Mission Brown - Mindfulness (Issa'min)

Mission Brown is the artist pseudonym for Melbourne-based musician and producer Stephen Brown. The name is derived from the house paint colour popular in the ‘70s and ’80s and also depicts Stephen’s music journey over the years. He began writing and recording music in his youth, drawn to the piano and synthesizers. Stephen’s range and musical evolution is diverse and surprising — at one point he was even found found playing in an ‘80s cover band in Papua New Guinea.

Today, as Mission Brown, Stephen specializes in brooding instrumental chillout and lounge tracks with influences from jazz as well as his own emotional reflections. Mindfulness brings out these flavors alongside Stephen’s preference for minor chords yearning to be saved by uplifting major refrains. Tracks such as “Another Beginning”, “Jasmine”, and “Remember” deliver on relaxing lounge vibes that may send the listener into a tranquil floatation state. Meanwhile, synthesizer-led cuts like “Not Our Time” and “Closer” are rich with swirling pads, recalling vintage electronic music and ‘new age’ textures. Prepare to drift away.

Anatoly Ice (Icebound, Cold Busted) – “Cool Summer vibes.”
DJ Mark Cooper (Cosmic Moonbase) – “This is seriously nice. I’m loving it.”
Redstickman (The Ambient Mafia) – “This entire album is amazing. I love it all!”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “Smoooothe. The groove is strong with this one.”
Jeannie Hopper (WBAI FM) – “Lush and beautiful grooves.”
DJ T-Bird (Los Chicos Altos) – “Great production. Grooves reminiscent of Sweetback – Sade’s band on some chill funk.”
Danuta Kurkowski (Acid Ted music blog) – “Summery tunes arriving on a warm breeze.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “A very accomplished piece of work. Magical.”

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

Juan Hoerni ft. Maurice Smith - Let It Go (Cha Cha Project Recordings)

Los Angeles house music maestro Juan Hoerni adds another anthem to his impressive discography with the soulful deep house of “Let It Go.” This uplifting cut features the gospel-influenced vocal stylings of the in-demand singer Maurice Smith. “Let It Go” builds euphorically, with a driving disco bass line, popping house rhythms, sunny piano chords, and Smith’s rousing chorus. This one’s sure to send the dance floor into an ecstatic state.

Who better to remix “Let It Go” than two legends of dance music, Roy Davis Jr. and BRS? Roy Davis Jr. applies his magic touch on a pair of mixes, his Disco Mix and Space Echo Mix. Roy adds additional instrumentation, including strings and horns, that liven and accentuate the already incredible performance of Maurice Smith. The result is moving, both emotionally and rhythmically. UK house dons BRS (British Rhythm Services) also tackle “Let It Go” in their trademark style. Stripped down swingy beats make way for cool, funky guitar riffs and a stirring organ section. Exceptional vibes. A Dub and Instrumental are also included.

Maurice Smith is at home on all versions and Juan’s smooth production shines its influence throughout this stellar single. Cha Cha Productions delivers the goods once again with “Let It Go.” Prepare to testify.

Dutchican Soul (Strictly Rhythm) – “Beautiful original production, and great Roy Davis Jr. remixes.”
Mr Mulatto (Situationism) – “Every mix is a beauty. Juan is the man!”
Black Mighty Wax (Irma Records) – “Nice song, and a great rework by Roy Davis Jr.”
Edground (Grooveland Music) – “What an amazing release. Loving the disco vibes.”
Nick Power (Soul Kandi) – “Nice track. Good mixes. Support coming from Soulkandi.com.”
Graeme Park (Graeme Park Radio Show) – “This is absolutely tremendous. Highly appealing indeed.”
Dean Serafini (Frisky Rhythms) – “All of the mixes are on point, but the BRS Vocal Mix is the one that grabs me the most. A great release.”
Jeannie Hopper (WBAI FM New York) – “All of the mixes are HOT HOT HOT. Loving Roy Davis Jr. mixes, but all are favorites.”

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

Unconscious Honey - Loose Beginnings (Random Records)

In Summer 2020, Random Records released the debut album by Unconscious Honey, Being A Stranger, a collection of future synth-pop classics written by Björn Trenker that featured all lead vocals sung via a robotic vocoder effect. Co-produced with husband Paul Bonomo, aka Snax, it distilled Trenker’s life experiences into unique pop creations. Influences ranged from early 90’s pop like Deee-Lite, Army Of Lovers, and Betty Boo to the cinematic aesthetics of Cassavetes, Kubrick and Todd Haynes, to the life and work of authors Gloria Steinem and Samuel Steward. Positive responses included online magazine Kaltblut naming the album one of the best dance music albums in 2020.

Now, Random is proud to present Unconscious Honey’s second collection, Loose Beginnings, which collects all the songs from the debut, now reinterpreted by an exciting array of queer guest vocalists, all with ties to the open and diverse German capital of Berlin. Participants were given freedom to bring their own unique personality to the songs and the results are intriguing, with new dimensions and human textures added to each. Trenker expands on the concept: “Loose Beginnings tells a piece of my queer life story. I wanted to communicate that openly and unfiltered. And through these new recordings, my songs themselves become ‘loose beginnings’ for new protagonists.” Three exciting dance floor filling remixes round out the set.

