Barabass & The Happy Few - Madagascar (Happy Few Records)

Barabass & The Happy Few was a musical collective from Bergen, Norway. Now defunct, the band consisted of a standard DJ-keyboard-drums-bass-guitar line-up, but they could easily be fronted by a bluegrass-guitarist one moment and a jazz trumpet player the next. Barabass & The Happy Few’s aim was to make instrumental music where humor goes along with improvisation, while keeping things funky and focused on the dance floor, especially in their wild live shows.

The Madagascar EP was originally released on very limited vinyl in 2003 and has been unearthed and unleashed digitally for the ears of 2018. The tunes combine laid back instrumentation with cool breakbeat rhythms and heaps of melody. The title cut is a smooth downtempo jam featuring a righteous breakbeat, flute blurts, a snazzy percussion breakdown, and an unexpected detour into reggae territory. “Mumbai” opens with a beguiling vocal that leads to a laid back boom-bap beat and a menagerie of smooth instrumentation. Things get more upbeat and exotic with “Yalla,” as what might be a didgeridoo and hypnotic female vocal groove over bed of electronic funk. The worldly flavor continues with “Mantra,” evoking a morning after at the ashram rave, as curious sounds flutter in and out of earshot. This EP presents a diverse stack, ready to send any DJ set on a peculiar journey.

Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “Sweet Indian flavors with standout tracks Mumbai and Mantra bringing the trippy Bristol vibe of the 90s together with the sounds of a Bollywood love story.”
Shantisan (Salted Soul) – “I really like Madagascar and Mumbai … funky and very groovy.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “A beautiful, eclectic blend of musical goodies … filled with the sound of the world!”
Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “Beatiful release, especially Mumbai!”
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) – “Dubby downbeats with a hypnotic vibe.”
SimonG (Volcano Radio) – “Smooth, dubby ethno vibes … just right for my summery early morning sets.”
Jon Fugler (Fluke / XLNT radio show) – “A thoroughly engaging selection. Very enjoyable.”
Roger Cowell (The Joint Sessions Berlin) – “I remember these guys from back in 90’s. They were great live. These tracks are great, and their album is awesome.”
Aroto (Aroto Hip Hop Radio) – “An interesting blend of sounds with good production.”
MisterG (Green Arrow Radio Show) – “Funky, funny and far out. Try this on for size and you will come away with a smiling groove.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Juno Download, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Bugseed - Far East Joints (Cold Busted)

Buzzing in from Okinawa, Bugseed has been making a name for himself in hip hop circles with finely constructed beats and clever sample riffs, inspiring a multitude of releases filtering across the globe. Bugseed’s finally traversed the Pacific Ocean to mingle with L.A.’s famed Cold Busted imprint, resulting in the bomb-tastic twelve song album Far East Joints. Dusty rhythms, layered loops, and ringing instrumentation represent Bugseed’s cool new take on a classic old school instrumental hip hop sound.

Dig deep into the aptly titled “Accelerate The Vibes” and its speaker-rattling drum patterns, the jazzy cut-up rhythm and lilting melodica of “Brazilian Wax”, the lounge-tinged boom-bap pressure of “Flow Over”, and the hypnotic dream-groove of “Blastaway”. These are just some of the highlights found within Far East Joints, with Bugseed guiding the listener on a proper journey across the entire album. These Japanese beats are hefty and universal.

Ben Mono (Undertones Gang) – “Nice one. I will drop it on my next radioshow.”
ActRaiser (Fokuz) – “Very nice! Slick grooves, great eastern vibes.”
Azaxx (Tru Thoughts) – “Delicious beats with superb groovy vibes. All the tracks are so good!”
Jay Scarlett (Sounds Supreme Radio Show) – “Great return from Bugseed. Always on point with his selection of beats.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel Show, Sydney) – “Beautiful and surprising music. I thoroughly enjoyed these magical joints.”
David Bassin (Freefall Radio Show) – “Wow. This is stunning.”
Brewster Brigham (Kiss FM) – “All style! Looking forward to more.”
Dr. Best (Radio Z Nuremberg) – “Hip Hop flavored downbeat. Yummy!”
Lakatos Sandor Suefo (Radio Tilos, Budapest) – “Nice material! Interesting beats with crazy moods. Good for both party and radio.”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “Joints a plenty! Beefy beats and sampled treats. If you like your instrumental Hip Hop with a dusty, jazzy, funked up vibe then get this.”

