Zaid - The 505 EP (Viva Recordings)

Albuquerque, New Mexico based Zaid brings the mystique of the desert to Viva Recordings with The 505 EP. You can definitely feel the spirit of the Southwest come alive all throughout this spectacular 6 track journey.

From the onset, the jazz vibes on 24 Hours elicit images of a smoke filled saloon on the outskirts of town. Dirty Thoughts is a sensual number, with far off horns and sultry spoken word. Guitars strum out a call to action on the groove based Social Peterz. A high desert trip wouldn’t be complete without a psychedelic element, and It Tickles takes you straight there with a winding acid excursion. One Day finds us in a deep spirit realm, wandering the sands with our own deep thoughts. Lonely Heart closes the EP out with a somber spoken word number on a deeper and darker mood. The 505 EP is the perfect road trip soundtrack, and one that will stir up thoughts and conjure images. Can you feel it?

Tyler Stadius (Deepsite) – “Wow! This EP is stunning. Every track is so different and vibey. Love it!”
Dutchican Soul (Strictly Rhythm) – “Dope EP! Well produced, and great moods.”
Carlos Sanchez (Lowwaxx) – “It is truly difficult to choose a fave here, loving all the tracks! full support guys.”
Tom Lown (Lucky Sun Recordings) – “Interesting stuff and quite refreshing. I’m digging Dirty Thoughts.”
Andrew Emil (Broadway & Wilson) – Very nice and unexpected release. Solid!”
Brian Gardner (Soul Foundation Recordings) – “One Day & Dirty Thoughts stand out on this EP. Very unique sounding artist.”
Tommy Bones (King Street / Real Tone) – “Trippy Deep Deep House … Love it!”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel, Sydney) –“Beautifully produced. Love the lush and deep feel of these. Standouts are Dirty Thoughts and One Day, but the whole release is a great listen. Thank you for the wonderful music.”
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Radio Show) – “Very intriguing release. Love the moody jazz influences all over it. At least 3 tracks will hit my playlist.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) – “My word. This is just SO good it’s ridiculous! I’m pretty sure I was making some moves to this at the Viva party at ADE. Pretty much impossible to choose a favorite, it’s superb throughout.”

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

BiGz & Malkov Feat. Below Bangkok - Eastern Lights (Wind Horse Records)

Wind Horse Records is ecstatic to present its latest release, this time from veteran Canadian DJ/producer Adel Ghandour AKA BiGz (and formerly known as BiG AL) in collaboration with Russian DJ/producer Malkov AKA Spring Reason and Croatia’s Amir Jashari AKA Below Bangkok.

The exciting triad join forces and frequencies to land their new single “Eastern Lights,” featuring remixes from Wind Horses’s founder Hamza, Morocco's Kali G, and Sri Lanka's Asvajit.

This release is a representative vision of the global influence and fabric that bind the tapestry of music released on Wind Horse Records. “Eastern Lights” is a gorgeously crafted deep dub-tech groover that could inspire visions of hypnotic space and the introspection of time. Unhurried and unabashedly laid-back, the track is characterized by a lush, enveloping pad to entrance the listener straight away. This is complimented by simple yet effective drums and percussion, mirroring the group’s minimal affinities. A subtle and round bass line helps make this a perfect weapon for the early hours and the after-hours. “Eastern Lights” can be described as an aural trip through the cosmos interpreted the trio.

On remix duties, Hamza renders his own interpretation of “Eastern Lights” with an alluring, ethnic-flavored remix that leans toward the mystical. It’s dance-floor friendly but retains a hypnotic influence and Eastern soul. Hamza's unique individuality and sense for harmony are recognizable. An apt vocal sample is layered effortlessly over the vibe and shows itself fleetingly, adding to the lure of the remix.

Sri Lankan producer Asvajit lends his expertise to conjure a refreshing rerub of “Eastern Lights”. Staying true to the original, the remix is driving and easy-going at the same time. There’s a minimal-dub touch to it, interspersed with well-tuned atmospherics and transitions, complimented by Asvajit's innate ability to craft dance-floor weapons time after time.

Not to be left out, Kali G steps up with his version of “Eastern Lights” which is stripped-down and peppered with piano stabs, vocal snippets, and tropical rhythms. Relentless and addictive, this tune is tailor-made for those high-octane dance-floor moments. A slight departure from his more melodic works, Kali's remake of “Eastern Lights” showcases the incredible versatility and understanding of the dance-floor that he brings to the table with every single track that he works on.

