DJ Naz - Solid EP (Not So Fast Records)

California funky house imprint Not So Fast Records returns with a quartet of club-primed house cuts from DJ Naz, collected as the Solid EP. DJ Naz is an established mover-and-shaker of the San Francisco scene, as part owner of In House Records – a beloved and much-missed shop that satisfied many of the city’s vinyl addicts – and co-founder of the Not So Fast label. “Wha Project” sets the tone with a commanding four-on-the-floor beat making way for filtered, psychedelic hats and squelchy synth stabs. It’s a tracky and highly mixable affair that should find a home in many DJs’ tool kits. “Tech Feed” follows, adding an ominous, deep atmosphere with processed vocal snippets and a subtle but funky bounce. Acidic 303-like staccatos and heavy rhythms propel “Acid HeadZ”, aiming squarely for the most intense underground dance floors. “Mountain Woods” closes out the EP with its tight groove, pulsing bass, and spaced-out synth work. Together these tracks make for a tasty bento box of crucial club beats … indeed a ‘Solid’ house music delivery from DJ Naz and Not So Fast Records.

Hector Moralez (Minority Musid / Fries & Bridges) – “Awesome stuff, thanks. I’ll be playing these.”
Lee Guthrie (Click Therapy / Wiggle) – “Tech Feed is for me on here.”
DJ EMan (Liberate Recordings) – “I can use all of these.”
Dean Facer (Resident Advisor / OurHouse Magazine) – “Very nice release.”
Tone Rangole (Household Digital) – “Nice deep funky tech grooves on this EP!”
DJ Craig C (Peace Bisquit) – “Some wicked late night stuff here!”
Iain Rejekt (Rejekt Music / Space Ibiza) – “Tech Feed & Acid Heads are both doing it for me!”
HighTower (JELEWA.de) – “Nice EP, full support for all tracks.”
Tripíque (Whiskey Pickle) – “Lotsa good stuff here, will give it a spin.”
Tariq Ziyad (Planet Rave / Dark Horse) – “I love house music, and LOVE this EP! Full support.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Traxsource, iTunes, AND Spotify.

Magnus Asberg - Awaked Future EP (Bogota Records)

Bogota Records trains its sights on the vibrant house music scene of London-by-the-Sea for an expressive new single from Brighton’s veteran DJ and promoter Magnus Asberg. After a thirty year history behind the decks, in the studio, and organizing hundreds of debaucherous parties, Magnus’s ear for quality sounds has held the respect of those in-the-know for a long while. Under his own name as well as through this pseudonym C-Soul, Magnus has released tunes with an esteemed group of labels including DIY Discs, Plastic City, Ornate Music, and his own On The House imprint. Now he debuts on Bogota Records with an accomplished set of tunes collected as the Awaked Future EP.

“My Future” opens the EP with a spacey bounce and hypnotic, deep march in its opening rhythm. Tripped-out vocal snippets and measured effect treatments phase in and out of the mix, creating a heady stew that will please the most underground of deep house selectors. The track gets a fleshing out by London’s Tom Gillieron (RvS Music, Eye-Q) who elegantly layers sheets of sound over the basic beat. This one’s filled with psychedelic mania, and its nearly 12 minute runtime doesn’t include a single second of mundanity.

The EP takes a slight left turn with four distinct versions of “Awaked Future” which feature the vocals of Renate, a familiar name to fans of the Bogota label. Magnus provides an original version, a Club Version, and an Acid 303 Version to satisfy the different moods of the DJ. The dreamy, ’90s style house of the original is masterfully complimented by the acid stylings of the Acid 303 Version, and the Club Version accentuates the cosmic good vibes with some punched up drums and embellishments. Also, Schmoov! (Winding Road Records, Large) is on hand to deliver an especially warm deep house remix of “Awaked Future” utilizing the lovely vocal and some spacious chord-play in a masterful manner.

Tyler Stadius (Dialtone Records / Proton Radio) – “All the tracks here are good. It’s tough to pick a favorite, well done!”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM 95) – “The Future, original or remixed, will be a future classic of listeners with darker and underground taste.”
Piiit (Septante Sept) – “This is just dance floor dynamite!”
DJ Solveg (O.X.O Records) – “A Bomb! Excellent release, full support.”
Spettro (Get Physical Music) – “Yes! My Future is stripped down magic.”
Robot 84 (Paper Recordings) – “Quality sounding house. I’m digging the Acid 303 Version and the Awaked Future Original.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – The Schmoov! Mix is tickling all the right bits for me!”
ADAM WARPED (Whiskey Pickle) – “Enjoying the psychedelic vibes on this one!”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show on DE Radio) - “Tom Gillieron's Our Future Dub is massive!”
Mannix (DMC World Magazine) – “Oh My God, when the first chords of the Schmoov! remix hit me, it goes right off!”

Available Now From: Beatport, Traxsource, iTunes, And Spotify.

