Jenova 7 - Dusted Jazz Vol. 3 (Cold Busted)

Boston beat-maker Jenova 7 returns to Cold Busted for the crucial cut collection Dusted Jazz Vol. 3. A crate-digging vinyl junkie and film school graduate, inspired by the heyday of ‘90s trip-hop — and artists like DJ Shadow, DJ Krush, and Portishead — Jenova 7 forged his own sound, eventually ending up on DJ Mark Farina’s Mushroom Jazz 8. After taking a stylistic departure with the funky sci-fi themed album A Cosmic Safari, his collaboration with Russia’s Eddie Shinn, Jenova 7 issues the long-awaited third volume of Dusted Jazz, following the first two volumes on Dusted Wax Kingdom. He is also a member of trip-hop trio Wax Triptych (with Mononome and Mr. Moods).

The cuts transmit a hazy and jazzy flow throughout, featuring chalky mid-tempo breakbeats and funky beamed-in-from-the-70s atmospheres and flavors. You can almost see a sun-drenched, scratchy super-8 film accompanying “5 Pointz Theme,” an immensely cool cut paying homage to a city’s graffiti center. “You Dig?”, which originally appeared on IWYMI Volume Nine, continues the vibe, delivering squelchy vintage synth, chunky piano, and a lovely guitar interlude. And “Static,” featuring the lovely vocals of K8 Marcos, reveals Jenova 7’s range — it’s a delicious, breezy trip hop tune that wouldn’t be out of place alongside the likes of Zero 7.

Dusted Jazz Vol. 3 is a treasure from top to bottom, and Jenova 7 joins the ranks of his influences with this accomplished and multi-faceted release.

Kid Loco (Tromolo Records) – “I dig this! Back to the old school.”
ActRaiser (Fokuz) – “mellow vibes with a crunchy edge. Love it.”
Danny Massure (Spring Strut) - “Lay My Burden Down is my favorite track that has been sent to me in months.”
Rusty/All Good Funk Alliance (Super Hi-Fi) – “Cool stuff. Digging the Shadow vibes.”
Hippie Torrales (Cyberjamz Radio) – “This has a mature acid jazz feel.”
Michael Moebus (Meem) – “Nice release. Smokey, jazzy beats that are well done.”
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) – “Dope & dusty. Dirty drums.”
Mark Reynolds (Just Chillin Podcast) – “More stone cold classics than Easter Island.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “This is such a diamond of an album. I can’t choose a favorite!”
DJ Nartak (Nightflight & Klassik Lounge) – “Cool stuff. I love Jenova’s way of mixing styles and (cinematic) atmospheres.”

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

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.