Joey Fehrenbach - Wolves (The Soundgarden)

For the second release on his new label The Soundgarden, Nick Warren has captured stateside producer Joey Fehrenbach and the evocative single "Wolves". Joey Fehrenbach has been active in electronic music for almost two decades, first with his project Dream Traveller – responsible for many dance floor favorites championed by the likes of Sasha, John Digweed, and Scott Stubbs – and then, starting in 2006, under his given name. It was as Joey Fehrenbach that his albums Mellowdrama and Don't Wake Me were released, topping downtempo and chill-out charts and gaining fans for his lush, tightly produced sound. Nick Warren was one of these fans, and he included Joey's “Behold” and “Being Around You” on the Global Underground – Paris compilation.

Joey's new single for The Soundgarden, titled "Wolves", takes cues from his dance floor past and recent downtempo influences to reveal a mid-tempo four-on-the-floor indie dance track filled with exciting melodies and textures. A John Carpenter-esque bass synth sequence introduces the track as crisp percussive layers and a hypnotic lead line float into its sonic space. Dramatic chord changes and wistful pads add to the cut's emotional factor, resulting in late night chills.

Nick Warren is joined by Tripswitch (Iboga Records, Section Records) for a driving remix of "Wolves". The tempo is increased a tad but the expressive vibe remains firmly intact. The main synth line is complimented by warm sub-bass as the insistent rhythm guides the listener through the remix's pensive build. Vocoded pads, spacey treatments, and the original's melodic line bring the track to its gorgeous breakdown. A subtle, funky guitar riff is introduced before the mix goes into overdrive, with a masterful transition to a moving section that conveys a night out at Moonbase Alpha's discotheque.

Hernan Cattaneo (Sudbeat / Renaissance) - “Top remix on this!”
Chris Fortier (Fade / Mindwarp) – “The Nick Warren and Tripswitch remix is great.”
Darin Epsilon (Renaissance / Perfecto) – “Excellent remix by Nick Warren and Tripswitch.”
Larry Tee (Carnage Music) – “This is a hot one!”
Eelke Kleijn (Outside The Box Music / Spinnin' Records) – “Nicely done, guys!”
Jamie Jones (Hot Creations) - “Sounds cool.”
Kristina Sky (Armada / Vandit) - “Sick! I love this groove.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / Mega Jawns) – “Lovely moody original, and killer remix. I love it!”
Distant People (Seamless) – “Both remixes are pure heavyweight. Just sheer quality!”
Anthony Pappa (Red Light District / Bedrock) – “Cool track … I will support it.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Stellar remix and original here … an addictive synth line.”
lar3n (Noir Sessions) – “Nick Warren and Tripswitch's remix is amazing. Top work.”
Dave Storm (Cabrio Records / Ibiza Global Radio) – “Sounds good. I love that atmospheric touch.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing Radio Show) – “I’m loving the primal wolf theme here, and the vintage ‘80s feel.”

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

Boogie Belgique - Volta (Cold Busted)

"Nostalgic, soulful and, of course, boogie-woogie." That's how Belgian DJ producer Boogie Belgique (AKA Oswald Cromheecke) describes the enticing combination of styles and sources from different decades that make up his music. Taking vintage inspirations, most notably from swing and jazz eras, and merging them with contemporary beats and textures is the young producer's forte. This is pleasingly evident on Volta, the latest Boogie Belgique album for the Cold Busted label.

"Jungle Law" gives a glimpse into Boogie Belgique's sonic palette. Tough hip hop beats and funky live guitar follow an intro of jungle ambience as a trumpet presents the melody. Soon some swingy big band jazz enters the song in an almost ghostly manner, while the insistent beat keeps the dance floor moving. Album opener "Go Slow" shows a different side to the coin giving the listener an uptempo broken beat rhythm, some bouncy bass guitar, snippets of string loops, and a lovely, forlorn vocal line that echoes the past. It's a beautiful concoction, and Boogie Belgique delivers on many aspects of this style throughout his eleven track album. Volta is a satisfying trip in an aural time machine.

