Tom Appl - Two Days (Karmaloft Music)

As a sound engineer, Tom Appl has been openly experimenting with sonic styles and textures, working primarily in the realms of deep and tech-house, but incorporating elements from a more mainstream production world. Also releasing under the pseudonym Fruitroom, Tom has a series of well-regarded singles and remixes for the Karmaloft Music label and has been DJ'ing actively since the early '90s. This latest EP for Karmaloft, titled Two Days, further expands Tom Appl's measure as a producer, seamlessly melding deeper house with progressive and tech-house ingredients.

The Two Days EP opens with "Three Arcade", announcing the proceedings with an infectious sequencer pattern. Plucked-sounding synth melodies and layers of strings develop into a warm arrangement of bass leads and spacey flourishes. A sparser remix from the Dresden-based Matthias Freudmann – a fellow Karmaloft artist – enhances the dream factor in its gentle intro before introducing a growling bass line and a pulsing rhythm. "One Time" may be the most optimistic cut on the release, with its chiming piano chords mixing with Appl's trademark synth strings and percussive splashes. The title track closes the EP on its slightly ominous combination of percussion and synths, welcoming a low, pensive bass drone to the mix. The track's build is resolute, as additional pads and percussion transmit a forlorn melody that leads a dramatic breakdown.

Al Mackenzie (Great Outdoors / Brassneck) - "'Two Days' is bloody ace."
Christian Hornbostel (Hooki-Sonic / Sa Trincha) - "Great job … full support."
Chris Fortier (Fade / Mindwarp) - "Sounds good."
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "'Two Days' has a classic-sounding appeal, like some of the more melodic tech sounds from the mid-'90s … never a bad thing."
Larry Tee - "Weird and nice!"
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) - "'Three Arcade' and the Matthias Freudmann remix are stunning."
Pat Lezizmo (Conya Records) - "Great remix from Matthias Freudmann … I love it."
Alcala (Kids Records / Grand Blanc) - "Every track is solid but I really like 'Two Days' the most. Awesome atmosphere without being too chill and dreamy."
DJ Aldrin (Zouk Club / One WIth Music) - "Fab release … perfect for the gigs this weekend."
Nutritious (SpinSpinNYC) - "Yes … this is excellent."
Salvatore Logicfusion (Deepinradio, Greece) - "Uplifting deepness."
Richard Paulose (Vertigo Radio Show) - "Each track is great and unique in its own way."
Martin Madigan (DMC World / DMC Update) - "Four great tracks … I love them!"
Jamie Topham (CDPool) - "Very cool release once again from Karmaloft … I really like the soundscape of 'Two Days' on here."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and Spotify.

Galen & Shiny Objects - Purest Sound / Sunday Freeze (Roam Recordings)

Roam Recordings has enlisted Galen and Shiny Objects, two heavyweights of San Francisco's dance music scene, for a collaborative release that lives up to their storied reputations – the bright and techy "Purest Sound", backed with the equally formidable "Sunday Freeze".

Galen started out by setting up speakers and a generator at a park in Berkeley every Sunday, and soon hundreds of people were dancing while watching the sun set behind the San Francisco skyline. Now he's behind the Sunset Sound System with its world-renowned outdoor events, boat parties, and annual Sunset Campout Festival. Shiny Objects is Christopher Smith, the founder of Om Records and the producer of of over one hundred tracks and remixes under various aliases. Smith is also a core member of the Burning Man camp Disco Knights and a proprietor of Monarch, one of the Bay Area's most respected nightspots.

The release certainly exudes a current San Francisco style: tech'ed out but still playful, and fitting firmly within Roam's party vibes aesthetic. "Purest Sound" gives the dance floor all it's got, with a beefy bass line, chiming percussion, and ominous spoken vocals over a compulsive rhythm. This one builds nicely into late night bliss mode. "Sunday Freeze" qualifies for 'double A-side', as it's a production that's just as potent and compelling. With a little more dub in its bones, the track moves in constant motion as echoey synths, thumping kicks, and a rumbling low end steer the course. The extended breakdown at the half-way mark succeeds in delivering after-hours power.

Mark Farina - "I dig it."
Gemini Brothers (Skint / Nein) - "Great summer hits … lovely!"
Larry Tee - "Hot one!"
DJ Harri (Sub Club / Subculture) - "I'm liking the old school Murk feel on these."
Vanilla Ace - "Cool tracks."
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - "Yes … I'm into it!"
Atish (Desert Hearts / Robot Heart) - "'Sunday Freeze' is punchy, deep, and playful."
Da Funk (Acryl Music / Pacha) - "'Purest Sound' here for me … nice!"
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "A truly exceptional release … both cuts are just so good. 'Sunday Freeze' with its gradual build through the track just shaded it for me. Amazing sounds."
Bachelors Of Science (Code Recordings / Dirtybird) - "'Purest Sound' … what a monster earworm! Smashed it."
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing Radio Show) - "I love both of these. Funky and spacey with catchy vocal samples … just perfect!"
Jean Jérome (Radio FG / Kut 'N' Paste) - "Huge beat and nice groove … perfect for my sets."
Tariq Ziyad (Nu Urban ERA) - "I love this. It's like John Carpenter making spaced out, dubby house."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, iTunes, and Spotify.

