The Self Help Group - Temple OS (Colour and Pitch)

Brighton alt-folk band The Self Help Group's touching and unique song “Temple OS” gets the remix treatment from Gavin Boyce, Grottoes, Rosko & Sumsuch, and Eric Shans.

The original song, written by Brighton musician Mark Bruce, founder of The Self Help Group, is inspired by the strange and tragic story of Terry A. Davis. Davis began programming the ‘Temple OS' computer operating system in 2005 after a series of visions in which he claimed God had instructed him to build ‘the Third Temple.’

Reunited for the first time since their 2009 low-key underground hit “Latenite Bypass” on Urban Torque, Rosko & Sumsuch turn in an acid-tinged, string-laden, extended rework of the song, putting Mark's powerful vocal out front and dubbing the song out in the second half.

Off-kilter electronic music hero Q-Burns Abstract Message unveils his brand new Grottoes alias for a meditative, ambient Reversion of “Temple OS”, layering guitars over airy synths to build up a densely textured soundscape.

With an album coming soon on Nordic Trax, Irish producer Gavin Boyce delivers the potent and haunting house-fueled 2MB Distro Mix of “Temple OS”, sure to provide many a transcendental dance-floor moment when the clubs finally re-open.

Colour and Pitch regular and 3Bridge Records co-owner Eric Shans stays true to the original version, adding subtle electronic melodies and shimmering chords to delightful effect.

Finally, The Self Group provide an alternate rendition of “Temple OS”, transforming the song into a languid and warm synth-pop gem.

DJ T-Bird (Los Chicos Altos/Something Else!) – “That Gavin Boyce mix is rocking my world! Love the bass on Rosko & Sumsuch's version. Definitely getting played on radio.”
Nick Warren (The Soundgarden) – “Cabin fever and Grottoes mixes for me.”
James Rial (Audiojack) – “The Original is great. The Grottoes reversion is really nice too.”
Kanedo (Personal Belongings) – “Amazing... Eric Shans remix for me!!! Thank you for your quality releases guys.”
Andrew Duke (Andrew Duke In The Mix) – “Incredibly hard to pick a favorite amongst this glorious package of contributions.”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On Radio Show ) – “I love this. The Rosko and Sumsuch remix and the Eric Shans remixes are favorites. I'm sure I'll play them all eventually.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel) – “Beautiful remixes, love the diversity on offer here.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “This is a great selection, every base covered. Outstanding."
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Influences Radio Show) – “This is a super surprise release on CAP but a wonderful one. Full support for the whole package. Totally in love with it!”

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

Miguel Graça & Ladybird - All I Wanna Do (Viva Recordings)

Miguel Graça’s discography is known to connoisseurs of deep house, through his 12” singles dating back to the mid-90s to releases on his Montreal-based Pronto Musique imprint. For “All I Wanna Do,” Miguel enlists Ladybird, the legendary French/Australian vocalist best known as the voice behind Soldiers of Twilight and the F Communications smash “My Precious Thing.”

“All I Wanna Do” presents fresh, understated deep house, deftly combining Miguel’s sleek music production and Ladybird’s affecting vocals. The bass line pulses as swooping synth pads and techy chords flavor the midrange. Ladybird’s lovely voice speaks for all of us as she sings, “All I wanna do is dance, babe.” Also included is Miguel’s crisp, uptempo Vibe Dub, an instrumental of the original version, and an exquisite Beatless Mix for those come-down moments. It’s another exceptional pack of tracks from Viva Recordings.

Hector Romero (SAW Recordings) – “Bravo Miguel. I really like the vibe here! Well done.”
Jaymz Nylon (Nylon Recordings) – “It feels and sounds so good!”
Tony H (Late Night Munchies) – “The Vibedub is for me.”
K-Zan (Radio Galaxie FM) – “Always good to hear Ladybird’s voice on a track. Great release!”
Daz-I-Kue (Future Soul Records) – “MG’s Vibedub has that groove.”
Sandro Bianchi (Ibiza Sonica) – “Amazing original & dub mix!”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House web zine) – “An enchanting slice of slick deep house.”
Shane Johnson (Fish Go Deep) – “Great to hear new music from Miguel. Lovely vibe. Nice bittersweet vocal and a lush instrumental too.”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On Radio Show) – “Nice to hear Miguel again. I love this tune and all versions. Beautiful!”

Available Now On Bandcamp, Beatport, Traxsource, And Spotify.

