Hector J Rodriguez - La Falsa (Tremulant)

Hector J Rodriguez of Seattle's Underscore Recordings joins the Tremulant imprint for the *La Falsa EP, an expansive foray into deep, dark, and dubby techno vibes. The motto of the release is "Que solamente aparenta ser real, o no es lo que parece," which translates to : "That which only appears to be real, or is not what it seems." This is an appropriate description for the EP's cuts, which target introspection and transportive dislocation while giving after-hours dancefloors an exploratory ride. "Never the Right Time," "La Falsa" (and its "La Falsa Segunda" revisit), and the mid-tempo "Perseid" blend sharp production and spacious embellishments into distinctive tracks made for late night travels.

monotropa. is the first Tremulant-affiliated producer to lend a hand to the remix side, amplifying "La Falsa"'s exotic aspects into a cinematically flavored ride. Pacific northwestern mainstay Joe Bellingham follows, supplying a version that's a little chunkier and peppered with buzzing sound design and jazzy keys. All in all, another stamp of top quality goes to Tremulant for this evocative release.

JuSt b (Balance Music) – “Lovely lush & organic vibes.”
Citrus Age (Reflect) – “What a sublime vibration. Hector has somehow captured the moment and the journey in one.”
DJ Harri (Sub Club) – “Liking these. Will play and support.”
DJ Sabo (Sol Selectas) – “Solid and interesting EP here. A breath of fresh air honestly!”
MGiK (Sofa Surfing) – “On air is a must!”
Jon Wesley (Insomniac) – “I like the original, Perseid and Joe’s mix. Good tunes for the afternoon or mellow daytime sets.”

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

Legs 11 - Flawless Logistics (Beatservice Records)

Legs 11 return to Beatservice Records with their second single in quick succession, aiming directly for dancefloors with the club-primed brilliance of "Flawless Logistics."

The Oslo-based quartet of Sigmund Floyd, Torstein Dyrnes, Nils Tveten, and Audun Severin Eftevåg have long been a deviant staple of the Beatservice roster. Following their label debut back in 2016, Legs 11 have been serving eclectic soundscapes that seamlessly blend synth-pop, post-punk, and house with an all-manner of seemingly disparate sonic influences.

Following on from the magnificent single "This Is Your Home," this latest musical curve-ball sees the band ignite a floor-focused charge via the boundless energy of "Flawless Logistics." Forged with a new wave swagger and embedded deep in the throngs of late-night rave abandon, the deliciously divergent track sees unhinged vocals power over a brisk tempo. Synth bass drives the cut through a futurist landscape of stripped rhythms and sinister tones. The portent vocal casts a critical eye on consumer-driven culture and mercenary musical forms, and an atmospheric sax solo rises in to augment the searing lyrical message. The vital composition is at once an unmissable social commentary and an irresistibly floor-filling groove.

This hard-hitting jam is the second single to arrive from Legs 11's keenly awaited third album, Welcome Home. Imaginative, uncompromising, and bursting with character, this is yet more electrifying work from a most charismatic collective.

Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “A fine slice of 80’s inspired synthesized loveliness. Deserves a 7” release.”
Severino (HorseMeatDisco) – “I Love this!”
Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “Really fun tune with a really nice 80’s vibe.”
De Fantastiske To (Paper Recordings) – “Digging this!”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On Radio Show) – “Great 80’s synth vibes for sure. I’ll play this.”
Simon Kirk (Proton Radio) – “Brilliant message wrapped up in the coolest future punk funk.”

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

Azieb and KiloWatts - Glimmer in the Dark (Harmonious Discord)

"Keep your balance, don’t let it rock you. When you are feeling uncomfortable, that’s a sign you need to grow.” Even the longest wars subside, and collectively humans reach for the light, the "Glimmer in the Dark." An empowering message from Chicago DJ and performing artist Azieb, who is infecting airwaves and inclusive spaces with a cerebral brand of cross-genre melody. Azieb transverses broadband wires and outer space satellites to collaborate with Harmonious Discord hometown hero KiloWatts. The result is an undefinable mixture of calculated atmospheres and guiding lyrics with spectacular reworks from Polygon Rainbow, PointBender, and Patchen. Swim through this palette of textures and sounds.

