Shinji - Shinji (Cold Busted)

Shinji presents a new album of downtempo beats from Australia, the self-titled long-player Shinji. Based in the city of Canberra, Shinji has been twisting beats and assembling samples in a method that draws from classic hip-hop and Plunderphonic sound-sourcing. Samples can come from anywhere: old VHS tapes, scratchy second-hand vinyl, covert internet streams, even the sounds of nature outside his window. Shinji is always experimenting but also making sure his cuts are steeped in bass and groove. This playful attitude is the driving force behind Shinji, his fantastic second album for Cold Busted.

After opening with the wistful piano, evocative soundscapes, and subdued rhythms of “Decay In The Natural World,” the album is revealed as a personal sonic journey. “Treelike” continues this dream-like feel, as jazzy guitar chords, watery beats, and chiming flourishes envelope the listener in warm fuzz. There are songs for the dance floor, too — the tribally funk of “Avalanche!” and the lounge-meets-drum n’ bass coolness of “Follow Through” are two that qualify. But Shinji consistently draws upon cinematic vibes, such as on the lovely “Dust Delay,” which builds from layers of manipulated vocal tones into a melancholic beat tapestry. Shinji’s self-titled album is a trip — it’s the work of an audio collagist at the top of his game.

Danny Ward (Moodymanc) – “All of the tracks are nice, but Avalanche! Stands out in particular for me.”
Anatoly Ice (Icebound) – “You can’t lose with properly chopped swinging beats. I love the style of this guy.”
Redstickman (The Ambient Mafia) – “As a chillout DJ, I gotta say, this whole album is a masterpiece. Will be on heavy rotation.”
FineCutBodies (Chi Recordings) – “I love the fun vibe.”
Floored Capri (Kane FM) – “So excited to see a long player arrive from this guy. A lovely rich tapestry of sound from the producer as we've come to expect, and the tribal funk of Avalanche! just blew my mind.”
Salah Sadeq (The Crate Radio Show) – “Love the whole release. I will play this on the radio show.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “Very impressive variety here. Cinematic, experimental and plain old funky. Marvelous!”

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

Boblebad - Paraplydrink (Beatservice Records)

Punching in with the anticipated new episode of his singular jaunts into electronic music’s wild blue yonder is Beatservice habitué Ulf Moen Denneche, alias Boblebad. Following up to his previous release — the fun and bouncy Vill Falafel— the Norwegian producer dishes out the Kalde Vibber EP. Its four cuts continue in the same vein of Boblebad’s playful disco: cosmopolitan, unruly, and definitely nutty by nature. With other releases for Paper, Eskimo, and Full Papp, as well as a full album due early next year, Boblebad’s on the quick rise.

“Paraplydrink” — named after the sort of drink that comes with a mini-umbrella — is an early taste of the Kalde Vibber EP (fully released on December 10th). As expected from Boblebad, the U-turns are pretty radical. Though it draws from a similar palette as his other work, “Paraplydrink" veers off onto more ambient-friendly Balearic territories of pre-trance electronica a la KLF. It even features a sunny electronic steel pan sequence to send the listener drifting far and wide into a Caribbean Eden of sorts. A sonic delight.

Nick Warren (Global Underground) – “Bloody Lovely.”
Andreas Kinzl (Aromabar) – “Smooth & grooving summer flasher.”
Richard Hardcastle (Solid State) – “Real nice! Tropical AND Balearic … I like it.”
Piiit (So Watt) – “Deliciously trippy.”
Salah Sadeq (The Crate Radio Show) – “Nice! Will play on the radio show.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel) – “Lovely, bouncy and fun. Reeks of summer! Will support.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “This is the kind of loveliness we need more of right now … lose yourself. 10/10.”

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

DJ Jack T & Adomni - Whistle ft. Leticia Lopez (House Royalty Records)

Three bonafide househeads, with an ear for tradition and the soulful side of dance music, have collaborated on “Whistle,” the latest single for House Royalty Records. New Jersey’s DJ Jack T and Florida’s Admoni (Soulful House Syndicate) lay down the foundation, providing a tapestry for the lovely voice of NY’s Leticia Lopez. A strong, tribal percussion intro leads into ambient pads, an African-influenced melodic pattern, and the rhythmic whistle hook. Leticia’s echoed words portray the thought process of good, soulful music: light as air and sharp as a whistle. It’s an uplifting and deep club track that’ll send shivers through an after-hours dancefloor. DJs take notice!

Lee Jones (Country Gents) – “This, as you say below, will send shivers through a spaced out late night crowd. Impressive.”
DJ Harri (Sub Club) – “I’m liking this! Will play and support.”
Tom Lown (Lucky Sun Recordings) – “Very nice. I’m digging this vibe.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House Web Zine) – “Downright entrancing.”
Tony Fuel (ReFuel Your Soul) – “Excellent deep, hypnotic vibes with mesmerizing percussion.”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On Radio Show) – “Love it. Will play this all the time, well done.”
Dean Serafini (Frisky Rhythms) – “That deep rumbling bass and those afro-tinged rhythms are a treat!”

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

Mister T. - Soul Shower (Cold Busted)

Greece’s funk maestro is back with an incredible new album, Soul Shower. Dimitris Tentinis is Mister T., a mainstay of the Cold Busted label having released seven previous albums through the respected imprint. His varied discography touches on hip hop, soul, dub, and electronic music – but funk is the consistent thread tying together all of Mister T.’s productions. His cuts have become staples in the DJ sets and playlists of underground tastemakers, and there’s also recognition from the mainstream — Mister T.’s music has appeared in brand campaigns from the likes of Capital One, Walmart, Nike, and Hennessy. The funk maestro is on the rise, and Soul Shower is his latest milestone.

Soul Shower opens gently with “Nostalgia for Bent,” featuring a lithe boom-bap beat, tinkling piano, pulsing bass, and a magical female vocal. Things get more layered on “Chain Reaction” as the beats are bolder, the music denser, and the vocal snippets strategically deployed. Other highlights include the heavy horn section funk of the title track; “Groove Analyser” and its retro junkyard vibes; and the aftrobeat/hip-hop mind-meld of “Felabration.” Once the album ends with the dub benediction of “Life In Lockdown,” the listener will have experienced a whole world of inventive grooves. Join Mister T. for a Soul Shower — a shower of dope vibes for the soul.

Kid Loco (Flor) – “Great tracks. I love the whole mood.”
Soul of Man (Finger Lickin’ Records) – “Solid, high production grooves. Will play on my show.”
Laurent N. (House Nation Radio) – “Always top releases on Coldbusted, and super stuff from Mister T.”
Vangelis Vlavianos (Radio Producer) – “Mister T is the man! Love this release.”
DJ Junior (Eavesdrop Radio) – “Oh snap! This bangs.”
Lakatos Sandor Suefo (Radio Tilos) – “Wow! Nice job! I like all the tunes in different ways. Nostalgia For Bent and Life In Lockdown are perfect for my radio show. The other tunes will work well on parties.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT Radio Show) – “Always a pleasure when some Mister T pops into the inbox, and this does not disappoint remains classy as ever. Nice to hear the lockdown reggae influences coming in....nice.”

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