The guest list includes tremendous artists, all at different stages in their musical journey. Joey from the Netherlands, currently working on her own debut album, is a star on the rise, and offers her distinctive and soulful voice on “Being A Stranger” and “Good Light”. Swedish born Ed Astronaut only recently started pursuing his musical aspirations — a ‘loose beginner’ if you will — so he shines on the title track. Polish-German soul singer and frequent Snax collaborator Mavin, formerly with Manhooker, released his debut on Random in 2018, so naturally he was on board to offer pop stylings on “Exploited Devotion”. On “Sleepless”, Mavin is joined by fierce glam singer Dan Perry, currently fronting his own band Merely Minds. Grume, who hails from Hungary and has already made a name for himself in the post-industrial band LATH, takes on the brooding “Abandoned To Desire”, while French-Swiss musician and dear friend Steev Lemercier provides his unique blend of light and darkness on “Radiate”. Artist and musician Jon Campbell, who made waves recently with two baroque pop albums, was the perfect choice to handle “Darkroom Tease”. And finally, there’s electronic soul musician and co- producer Snax, who brings baritone, falsetto and a choir to “High Strung”.

In addition to the re-sung recordings, this collection features three exciting remixes, tailor-made for when clubs finally reopen their doors. Berghain/Panorama Bar resident DJ ND Baumecker and Snax have teamed up as Snecker. Not only do they mold “Casual Touch” into their own psychedelic four-on-the-floor style, but they involve themselves in the concept of the album with a little re-singing as well. Snax then assumes his Box Office Poison persona to serve up an epic big club, ‘90s-style deep dub of “Abandoned To Desire”. Finally, French producer and sound artist Electrosexual delivers audio carnal delights in his Extended Pleasure remix of “Darkroom Tease”.

As an extra bonus, Random is offering the entire instrumental version of Being A Stranger as an exclusive release on their Bandcamp page. Now you can be join our eclectic gang of singers and artists and sing along to the tracks that move you, too!

So, be a stranger and join us on our loose beginning, and let’s get Unconscious Honey!

Hifi Sean (Plastique Recordings) – “Box Office Dub is Everything. Yes, yes, yes!”
Severins (HorseMeatDisco) – “Wow. Great project, love it. Big support.”
Massimiliano Pagliara (Baihu) – “Great package. Love it.”
Luis Machuca (Friskybeat Records) – “Nice album. Very well crafted.”
Snooba (Radio Panik) – “This is honey for the ears.”
Sandro Bianchi (Ibiza Sonica) – “Love it. Supersexy!”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel) – “Unique and diverse sounding LP. Love the cinematic overtones, and great vocals.”

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

Fallen Fronds - Recycled Air EP (House of Fronds)

Recycled Air is the new EP from Fallen Fronds, the synthwave/experimental project of the Seattle-based artist/producer/DJ Charles Guilterre. Cutting his teeth in New York City's East Village music scene in the late ‘90s, Guilterre has remixed and collaborated with the likes of O Future, Ursula 1000, Forest Robots, and Xico Peligroso and also commandeers the more dance-oriented House of Fronds production team.

Recycled Air includes collaborations with experimental artist something human (Caleigh Fisher) on "Spine" and ambient composer Fran Dominguez (aka Forest Robots) on "Spring/Fog." There are distinctly different tones to the EP’s four tracks, and the overall feel of Recycled Air incorporates more ambient and techno leanings in comparison to previous Fallen Fronds releases.

"Kenton Blues" is an ethereal track comprised of analogue synth sounds supported by a bubbly bass line and underscored percussion, highlighted by a break that allows for a breath of recollection before returning the advancing rhythm. On “Spine,” intricate percussive elements take center stage, which each element winding its own path to create a complex symphony of reverb, all the while reminding the listener that ‘there are always new keyboards all the time.’ "Spring / Fog" was created by taking ambient elements by Forest Robots and adding a succinct bass and beat underpinnings to dramatic effect, resulting in ultrasonic soundscape reminiscent of early 4AD artists. Rounding out the release is "Gatekeeper," easily described as hardest and most techno-oriented track of the release, flirting with the dancefloor but still firmly rooted in the Fallen Fronds' headspace mantra.

Kid Loco (Flor) – “Kind of dark but really great music. This is coherent and well achieved.”
Andreas Kinzl (Aromabar) – “Gatekeeper is the solid one for me.”
Redstickman (The Ambient Mafia) – “Kenton Blues is a lovely and lush downtempo track that has me wanting more! Definitely going to keep Fallen Fronds on my radar.”
Sean Johnston (Hardway Bros) – “I’m really liking Spine.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “A really interesting listen. Had me full of anticipation throughout the experience.”
Leri Ahel (Mutant Disco Radio Show) – “All 4 of these tracks are great.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel) – “Kenton blues has cured my hangover! Really love Gatekeeper as well. Will play on the radio – and out when it can happen again.”

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