Pigeondust - Way Back When (Cold Busted)

“For me, sampling is like a collaboration,” says DJ Yuta Yamaoka, better known to global beatheads as Pigeondust. Residing in Chiba, Japan, Pigeondust spends his days either vinyl-digging or sourcing samples — that is, creating sonic collaborations — from his discoveries. Pigeondust is also a member of the EN TOKYO crew, representing a new generation of Japanese beat-makers who draw from a large variety of genres. In 2015, Pigeonhead joined Cold Busted with his fantastic album Moon, Wisdom & Slackness. He now follows up with an ambitious double album titled Way Back When.

Way Back When explores a galaxy of hip hop styles throughout its whopping 36 cuts. The vibe is gritty and street-smart, samples from jazz, funk, world music, and other pathways poured into one groovable stew. “Cheinowa” sets the tone with its tough beat, funk bass pops, and fly-by musical riffs. “Spiral Beat” is also notable for its arpeggiated jazz loop that shifts into gentle ‘70s piano soul. And the collaborations aren’t exclusive with samples — Turkish producer Ozoyo joins Pigeondust for the drum-twisting nature walk of “Magicnight,” and Swiss producer DRWN appears on cut-up jazz jam “Intense.” There’s much to explore here.

The album is available from Cold Busted on double vinyl, its packaging a loving homage to Yo! MTV Raps and its sought-after trading cards. Each album comes with a Pigeondust trading card complete with artist photo and vital stats. Represent.

Michael Moebus (Meem) – “Hard to choose a favorite track. A lot of these sound great.”
DJ Halabi (Reversion Records) – “This is just awesome. Nuff said.”
Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “Amazing release. Thanks so much for sending my way!”
Jeromy Nail (Uniting Souls / Viva Recordings) – “Dope cutz. Will drop these in my sets.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “If this is anyting to go by, 2020 is going to be a good year.”
MGiK (Sofa Surfing) – “Proper tunes. Air play is a must!”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “Beautiful, warm, fuzzy, dusty, funky.”
Salvo Borrelli (Garam Masala Radioshow) - “Wow. Soul is in the air.”
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) - “Deep down funky beats.”
Shantisan (Salted Soul) – “Lovely sampling and editing action going on here. Very creative!”

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

Various Artists - Uniting Souls Winter 2020 Compilation (Uniting Souls Music)

With over 15 years of transmitting deep house beats into the stratosphere, Uniting Souls Music offers a radiant snapshot of the imprint with its Winter 2020 Compilation. Featuring new artists to the label as well as respected mainstays, the compilation transcends its Seattle base to present house music that embodies a global spirit. These grooves are nonstop, propelling Uniting Souls into the future.

Highlights include Jay Tripwire and his sparse and sinister rhythm concoction “Guardians of the Lands,” Jeromy Nail’s raw and swinging house stomper “Slow & Deep,” and “Foolish Thing,” a techy number with percolating synths from Jon Lee. There’s also Tony H’s old school techno inspired “Shots for Anichka,” the shadowy deepness of “Circulation” by Derrick Deep, and the layers of shimmering chords that enliven DYR’s “Mondial Cosmos.” Five more potent tracks complete the collection, in all giving Uniting Souls listeners a taste for the label’s past flavors and the ones yet to come.

Andrew Emil (Broadway & Wilson) – “I dig Slow & Deep by Jeromy Nail.”
DJ Harri (Sub Club) – “Liking a few of these tracks, will play and support.”
KJ (Integrity Recordings) – “Tight album!”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House Web Zine) - “A very eclectic selection of deepness.”
Anthony Pappa (Red Light District) – “Some nice tracks here that will be used.”
Ken Liu (Broad Street Bait & Tackle) – “Nicely rounded package. Full of goodies.”
Jaymz Nylon (Adult Selections Radio Show) – “Great package! Slow & Deep and Shots For Anichka are my picks.”
Simon Francis (HouseFM.net) – “Mondial Cosmos is lovely!”
Lorenzo al Dino (Radio One Ibiza) – “All tracks are working well for me. Tony H’s ‘Shots for Anichka’ is my outstanding pick.”
Tolis Q (Musica Radio) – “That’s a nice collection of tracks. Jay Tripwire, Jon Lee & Derrick Deep are my favorites so far.”