ENNE - Acido Futuro (Karmaloft Music)

Karmaloft Music proudly presents the latest EP from ENNE, the prolific DJ, piano player, drummer, and member of Italo-influenced combo Mohear. With an ever-expanding discography including releases and remix work for the likes of Compost, Nang, and Permanent Vacation, ENNE has been spreading his fancy fusion of spacey house, subversive disco, and cosmic funk far and wide. The Acido Futuro EP collects three top notch club cuts showcasing ENNE's flavorful production and a penchant for incorporating his disparate influences. "Acido Futuro" kicks things off with a strong rhythm line as elements referencing Chicago's old school and European house's new one interact playfully. As anticipated, a heavy acid crescendo takes hold midway, pushing the track effectively beyond the stratosphere. "Beatup" keeps the floor moving with a staccato bell-like pattern, squelchy synth chords, and a filtered, repeating vocal phrase. This one's a builder as a rising sequencer pattern enters the fray with an energizing effect. ENNE gets deeper with "Fear", an expectedly moody and percussive affair that features a hypnotizing spoken female vocal over its steady bass punch. Dramatic piano adds to the sonic tension, helping to create a memorable track for those cerebral nightclub moments.

Randall Jones (Audio Therapy / Baroque) - "'Fear' is extreme fire. This is the type of stuff I'm into … it sounds like Guerrilla Records circa '95."
Minus 8 (Compost / Stereo Deluxe) - "Acid always works!"
Larry Tee (Carnage Music) - "Love these."
Chris Fortier (Fade / Mindwarp) - "Sounding nice."
Gemini Brothers (Skint / Nein) - "Damn, what an EP! Each track is a must for our sets!"
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - "Oh yes!"
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) - "Just wonderful, wonderful music here, containing just the right amount of acidity."
Vincent Kwok - "All the tracks have a great old school vibe … I'm loving 'Acido Futuro' in particular."
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "Really crisp production here … you can feel the musicality in the vibes. The pick for me is the warmer 'Fear'. Great percussion and I love the chords that come in as the track progresses."
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) - "'Beatup' … rocking track!"
Rory Hoy (Howlin' Records / Super Hi-Fi) - "'Acido Futuro' is just incredible!"
Distant People (Foliage / Seamless) - "Funky little beauty here … a nice nod to the warehouse days."
Martin Madigan (DMC World Magazine) - "Loving it when 'Acido Futuro' comes back in after the break. 'Fear' is also excellent. All tracks have a lovely build and journey."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, iTunes, and Spotify.

Carlos Alfonzo & Robert Ortiz - Sabroso (Boogie Basics)

Boogie Basics presents "Sabroso", a nice and hefty house music stomper from San Francisco Bay Area production duo Carlos Alfonzo and Robert Ortiz. These busy and long-time DJs have an impressive CV of gigs and releases between them, including appearances on the likes of Moody Recordings, Ammo Recordings, Blue Orb, Elikonas Records, and We Jack. "Sabroso" is a full-on dance floor groover, providing tough rhythms and dramatic builds as sonic caffeine for late night crowds. There's a distinctive deep latin touch as well, with dashes of broken beats and horn-like synth stabs accenting the flow. All in all, "Sabroso" serves as an effective peak time houser ready for inclusion in the discerning DJ's digital bag of tricks. Primed for spins!

Lupe Fuentes (Inhouse Records) - "Dope tune."
Natural Rhythm - "Big room sound for real. Chunky groove."
Benji Candelario (Transistori Music) - "Good tune!"
Jason Hodges (Sampled Recordings) - "Dope track!"
Lorenzo al Dino (7th District / Royal Plastic) - "Solid."
DJ Style (Knob Records) - "Hot tune."
Eric Davenport (Guesthouse) - "Good production quality. In your face beats, driving melody … should set the party off."
Alexander East (Planet East) - "Nice!"
Hector De Mar (Liquid Music / Ritmik Records) - "Bouncy groove here."
Andrew Macari (Greenhouse / Tastie) - "Solid club track."
SimonG (Deep South Audio, New Zealand) - "Cracking grooves … slick and funky."
Tariq Ziyad (Nu Urban ERA) - "I love the blissed out house sounds here … full support."
Jamie Topham (CDPool) - "Alfonzo & Ortiz deliver a dance floor banger … hold tight!"

Available now from Beatport, Traxsource, iTunes, and Spotify.