Terry Farley - Die 4 U (Bonanza Records)

Bonanza Records is proud to welcome UK house music legend Terry Farley to the label for the exuberant new single “Die 4 U”. Terry’s musical history is long and storied, from his beginnings co-founding Boys Own with the likes of Andrew Weatherall, to his classic productions with Roach Motel, Bocca Juniors, and Heller & Farley, to his spellbinding DJ sets at Fabric, Ministry Of Sound, and other iconic venues … indeed Terry is royalty of the scene. “Die 4 U” showcases these credentials with a riveting peak time track containing all the best features of classic house music. The insistent four-on-the-floor, the bass line bounce, the acid embellishments, and the soulful vocal imploring “lie for me / cry for me / die for me” … it’s a potent stomper that’ll likely be heard at many club sessions from here on out.

The classy remix duo of Severino (Horse Meat Disco) and Nico De Ceglia (Hyena Stomp) proceed to twist “Die 4 U” into a bass heavy after hours banger, adding an ominous sheen and some serious beats. Next up, the prolific Lisbon-bred Munich-based DJ / producer Alkalino delivers a version that raises the funk quotient and boosts the acid a tad as well. A filtered arpeggio line adds a bit of extra drama to the dance floor. Bonanza’s own Handzoff gives the snare drum a rolling workout in his remix, which lends a sparser but more dynamic feel to “Die 4 U” while inserting even more classic house elements. The extended breakdown should really get the club hollering. This package is pure foot-food for house music enthusiasts everywhere.

Dean Facer (Resident Advisor) – “The legend continues … great release yet again from Terry.”
Murray Richardson (Electrica Salsa) – “All mixes are cool, but I’m really into the original. Loving the sound of this!”
Billie Ray Martin (Disco Activisto Records) – “I love all the tracks equally. The Nico and Severino mix rules the most, but the Alkalino and Handzoff mixes are equally kicking while having an eye on the future. Well done!”
Jask (Thaisoul) – “Very nice!”
Graeme Park (The Graeme Park Radio Show) – “Love it!”
Booker T. (Kings Of Soul) – “Heavy vibes from Terry, will support.”
Jeannie Hopper (WBAI FM – New York) – “Fabulousness! Fierce.”
Marcia Carr (Mi-Soul Radio / Ladyz) – “Solid floor filler, this hits the mark!”
Andrew Duke (Cognition Audioworks) – “The Original Mix is great.”
Randall Jones (Audio Therapy) – “Terry Farley is still as big a boss as always. The Original and Handzoff mixes are fire!”

Available Now From: Beatport, Traxsource, iTunes, And Spotify.

Jeffrey Tice - Aurora (Harmonious Discord)

San Francisco native Jeffrey Tice has a talent for seeing color in the blank spaces. Jeff’s roots are in early electronica but that doesn’t stop him from adopting the methods of the future. The Aurora EP is Jeff’s sophomore release on Harmonious Discord Recordings following the success of his first project, “Where Do You Go?”. Four outstanding original cuts – the title track, “What’s Going On?”, “Been Alone”, and “Cape Tape Leisure” – comprise this musically minded dance floor collection. Austin resident and Denied Music boss Daniel Allen provides us a blissful reprise, and longtime contributor of sonic oddities Plastic Pope returns to the label with a signature of strange.

“Aurora” provides a great balance between floaty ethereal accents and driving funk bass. A snappy rhythm section helps move the experience forward with jovial flare. “What’s Going On?” changes tone with a serious intro, built-in tension, and masterful dub design. Rich in texture and methodical in structure this tune is an essential dance floor tool. Daniel Allen returns to deliver an inspiring heater that elevates the mood to euphoric atmospheres with rich chord interplay and spacious arpeggiations. “Been Alone” delivers immediately on thick garage and deep house constructs, including a building analog bass pattern that begs for foot movement. HD’s mysterious but ever consistent provider of strangeness Plastic Pope makes a much anticipated return, offering a small slice of insanity with hints of breakbeat, jackin’ Chicago house, and quirk. Jeff ends the EP with a disco-inspired whale sonnet named “Table Cape Leisure”. Pressed with rim shots and summer fair this funk jam session can fit within the borders of a diverse set of music.

Tensnake (Defected / Permanent Vacation) – “Originals are nice.”
Eric Davenport (Guesthouse) – “Very advanced sounds, production and arrangements. Really pro job.”
Ken Liu (Headset Recordings) – “Cleverly produced pack of tunes. Table Cape Leisure is really special. Aurora is extra nice as well.”
DJ P-Rez (Not So Fast Records) – “Wow, this release is solid!! The originals and the remixes are dope. Some of these will definitely be in this weekend's sets!”
Edground (Grooveland Music) – “Very nice release.”
Dr. Best (Radio Z) – “Table Cape Leisure is my favorite here.”
Jon Manley (hOUSEwORX) – “Lovely EP from Jeffrey Tice, difficult to pick a favourite, a strong EP!”
Marcia Carr (Mi-Soul Radio) – “Nice assembly of grooves and varying tensions of house - workable for club floors!”
Deepshizzol (MyHouse YourHouse) – “Daniel Allen’s remix of “What’s Going On?” is top draw!”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM 95 / Nova Planet Radio Show) – "Rich package! Funky tracks full of lush pads, punchy basslines and catchy vocals which will move everyone.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Traxsource, iTunes, And Spotify.