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

Jarle Bråthen - Fjernstyrt Mexicaner (Beatservice Records)

Jarle Bråthen is a longtime operator in the realms of Nordic disco and house. Presently situated in Berlin, Jarle is known for his contributions to Prins Thomas’ Full Pupp imprint as well as cool labels like Correspondent Records, Midnight Riot, and Luv Shack Records. He’s also one half of the duo Ytre Rymden Dansskola and runs FjernstYrt, a monthly residency located at Kreuzberg's hidden gem, Bohnengold.

Jarle’s new EP on Beatservice showcases his inspiration from classic Italo disco and ‘80s styles, reinterpreted through the ‘Scandolaeric’ grooves of the Norwegian house scene. The title — Fjernstyrt Mexicaner — combines the name of Jarle’s club night , which translates to ‘automatic,’ with a ‘mexicaner,’ the well-known alcoholic shot-drink in Germany. In other words, the EP’s five tracks serve as delicious tonic to get a party started.

The title track opens the release with swirling pads under an insistent synth-line bubbling up from the old school. Layers of chords and groove commence. “Tropiske Strøk” adds a percussive flavor and a prominent, squelchy bass line as phasers are set to ‘Italo power!’ Tribal drums open “Fremgangsrik,” soon accompanied by a rousing piano and bouncing disco bass. “Takknemlig” offers an oozing slow motion rhythm and bright, soaring synth leads. The EP ends with the pulsating “Likestilt,” giving a prominent ‘80s flair with its chunky rhythms and emotive keyboard melodies. This EP comes automatically approved for the dance floor.

DJ Harri (Sub Club) – “hard to pick a favorite, I love them all. My first 5 stars in a long time!”
Chris Massey (Paper Recordings) – “Fantastic work! Love all tracks. Part pumpers with that lovely Nordic tint.”
Hard Ton (Toy Tonics) – “I luv this! Let’s parteeeeee!”
Eric Davenport (Mind Loop Music) – “Super solid, original sounding grooves. Fun stuff!”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Stand out stuff from Beatservice. 10/10.”
Olof Uhlin (Rimini) – “Sooooo Gooooood!”
Gianluca Pandullo (I-Robots) – “I-Robots approved!”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “What a top EP!”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “Loving the retro stylings here. Bringing a little smile to my face.”
Bruce Tantum (XLR8R) – “Right up my alley. Fun and a bit goofy, but really rich and emotive.”

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

Jordan Strong - Shine Down (Uniting Souls Music)

Jordan Strong returns to Uniting Souls Music for the slinky after-hours ride of “Shine Down.” Hot on the heels of “The Tribe, The Hive,” the previous USM release from the Los Angeles-based DJ/producer, “Shine Down” is a hearty dose of flowing deep house mixed with a captivating touch of Italo disco. Simmering pads and spacey vocoder action lay over a prominent bass line and punchy rhythm kit. Echoed handclaps, disco toms, and cool electronic piano chords add to the track’s dance-floor appeal. It’s potent stuff.

The remixes are varied and equally cool. L.A.’s SAAND (Dilate, Sol Selectas) creates a psychedelic interpretation that wouldn’t be out of place in the dark backroom of a late-90s Bay Area underground party. Pacific northwest veteran Michael Manahan (Hunt & Gather) delivers a crisp, insistent take that reveals layers and cosmic vibrations throughout its runtime. Lee Houser (Proper Slap, Filter Music) — the Seattle duo of John Lee and Simon Houser — remodel “Shine Down” into a lush and hypnotic slice of classic deep house. And then Jordan Strong returns with his Beachcomber Remix, offering a bigger sound accented by a rousing 80s-style guitar solo. Another stacked, quality release from Uniting Souls.

DJ EMan (Liberate Recordings) – “Michael’s mix is fire!”
Nick Warren (Hope Recordings) – “A great track. Loving the SAAND remix as well.”
Dutchican Soul (Strictly Rhythm) – “Dope remixes. I will be playing this.”
Alkalino (Audaz Recordings) – “The original and SAAND remixes for me.”
Michael Sarafini (Gramaphone Records) – “Nice work by Lee Houser and Jordan on the Beachcomber remix.”
Lars Behrenroth (DSOH radio show) – “Nice package here. Diggin’ the Michael Manahan remix.”
Mark Mac (Sounds Collective) – “Love this one fellas. Cheers!”
Snooba (Radio Panik) – “Meditative and introspective.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “Every track is from the top draw! Brilliant.”
Dr. Best (Radio Z Nuremberg) - “A superb release from Jordan Strong! Love the original version and the remixes by Saand, Michael Manahan and Lee Houser.”

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