Dr. Dundiff - The Distance (Cold Busted)

Louisville, Kentucky, a city with no shortage of musical heavyweights in its history (look it up!), is home to the prolific hip-hop/neo-soul producer Dr. Dundiff. Armed with an array of instruments (including his trusty MPC) and a bevy of talented area collaborators, Dr. Dundiff has revealed The Distance, his latest ambitious album, released on the Cold Busted label. WIth over 40 projects under his belt — including past releases on Jakarta Records, Mellow Orange Music, and Grand Garden Records — Dr. Dundiff draws upon a wealth of musical experiences, all coming together harmoniously on The Distance. The album is deliciously jazzy and deliriously loose with crisp beats, smooth vibes, and amazing vocalists and emcees, including Claire Reneé, James Lindsey, K Raydio, Pink Siifu, and Shania Robinson.

“What You Want,” featuring the lovely Claire Reneé and some stunning saxophone riffs, sets the tone on a smokey soulful sheen. It’s the real deal, also evident in the abstract hip-hop of “Slip.” Here the L.A.-based Pink Siifu transmits exquisite rhymes over Dr. Dundiff’s remarkable production and a glorious, ramshackle rhythm. Another highlight is the exceptionally groovy “What I Want” (perhaps an answer to the earlier song?). The music wraps the listener in a warm territory not too far off from Blue Lines-era Massive Attack, guided by the voice of Shania Robinson. “Skat” is notable, as well, with a super-dope performance by renowned Louisville rapper James Lindsey and an emotive ‘done different’ music bed. And then there’s the title track, featuring K Raydio’s calm and reassuring vocal delivery, which soulfully drives home the theme of the album. As Dr. Dundiff says, “Everybody has someplace that they are and everybody has someplace that they want to be. And The Distance is the space between.”

Spike Deep (Rocka Fobic Music) – “Really dope. Loving this a lot, I’ll surely include this in my mix shows.”
Rusty (All Good Funk Alliance / Super Hi-Fi) – “Nice grooves. ‘What I Want’ is the one I’m digging.”
Mr. Bristow (Subtek / Detox) – “Nice laid back, wonky vibes.”
Vangelis Vlavianos (Cannibal Radio) – “Really interesting work. Loving the vocals!”
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) – “So much soul.”
Jon Paul (The Blend) – “Stunning album, soulful laid back grooves, and great vocals.”
Clairvo (Tilos Radio FM 90.3) – “It seems like Cold Busted can’t miss!”
Mark Reynolds (Just Chillin Podcast) – “Smoother than Patrick Stewart’s head!”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “This is a blast of fresh musical air. Love it!”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “Tricky to choose between these as they all offer something lovely. As ever, a sterling selection from the marvelous Cold Busted.”

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

ThrillHammer - Bohemian Berlin Disco (Hardkiss Music)

ThrillHammer is a musical hybrid created by the Silk Road Truckers' frontman, Coltorious, and DJ/producer Duserock.

After the tragic murder of Anthony "Bubbles" Torres, Coltorious approached Duserock about collaborating on a track that he and Bubbles were writing. This spawned the single "Bohemian Berlin Disco." ThrillHammer performed the song on the main stage at Gay Pride 2018 in San Francisco as a special tribute.

A San Francisco anthem in the making, there are remixes from a cross section of local dance music producers. The original version by Colton (Coltorious) and Ryan (Duserock) lunges forward with fury. Video and audio collagist Dtek offers up the delightful TheShoplifters Remix. Gavin Hardkiss and Ryan trick out TheShoplifters version in the G&R Dub. Gavin then takes an acid direction with his late night excursion. Manny Alfarez (Monarch and The Great Northern) and Phil Rene Collis (Bachelors of Science), in their Sleight of Hands guise, spawn the Sleight of Hands Remix.

Draw your own conclusions from the song’s lyrics, but there’s certainly enough to entertain the new, the old, and the fabulous from the Castro, the Tenderloin, and the Marina. There's something here for everyone.

Fondly remembered, Bubbles left skid marks and scandals everywhere he visited. His Facebook videos from Berlin, London, Santa Fe and festivals and nightclubs in California are testimony to his unabandoned quest for freedom. Although his murder is unsolved, and the perpetrator has not been caught, Bubbles’ music lives on in this release on Hardkiss Music.

Severino (HorseMeatDisco) – “This is fun!”
DJ Schugar (Whiskey Pickle) – “This is great! Love the vibes.”
Trotter (Royal Soul Records) – “Nice one guys. TheShoplifters Remix is really dope!”
Kirby (Nordic Trax) – “Cool remix by Gavin. Twisted Disco!”
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) – “Awesome on so many levels. Love this.”
Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “An absolute cracking selection. A great original to work from here.”
Christian Homan (RTE Pulse show) – “Quirky, and all the better for it.”
Ken Liu (Broad Street Bait & Tackle) – “Been waiting on this for a second. Loving the whole thing, and I’ll probably play the Sleight of Hands Remix.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Another winner from Hardkiss … Powerful.”
Mikebee / Mike Battaglia (Vinyl Dreams) – “Thanks for this. Bubbles is missed by myself and everyone over here at Vinyl Dreams. Glad to see this finally see the light of day, and the remixes are great!”

