Casomado - Canto (Friskybeat Records)

Miguel Leiva is Casomado, a producer and DJ based in Montreal who draws influence from his early life in South America as well as the varied history of music over the past five decades. His multi-faceted house music sound moves feet and souls alike, and his recent experiments with Afro-house have expanded his sound in exciting directions. Casomado's latest single, "Canto," explores this further, opening with various elements providing rhythmic counterpoints over a strong bass line punch. Melodic chants are cut-up into the mix as short synth hits and subtle pads accentuate the vibe. A Jam Edit is also included, stripping down the elements and showcasing the richness of the drum track and bass tones. A crucial groove.

Tony H (Dirtybird) – “The Jam Edit is pretty slick.”
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite) – “Nice, vibey rhythms.”
Alvaro Hylander (DeepWit Recordings) – “Nice track and atmosphere. Groovy and shaky, I like it.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “A great, moody groove.”
Daz-I-Kue (RBMA Radio) – “This is quite the nice, groovy jam.”
Tommy D Funk (DJ Times Magazine) – “What a beautiful track. Just haunting.”

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

Ursula 1000 - Don't Cheat The Beat feat. activity partners (Insect Queen Music)

New York's Ursula 1000, the wizard of the retro/futuro sound, is back with his Single of the Month Club series! Ursula was riding high off the fumes from his chart-topping 2019 album Esoterique, but with the world on pause last year, Ursula got cracking, working his unique continental pop sound for a new batch of goodies.

Right on schedule, the new year brings another new song from Ursula 1000's incredible series of new tunes: "Don't Cheat The Beat" featuring activity partners!

On their Bandcamp page it says, "activity partners is Jeff Knutsen and Darren O'Brien making funk in Brooklyn, NY". And, so far, they've got three singles of silky disco soul filtered through a smooth FM nu-Yacht Rock lens. When the opportunity to collaborate came to the plate, Ursula 1000 took a big swing.

"Don't Cheat The Beat" does exactly all those things just described. All 4 minutes and 12 seconds of this belter are made to make folks sweat on the dancefloor. Ursula brings in a little French Touch vibe to it, too, and as Darren sings, the "120 BPMs got me moving all my limbs!" Give it a spin!

Steve (Fort Knox Five) – “Top of the Pop charts with this one! French yacht rock? Whatever it is, I love it.”
DJ T-Bird (Something Else!) – “Nice groove and fun track. I expect to get great feedback from the punters on this one.”
Soul of Man (Finger Lickin’ Records) – “Yes! Sounding very Kraak & Smaakesque. Nice vibes.”
Velanche (Urban Landscapes Show) – “A really solid and funky groover.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House Web Zine) – “Groovysexylicious.”
Curtiss Logan (Cyberjamz Radio) – “Hot release. Full support on this one.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “A perfect reason to dust off those disco slippers. Lovely.”

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

Juan Hoerni - Lost Tracks Vol II (Cha Cha Project Recordings)

Juan Hoerni returns with his acclaimed soulful house imprint, the Los Angeles-based Cha Cha Project Recordings, to unearth another set of top-notch house music tunes. Lost Tracks Vol II brings together three floor-primed solo tracks from Juan and three collaborations with names to those familiar with the Cha Cha family. The release begins with one of those collabs, the uplifting "Winter Love Affair" featuring the vocalist Chezere (Vega Records, Large Music). Chunky piano chords, a low-key disco beat, and exquisite live instrumentation brilliant back Chezere's emotional performance. The sweet, gospel-inflected tones of in-demand singer Maurice Smith can be heard on the lush and vibrant "Let Me Explore" as well as "Dani," remixed here with a tribal flavor by legendary New Jersey producer Jovonn (Body N’ Deep). Juan's three cuts are likewise as impressive, from the strutting Tenaglia-influenced vocal house of "Got Some Time" to the Latin-fueled deepness of "Deep Rumble" to "I Am the One" and its swinging ode to old school speech house. All these cuts are sublime and sophisticated, ready and waiting for DJs and home listening alike.

Hector Romero (Saw Recordings) – “Great EP. I really am enjoying Winter Love Affair.”
Groove Assassin (Pacha) – “These are slammers!”
Booker T. (Kings Of Soul) – “Wicked vibes.”
Lorenzo al Dino (7th District Inc.) – “Classic house, solid production.”
Andrew Emil (Broadway & Wilson) – “Really great release from Juan!”
Robert Lochmann (Soulsender.de) – “These are some great tracks.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “Excellent release. Juan has finished the year strong!”

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

DJ Czezre - Night Ryder (House Royalty Records)

DJ Czezre is part of the latest wave of New Jersey house music and he's already become a mainstay in that storied scene. Paying his dues as a mobile DJ rocking events and block parties, Czezre quickly found himself playing a wide selection of NJ nightclubs before landing a three-year residency at Newark's Club Sensations. Czezre began releasing music in 2017 and found himself collaborating with artists from South Africa and other global house music hotspots.

"Night Ryder" is DJ Czezre's latest jam, a tight deep house stomper released by House Royalty Records. Czezre's original evokes faraway places with its bird-like calls and repeating chants. The rhythms are crisp and steady, no doubt fitting snugly in a DJ's set. The HRR Edit creates a lush, nighttime feel with ringing melodies, exotic flutes, and a more subdued backbeat. Patti Kane provides the final mix, closing out this set in a classic deep style filled with cool key riffs, shimmering percussion, and thoughtful breakdowns.

Nii Tei (Do Not Sit on the Furniture) – “Very nice! Love the low end on this.”
DJ Dove (Jolly Roger) – “The Patti Kane edit is very nice.”
DJ Renay (Blublak Musik) – “Soulful and soothing to the ears.”
George JJ Flores (Sol Sundaze) – “Night Ryder is a cool groove.”
Snooba (Radio Panik) – “Hot & ready to dance!”
Robert Lochmann (The Jazzmadass Radio Show) – “Nice track, great remixes.”
Curtiss Logan (Jersey Soul) – “Very nice track. I like the Patti Kane Royalty Edit. Full support.”

Out Now and Available from: Traxsource, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.