monotropa. - Distancia (Tremulant)

The Seattle-based artist monotropa. returns to the Tremulant label to once again explore deep sensations and cosmic vibrations through musical expression. The Distancia EP executes this through three textural tracks that combine elements of house, techno, and ambient atmosphere. Remixes from El Mundo, Wesley Holmes, and Slow Shadow go even further into distant territory.

"Distancia" starts the EP with a floor-ready pulse, flowing with synthetic chord hits and arpeggiated gyrations over a steady four-on-the-floor ride. A cinematic breakdown envelopes the cut with shining melody and impulsive drama. This is followed by "Torrente"which ultilizes tones resembling the gentle rings of a thumb-piano as its backbone. Buzzing synth bass, ominous drones, and flashes of percussion rise and fall with expansive depth. "Lavar" is more laid back though no less layered or spacious than anything else on Distancia. A processed guitar-like riff hypnotically riffs on top of chord pads and a mid-tempo house beat, all giving the feel of a transcendent moment on the way.

El Mundo (Quetame Records) supplies the first remix with a version of the title track It's a bouncy trip through exotic places and faraway fauna, where jungle sounds abound as a tribal rhythm carries the cut through strobe-lit valleys. Seattle house music veteran Wesley Holmes next tackles "Lavar," offering a decidedly west coast flavored take that's atmospheric, psychedelic, and perfect for afterhours dancefloors. The EP closes out with a rework of "Lavar" by Slow Shadow, a nom-de-plume of Tremulant's Joe Bellingham. It's an acid-tinged downtempo treatment, enhanced by a pair of distinctive vocal contributions. Vibes for days and days.

Danny Ward (Well Cut Records) – “Really loving El Mundo's percussive take here thanks... will definitely be playing!”
Juan Moreno (Sounds Black Recordings) – “The perfect track to drive the dancefloor.”
Andreas Kinzl (Aromabar) – “Artful and stylish works.”
Al Mackenzie (1BTN Radio) – “The Wesley Holmes mix is right up my street.”
Leri Ahel (Mutant Disco Radio Show) – “Some great tracks here, will support.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT Radio Show / Fluke) – “The originals all have some masterful moments in both the writing and production - quite beautiful. El Mundo remix sounding excellent here too.”

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

DJ Sulli - You Party For a Livin' (Hype & Soul Recordings)

House music scene veteran DJ Sulli (AKA Sean Sullivan) delivers a bit of a surprise for his latest single on the Hype & Soul label. With the participation of his the H&S team, Sulli's taken a tune from a classic electronic band and shifted, recontextualized, and transformed it into a new … mode. This is "You Party For a Livin'," a peak time track that'll work like a Dream On the dancefloor.

The single opens with a version from DJ Lamprey that is perfect for low-lit rooms during after-hours moments. The synth parts are accentuated to emphasize the melodies as a moody vocal twists around the rhythmic backbone. Next up is a funk-fueled techy mix from DJ 5657 (AKA Cody Nasir). Most of the vocals are stripped away in favor of a heavy bass line ride, giving this a definite main room dub feel. DJ Sulli brings on the version that inspired it all. His All Night Every Night Remix is a solid warehouse stomper that evokes the latest of nights (or the earliest of mornings). Wild sounds abound, with gated vocals, pulsing sub-bass, and chunky, tight drums driving this one home. Sulli also provides an Intro Dub mix that works brilliantly as an opening tool to lead into any of the mixes.

All proceeds from this release (100%) will be donated to The Small Steps Project, a humanitarian organization and UK-registered charity dedicated to supporting children around the world who live on rubbish dumps and survive from scavenging.

Look for DJ Sulli's accompanying release of "Flamenco Dalliance," coming out simultaneously on Selekta Recordings.

Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “Really fun tune, thanks for sending my way.”
Severino (HorseMeatDisco) – “Yeah! Groovy.”
Andreas Kinzl (Aromabar) – “Big night energy on the DJ Sulli All Night Every night remix.”
Kosta (Vibe FM) – “Nice results on this one. Lamprey’s remix does it for me.”
Black Mighty Wax (Gru Radio) – “I gotta good feeling from this.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Wonky, deep and brilliant! All night every night remix is a monster of a track.”

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

Col Lawton - Little Closer / Music Showed Me Love (Uniting Souls Music)

The iconic Seattle-based house music imprint Uniting Souls has snagged two brilliant tracks from veteran UK DJ/producer Col Lawton for a club-primed double A-side single. Col is known to many as a founder of Deep Fix Recordings and for releases with the likes of King Street Sounds, Atjazz Record Company, and Salted Music. This release is a perfect blend of the Pacific Northwest and the UK's Northern Dance Scene.

"Little Closer" opens the single with a brisk house rhythm, leading into a steady sub-bass line, warm chords, and an emotive male vocal hook. Synth arpeggiations enter the sound space to take things even further into late night territory. Flip the digital wax for "Music Showed Me Love," a chunkier take on Col's sound with processed, tribal percussion accenting the beats. Squelchy pads, stereo-panned effects, and a cosmic vocal line spread an unmistakable underground warehouse vibe. Sweet electric piano riffs and spoken sections accent the dancefloor focus. Both cuts are more than ready for repeated spins!

Zack Hill (VinylTribe LA) – “Very dope! Col continues to deliver the goods.”
Mr. V (Sole Channel Music) – “Great release guys!”
Yogi Haughton (The Sottish Soulful Weekender) – “Diggin’ Music Showed Me Love. Pretty funky, and lovely drums.”
Norbert Borchers (House Sound of Hamburg) – “Very nice double A-side single.”
DJ Hal (EQ Magazine) – “Proper deep house here.”
Taigo Onez (Ban Le’ Dexs) – “This is lovely. Hard to choose a favorite here. I like both Little Closer and Music Showed Me Love. Great release, full support!”

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

Col Lawton - Hold Me Tight (Pelvic Movements)

Deep house imprint Pelvic Movements reveals its second release, coming from the beat-cabinet of celbrated UK producer and DJ Col Lawton. A product of the vibrant music scene of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Col is the co-founder of Deep Fix Recordings and a prolific producer, dropping tunes for the likes of Salted Music and Atjazz Record Company. On this rollicking new single, Col implores the listener to "Hold Me Tight," a title that could also refer to the tight production and grooves found within. An irresistable house rhythm pattern lays the foundation for sharp chord stabs, a bouncing bass line, and catchy melodic phrases alongside ambient flourishes. A light-hearted vocal hook enters the fray, bringing extra life to an already lively track.

Remixes bring "Hold Me Tight" into new realms of dance floor intoxication, with the first from house music legend Demarkus Lewis. Demarkus draws upon classic garage and subtle two-step influences for a euphoric version that shakes, rattles, and rolls while accentuating the vocal hook. Next up, Wattie Green (Coyote Cuts) delivers a chugging, decidedly deep mix with sub-bass hits, funk synth riffs, and loads of atmospheric grit. The single closes out with the return of Col Lawton and his own afro-house flavored Downtempo Groove Mix of "Hold Me Tight." It's dreamy and expressive, perfect for cooling down at the nearest beach party.

Tony H (Late Night Munchies) – “Lovin’ the OG and the Wattie Green Remix.”
PillowTalk (PillowTalk Music) – “Great overall release, hard to pick a favorite mix, but Wattie Green Remix is very impressive. Full support!”
Black Mighty Wax (Irma Records) – “It’s that kind of ‘liquid’ House I like to play.”
Yogi Haughton (DJ Magazine) – “It’s that Deez Long Squeeze mix for me.”
DJ Lolly (Freek FM) – “Awesome Demarkus Lewis remix.”
Ket Shah (Mucho Soul) – “Original is cool, and the extra mixes, they make this a great package.”

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