The original is a particularly musical construction with a strong focus on subversive yet complex synth and drum construction. Front and center are Azieb’s messages ushering and often leading the musical discourse. Later entrances of stuttered percussion and interleaved bass turn this taste into a bonafide journey, a fitting task for upper west coast journeyman Polygon Rainbow. His remake embodies the musical space and expansiveness of the original while exploring new broken beat variations and breathtaking breakdowns. HD label boss PointBender provides a stripped electro revision with progressive layers and tendencies. This remix captures the power of the original vocals and elevates the energy for the dancefloor. Rounding out the project is Patchen, hot off his recent album Southwest Passage. Patchen layers cinematic atmospheres and outer space leads until an evolving arpeggio dominates the musical expanse. This project is a reminder that the creative energy of the underground may prove to be the elusive glimmer in the dark.

Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “Beautiful vocals blending effortlessly with a fine selection of remixes - Patchens Affirmation wins by a whisker.”
Flash Atkins (Paper Recordings) – “Great EP but it’s the original that does it for me.”
Redstickman (The Ambient Mafia) – “So Chill! Love this so much.”
Nick Warren (The Soundgarden) – “Excellent music.”
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) – “PointBender’s electro mix is rockin’.”
Dr. Best (Radio Z 95.8, Neurnberg) – “The Polygon Rainbow Rework is my favorite here.”
Sandro Bianchi (Ibiza Sonica) – “Great original & Brilliant Remixes.”

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

Ursula 1000 - Kinda' Kinky (20th Anniversary Remix) [Insect Queen Music]

Let’s set the time machine back 20 years to 2002. New York’s Ursula 1000 (AKA Alex Gimeno), DJ/producer/multi-instrumentalist, started working on his sophomore album after the success of his debut, The Now Sound of Ursula 1000. His steady diet of ’90s lounge revivalism, UK big beat, German club pop, European library music, spy soundtracks, and Japanese Shibuya-Kei sharpened his skills in producing his own take on this melting pot of retro grooves and futuristic electronic beats.

This vision would be more fully realized for this new album. Ursula 1000 had an idea of a travelogue collection of songs, every track like a new stamp on a passport. For the opener, he originally had iconic model Verushka in mind for vocals. Locking her in became elusive and so he had a re-think. Swinging ’60s London. Groovy mod scenery. He needed a fun voice for this. Enter Rebecca Mader, who at the time was an up-and-coming model and actress, later to star in the hit series Lost and Once Upon a Time. A mutual friend connected them and she nailed the perfect cheeky, sex kitten delivery!

Inspired by the 1966 film Lord Love a Duck, featuring Tuesday Weld — where her character goes sweater shopping and runs through a laundry list of exotic color schemes — we riffed on that idea and made it our own kaleidoscopic palette. This song had it all: sitars, Hammond organ (performed beautifully by Brother Cleve of neo-lounge act Combustible Edison), big beat drums, and some acid house tweaks to make it into a nice retro/future cocktail.

Originally released on Thievery Corporation’s 18th Street Lounge label and now on Ursula 1000’s own Insect Queen Music imprint, this song would be called “Kinda Kinky” — as would the album on which it was featured. Ursula 1000 was able to score world-renowned contemporary artist Shag to design the cover in his distinctive space-age bachelor pad style.

For the 20th anniversary of the release of "Kinda Kinky," Ursula 1000 decided to revisit this classic cut and give it a re-rinse, adding some tasty flavors of today but keeping its original kitschy vibe. For the flip, we have the one and only breakbeat legend A.Skillz transforming “Kinda’ Kinky” into a funky, disco house groove monster. An unadulterated sonic delight!

Steve / Fort Knox Five (Fort Knox Recordings) – “Congrats on the anniversary! Seems like just yesterday when we were just foolish young DJs making the scene. Love the repackage and updated mix and the A.Skillz remix is a surprise bonus. Top notch today like it was top notch back in the day! Need this 45 for the collection to be complete.”
Soul of Man (Finger Lickin’ Records) – “Great release and A.Skillz puts a rocket up it too!”
Tal M. Klein (Aniligital Music) – “A great remix of one of my favorite Ursula 1000 staples. I like the A.Skillz sendup as well!”
Quincy Jointz (Timewarp Music Radio Show) – “I like the new mixes of this big classic.”
Bruno From Ibiza (Ibiza Global Radio) – “Ursula’s remix is amazing.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “100% smiles guaranteed - sometimes it’s easy to forget dance music should be fun - outstanding remix and with the dubs you are really just spoiling us.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Juno Download, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Also available from: Juno Records on 7” Vinyl.