Black Sjuan - How 2 Dance In The Dark (Assylum Effort Records)

Black Sjuan is probably the most notorious ghost producer in Chicago. Whether or not dance floors realize it, they’ve already heard his sound. Black Sjuan’s Assylum Effort has evolved from a boutique production house to a full-on Chicago house label, pushing a classic sound while injecting it with something unique and new.

Black Sjuan’s latest EP, How 2 Dance In The Dark, is meant as a musical diary of a DJ’s struggle to remain level during the ‘dance music depression’ of the pandemic. Says Black Sjuan, “Though I usually do a more jazzy and funky type sound, my contact with the outside world during the past year has been virtual. So I gave it tech-flavored sound.”

The EP opens with “4 the Free,” rousing the floor with a churning Chicago house rhythm along with pad stabs and percussive vocal drops. “Micro Dose” executes an old-school acid feel, perfectly suited for after-hours peak time in secret warehouse locations. Then “Keep It Movin’” is an ode to the Eric Kupper / Wayne Gardner style ethereal house tracks of the ‘90s. Rising arpeggiations and bright chords help spread dreamy good vibes through the speakers. The final track, “Space and Time,” is Black Sjuan’s ‘Metaphonic’ remix of an original by Nephertiti Amen. Lovely vocals and tribal four-on-the-floor deepness make this evocative track a cut above the rest.

Mr. V (Sole Channel Music) – “Interesting sounds I can dig.”
Tony H (Late Night Munchies) – “Space and Time is dope!”
Lee Jones (Country Gents) – “4 The Free really rocks. Fab track!”
DJ P-REZ (Not So Fast Records) – “This is a solid release.”
Geoffrey C (Edgemix Productions) – “All of these tracks are insane!”
Andrew Emil (Glenview Records) – “Solid! Keep it Movin & Space and Time are the ones for me.”
Dj Deelay (Underground Sessions) – “This EP is ace! Full of unique vibes which alert the ears.”
Joey Silvero (Soul Elements Radio Show) – “Rolling, bouncing house vibes. I like this one.”
DJ Hal (EQ Magazine) – “Nice & moody late night grooves.”

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

Lil'T - Boompty Boom (Uniting Souls Music)

Lil’T is Mikey Tello, co-founder of PillowTalk, Housepitality and Touch of Class. His productions have appeared far and wide, for the likes of Wolf+Lamb, Visionquest, Life & Death, and many others. And now Uniting Souls — which is fitting as Mikey helped launch the Uniting Souls collective in San Francisco with label head Ramiro, way back in 1997.

“Boompty Boom” is a clever slice of deep house with a hypnotic techno edge. The drum patterns have a pronounced afro-shake, combining with a pulsing low-end to provide the foundation under staccato organ chords, rhythmic vocal phrases, and a memorable synth lead line. Sean Dimitrie (Bombay Records) provides the first of a quartet of sleek remixes, initially focusing on the percussive groove for a sparse, mesmerizing treatment. A snakey bassline eventually takes over, sending the dancefloor into a tizzy. Next up is Pattern Drama (Touch of Class), adding some breaks, drama, and extra-dubbiness to the proceedings. Uniting Souls label regulars Jon Lee and Jordan Strong follow, each providing a distinctive new take. Jon Lee creates an old school vibe, with bubbling organ riffs and an insistent bass throb, while Jordan Strong gives “Boompty Boom” a classic-sounding west coast style re-rub. Put the Boompty in your Boom!

Trent Banks (Reflect) – “Wow. Every track on this is so deep! Each of them will add some serious boogie to the floor.”
Jaymz Nylon (Adult Selections) – “Bravo! I’m really enjoying the Pattern Drama Remix.”
DJ Harri (Sub Club) – “I’m liking these. Will play and support.”
Nick Warren (The Soundgarden) – “The Pattern Drama and Jon Lee mixes are great.”
Tom Lown (Lucky Sun Recordings) – “Nice bouncy vibe on Sean Dimitrie’s mix.”
Hippie Torrales (Cyberjamz Radio) – “The original is hot.”
Mike Solus (Housemasters Radio) – “Dope track. Dig the build up. Groovy!”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On Radio Show) – “Love this. Can’t wait to play it loud.”
Jake Beautyman (FUMP) – “What a package! Uniting Souls keeps coming up with the tunes!”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “Top draw release. I have to keep listening over and over because I keep discovering a new vibe to carry me away!”

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