Kid Loco - “Really great tracks and moody vibes.”
Tim ‘Love’ Lee (Tummy Touch) – “I love it!”
Ohmega Watts (Ubiquity Records) - "This album captures the essence of boogie and breakbeat funk with atmospherics that definitely take you on an auditory journey.”
Dr Rubberfunk (Jalapeno Records) - "Good solid collection of grooves and dance floor movers! 'Need Somebody' is probably the stand out for me … nice St. Germain vibes.”
Dogu (Ancient Astronauts / Switchstance) - "Some nice grooves here."
Gavin Hardkiss (Hawke) – “I likee!”
Stereo 77 (Plimsoll Records) – “Perhaps my favorite Cold Busted release.”
Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s) – “’Jungle Law’ is a banger.”
Jeannie Hopper (WBAI FM (New York) - “Beautiful!”
Enne (Electunes / Karmaloft Music) – “’Enigma’ is really nice.”
DJ Kid Stretch (Warriorz Records / Goodgroove) – “This is seriously dope.”
Mr. Bristow (Subtek / Detox) – “Really feeling this, it’s lovely!”
Bruno From Ibiza (Ibiza Global Radio) – “Cool stuff!”
Richie Hartness (untitledmusic) – “Stunning and superb! One for the Deep Beats shows for sure.”
Igor Marijuan (Ibiza Sonica FM) – “Great release to be supported at Ibiza Sonica.”
SimonG (Deep South Audio, New Zealand) - "More eccentric antics for the floors and turntables … reminds me of a cross between DJ Food and Coldcut. Very nice."
DJ Nartak (Klassik Lounge Radio Show) - "Belgians can boogie! Fun listening … intelligently made with style and charm."

Available now from: Beatport, Junodownload, iTunes, and Bandcamp

Sound Me - Growing (WeGrowWax)

The latest offering from the folks at We Grow Wax is from Polish trip hop band Sound Me, delivering a delicious twelve track album titled Growing.

Sound Me fully embodies the ambiance and a sense of dualism captured between a dark past giving way to a brighter future. Inspired by the struggle of living day to day in working class Poland, vocalist Aani spins her lyricism into an art that paints a picture of love lost searching for a genuine connection. The almost reminiscent old school values that this world seems to have long forgotten is wistfully echoed in the unique style of Sound Me.

A perfect concoction of heavy-hitting drum breaks, dubby instrumentation, live trumpet, rhythmic turntablism, and angelic vocals, Growing inspires its listener drop out and drift away. Deep and moody soundscapes laced with dark, hypnotic beats and powerful vocals remind one of Massive Attack or Portishead while bringing out a new flavor from the classic trip hop sound. This one's ready for the headphones and a slow night drive through the cities of eastern Europe.

Kid Loco - "This is dope."
Dogu (Ancient Astronauts / Switchstance Recordings) - "Very nice vibes here and good production."
Rory Hoy (Howlin' Records / Super Hi-Fi) - "Nice to hear some more trip hop stuff again. DJ Krush and DJ Cam would be proud!"
Stereo 77 (Plimsoll Records) - "This is dope! The '90s coming back in a proper style."
Hippie Torrales (Cyberjamz Radio / What Is Hip) – “Great mood and delivery.”
SimonG (Deep South Audio) (Volcano Radio / MyHouseYourHouse Radio) – “Dope beats for the floor. Chunky and funky. Summer BBQ sounds for sure!”
Aja Allsop (Ketch-A-Vibe Radio Show) - "Big beats and heavy bass lines in a jazzy groove … superb!"
DJ Firefly (WRCT 88.3 FM) - "Sound Me has totally nailed the jazzy trip hop sound we all fell in love with in the '90s, while keeping it fresh and unique for 2016."
Igor Marijuan (Ibiza Sonica FM) - "Cool stuff to be promoted at Ibiza Sonica.”
Marc Lacasse (sHIFT Radio/ Urbnet) – “Love the jazz and urban combinations here.”
Amrisha Prashar ( IAMRISHA, India) – “Dubby beats with beautiful instrumentation.”
DJ Doubles (Freestyle Fusion on Urgent FM) – “Fingerlickin' good.”
Mason Rothert (Below Zero Radio Show) – “Great music and vocals! Will be featuring on Below Zero.”
ActRaiser (Fokuz / Med School) – “Blissed out hip-hop jazz vibes. Nice one!”
DJ Tomas (Google Play / ForwardEver) - "Turntablism with soul that recalls Portishead's best moments. Very vibey and evocative tracks though and though."
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Radio Show, Australia) - "I don't come across much new trip hop on my travels, yet alone from Poland, so this was as refreshing as it was surprising. Lots of emotion in the production and vocals."

