Klaus Benedek - At The Shore (fortunea)

This summer fortunea head Klaus Benedek returns with a deep and moody two track single.

“At The Shore” is featured on the A-side, and it’s a fitting piece for sunset and after-hours sessions. The track evokes nostalgic memories of a simpler, laid-back, and peaceful time on the beach. A smooth guitar is the key element as the track builds up to a break that dives into the waves of the ocean. Siren-song vocal cut ups and a beautiful, haunting pad splash through the mix, providing the icing on the cake.

The B-side — though similar in vibe to the title track -- has a more somber feeling to it. “South Bronx Depression” reflects the mood of the troubled New York neighborhood during the ‘70s and ‘80s. A bombastic jazz fanfare has been sampled, filtered, chopped, and transformed as the track’s hook. Eerie synthesizer stings make an entrance as a narrator tells his story.

The vinyl is limited to 300 copies. Mastered by Patrick Pulsinger.

Vanilla Ace (Club Sweat, Elrow) – “Cool, laid back grooves.”
Tensnake (Mirau / Defected) – “Lovely tunes!”
Dutchican Soul (Salted Music) - “Both tracks are fire!”
Pete Williams (Natural Rhythm) “South Bronx Depression is an odyssey.”
Andrew Emil (Broadway & Wilson) – “Love this release.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “Gorgeous.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show, Perth) – “Klaus is quality. I like this release a lot.”
Richie Hartness (UM – syndicated radio show) – “Enjoyed the funky swagger to this terrace affair.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel, Sydney) – “Absolutely top shelf house. Inspiring production.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) - “Excellent release from Klaus. South Bronx Depression is superb!”

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

Murr - Foreign Nationals (Harmonious Discord)

As the complexities in the world enumerate, we must evolve to include our fellow humans in new and thoughtful ways. Diversity is a key pillar of what makes underground music so dynamic and worldly efforts to dissuade the diversification of music ultimately erode the very foundations that love and music depend on. As our trip through this galaxy becomes infinitely more complex it is ever more important to celebrate the beauty that is created when people of different cultures and viewpoints come together to create music that unifies across all boundaries.

This EP celebrates the colorful palate of influence created when we work together as humans. For the project, Toronto-based techno subvert and LAL front man Murr returns to the label with two brilliantly designed selections: “Foreign Nationals” and “Blood River.” On remix duties for “Foreign Nationals” the label is excited to announce the return of a well-known entity with a name sure to touch some emotional portions of memory. Rithma (Om Records) joins the project to balance a world of melody with the psychedelic soundscapes of Southern California. Also on remix duties is Station Point, a new moniker for HD frequent J.D. Northrup (JDN/Chakaharta). The label first featured these two artists together on a release in 2004 and is happy to have them paired again.

“Foreign Nationals” displays the subversive tones that Murr is known for. Stripped down and fleshed out, Murr’s recordings stick to careful design and minimally maneuvered parts creating catchy tunes with seemingly simple constructions. The original is the perfect selection to help build anticipation leading into heavier material. Rithma’s remix draws upon the original building blocks but is delivered in a dance-floor friendly and quite unfamiliar revisit. Defining square-wave bass and perfectly tempered drum construction quickly allow feet to move, while later sections bring in melodic washing reprises. Station Point is the more techno-focused moniker of HD artist JDN and Chakaharta. Known for fluid bass construction and poly-rhythmic percussion, JD really turns up the fun on the bass line, providing a satisfying remix for the middle of a DJ set. “Blood River” offers something slightly different with crunched, rattling drum placement around staccato effects with intermittent dub washes creating a dream-state experience.

Be on the lookout for new material from Murr and Rithma in the coming months as they are deep in the lab working on new full-length projects.

Nick Warren (The Soundgarden) – “The original mix of Foreign Nationals is ace!”
Spettro (Get Physical Music) – “Love the raw and moody vibe on Blood River.”
Jamie Kidd (Box of Kittens) – “The original mix of Foreign Nationals is beautiful. Really lovely work from Murr.”
Lars Behrenroth (Deeper Shades of House) – “Perfect to build around in a set.”
Liquid Todd (Sirius XM Radio) – “Dreamy.”
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite) – “Good chill, atmospheric tracks.”
juSt b (Melodic Deep) – “Nice warm vibes.”
Salvatore Logicfusion (Deepinradio) – “Lovely and deep.”
HighTower (JELEWA music blog) “Full support for all of this.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Brilliant EP. The Station Point remix is amazing!”

