The Deli, Es-K, & Jansport J - Amparo (Cold Busted)

Reinforcing the global nature of the hip hop community, Cold Busted fam The Deli, Es-K, and Jansport J met in Madrid, Spain, to record an ambitious new project. Convening for the occasion of a Spanish release party for the Es-K album ReCollection, a studio and temporary home was constructed, the ‘Beat Embassy’ brand was formed, and the work began. Inspiration was rampant — collaborations with local MCs and curious visitors added weight to the project as creatives from around the world unified to create shared art. The result is the album Amparo.

The crew spent their days exploring Madrid, making new friends, setting up shows and appearances, and recording the sounds of the city. At night, work commenced in the makeshift studio as Amparo came together. Guests were invited to visit and join in the process, and they came from all over the world. Appearing on the album are Ødyssee (France), Maple Syrup (Russia), Gadget (UK), saib. (Morocco / Germany), Slim Jeff (USA), Wezt MAAD (Spain), and Jay BNDCKS (USA). And the city of Madrid is a featured guest, as well. Every song contains sounds and energy from Spain.

The combination of the creative environment and all this talent yielded a fascinating and immersive album. The spirit of experimentation is palpable, found on tracks like the cosmic jazz workout “Inner Space Travel,” the expressive sample-constructions of “Caña,” and the wistful sonic time travel of “Madrid3am.” Amparo is chock-full of vibes, and the collective journey of The Deli, Es-K, and Jansport J rings true. And it sets the table for future international excursions — the Beat Embassy plans to assemble for another recording session in parts unknown.

Morphosis (Hong Kong Ping Pong Club) – “Super chill, great atmospherics, swung drums. I like it.”
Shantisan (Salted Soul) – “Very relaxed and groovy.”
Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “Wonderful Hip-Hop beats!”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “Cracking selection. Some real gems with a lovely vibe to the whole package.”
Mr. Bristow (Subtek) – “Real nice dusty digging in the crate vibes on this. Great stuff.”
Dr. Best (Radio Z, Nuremberg) – “A relaxed downtempo journey. Nice!”
Rusty / AGFA (Funk Weapons) – “Nice. Laid back and funky, digging this.”
Rolf Aeschimann (Openbroadcast Radio) – “Cool album. Lazy, funky, laidback grooves.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “The Beat Embassy! I like the spirit of this release, and I for sure love the beats.”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “What a fantastic story. The world needs more of this kind of global collaboration between Hip-Hop headz.”

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

Hector J Rodriguez - Twin Flames EP (Uniting Souls Music)

Uniting Souls Music, the Seattle-based label and collective deemed “a West coast house music institution" by The Stranger, presents the Twin Flames EP from Hector J Rodriguez. Originally from Brooklyn, Hector has established himself in the northwestern house music scene with releases on Tony H's Late Night Munchies, his own Underscore Recordings imprint, and now Uniting Souls Music. The Twin Flames EP features a trio of prime cuts, leading with the percussive deep stomper “Brooklyn Heartbreaks.” This tune is tailor-made for dancefloor tingles, an emotional ride filled with warm pads, tight drums, and beckoning vocal hits. “Hard To Find” follows suit, adding techier elements to its underground stew but remaining deep and sublimely soulful. “Twin Flames” goes deeper still, a submersed sound-trek suitable for the latest of late nights. Thanks to the Hector J Rodriguez’s sonic explorations, Uniting Souls Music delivers the goods once again.

Vanilla Ace (Toolroom) – “Cool Tulum-esque sounds here.”
Rise Ashen (Balanced Records) – “Hard To Find is the one for me. Dope.”
Pat Lezizmo (Conya Records) – “Brooklyn Heartbreaks is GREAT!”
Nico De Ceglia (Hyena Stomp) – “Twin Flames is my favorite on here.”
Trent Banks / Citrus Age (Reflect) – “Wow, incredible depth here. I see a lot of utility for furthering a journey set and pushing this right into the tension pocket with all of these tracks.”
Tony H (Late Night Munchies) – “Really dope release from Hector! Hard To Find and Twin Flames will definitely be getting my support.”
Ket Shah (Mucho Soul Show) – “Strong release, heavy tunes.”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On Radio Show) – “Excellent EP. I really like Brooklyn Heartbreaks & Hard To Find.”
Miguel Garji (Deepfusion Radio Show) – “Good stuff here. I’ll play on Ibiza Global Radio.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel Show) – “Unexpected twists and turns on this. Love the flow, the changeups and the tripped out feel of all 3 of these.”

