Artist: Tommy Farrow feat. Aziza Jaye Title: To Live Label: Armada Music Cat. #: ARMAS2380 Format: Digital Release Date: November 11th, 2022 Tracklist: 1. Extended Mix 2. Extended Dub Mix 3. Original Mix 4. Dub Mix
After a set of successful appearances on Stress Records, Shall Not Fade and Armada Music Elements, Tommy Farrow debuts on the main Armada imprint with the single ‘To Live’, a inspiring “melodic” techno production which features the unique and outstanding vocals by Aziza Jaye. The main loop avoid its redundancy thanks to simple but pleasant melodies given by a main synth, some piano chords and a surrounding pad, synths that backing for almost all the track duration.
Lyrics: “I go find my way in the dark I need a spot help me find my way
I’m so lost on my own no place to call home help me find my way”
Hot on the heels of his recent club smash, “The Attention Deficit Track,” Skreamreturns to CircoLoco Recordswith longtime collaborator Jansonsfor a breakbeat-fueled instant classic, “World Is Empty.”
Already selected as BBC Radio1’s Hottest Record this week, the track is centered around an irresistible sample from The Supremes above a driving electro bassline and nostalgic synth pads as it builds to an emotional vocal breakdown.
“In The Supremes’ ‘My World Is Empty Without You’ Diana Ross bares her soul, speaking to the emptiness of the world without the people we love most.” Skream explains. “Those lyrics, vocals, and that feeling we all know of love and loss is something that resonated deeply with me.I kept those chords in mind for about two years before I could find the right style and track, but it only took one session with Jansons and an 808 to make it happen and bring World Is Empty together.”
Jansons adds “Myself and Skream had some wicked studio sessions making this one. He showed me the original idea which I was immediately digging – the chords and vocals were on-point but I wanted to flip it on its head. We were bouncing loads of ideas around the studio but this one really stuck. Initially this was made for the dance-floor so the wider reaction has been amazing!”
Building on his storied career as an electronic and dubstep pioneer, “World is Empty” follows The Attention DeficitEP, also released on CircoLoco Records, alongside recent remixes and releases with names ranging from Solomun to Boys Noize.
The new collaboration between Skream andJansons marks the seventh release from CircoLoco Records,the pioneering partnership between CircoLocoand Rockstar Gamesdedicated to both brands’ longstanding mission to champion and elevate underground dance music and club culture.
“World Is Empty” follows the release of Chloé Caillet’s “NYWTF” feat. Mikhail Beltran, Map.ache’s single “IZA”and “On My Own Now” from DJ Tennisand Asheefeaturing Lady Donli. Prior to that was Skream’s acclaimed The Attention DeficitEPand the Monday Dreamin’ compilation, which featured visionaries and icons from every era of CircoLoco’s greatest parties, includingCarl Craig, Moodymann, Kerri Chandler,Sama’ Abdulhadiand tINI.
Toy Tonics updates its devotion for house and disco infected music adding in its vaste catalogue a brand new album signed by nothing less than Cody Currie, one of the many rising stars in the emergent dj/producers costellation. The title given to the whole opera is ‘Lucas’, as expected it features a well sounding array of laid but ecstatic songs. ‘Money’, ‘Night Sky’, ‘De Ja Vu’ and ‘Danger’ reveal to be just some of the top notch productions of the album, inserting into the whole sound elements from jazz, deep house, soulful and tribal, styles which lets the listener to add warmth and positive envisions into the daily routine.
Artist: NoNameLeft Title: Exaltation Label: 1605 Cat. #: 1605282 Format: Digital Release Date: November 4th 2022
UMEK’s 1605 welcomes a three track EP from NoNameLeft who delivers three peak time techno tracks with driving percussion and spine-tingling synth lines.
NoNameLeft are a Hungarian duo who previously featured a single track on one of 1605’s mixed artist compilations and this time they return with a solo EP. They have also featured on other influential record labels including Mark Reeve’s SubVision, The YellowHeads’ Reload and Lampe’s Alula Tunes.
1605 has been influential in the careers of artists such as Mha iri, Rebel Boy and Sam WOLFE who are all talented artists who caught the attention of UMEK. NoNameLeft are the latest up-and-coming artists to feature on 1605 and this release is a perfect example of their exceptional talent for making hard-hitting techno tracks.
For the label’s third LP release, Oath are extremely proud to present this extraordinary sonic journey from Jascha Hagen, one which continues to showcase the producer’s penchant for defying expectations and finding consistency in flipping switches and moving from one form of expressionism to the next.
Who doesn’t love a record which seamlessly moves from one side of the audial spectrum to the other, whilst seemingly filling in all the gaps that persist inbetween? Well this has been the career trajectory that Jascha Hagen has set himself out on since 2008, and his discography speaks for itself in this regard. Operating within the realms of House and Deep House, Hagen has made it his mission to push out the boundaries of what feels possible within the genre, deconstructing the meaning of rhythm and melody to really stamp his own sense of identity on proceedings. Each release speaks to this concept, with differing tones and beats stretched out and impeccably built upon as a means to provide an enriching experience and first and foremost, a balanced and beautifully curated one. His ability to weave the notions of house into other genres has become more prevalent in recent years, taking in Downtempo and Techno leaning vibrations into his already deeply engrossing sound.
