Ursula 1000 feat. Yuuko Sings - Life Is So Beautiful (Insect Queen Music)

Ursula 1000’s fascination with Japan didn’t just stop with his love of Shibuya-kei and its massive influence on his sound's DNA. City Pop, that sub-genre of Japanese music from the late '70s and into the '80s that blended synth pop, soft rock, boogie, and jazz funk is something Ursula truly digs but never explored in his productions … until now. Japan’s Yuuko Sings, who Ursula discovered doing vocals for English art rock group Django Django, is an ideal fit for this collaboration. She’s sung on tracks for anime soundtracks and J-pop, plus she has a killer rap style to boot! "Life Is So Beautiful" is what emerged from this meeting of minds. Wrapped up in a bundle of bossa nova chords, tropical daytime nu disco beats, and that timeless City Pop sheen, Ursula and Yuuko have concocted the perfect summer cocktail. All this song needs is a pineapple wedge and a parasol.

Bill Speakman (Rhythm & Culture) – “I have been dying to hear this! The influences listed here blend so seamlessly and it still has that distinct Ursula 1000 vibe. Inspiring and perfectly timed with the recent explosion of interest in City Pop. A favorite for sure.”
Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “This is amazing!”
Stevie Kotey (Chicken Lips) – “This is superb. Fantastic production.”
Steve / Fort Knox Five (Fort Knox Recordings) – “A delicious combo of sugary vocals and bubbly beats!”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On Radio Show) – “Love it! Ursula always sounds so fresh. Great production, vibes and the tempo is perfect. I'll be playing this a lot.”
Gina Calicura (KALX 90.7) – “Immediately fell into a state of utter bliss less than halfway through this incredibly inviting track. It got me! The elements all coalesce into a perfect whole… it’s like good medicine! Ursula 1000 has crafted something very powerful here. This track gently - and gorgeously - beckons listeners to drop whatever it is they’re doing and just dance. Cannot wait to spin this on a show. So perfect!”

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

Ransel - Love Is In The Air (Beatservice Records)

Ransel is back on Beatservice Records with his latest studio offering, aiming directly for the floor via the off-kilter dynamism of "Love Is In The Air."

Øivind A Sjøvoll has been on a non-stop roll since launching the Ransel project — an outlet for the music occupying the more dance-oriented corners of his wildly diverse repertoire. The Norwegian artist's production range is nothing short of staggering, and, while his previous Ransel releases have certainly lived up to the kinetically-charged manifesto, his latest piece is among the most club-focused to date.

Driven by a sturdy four-on-the-floor rhythm, "Love Is In The Air" bursts out of the blocks with undulating synth chords cascading over bumping bass as alien textures add to the late-night mood. Stripped, hypnotic, and deviant in tone, the immaculately formed groove is designed with dancers firmly in mind.

Yet more stunning material here from Ransel, further enhancing the already glowing reputation of this ultra-talented production don.

Peter Kruder (Kruder & Dorfmeister) – “A great tune, thank you.”
PillowTalk (PillowTalk Music) – “Really great dance-floor vibe with steady swung beats and bouncy base. Full support.”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On Radio Show) – “This is an excellent funky tune. Love that bassline.”
Sandro Bianchi (Ibiza Sonica) – “In love with this one!”
Dean Facer (Resident Advisor) – “Feeling this right from the start!”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Uniquely original in every way. A real stand out record.”

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

Miguel Scott & BluShift - Broken Layers (Viva Recordings)

Over the last year or so, the Viva Recordings team has been getting to know Miguel Scott, a talented producer from Johannesburg, South Africa. After many conversations and a few listening sessions, it was apparent that "Broken Layers" was just what the label needed. This release is packed with jazz & broken beat vibes, and is co written by BluShift, also from Johannesburg. You can also catch Miguel on labels like Nervous, Moiss Music Black, and his own Afrinative Soul imprint. Don’t sleep on this one.

Jason Merle (4E&A Records) – “Those drums are clutch. Beautiful, organic sounds all around. In the bag.”
Juan Moreno (1 Life Records) – “Nice broken beat track. So classy.”
Deli-G (The Touch) – “Pure fire on this release.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House web zine) – “A truly glamorous slice of jazz house bliss.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “5 Stars for this amazing record. Absolutely love it.”
Clive Craske (RadioReverb) – “Loving the dexterous jazz piano, funky and driving broken beats and Thereminny synth wibbling. Ace.”

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

Col Lawton - Little Closer / Music Showed Me Love (The Remixes) [Uniting Souls Music]

Hot on the heels of Col Lawton's original single for "Little Closer" and "Music Showed Me Love," renowned Pacific Northwest house collective Uniting Souls has issued a top notch remixed follow-up. Col is a founder of Deep Fix Recordings and for releases with the likes of King Street Sounds, Atjazz Record Company, and Salted Music. Col's warm and deep house music sonics have moved dancefloors for a while, and his productions lend themselves nicely to fantastic remixes like the ones found on this single.

Liz Somes — who recently won the Future Talent Award from the Pete Tong DJ Academy — is first on the remix podium, grabbing "Little Closer" and adding a dose a smooth spaciousness. A techy bass line, echoed key pads, panned percussion, and added vocal phrases from Katty Heath give this remix bonus shine. Next up, Sen-Sei & Stranger Danger drop their Left Coast Deep Groover mix of "Music Showed Me Love." Sen-Sei's delicious keyboard riffs accompany a driving 4-on-the-floor beat and layers constructed from the original vocals and track elements. Superb stuff. Then Uniting Souls mainstay Jon Lee tackles "Music Showed Me Love" with a stripped-down version that gets extra deep and moody. The vocal is delivered in snippets as a techno rhythm, strangely effected synth lines, and ambient pads build the formidable vibe to a powerful breakdown. Proper nightclub jams throughout!

Mr. V (Sole Channel Music) – “Solid house music. Thanks guys!”
Wesley Holmes (Flammable) – “Damn! Great follow up to the original. Very versatile remix package! each mix can be played in different times throughout the night. Will play.”
Takamasa Owaki (Cactus Experience) – “Great work! Full support.”
Jason Merle (4E&A Records) – “Great release. All 3 tracks are good and offer enough variety to make it a necessity in the bag.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House webzine) – “A classy late night groover.”
Black Mighty Wax (Gru Radio) – “That kind of House I like to play.”

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