TOKITA - Broken Road (Viva Recordings)

Jason TOKITA currently resides between San Diego and Seattle, making music and DJ’ing various events in both cities. He’s a rising star in the west coast house community, with previous jams on the likes of Kolour Recordings and Moulton Music. He’s a perfect fit for Viva Recordings who have enlisted TOKITA for this latest release, the jaunty deep house number “Broken Road”. Featuring cool bass lines and dreamy vocal cut-ups, this track is a delicious addition to an after-hours nightclub selection. Dubby embellishments, twisty arpeggiations, and warm splashes of percussion all combine to make “Broken Road” something special. London deep house don Giom (Supremus Records) bursts in for the remix and offers a sparse yet dramatic take. Tight four-on-the-floor rhythms, swelling pads, and an evocative use of the vocal ‘instrument’ make this entirely different from the original but, at the same time, recognizably connected. It’s another essential double-hitter from Viva Recordings.

Tensnake (Defected / The Vinyl Factory) - “Smooth Giom remix!”
Johnny Fiasco (Classic Fiasco / OM Records) - “Solid!”
Fer Ferrari (Deepclass Records / Plastic City) - “Nice remix, full support!”
Gabriel I (Tenampa Recordings) - “Deep nice bassy Remix by Giom. Support!”
Matthias Vogt (Motorcitysoul / Large Records) - “Very nice release, I especially like the Giom mix.”
Giom - “Boom!”
Ken Liu (Headset Recordings) - “the Giom mix is stellar but both are very solid tracks to make a well-rounded pack.”
Craig Turner (Profound Sessions) - “Wow! So so good.”
Bruno From Ibiza (Ibiza Global Radio) - “GIOM did the right job.”
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Influences Radio Show) - “Very nice single - fresh and melodic, filled with positive energy.”

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

Nezzy Idy - Soapland (Roam Recordings)

Using modular synths, vintage gear, and sound devices built from DIY kits, Nezzy Idy wades through his web of patch cables to craft layered, hypnotic tracks with a dark aesthetic and analog sound. Emmett Corman, veteran San Francisco Bay Area DJ and producer, is the mastermind behind Nezzy Idy, and has released electronic missives for the likes of Daly City Records, Corpus Lignum, and Katabatik. Self-described as 'dark wave / electro', the Nezzy Idy sound experiences a dance floor metamorphoses for his Roam Recordings release, the Soapland EP. A shadowy disco creature crawls into the abundant fog and strobe light concoction of this nightclub as these five tracks provide a beguiling soundtrack.

The ominous synth chords of "After Dark" start off the proceedings, as sequencer pings and squelchy bass throb under groovy percussive strikes. Soaring but tense melodies abound. "Soapland" is like a ride in Gaff's flying cop car, filled with bright tones and a driving four-on-the-floor rhythm. Strange vocals, vocoded and just plain mysterious, float in and out of the sonic airspace. "Tunnel" gives the listener a more pounding option, as the drums are heavy and the electronics are insistent. This one could've time-warped from an 'industrial night' in days of yore.

A pair of stellar remixes compliment the 'cool as' originals. Zombies In Miami (Correspondant / Cómeme) tackle "Soapland" and deliver a sprawling late night treatment that pulses and glows like a distant dying star. The build in this one is intense, sparkling with electricity and blueshift forward motion. Next, Nezzy Idy reworks his "Tunnel" track, adding a relatively smoother ride accentuated by upward arpeggiations and growling bass synths. The icy combination of multiple sinister melodic lines aurally beckons the listener through the Tunnel without a hesitation for what lurks on the other side.

Tensnake - “The ‘Zombies in Miami remix’ is nice.”
Nick Warren - “’After Dark’ is ace, and the ‘Zombies in Miami remix’ is great!”
Tom Wheeler (Sinchi Collective) – “ Another Top Release … the ‘Zombies in Miami remix’ and the rework of ‘Tunnel’ really stand out.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / Mega Jawns) – “This is wonderful stuff!”
Galen (Sunset Sound System) – “This is a sweet, edgy release from Roam.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing - WRCT 88.3FM) – “Dark & driving … great for those gritty late night sets!”
Gemini Brothers (Skint / Nein) – “This is absolutely amazing and a must have!”
Jon Wesley (Insomniac) – “I love that dark, underground 80s feel … reminds me of Nitzer Ebb in the late 80’s.”
Dave Storm (Cabrio Records / Ibiza Global Radio) – “The ‘Zombies in Miami Remix’ does it for me!”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle radio show / Proton Radio) – “Another awesome release from Roam … the “’Zombies in Miami Remix’ is an absolute monster!”
DJ Doubles (Freestyle Fusion radio show) – “Deep and Sturdy. Reminds me of Meat Beat Manifesto.”

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

Hamza - Dakini (Wind Horse Records)

Hamza returns to Wind Horse Records after last year's "Thar" single, and he does so with an exceptional four song EP that continues to expand his evocative deep house sound. Months of touring Asia and Europe have honed Hamza's productions into a tighter, more floor-focused territory while retaining the distinctive touches that make his tracks special and memorable. Titled the Dakini EP, this latest release also shows a spirit of experimentation, as Hamza explores different styles and vibes resulting in a diverse but powerful set of tracks.