Available now from: Bandcamp, Juno Download, iTunes, and Spotify.

Terje Saether - Reasonable View (Bogota Records)

Bogota Records returns with a high quality release spotlighting Terje Saether, a producer from the dark and cold north – the land of the polar bear and aquavit – that is known as Norway. With previous releases for the likes of Hope Records, Darkroom Dubs, and Connaisseur Recordings, Terje pieces together deep and atmospheric house music with the cerebral touch of techno. Terje presents three solid cuts on his Reasonable View EP, providing an enjoyable overview of his after hours inclination.

"Nothing But The Sea" opens the release, a beefy four-on-the-floor kick and snatches of syncopated synth and vocal hits pointing the way. A filtered, wistful string loop serves to send the listener into the dream-zone as a consistent bass throbs out the track's heartbeat. "Who's Responsible For This?" adds more techno-flavor to this affair, with bouncing percussion and a hypnotic oscillating pad anchoring floating melodic lines and old school bass zaps. Terje takes the nightclub back in time with his third original, "HAN". A staccato chord pattern, vocal snippets, synth strings, and an ever-growling bass line soundtrack a turbulence-free direct flight from Oslo to Chicago.

On the remix tip, Bogota has enlisted some other worthy Norwegians to the task. Alex Jangle and MatztaM, two prestigious Oslo party-throwers, transform "Nothing But The Sea" into a classy 2-step inspired romp that should inspire a variety of groovy movements on the dance floor. Next up, Rave-enka (Paper Recordings) toughens "Who's Responsible For This?" with a meaty bass line, clanging percussive melodies, and snappy drums, building into a uplifting musical epiphany over the remix's ten minutes. Bodacious!

Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / Mega Jawns) – “This is a stunning release … I’ll be playing a few tracks from this one.”
Vanilla Ace (OFF Recordings / Bunny Tiger) – “Nice one!”
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite / Proton Radio) – Good tracks. I’ll definitely play ‘Nothing but the Sea’.”
Chris Fortier (Fade / Mindwarp) – “Sounds good!”
Demarkus Lewis (Grin Music / Guesthouse Music) – “The ‘Rave-Enka’ remix is nice … love the change up on the breaks!”
Robert Owens (Compost) – “Cool Tracks!”
Giom (Large Music / Supremus Records) – “The ‘Rave-Enka’ mix is wicked!”
Atish (Desert Hearts / Robot Heart) – I’m loving both of the remixes on this one … quirky with a lot of personality!”
Murray Richardson (Electrica Salsa / Rebel Waltz) – “I’m loving the original mixes … nice vibes here!”
Iain Rejekt (Sankeys / Space Ibiza) – “Cool release. I particularly like ‘HAN’.”
Deepshizzol (MyHouse YourHouse Radio / Deepvibes Radio) – “Nice release! I Love ‘HAN’ and the ‘Alex Jangle & MatztaM Remix’.”
Natural Rhythm (Natural Rhythm Mix Show) – “Nice deep, techy tunes. We’re supporting on our radio show.”
Jon Manley ( hOUSEwORX / This Is Our House) – “This is a quality release from Terje Saether!”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings / Deadbeat Disco Radio Show) – “I’m loving the originals. All three are pure class.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle radio show / Proton Radio) – “This release is ace … loving the deep emotive vibe on ‘Nothing But The Sea’ and the otherworldly sonic sounds of ‘Who's Responsible For This?’ This is a pure treat.”

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