Mustafa Akbar - Get Down Wit It (Super Hi-Fi Recordings)

On the distant planet Funkatron a man was born to the cosmos under the name Mustafa Akbar. His voice is reminiscent of an amalgamation of several classic funk icons, like George Clinton and Gil Scott Heron, yet he’s distinctly fresh. Mustafa has been featured on tons of releases, such as Fort Knox Five’s “Funk 4 Peace”, on solo projects, and with various bands for nearly twenty years. Mustafa Akbar is a true musician, living and breathing funk into the world every single day.

“Get Down Wit It”, Mustafa Akbar’s new single on Super Hi-Fi Recordings, is a fully pumping party inside a straight-forward, funky dance tune. Co-written by Tony Ozier and featuring Pete James on guitar, Art Dixie on synth bass, Farnell Newton on trumpet, and Kyle Molitor on trombone –along with additional production from All Good Funk Alliance’s Frank Cueto – the groove builds up and sustains nicely. Like Mustafa says in the intro of the song, “I need dancers tonight”! Qdup (ESL Music, Bombstrikes) drives his remix toward a more heavy electronic route, yet keeps the heart and soul of the original intact. All Good Funk Alliance make the horn lines shine as they contribute an electro-disco boogie vibe to this party. Deela – the latest project from the creative mind behind Kabanjak and Ancient Astronauts – strips back the song’s feel and delivers a percussive afrobeat-electro remix.

Mustafa Akbar’s “Get Down Wit It” refreshingly upfront and fun, sure to inspire good times in the boogie zone. Ten thousand DJs agree: dance music needs more songs like this!

Ursula 1000 (Insect Queen Music) – “This is hitting all the right buttons. Boogie meets Minneapolis funk meets some Mothership madness!”
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) – “Super dope! Super Hi-Fi’s funk is back again with a great funky banger.”
Quincy Jointz (Timewarp Music Radio Show) – “Awesome EP. All versions are rocking.”
Graham Scullin (The Back Room) – “Funky as heck. The drums on the original are spectacular.”
Dogu (Ancient Astronauts) – “I’ve always loved the voice of Mustafa Akbar. The Deela Remix levels it to another afro dimension!”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “If this does not make your shake your stuff and give you a huge smile, you must be dead!”
Soul of Man (Finger Lickin’ Records) – “Authentic FONK! Great mixes, it’s hard to pick a favorite.”
Sleazy McQueen (Whiskey Disco) – “So damn funky!”
Morphosis (The Hong Kong Ping Pong Club) – “Some proper funky business right here. The remixes are top notch as well.”
misterG (Green Arrow Radio Show) – “I’ll get down, but I’m not sure I’ll stop … the remixes are taking over!”

Available Now From Bandcamp, Juno Download, iTunes, And Spotify.

Litex - Vessel (Harmonious Discord)

Litex, AKA Eric Reeves, is a staple in the seams of Harmonious Discord Recordings history. Alongside Pointbender, Eric was half of production duo Grey, releasing notable music in the early 2000s on the likes of Guidance Recordings, Fair Park, and Blunted Funk. Since the duo ceased efforts, Eric has crafted his unique sound with undertones of progressive rock, crystal clean production, and a knack for syncopated bass lines. Eric ended his hibernation last year, crafting a collection of original productions slated as an upcoming album. Also, he remixed Pablo del Monte for Harmonious Discord’s acclaimed 50th release.

One stand out production on the forthcoming album is “Vessel” – a warehouse-relevant, steamy techno machine. “Vessel” wraps together modern synth design, spacial placement, and percussive maturity. It’s a perfect taste of the onslaught of new Litex productions coming out in 2018.

On remix duties is New York resident and master of subtle brilliance Menahan Project. Dub-laden and packed with urban rumble this permutation offers a slow burn with character. Texas’s own Daniel Allen (Denied Music) returns to close the project with carefully crafted accents, rich synth sweeps, and ever more percussive layers. Daniel’s contribution helps build into any abstract territory the listener wishes to venture.

Nick Warren (The Soundgarden) – “The original mix is a bomb!”
Spettro (Get Physical Music) – “The Daniel Allen remix is excellent!”
Atish (Desert Hearts) – “I’m really enjoying the Menahan Dub.”
DJ Electric (Megapolis 89.5 FM) – “All of the versions are very good.”
Colin Dales (Abstrakt Dance Records) – “Cool project, I really like Daniel’s remix.”
Thelonious Funk (Thelonious Funk Sessions) – “All about the Menahan Project Dub.”
Zach Van Lue (91X) – “Love the subtle weaving of textures.”
Snooba (Radio Panik) – “Nice project, infectious remixes.”
André Bisseck (sHIFT Radio Show) – “Nice pads and bassline.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “Both the original and the Menahan Project Dub are sounding very strong.”

