integrating live musicians with house music?

Jerry: It comes very natural to us because we both grew up playing in live bands. Fortunately we have been able to work with great musicians. So, its just a matter of capturing the magic they bring to the table and making sure whatever they do supports the song.

Zona is based in Los Angeles, which brings images of glitz and glamor to most people around the world. But there’s quite a vibrant house music scene there, right?

Dimitri: L.A. is on fire at the moment. You can go out any night and the clubs are playing house music. You have Marques Wyatt, Tony Powell, Doc Martin, Sid Perry, Abdul Shakir, and many others playing soulful house. There are about ten EDM clubs so, whatever your flavor, it's out there. I grew up in the Hollywood scene playing the party circuit and got tired of it. So then I found house music and my life has never been the same.

The album Peace, Love and Understanding is due out soon. What can listeners and fans expect?

The album is combination of songs we released on other labels as well as new songs. The album title comes from our first single release … the title is about what's happening in the world. Being Christians, we have to learn how to love our brothers and sisters and show that we care.

Soulspace - Remixes (Wind Horse Records)

Two tracks from Soulspace's brilliant and highly acclaimed self-titled album have received the remix treatment, resulting in a package of compelling collaborations from across India's electronic music sphere. This 2014 album on Wind Horse Records from Soulspace – AKA New Delhi's Vishnu PS – captivated listeners from the worlds of deep house, 'chill out', and abstract electronica and the remixed single also appeals across this spectrum. Soulspace has taken album cuts "C'est La Vie" and "You" and placed them into the hands of a variety of Indian producers, including those working outside of deep house for a more eclectic, 'alternative' direction.

The emotive track "You" receives a trio of versions, led by a gentle downtempo interpretation from Mumbai's Sandunes. The project of Sanaya Ardeshir, Sandunes wraps "You" in complex breakbeat rhythms and clever manipulations of the original's trademark vocal phrase. The Sine Painter (comprised of the Bangalore-based Jayanth Ramachandra) arrives next, giving the track a forlorn four-on-the-four treatment, including echoey plucked melodies for an exotic effect. When Pandas Attack then provide the third remix of "You", enveloping the track in thick pads and chiming tones, as breezy downbeat drums and stereo-swirling vocal snippets combine in a mesmerizing manner.

Soulspace's "C'est La Vie" also receives the remix treatment, earning a pair of pleasantly diverse versions. Bangalore DJ duo Audio Units – familiar to followers of Wind Horse Records – have revealed a lush deep house revision of Soulspace's track. It features a bouncing, buzzy bass line and melodic arpeggiations alongside a flurry of atmospheric treatments. Late night bliss. Rohan Ramanna, known here as ROH, next reinterprets "C'est La Vie" as a cinematic downtempo soundscape, masterfully capturing a dreamy feeling with layers of sparkling sound and an insistent, slow motion rhythm. This one demands to be listened to on headphones.

These remixes of "C'est La Vie" and "You" show Wind Horse Records moving into new and exciting directions while embracing more diverse players in India's burgeoning electronic music scene. Stay tuned for what most certainly will be fascinating developments in the near future.

Laurent Garnier - "The Sandunes remix is great."
Nick Warren - "Great release guys … some very cool mixes here."
Denite (Diynamic / Get Physical) - "The Audio Units remix is the one for me."
Gene Farris - "Great music!"
André Gardeja (Freizeitglauben / Blaq) - "Nice release … deep tunes for chilled moments."
Claes Rosén (Local Talk / Spring Tube) - "Perfect!"
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "Excellent and varied grooves here. It's actually the slower When Pandas Attack remix that's the one for me."
Pumpkin (Jumpsuit Records / Vermin Street) - "Quality!"
Jose Marquez (Tribe Records / Djoon Experience) - "I'm really feeling the Audio Units remix … nice!"
Noel Sanger (Dissident Music / Spinnin) - "Cool remixes."
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite / Dialtone Records) - "Great work! Always stand out music from Wind Horse."
Distant People (Foliage / Seamless) - "The Sine Painter mix is doing it for me … a dreamy and atmospheric feel."
Pathaan (Globetronica) - "Dig!"
Tariq Ziyad (New Urban ERA) - "Amazing stuff all round … music with soul and originality."
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) - "I love everything that Wind Horse Records put out … its always so musically rich and here again its jaw dropping stuff. In particular, the When Pandas Attack remix is brilliant."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.

Tom Appl - Something About / Bachversuche (Karmaloft Music)

Karmaloft Music closes out the year with a fantastic double A-side single from Munich-based sound engineer Tom Appl. Tom’s career as a DJ dates back to the early ’90s with the sounds of tech, deep, and melody-infused house music. As a producer he has previously created productions and remixes under the pseudonym Fruitroom, and has frequently appeared on Karmaloft with acclaimed singles and remixes. "Something About" and "Bachversuche" further advance his sleek sound, providing a pair of floor-effective deep house cuts that blend in a number of satisfying tech elements.

"Something About" opens the single with a gentle bell-like melody before launching a tough and intricate rhythm section. A growling bass tone and thick stabs enter, and then a female voice speaks: "There's something about your smile … and the way you move when you're on the dance floor." This all combines in a slightly moody fashion, creating a strongly melodic track well-suited for intimate after hours moments. "Bachversuche" follows, once again introducing a pattern of bells much like its predecessor. The resemblance is quickly swept away by a memorable electric piano line and some smart, kinetic percussion accents. The cut builds steadily, further showcasing Tom's penchant for deftly fusing rhythmic arrangements and striking melodic sequences.

Nick Warren - "Great work from Tom … both tracks are great."
Anthony Pappa - "'Something About' is a cool track … I'll support it."
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / Mega Jawns) - "A lovely pair of productions here: late night, dark room, closed eyes."
Larry Tee - "I love this."
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "Excellent and original … really strong melodic but powerful cuts here."
Dutchican Soul (Strictly Rhythm / Salted Music) - "Really nice tracks … I'll be playing these out."
Jon Manley (hOUSEwORX Radio Show) - "Refreshing and ear perking two-tracker from Tom Appl … I'm liking the vibes on both tracks."
Eric Davenport (Guesthouse) - "Sweet track. Big sound. The type of track the crowd remembers at the end of the night."
Sandro Bianchi (Ibiza Sonica) - "'Bachversuche' is a masterpiece."
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) - "Tasty. I'm digging the hypnotic feeling of 'Something About' … and 'Bachversuche' will sound amazing dropped at that perfect moment."
SimonG (Deep South Audio) - "Two quality cuts … both with exciting well-honed sounds. Lush … a sound engineer at work, for sure."
Tariq Ziyad (New Urban ERA) - "Enchanting sounds and rhythms … full support."
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Influences) - "Haunting melodies, well driven vibe. I'm liking this two-tracker."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.