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

The Expert - Excursions (Cold Busted)

Straight out of Dublin comes the accomplished beat-maestro The Expert. Inspired by golden-era giants like The Rza, Pete Rock, and Large Professor — as well as new school titans Oddisee, Exile, and Eric Lau — The Expert got his start in the Irish Choice Prize-nominated duo Messiah J & The Expert. In 2015, The Expert broke out on his own with the renowned album Dynamic Drift and collaborations with the likes of Tanya Morgan, Zilla Rocca and Has-Lo.

Now The Expert arrives at Cold Busted with Excursions, a 20-track exploration of smooth instrumental hip-hop for the mind and soul. The album is a laid-back journey filled with intricate nuances and sublime rhythm constructions. There are moments of pensive beauty (“If”) and soulful jazziness (“Vacuum”) as well as evocative Latin-tinged moments (“Firmino”) and splashes of spacey moodiness (“Believe In This”). All in all, Excursions is a melodic trip from beginning to end, suitable for unexpected destinations and extended travels.

Mr. Bristow (Subtek) – “Loving this. Nice jazzy vibes.”
Mark Farina (Great Lakes Recordings) – “Nice!”
DJ Wash (Butter Music) – “Dope release.”
Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “This is Amazing!!!”
ALTZ (DFA / Bear Funk) – “Emotional excursions.”
Thomas Coxhead (The House of Coxhead) – “Vibe sauce!”
Belabouche (Midnight Riot) – “Oh yes!”
Salvo Borrelli (Garam Masala Radioshow) – “A beautiful soundtrack.”
Crate Invader (Point Blank London) – “Killer all the way through.”
Igor Marijuan (Ibiza Sonica FM) – “Amazing stuff.”
Clairvo (Tilos Radio FM 90.3) – “Dope summer hip-hop instrumentals. Gonna love playing these out loud.”

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

Esbe - Late Night Headphones Vol. 1 (Cold Busted)

Originally released on Dusted Wax Kingdom in 2010, Late Night Headphones Vol. 1 is the first part of a three part series from multi-genre producer Esbe. Esbe is based in Los Angeles, and through releases on Dusted Wax Kingdom, Cult Classic, and Cold Busted (which issued his acclaimed album Bloomsday), he’s proven his sublime beat-making acumen. Esbe’s forte is atmospheric instrumental production, incorporating cut-up jazz and soul samples mixed into an intricate and tasty sonic stew.

“Heart’s Treasure” sets the tone with lost-in-time jazz snatches and bluesy vocals beaming in like a distant transmission, anchored by head-nod beats. This sound is developed through “Overflow,” evoking a playful summertime vibe as casual melodies and crunchy drums are layered through the tune’s progress. “Chant For Love” presents a tougher beat, offset by gentle guitar chords and a delightfully dreamy vocal hook. And “Dark Shade Of Blue” shows a futuristic side to Esbe’s production, utilizing pulsing pads and voice hits to soundtrack a lonely spacewalk.

These are just a few highlights from the 18 track Late Night Headphones Vol. 1. The entire album is exquisite, and with this re-release signaling the album’s first appearance on physical formats — including double vinyl, cassette, and CD — there will be a whole new slew of fans discovering Esbe’s sonic palette.

The Funk Hunters (Westwood Recordings) – “Always heat from Esbe!”
Rusty (All Good Funk Alliance) – “Nice collection of emotionally laced breaks and vibes.”
Kid Loco (Flor) – “Really moody and quite cool.”
Barry Ashton (Dub Pistols) – “Perfect summer grooves.”
Dj Halabi (Reversion Records) – “Dope! Eloquent jazz hop landscapes being crafted here.”
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) – “Deep down quality stuff here.”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “Solid set of instrumentals right here. Sounding fresh, just the way I like ‘em!”
DJ Junior (Eavesdrop Radio WKDU 91.7FM) - “Ok, my neck hurts. 5/5”
Jay Scarlett (Sounds Supreme Radio Show) – “Perfect beats for the chill or the club.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “A stunning selection of beats for those times when you simply want to chill.”

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