Available Now From Bandcamp, Juno Download, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Demarkus Lewis - Anything, Anymore (Viva Recordings)

Texas Native Demarkus Lewis is back for his third round on Viva Recordings with Anything, Anymore. Fusing his own vocals and all original production, Demarkus delivers an deep and driving title track swirling with emotion. Static vibrato strings, meandering keys and sub bass frequencies set make this a standout for latenight sets. ”Know Your Angles”
steps things up a notch and balances the project out with a jackin’ workout for peak hours. Squelching filtered sounds, techy beats and a touch of acid round it out for dark clubs and warehouse parties alike. This one definitely covers all of the angles.

Dutchican Soul (Strictly Rhythm) – “Dope tracks! Anything, Anymore is so original.”
Mark Farina (Great Lakes Recordings) – “Very nice!”
Laurent N. (House Nation Radio) – “Sublime EP with top tracks and versions.”
Spettro (Get Physical Music) – “Love the vocals. Super production here.”
Alvaro Hylander (DeepWit Recordings) – “It’s all about Anything, Anymore in all versions. Great stuff as ever from the master! Unique and groovy.”
Edground (Grooveland Music) – “Another amazing release from Mr. Lewis. I will play it loud! Well done.”
Onionz (Electrik Soul) – “This records HOT. Will play!”
Taigo Onez (Bang Le’ Dex Radio Show) – “Woooo! Know Your Angles is righteous.”
SimonG (Volcano Radio) – “Some quality beats … D spreads his sounds to the world again.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “Love this. Demarkus is simply and consistently one of the best.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Traxsource, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Heidi B. - Mr. Fly (Broken Records)

Hailing from Finland, Heidi B is a triple threat: singer, songwriter, and music producer. Heidi has an amazing ear for catchy lyrics and soothing melodies, and discovered her music prowess at an early age, graduating from the prestigious Madetoja Music High School in Oulu, Finland. Her work has been heard on labels like Kult Records, Sold Fabric, and Intellecto Recordings. Now she joins Broken Records with the stunning house music single “Mr. Fly.”

Three remixed versions of “Mr. Fly” are primed and ready for dance floor action. French DJ/producer Madji’k (Henry Street Music, Nervous Records), who has collaborated with the likes of DJ Falcon and Alan Braxe, supplies a lovely deep house take on “Mr. Fly” that is perfect for soulful late night club play. Cristian Poow (Dbeatzion Records) transmits a delicious peak-time version, optimized for the floor from his studio in Buenos Aires. And Broken Records’ own Jesse Saunders produces a pair of downtempo ‘jazzy’ takes, channeling a little bit of Sade inspiration in the mix. One version features a smooth saxophone throughout. This single is a worldwide affair, and features three distinct styles for DJs to choose from.

Curtiss Logan (Jersey Soul) – “I like this release very much. Hot vocals from Heidi B.”
Abdul Shakir (The FeelUp) – “Nice jazzy garage feel.”
Ricky Inch (Ossom Records) – “Thank You! Absolutely awesome soulful house & beautiful jazz / downtempo mixes.”
Dean Serafini (Frisky Rhythms) – “Nice vocals, catchy melodic vibes. Ticking all the right boxes for me.”
Norbert Borchers (House Sound Of Hamburg) – “Wow! Jesse is surprising me with the sounds on Broken Records.”
Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “Beautiful tune with some drop dead gorgeous vocals.”
Jeanie Hopper (WBAI FM) – “Wow! Gorgeous. I love the downtempo and house vibes.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “Love the variation on this release. Very good!”
Kev Dot Kruz (Red Sun Music Group) – “Sexy ass vocal right here. Very nice hook.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House Web Zine) – “The Jazzy Vocal is a truly fantastic downtempo interpretation.”

Available Now From: Traxsource, Juno Download, Spotify, And Apple Music.