Brett Johnson - Illusion (Subplot Recordings)

Brett Johnson fills a critical role in house music’s underground history. His work for iconic imprints like Classic, Seasons, and 2020 Vision displayed a playful nature missing from most of the electronic landscape. Coupled with recent projects on Get Physical, Visionquest, and Freerange, Brett’s abilities as an innovative artist are undeniable. Subplot Recordings is happy to welcome Brett to the label with three versions of a dizzy concoction called “Illusion.” Each selection is wholly unique and showcases the versatility of Brett’s brain.

B’s Acid House Dub of “Illusion” builds on underground house foundations, riding cutoffs of dusty 303 devices. This acid excursion dances through rounds of playful interpretation keeping bodies moving and brains quaking. B’s Rave Mix is an unforgettable favorite on the project, with stunted Arp baselines and Brett’s classic percussion design. B’s Lost in Thought Mix tempers dizzying effects and sonic spills. An implied heady house jam, Brett covers impressive sonic territory. Listening too closely might drive one a little looney.

Diz Washington (Classic Music Company) – “Just what the doctor ordered!”
Severino (HorseMeatDisco) – “Oh yes, bring it!”
Hector Moralez (Fries & Bridges) – “Nice acid!”
Anthony Mansfield (Roam Recordings) – “Gimme dat Aceeeeed.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) – “Class as usual from Brett. The super spaced out ‘Lost in Thought’ mix is the pick for me, wicked.”
Jimmy Le Mac (Loophole Recordings) - “This is a banger.”
Rees Urban (5 Magazine) – “Love the acid mix, killer.”
Snooba (Radio Panik) – “Infectious Energy.”
Robot84 / Scott Ferguson (Paper Recordings) – “Oh yes. Banging Acid house, love it.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Oh yes. This is the business. 3 storming tracks with the “rave mix” being my fave. 10/10”

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

Kay Barton - MacroGod (Emerald & Doreen Records)

After the well-received “Return 01” for the Bonzai label, Kay Barton returns with the MacroGod EP on Emerald & Doreen Records.

The North German producer started DJ’ing in 1997 after a several years in the studio and followed the rapidly developing techno scene in Germany and abroad. Eventually, Kay worked for a record label some radio stations, and regularly hosted numerous events dedicated to electronic music in different locations around the Rhine-Main area. After releases under different artist names Kay now focuses on straight techno and tech house under his given name, Kay Barton.

With the MacroGod EP, Kay combines rough sawtooth sounds and TB-303 waves and rounds things out with four-to-the-floor techno beats. Besides the two original mixes of “Oh God“ and “Macrowave“ the EP features a remix each from Berlin’s techno godfathers, Dr. Motte and Mijk van Dijk.


Dr. Motte — founder of legendary Love Parade in Berlin and as well as the Praxxiz label — has countless projects and releases during the past 30 years. He’s shaped an entire culture as an ambassador for electronic music worldwide. His remix of “Macrowave” is a straight-up sexy techno underground track featuring the 303 from the original mix as its main element.

Mijk van Dijk's history also reaches nearly 30 years. As a DJ and live under the name Microglobe, he’s performed at countless clubs and events all over the world and is an important part of the electronic music movement. With his version of "Oh God" van Dijk takes the dance floor into a world of synth melodies and his own distinctive sonic character.

Colin Dale (Abstrakt Dance Records) – “All really cool mixes here. Top EP.”
Hard Ton (Toy Tronics) – “Gimme Aceeeeed!”
Projekt Gestalten (VRAAA Records) – “Loving the acid lines. Great release.”
Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “To quote Fatboy slim, "Everybody Loves a 303". Here's proof on why Acid is for the win!”
Satoshi Fumi (Outerspace Radio show) - “I like the Dr. Motte mix for my set.”
Yourhighness (Born Free / Romb Records) – “Great release!”
Snooba (Radio Panik) – “Energetic & Infectious.”
Zach Van Lue (91X) – “Wicked!”
Simon Francis (Tonic Music / HouseFM.net) – “Loving these! Supporting.”
Salenko (MoustacheMusic Radio) – “Emerald & Doreen always brings us high quality sounds.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Juno Download, iTunes, And Spotify.

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.