Bonus Points - Off Topic (Cold Busted)

St. Louis producer Bonus Points scores high with Off Topic, an outstanding four-song EP for the Cold Busted label. With previous appearances on Chillhop Records, Sundae Sauuce, Horizon, and others, Bonus Points delivers a dazzling take on boom-bap beats and future funk. Bonus Points is a graphic designer by day and, in turn, his musical compositions reflect attention to color, form, and detail. These beats are visual.

The release’s title cut opens things with a spacey intro before delving into some serious sunshine lounge vibes. A cool breeze wafts through these melodies. “Zoned Out” follows with a distant, romantic guitar and a lonesome, pensive feeling that’s perfect for seaside pondering. Next up is the old-timey jazz bop of “Coffee Lounge,” recalling the St. Louis swing of yesteryear over some phat beats. Off Topic closes with “Back And Forth,” featuring more cool, jazzy guitar riffs and a wanderer’s groove. Solid and ready for action.

Rusty (AGFA) (Super Hi-Fi) – “Bonus Points is great, always love the depth and soul to the production. Top Notch as they say in the UK, or this shit is dope as we say in the USA.”
Andrew Emil (Glenview Records) – “This whole EP is quite amazing.”
DJ Moni (Friends We Love) – “This is super chill. Great tunes for that lazy beach day we’re all dreaming about.”
Eric Tchaikovsky (Night Light Sound System) – “What a diamond!”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel) – “Beautiful soundtrack for staying at home. I’ll support virtually at least, and hopefully soon in the real world.”
misterG (Green Arrow Radio Show) – “This kinda chillin’ feels so right.”
Anatoly Ice (Funk and Beyond Radio Show) – “Solid production. Old school tropical vibes.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT Radio Show) – “Sublime springtime vibes. Sitting in some dappled shade soaking up the vibe of this lovely selection.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “All four are totally dope, but we think the jungle kitten tribute is a must!”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “This Off Topic shiznit is Class. Gwaan Cold Busted. Off topic, off the hook!”

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

Box Office Poison - Elevate feat. Mavin (Random Records)

The Berlin-based maestro Snax sets his sights to the dance floor with the house music project Box Office Poison. “Elevate” is the second single under this name and it features the fantastic vocals of regular collaborator Mavin. In addition to the original, the single contains top notch remixes from Luis Machuca (Frisky Beat Recordings) and New York’s TradeCraft, aka Bobby Duron and Kind Bud.

Box Office Poison appeared in the mid-naughties with a few bootleg remixes, an official remix of Bedroom Productions’ LGBTQ anthem “No Glove, No Love,” plus The Rimshooters Vs. Snax's ‘Pledge Allegiance,’ and then the single “One Good Thing” featuring Adam Joseph. Afro-Polish singer Mavin — also of the project Manhooker — is fresh off Love, his debut solo album, and his rousing vocal performance on “Turn It,” featured on Snax’s recent album Shady Lights.

“Elevate” started as a demo sent to Mavin whose vocal finesse and lyrical themes of self-empowerment via dance floor abandon instantly ‘elevated’ the tune. The music lovingly nods to the ‘old school,’ punchy and melodic with intoxicating house music chords and a touch of 2-step shuffle. There’s also an instrumental dub which works great to extend the intro or outro of the vocal version.

The first remixer is Chilean-born/Vanvcouver-based Luis Manchuca who runs Canadian dance label Frisky Beat Recordings. Luis brilliantly decodes the original into a deep and sexy late night glide. The accompanying remix is from the duo of Kind Bud and Bobby Duron, teaming up as TradeCraft. With previous releases on Trax and Nervous Records, the pair masterfully transform “Elevate” into a tough and fierce mix of grinding bass, crisp rhythms, and effectively dubbed-out vocals.

Box Office Poison’s new single is ready to light dance floors on fire this year. It’s proof positive that in these heady time, house music can still help us all ELEVATE.

Hard Ton (Toy Tronics) – “I Love this! Remixes are dope too.”
Tyree Cooper (Chicago Vinyl Records) – “I’m freakin’ lovin’ this!”
Curtiss Logan (Jersey Soul) – “Very nice release. Full support. Nice job Mavin!”
KJ (Integrity Recordings) – “Sweet Vocals. Tight Remixes.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “Lots of boogie and feel good on this release.”
Darrell Stout (Beatmatrix Show) – “Solid! An EP for everyone.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House Web Zine) – “A truly cool’n’sexy rework here from Luis Machuca.”
Electrosexual (Electrosexual) – “Fab Fierce release. Snax & Mavin = Allstars!”
Dickey Doo (All Star Show / This is Electric Radio) – “GREAT stuff! Solid mixes all around.”
Dean Serafini (Frisky Rhythms) – “Sounds rather tasty. The Original and Luis Machuca mixes are likely to both be featured on upcoming shows.”

