Magnus Asberg - Revolution (Viva Recordings)

In a land far away is the mythical and legendary Club Magnus. A place where you leave your troubles at the door, leave your worries behind, and get lost in the music. Heading the movement is Magnus Asberg, who brings his Revolution to Seattle’s Viva Recordings. Magnus has graced the label in the past under his alter ego, C-Soul. We’re sure to be seeing more from him in the future.

Deep and Mysterious vibes abound, and heavy bass pulsates on the title track, with slick laid back keys driving the charge that fuel this deep groover. On the flipside, In the Heat of the Night, takes things up a notch with a bubbly and bouncy bassline percolating alongside crisp rhythms and synth grooves. Come on in, and help start the revolution.

Greg Dowling (Fish Go Deep) – “Very nice. Gorgeous chords, and real deep house vibes. Will play on the radio show next week.”
Andrew Emil (Glenview Records) – “Fantastic release!”
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite) – “Both tracks are excellent. They really grow on you.”
Jon Lee (Tilted Records) – “Damn fine tunes.”
Darrel Stout (Beatmatrix Show on WRUW 91.1) – “Will be played, and danced to.”
Blueshift (Nurvous Records) – “Revolution is great!”
Da Sunlounge (Myna Music) – “This is lovely! Two strong & quality tracks.”
Kosta (Vibe FM) – “Super finesse!”
Dutchican Soul (Salted Music) – “In the Heat of the Night is dope! Very cool vibe.”
Jon Manley (hOUSEwORX rado show) – “Definitely feeling ‘Revolution’. Deep, lovely and organic beats.”

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

Defizit - Growth Spurt (Cold Busted)

Growth Spurt features 16 crucial Central Valley beats from Stockton, California’s Defizit. Released on the Cold Busted label, the album by the self-described ‘beatmaker/producer/taco truck aficionado’ delivers vinyl-poppin’ assemblages of rare samples, smooth loops, and tough drum licks. More developed than a mere beats-album, Growth Spurt simmers and flows through its sixteen cuts, providing a heady jam for late night cruising or musing.

Among the highlights are the lounge-jazz-turned-space-funk cut “Feed Your Head”; “Not The One” with its moody string motifs mixed over hip hop drops and scratches; the dreamy acoustic boom-bap of “Get Busy”; and the intricately arranged samples in the pensive “Money, Greed & Lust”. Laid-back and fresh, Defizit’s Growth Spurt is the gift that keeps on giving.

Danny Massure (Spring Strut) – “Classic soul meets boom-bap downtempo. Great combo.”
ALTZ (Altzmusica) – “Love the jazzy sounds.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “This selection leaves me with a big chilled out smile.”
Danny Ward (Moodymanc) – “Nice easy playin’ beats … like ‘em.”
DJ T-Bird (Los Chicos Altos) – “Tight! Nice grooves & cuts.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show – Perth) – “I just adore the strings on Not The One. Completely sets the track off in a surprising and pleasantly soothing direction.”
Apostolos Argyris (The Zuzu Club) – “Chilly and cool. Love it.”
Clairvo (Tilos Radio – Hungary) – “This is what I call true and unique instrumental hip-hop!”
DJ Junior (Eavesdrop Radio – Philadelphia) – “Can’t go wrong with this!”
Laurent N. (Buddha-Bar Podcast) – “Always TOP stuff on cold busted. Super job by Defizit.”

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

Steve Balance - Shade One (Harmonious Discord)

Harmonious Discord’s first selection of the year is from Austin-based tech-house producer Steve Balance (Headset, Bunchlox). Steve is a foundational pillar of the vibrant city’s underground. His humble nature and thoughtful approach have always been front and center in his music. Shade One is Steve Balance’s first project with Harmonious Discord and features remixes from Jeff Scroggin (Denied Music) and newcomer Ajay Kapoor.