Lorenzo al Dino (7th District Inc.) – “All 4 mixes are well done.”
Pathaan (Globetronica / BBC) – “Full marks for the whole package! Love it.”
SimonG (Volcano Radio) “Quality Sounds across the board. Always a pleasure having these in the DJ and Radio sets.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Deep & Seductive! All of these mixes are great.”
Peter Evans (Viva Recordings) – “Lovely deep, atmospheric groove on this one.”
Dean Serafini (Frisky Rhythms) – “The original mix is the one that works best for me. Excellent deep, atmospheric vibes!”
Salvatore Logicfusion (Deepinradio) – “Great vibes. Already playing on Deepinradio.”
Aryan Sharma (Dimension Radio) – “Great pack from the Windhorse stables. Really loving Hamza's remix and Asvajit's remix.”
Steve Perez / DJ P-REZ (Not So Fast Records) – “I like how each track is perfect for all hours of the night … or day!”
Steve 'Griffo' Griffiths (Freak Da Funk Radio Show) – “My fave is the Asvajit Remix, a deep and techy rework that brings to mind some of doc martin's work in years gone by.”

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

Barabass & The Happy Few - Tumba Rumba (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.

Happy Few Records has been reissuing the rare, original EPs, with Arizona and Madagascar delighting fans new and old over the last few months. Now Beatservice has released the third and final of the original EPs, Tumba Rumba. Originally released on vinyl in 2002, Tumba Rumba continues the eclectic approach and adds funkier elements. The title track showcases this with its wildly mesmerizing electric bass, cut-up beats, and stereo-swirling synth lines. “Fonk” is a mid-tempo excursion led by a pulsing synth bass and a theremin-like melody. “Luca Rossi,” which also appears on the band’s 2004 album Rali Rei, is another funk stomper, already receiving tons of play on streaming platforms. The EP closes with the breakbeat frenzy of “Dødt Nebb,” complete with cool vinyl scratching, spacey melodies, and another fantastic bass line.

Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “Really strong release with plenty of funk.”
Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “Another lovely and bizarre offering. Very inventive and thoroughly enjoyable.”
Chris Massey (Paper Recordings) – “All killer! I love ‘Dodt Nebb’.“
Andreas Kinzl (Aromabar) – “Jazzin’ vibes 4 the floor.”
Clairvo (Tilos Radio FM 90.3) – “I’m loving this superb downtempo funk!”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “An inspired EP.”
Patrick Balzat (BXFM / Vibration) – “Very funky, how I love it. Perfect weapon for my radio show.”
Ulf Engelmayer (StadtRadio Göttingen) – “Funk the Fjord!”
Holger Menzel (The Funky Photographer Radio Show) – “Luca Rossi is a fantastic tune. I think it will be a massive dancefloor stomper!”
Crate Invader (Point Blank FM, London) – “All are great tracks, Tumba Rumba just edges it. Still sounding relevant which is a testament to the original production.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, iTunes, Spotify, And Google Play.

Nick Hanzo - Last Day, Miracle! (forTunea)

The never-at-rest fortunea label digs deeper into the Viennese scene to uncover a new EP from city denizen Nick Hanzo. In addition to his appearance on the fortunea 10 compilation, Nick has been active with Austrian club night Schmusesalon, the audio-visual collective Wiener Endorphine, and his own Belly Dance Services with his partner in crime and collaborator, Yaman. The evocatively titled Last Day, Miracle! EP is his full debut for fortunea and fits right in with four tracks of deep and unique sounds. “20:45” opens the EP with magical tones suitable for casting a spell on the dance floor. Jazzy keys and analog pads synergize with crisp rhythms in beautiful harmony. “Caroline” goes deeper with its ghostly vocal, splashes of guitar, and steady mid-tempo bump. “Your So, …” features layers of Rhodes riffs over snappy beats and vocal teases throughout. The EP closes with the title track, loosening a cut-up Chicago feel, and interspersed with curious breakdowns and moonlit samples. Indeed, it’s another top release from the reliable fortunea crew.

Dutchican Soul (Salted Music) – “Wow! Fresh sounds. I love the vibe on all of these.”
Mark Mac (The Sounds Collective) – “Very cool release guys, top vibes.”
Joey Silvero / Distant People (Seamless) – “The sound here is just fantastic. The contrast of the drums, chords and general feel is something else.”
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) – “Nice vibe on this one.”
Billy Butler (247 House Records) – “These are really nice, carefully shaped tunes.”
Steve ‘Griffo’ Griffiths (Freak Da Funk) – “A tasty Viennese whirl of an EP.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “Quality house music that’s easy on the ears, heavy on the vibe.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Love the jazzy vibes!”
Sparatikness (Synkotik) – “Sooooo Freaking Goooood!”
Pat Lezizmo (Conya Records) – “There is a nice overall vibe to this EP. Nice production, warm smooth atmosphere, and well produced.”

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