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

Bobby Breezy & Matt Mason - Spare Change (Viva Recordings)

Native Soul’s Bobby Breezy joins multi-instrumentalist Matt Mason for “Spare Change,” a new single on Viva Recordings that prescribes a dose of feel-good energy. These two have been catching attention with their uplifting deep house vibes, with a track set to appear on a forthcoming King Street compilation. But first, “Spare Change” excites the dance floor with tough, swinging beats, an old school bass bounce, and cool riff exchanges courtesy of trumpet, jazzy guitar, and keys. The live playing is masterful and catchy throughout. Things get funkier as the legendary Demarkus Lewis comes on board with a pair of top notch remixes. Lewis’s Deez Triple D mixes layer extra keys, pads, and melodies over his trademark house rhythms, leading to a peak moment in a deep house DJ’s set. These are necessary grooves, giving the floor some positive late night action.

Brian Lyons (Flammable) – “Lovely organic sounds, and just in time for the summer heat!”
Steve Perez / P-REZ (Not So Fast Records) – “Viva does it again! Quality deepness. All 3 tracks are dope.”
Simon Francis (The Visionaires) - “Gorgeous. Perfectly chilled summery house groove. I’ll be playing this.”
Scheibosan (Shanti Roots) – “Very nice trumpet! Nice groove.”
Louis Hughes (6th Sense Music) – “Nice, sultry deep house. Perfect for the summer vibes.”
Rees Urban (Rubb Sound System) – “The Demarkus mixes are lovely.”
Greg Dowling (Fish Go Deep) – “Love the original mix. Deep house at it’s best.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Love the musicianship. Delicious stuff.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House Web Zine) – “A truly classy rework by Demarkus Lewis.”
Steve ‘Griffo’ Griffiths (Freak Da Funk radio show) – “This is going to sound cliché, but what we have here is summer, distilled into music.”

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

Blue In Green - Gravity (Cold Busted)

Blue In Green reemerges on the Cold Busted label with Gravity, his follow-up to 2013’s Inner Funk and his classic album The Break of Dawn. Residing in Tokyo, Blue In Green specializes in a downtempo, beat-driven combination of bossa nova, jazz, and hip hop styles all accented by his masterful guitar work. There’s also the subtle influence of city life in Japan, breezy and tinted in neon. Blue In Green’s goal is to lift spirits with his music. There’s no better time than the present for that sentiment.

The first of Gravity’s dozen tracks is “Sparks,” an intoxicating composition filled with snappy snares, syncopated synth chords, jazzy e-piano, and playful samples. “Resonance” is another highlight, with bold string stabs, scratchy guitar, and spacey synth melodies. There’s also the evocative “Nao Shima,” a sleek soundtrack for night cruising with stealthy ‘80s elements. And there’s much more for the listener to discover. Gravity is an electrifying journey through Blue In Green’s sonic palette, raising spirits and dropping beats.

Andrew Emil (Four Play Music) – “Just fantastic! LOVE this. Great work.”
Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi Recordings) – “Amazing release – Love it!”
Severino (HorseMeatDisco) – “Pretty lovely.”
Michael Moebus (Meem) – “Another nice sounding release from Blue In Green.”
Salah Sadeq (The Crate Radioshow) – “Lovely stuff for the summer.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT Radio Show) – “With a shout out to Copacabana too! Some lovely tracks here.”
DJ Junior (Eavesdrop Radio) – “VIBESSSSSS!”
Wilbour Craddock (Groovewest) – “A funky jazz number that makes the summer lounge scene feel right.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “The massive, beautiful, soulful beats of Cold Busted are back with a real vengeance!”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show, Perth) – “Cannot tire of listening to this. Stunning!”

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