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

Blue Soul - Hedonic Adaption (Aphorism Recordings)

Before relocating to New Zealand, Blue Soul (AKA Scott Boutin) left a mark on the distinctive house music scene in San Francisco. Over 15 years, Blue Soul was found DJ’ing at celebrated SF parties like Sunset Soundsystem Campout and the long-winning Housepitality, and releasing records on his own imprints, Divine Resonance and Aphorism Recordings. Blue Soul’s sound was — and is — an amalgamation of underground dance music styles, incorporating elements of deep house, breakbeat, techno, and disco. In addition to his own labels, over the past 20 years Blue Soul’s releases have appeared on imprints like Roam Recordings, Whiskey Pickle, and 3AM Devices.

Now Blue Soul unleashes a spectacular 8 song album that is an intimate and psychedelic trek through his underground influences. Titled Hedonic Adaptation, the album leans toward analog acid and electro flavors without eschewing the sonic diversity and uplifting melodic sense that Blue Soul is known for. The opening tune, “Juno Communication,” quickly sets the tone. Comprised entirely of sounds sourced from a Juno-106 synthesizer, this breezy tune wouldn’t be out of place on Warp’s Artificial Intelligence series. Another highlight is “The Future We Didn’t Get” — a dancefloor-focused affair, including a disco rhythm, intoxicating synth sequences, and move-inspiring vocal drops. And the album’s title track shows yet another side, immersing the listener in full-on acid electro-techno with groovedelic results. The other tunes continue to deliver electrifying surprises for the headspace — dive deep into Blue Soul’s Hedonic Adaptation.

Piiit (Septante Sept) – “Back to electro funk: Nice!”
DJ H4L 9000 (Excuse Me? Club) – “Great EP! It’s difficult to choose a favorite.”
Gold Code (Omakase) – “Great album, room for all of these tracks in my sets! Favorites are Hedonic Adaptation and Acid Transcendence.”
Jackmaster Flash (Book Called Galanta) – “Each of these describes a certain drama meticulously in their own unique way. The overall sound quality of every song is great.”
Snooba (Radio Panik) – “Haunted folklore is on the way. Acid and Indie slow tempo virus!”
Sandro Bianchi (Ibiza Sonica) – “I’m in love with this!”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel show) – “Music like this is a ray of light right now. I’ll give this some radio play.”
Salah Sadeq (The Crate Radioshow) – “This is brilliant! Love it.”
Dr. Best (Radio Z 95.8, Nuremberg) – “Yummy acid-flavored electro snacks!”
Jon Fugler (XLNT Radio Show) – “Fascinating collection of tracks. Always a pleasure to hear some variety in the tempo ranges.”

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

B0nds - Phantom Versions (Cold Busted)

After a steady run of acclaimed beat tape transmissions, the multi-faceted instrumental hip hop producer known as B0nds joins the Cold Busted fam for the 14-track album Phantom Versions. Inspired by the likes of J Dilla, Madlib, and Flying Lotus, the DC-area adjacent B0nds has been making beats for 15 years, developing a style that’s vibey and deep, characterized by down-low rhythms and layers of obscure samples and funky synth flavors. Recently B0nds co-produced “Park Closes at Dusk” with Fushou, and the track grabbed over 7 million plays on Spotify. B0nds is clearly on the rise.

Phantom Versions brings together all the essential elements in the B0nds toolkit. There’s loping after-hours rhythms and space-funk synthology in the dream-like “Elsewhere.” Jazz drums and pulsating R&B vibrations intermingle in “Lonely Afternoon.” “African Groove” assembles a team of loose percussion, funky guitar riffs, and snatches of lost-in-time vocals. And “On The Late Night Tip,” with its delicate construction and moonlit tones, epitomizes the feel of Phantom Versions. These are tracks that channel a mood felt in the latest and loneliest of hours, no matter the time of day. Let B0nds be your sonic guide through the shadowy night.

Ohmega Watts (Ubiquity Records) – “Smooth blend of tracks and flavors on this B0nds release. Will have a few in rotation.”
Renegades of Jazz (Agogo Records) – “That’s fresh sounding!”
Mr. Bristow (Subtek) – “Wonky, Soulful, and beautiful.”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “Seriously dope, rhythmic, and exquisitely produced. I’m all over this.”
Salah Sadeq (The Crate Radio Show) – “Love it. This will definitely be on The Crate Radio Show.”
Jeff Fellows (JEF DAM) – “On The Late Night Tip and African Groove are my favorites. Bomb tunes.”
Simon Harrison (Basic Soul Radio Show) – “Elsewhere and 80’s Droptop Coupe are fantastic tracks!”
Andy Wilson (Ibiza Sonica) – “Some wicked late night grooves on here.”
Jay Scarlett (Sounds Supreme Radio Show) – “This LP hits heavy! Great harmonies and all-round vibe.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “Sophisticated deep beats with a beautiful jazzy & soulful heart.”

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