Available Now From: Junodownload, Spotify, iTunes, And Amazon Music.

Prins Oblonsky - Dreams On Hold (Beatservice Records)

Prins Oblonsky (AKA Tobias Fredø), is an Oslo-based composer and producer. He got his musical start studying the trombone and the guitar. Then he bought his first sampler at 18 and, inspired by artists like J Dilla and 9th Wonder, he began to make hip-hop beats and earned his chops by participating in beat battles on the Stones Throw forum. Over the years, Tobias developed a love and fascination for analogue sounds and synthesizers, obsessing over them in all his spare time. At 23, he started working with music and soundscapes for short-films, and his sound move in a more electronic, house music direction, inspired by artists like Floating Points, Four Tet, Rival Consoles, and fellow Norwegian Bjørn Torske.

The Dreams On Hold EP is Prins Oblonsky ’s debut on the Beatservice label, and it packs a warm punch. The title track launches the EP with an understated four-on-the-floor rhythm and a sparkling, distant arpeggiation. The feeling is indeed dream-like, energetic in tempo but soothing in tone. “Dancing On Graves” follows, presenting mesmerizing lo-fi beats while short pad bursts and echoed synth melodies play in the sonic field. Subtle techno elements characterize “Østerdalen,” while the funkiest drum sequence on the EP drives the deepness into forward motion. The EP closes with the introspective “A Farewell To Arms,” which ebbs and flows mistily around its warm sustained pad and beguiling synth motif. This is deep house for dreamers.

Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “Right up my street. Beautiful music full of atmosphere and dynamics. Proper!”
Pointbender (Harmonious Discord) – “Lovely shuffled tunage. Reminds me of Lusine and Floating Points.”
Colin Dale (Abstrakt Dance Records) – “Solid EP with all cuts sounding great!”
SONNS / Alexandre Mouracade (Machine Limited / Kompact) – “Sunset tracks. Class.”
Andree Eskay (Movement Recordings) – “Osterdalen does it for me, thanks!”
Salah Sadeq (The Crate Radio Show) – “Very nice release. Nice vibes and grooves.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Love the moody, creative vibes here.”
Nadja Lind (Klartraum) – “Beautiful music, thanks.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT Radio Show) - “A very accessible selection of tunes, and a real pleasure to listen to.”
Taigo Onez (Bang Le’ Dex Radio Show) – “Oh this is beautiful! I love every track here, but Dancing Among Graves is entirely lovely.”

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

Third Attempt - On Tonight (Beatservice Records)

Third Attempt is Torje Fagertun Spilde, a 20 year old artist and DJ originally from Asker, just outside of Oslo. Now established in Tromsø , Norway, he is one of the young forces in the rising new generation of electronic producers from the birthplace of the Northern Disco Groove.

Third Attempt has a distinct and uplifting flavor, firmly planted in the smoother areas of deep house. His influences range from jazz to ambient, trip hop to classic house. Third Attempt’s Beatservice single, “Shoreline,” accumulated numerous accolades and tens of thousands of plays on various streaming platforms.

This new Beatservice double A-side single opens with “On Tonight” which takes old school sounds and transports them to modern club sets. A funky bass bounce is complemented with squelchy synth lines and an atmospheric, submerged breakdown section. It’s all driven by an insistent rhythm track to keep the floor in motion. “Loading Music” introduces a shuffling breakbeat that anchors jazzy electric piano chords and more analog synth fun. The result is dreamy but propulsive, potentially inspiring introspective dance floor moments. Another winning single from Third Attempt!

(Artwork by Harry Pullar / Twin Sissors)

Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) – “Great lounge vibes.”
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite) – “Lovely tracks. I’ll play both of these.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) – “I tell you what, I’m getting RIGHT into these Third Attempt EP’s. Real class.”
Andrew Emil (Broadway & Wilson) – “Fantastic Record! I will be playing both cuts.” Jeromy Nail (Alibi Room) – “Dope chill vibes.”
Pete Williams (Natural Rhythm) – “Loading Music is a nice, sultry groover.”
Jaymz Nylon (Nylon Recordings) – “Great tracks to start off my radio show!”
Jean Jérome (Kut ‘N’ Paste) – “On Tonight is the track for me. Lovely vibes!”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Two superb cuts. Love it!”
Bruno From Ibiza (Ibiza Global Radio) – “Both tracks are really nice.”

Available Now From Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.