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

Ursula 1000 - Chess King EP (Insect Queen Music)

Time travel with Ursula 1000 to the mythical land of parachute pants, sock ties, and oversized shopping malls. This is Galleria, the title of the latest Ursula 1000 album on Insect Queen Records, and its body-popping’ new single “Chess King.” The retro-future is here, complete with arpeggiated dance grooves, swirling pads, punchy bass lines, and catchy vocal snatches that are tailor-made for a montage scene lifted from your favorite ‘80s movie. The neon synth-wave revival carries on through top notch remixes by Poland’s Holiday 80, hot electro-pop duo E1sbar, Little Disco’s KLM, and Seattle’s Fallen Fronds. Put on your flip-pop sunglasses and freeze like a mannequin … Ursula 1000’s “Chess King” is the latest stop in the Galleria.

Tensnake (Mirau) – “Nice disco feeling here. Love it!”
Chris Massey (Paper Recordings) – “All of the remixes are strong, but the original tops it for me!”
Belabouche (Midnight Riot) – “The E1sbar remix is super nice.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “Holiday 80 for the win!”
BadboE (Breakbeat Paradise) – “Nice EP. Ursula 1000 always delivers. Nice remixes too.”
Jakob Stoller (Audiolager) – “Wow! This is really great! The remixes are marvelous. It’s difficult to say which one I would prefer as it relates to the context, but all of them are a must play.”
Kosta (Vibe FM) – “Spectacular!”
Dr. Best (Radio Z) – “The remixes by Fallen Fronds and E1sbar are my favorites here.”
Zach Van Lue (91X) – “Sick! Ursula 1000 can do no wrong.”
Trotter (Royal Soul Records) – “Killer remix from E1sbar!”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “Catching the vibes of the era nicely there.”

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

Adam Nathan - Soulmachine (Viva Recordings)

Adam Nathan is a London-born, Toronto-raised DJ and producer quickly making a name for himself on the global deep house scene. Previously collaborating under various monikers and part of Toronto’s influential Release Records crew, Adam is now unveiling potent solo tracks under his name. This new EP for Viva Recordings, titled Soulmachine, has the well-honed sound of a studio veteran, with a smooth, warm sound and emotive passages. Adam’s roots as a drummer come through with the stripped down emphasis on rhythm, while melodic flourishes and dynamic builds play masterfully on top.

The EP opens with ”Soulmachine”, featuring dramatic piano chords and a fine, pulsating kick drum. The cut builds in a mesmerizing fashion, ending in a beautifully atmospheric breakdown. “Us and Them” gets into even deeper territory, full of synth pad transmissions, shimmering sonics, and the stirring, echoing speech that enters near the halfway point. “Coda”, directly inspired by the legendary nightclub of the same name, closes things out with a classic feel. Drawing upon the deepest influences of ‘90s house music, “Coda” is dreamy, multilayered treat for the latest of nights and the most intimate of dance floors.

Andrew Emil (Broadway & Wilson) – “Super quality vibes! Thanks for this great EP.”
Rory Cochrane (Deep Site Recordings) – “Absolute deep house masterpiece. Great EP, I’m loving all 3 tracks, full support!”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Delightfully deep.”
Ollie Blackmore (Soul Heaven) – “Nice vibes on all tracks. I can especially see me playing Us and Them at Sunset in Ibiza.”
DJ P-REZ (Not So Fast Records) – “Wow! This whole EP is absolutely brilliant. Looking forward to hearing this out loud, excellent work.”
Efrain Navarro (E’Club Ibiza) – “Amazing tracks with good sounds.”
Kiyo To (Kanzen Records) – “This is really refreshing.”
Scheibosan (Shanti Roots) – “Well produced, sounds very good.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle radio show) – “Seriously hot release – 3 deep house weapons!”
Steve ‘Griffo’ Griffiths (Freak Da Funk radio show) – “Very nice deep/tech vibes going on here, standout for me is ''Us And Them'' with its Detroit techno styled pads and 80's keyboard flourishes. ''Soulmachine'' has a more summery feel with its laid back groove. ''Coda'' is well produced with an early 90's feel to it.”

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