The EP opens with "Dakini Tales" and its lightly plucked rhythmic synth sequence. As often found in Hamza's production, the more traditional deep house intro subtly transforms into lush and vibrant sonic layers that include distant vocals, dreamy percussion, and worldly ingredients. The beautiful melody is a guiding light through the track's progression. "Dazzle On" gets a little tougher, with its punchy bass line, filtered piano-like motif, and steady four-on-the-floor movement. A dramatic breakdown leads to a lovely section that should work wonders in the nightclub. Taking things a bit darker and exotic, "Temple" gives an impression of the dance floor as a hallowed place, with ritualistic bells, percussion, and flutes accenting the insistent beat and sub-bass bounce. The EP closes with "Lantern", a techier cut that introduces skippy rhythms, prominent dub echo splashes, and a hypnotically churning bass. This one's ideally suited for after hours visions. Hamza delivers once again.

Gene Farris (Farris Wheel Recordings) – “Nice deep stuff here.”
Nick Warren - Lovely! All four tracks are very good.”
Atish (Desert Hearts / Robot Heart) - "A really unique and quirky EP. 'Dazzle On' has quite a punch to it, and I like the falling piano chords."
Larry Tee - "Hot ones!"
Jamie Jones (Hot Creations) - "Sounds cool."
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite / Dialtone Records) – “Excellent as always. I look forward to playing these out.”
Deli G (The Touch / Future Sound Of House) – “I’m really loving ‘Dazzle On’ as the stand out track.”
Dutchican Soul (Strictly Rhythm / Salted Music) – “This is really fresh, all four tracks are ace!”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / Mega Jawns) – “Hamza just keeps getting better and better. This is just brilliant. More Please!”
Juan Mejia (Dutchie Music / Grouper Recordings) - Lovely EP with deep exotic vibes … I will be playing this!”
Craig Stewart (Soul Horizon + After Dark Mix Sessions) – “Stunning! All four tracks are just sensational.”
Eric Davenport (Guesthouse) – “Great package of interesting tracks. Another Hamza journey.”
Richie Roberts (The Dance Factory, BBC Radio) - "'Dazzle On' is absolutely incredible."
Farhan Rehman (Wind Horse Records / Ovum Recordings) – “Great EP all around but I’m absolutely loving Dakini.”
Hippie Torrales (Cyberjamz Radio) – “Really smooth groove!”
Darrell Stout (Beatmatrix show on WRUW 91.1 FM) – “Haunting and beautiful.”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On Radio Show / Insomniac) – “Five stars for ‘Dakini’, what a beautiful track! I'll be playing that one for years.”
Joshua Jacobs (Music You Need music blog) - “Loving the funky vibes in this new one from Hamza. Awesome!”

Available now from Beatport, Traxsource, Juno Download, and iTunes

Elektrofant - Cocaine (Beatservice Records)

Elektrofant is an uncompromising electronic music duo from Sandnes, Norway. The duo's unconventional take on dance music, both in production and instrumentation, gave Elektrofant an unmistakably unique sound from the very beginning.

Elektrofant debuted with a loud bang when they released the Flipstick EP in 2003, followed by their debut album Wørk! in 2004. After that, things got quiet from the Elektrofant camp. Only one track emerged in 2007: "Cocaine" was released on a limited split 12" on the UK label Cassette Records. "Cocaine" is a slight detour in the Elektrofant sound universe, with its rock-ish bass and guitar groove. Nevertheless, it managed to become an underground hit, especially in Portugal, Russia, Poland, Australia, and Norway.

The original release was soon out-of-print and hard-to-find, but the track sounds fresher than ever in 2016. And with Elektrofant's recent reemergence from hiatus with the new album 1992, "Cocaine" deserves a digital re-release on Beatservice Records. The original is accompanied with a funky remix from Mica Pollack, also taken from the original 12" release.

Severino (Horse Meat Disco) – “This is really cool!”
Scheibosan (Shanti Roots / Kraak Records) – “ The Pollack remix and the original are both dope!”
Rory Hoy (Howlin' Records / Super Hi-Fi ) – “Really cool tune!”
Tariq Ziyad (Dark Horse / Sonic Zoo) – “Something fresh and different as always from Elektrofant!”
Gemini Brothers (Skint / Nein) – “ Such a great EP! An amazing trip on each track. Will play for sure!”
Steve 'Griffo' Griffiths aka F (Freak Da Funk radio show on MyHouseYourHouse) – “This is great stuff! The Pollack remix reminds me of bands I loved in the 80's: A Certain Ratio, Chakk, The Pop Group, etc.”
Chris Massey (Paper Recordings / Southern Fried) – “Nice vibes on the Pollack remix.”
Vanilla Ace (OFF Recordings) – “Nice tunes!”
Jon Wesley (Insomniac / Machine Friends) – “I love the original, but the remix takes it to the next level. Amazing!”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM 95 / Nova Planet Radio Show) – “That dope and everlasting sound of indie disco! 100% Nordic Sound!”

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