The clever “Wander Ring” starts the release, a syncopated, tracky number with finely-enveloped synth washes. The disorienting nature of the musical components are well-tempered with the playful nature of the accompanying drums. Bearded Viking-prince Jeff Scroggin returns to the label to remix “Wander Ring” into a Detroit-style mindful tech masterpiece. Jeff uses vocal sampling and reverb tails to drift from section-to-section while sonic elements dance back and forth.

“Shade One” shares the syncopated structure but adds a dash of jack. Pervasive, almost chanting, drum collisions roll into a muddled cascade of arpeggiated synthesizers. Ajay Kapoor joins the label as a fresh-faced talent with an evil disco sound. Ajay borrows the synthetic structure of “Shade One” on his rework but plays with the pitch to create a harmonic, moaning cadence. Coupled with the heavy disco drums, this remix occupies a unique hour in the night.

The release closes with “Resplendent,” an industrious, dark, and troubled love song. Steve Balance flexes multiple muscles in this handy dance floor expedition.

DJ P-REZ (Not So Fast Records) – “Some good stuff for those naughty late nights.”
Lee Jones / Country Gents (Buslife) – “Ajay Kapoors mix is really cool.”
Haris Custovic (Laus Music) – “Lovely deepess…”
Deepshizzol (Deepvibes Radio) – “The Jeff Scroggin remix is nice.”
Kosta (Vibe FM) – “Intense and flexed music on this one.”
DJ Hal (EQ Magazine) – “This is a solid release.”
Nico De Ceglia (Hyena Stomp) – “Nice one!”
Andrea Rraqi (Black Angel Promotion) – “Wonderful!”
Sharlese (KEXP, Seattle) – “Fun Tech house & synth grooves.”
Snooba (Radio Panik) – “Infectious & haunted folklore”

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

Emapea - Zoning Out Volume 2 (Cold Busted)

With his acclaimed debut album Seeds, Roots & Fruits, an inclusion on Mark Farina’s Mushroom Jazz 8, and notable Cold Busted compilation appearances, the Polish beat-master Emapea has been a producer to watch. Early in 2018 he unveiled Zoning Out, Volume 1, an album intended for chilling while deep in thought, or for getting into that crucial head-nod zone, like when the DJ drops the dopest beat. With listeners ready for more rhythmic brain-food, Emapea provides with the anticipated next installment: Zoning Out, Volume 2.

Developing the theme of Volume 1, Emapea takes his jazzy sensibilities and fresh drum patterns and ups the ante, delivering 18 mandatory cuts that swerve and shimmy while exhibiting pure dopeness. Take “Last Cypher,” which is an infectious funk-hip-hop hybrid that flows with more than a few surprise embellishments. There’s also the low-rider spy-hop of “Big Small Talks”; “Tantra” with its smooth, old school ride; the sensual boom bap of “Blue Almonds”; and the infectious, latin-lounge-tinged “Rainy Day”.

These are no-nonsense beat compositions, perfect for thinking, for grooving, for dreaming, for zoning out. Emapea and Cold Busted come correct once again.

Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “This is a fantastic release. Fans of DJ Cam, DJ Krush and DJ Shadow will be in heaven.”
Green Street (Cold Busted) – “Loving the vibes. Super smooth & dusty grooves. I plan on crushing some parties with these.”
Spostolos Argyris (The Zuzu Club) – “Lovely, cool and refreshing. Really enjoying this.”
Jon Paul (The Blend) – “Simply sublime.”
Danny Ward (Moodymanc) – “Really liking all of the jazzy flavors and dusty production.”
DJ Wash (Funk The System) – “I hear 3 tracks, and that was enough! 5/5”
Crate Invader (Point Blank FM, London) – “Brilliant production on this. Super slick, super sexy, and so good.”
Soul of Man (Finger Lickin’ Records) – “Solid grooves, me likey!”
Aja Allsop (The Jazz UK) – “An amalgamation of all my favorite beats on one superb album!”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “Emapea's attention to detail is superb and this release is testament to the producer's dedication to the cause.”

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