With releases on imprints such as Shh, Auditive, Mana All Nite and his own imprint Physical Pleasure, there is so much goodness to dive into if you like your House music ever shifting and ever illuminating, along with the comforting knowledge that the next release will only add to the ever engaging soundscape Hagen has conjured up so far.
Two years after his debut LP effort ‘Harmonies Romantiques’, Hagen graces us with the presence of ‘Songs for a Future Generation’. Continuing on with a similar vein of musical exploration that occurred on his debut LP and records such as the highly vibrant ‘A Touch of Cold Water’, Hagen turns on the style in regards to creating a deeply compelling series of sounds that all for one but deeply individual all at the same time, with the micro evolutions that occur throughout giving much over to the idea of creating a rounded and fulfilling experience. The album begins and ends with two uptempo numbers in the form of ‘QQQ’ and ‘Slide Through the Valley’, both of which allow for a release of sorts through the inspired use of live instrumentation and the layering of elements which makes the music feel so very alive. Quiet spaces are found in the cuts ‘Rivers of Absence’, ‘Too Far’ and ‘Swaying’, all of which persist between the rhythms impeccably and act as these thoughtful, beautified interludes that touch upon the question – what will the future look like? All of which is answered in three differing tonal ways. ‘L7 Dreams’, ‘Gem’ and ‘XX Blues’ all shift between the other vibrations, exploring in their own exciting ways a very conceptual manner of being, and it caps off the experience beautifully.
Jascha Hagen has always had a knack at making the extraordinary feel effortless, the in-sequential feel complete and whole, and the wide reaching feeling laser focused and total. This new record is testament to these notions, and from the moment you press play until the record wraps itself up, there is a deep satisfaction to be had, a journey that merits revisiting time and time again. So why not take a little meander, and loose yourself within an audial experience of such quality…
Lined up next on Toolroom, we’re set to welcome the return of WEISS to the label 3 years after his last outing. Most known for his certified gold, 2018 smash-hit ‘Feel My Needs’, which received critical acclaim, topping 5 international music charts at #1, and earning DJ Mag’s ‘Best Of British Winner’ in 2018. WEISS himself has locked in an incredible collaboration with legendary Soul act The Jones Girls, using their classic record ‘You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else’ to create the club stomping cut that is, ‘I Need Some’.
A prolific DJ and producer, WEISS has released cuts on DIRTYBIRD, Universal, Island Records, D4 D4nce, Glitterbox and Toolroom along with remixing A-list artists including Kylie Minogue, Robyn, Calvin Harris and Rag n Bone Man to name a few. When it comes to the House Music elite, Weiss is amongst some of the best there is, touring worldwide and sharing stages with Armand Van Helden, Todd Terry and MK.
Of course, The Jones Girls are an act that needs no introduction, the legendary Philadelphia trio of sisters are the vocalists behind the classic Soul cuts ‘Nights Over Egypt’ and ‘Who Can I Run To’, released on the renowned Philadelphia International label. Backing singers to both Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross during the 1970’s, The Jones Girls have left their mark on Music History and still influence artists and vocalists alike today.
With a passion for all things Soul, Disco and R&B, WEISS has officially fulfilled a childhood dream working with The Jones Girls to create ‘I Need Some’. This is a Disco House focused cut that pays homage to the original record ‘You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else’, whilst reinterpreting the sample and making it club ready for dance floors in 2022.
Artist: Steffi Title: The Red Hunter Label: Candy Mountain Cat. #: CaMo001 Format: Vinyl, digital Release Date: October 24th 2022 Tracklist: 1. Irreversible Cessation 2. Alternation Of High And Low 3. Primary Chaos 4. North Facing Shade 5. The Red Hunter 6. Tragedy Turns To Comedy 7. Agent Of Change 8. Individuals From All Walks 9. South Facing Brightness 10. Lasting Lovers
Ostgut Ton’s queen Steffi sets another milestone in her musical journey with the publication of a studio album, recently hosted on the brand new label project Candy Mountain run with Virginia: ‘The Red Hunter’ goes into the realms of exploration mixing broken beats with smooth electronica and warehouse booming sounds. Through this track selection it seems the artist celebrates the beginning of a methamorphosis, out of the ordinary course of nature. It would be amazing to listen in the next months these productions even introduced with tricks by sorcery in many dj sets.
AMÉMÉand NenaHalenahave joined forces to remix ‘Jaguar Dance’, the collaborative track from RaidhoandT.Etno, out 28th October.
An invigorating Afro House rework that samples DJ Rolando’s seminal production ‘Knights of the Jaguar’ from 1999, AMÉMÉand NenaHalena’s ‘Jaguar Dance’remix see’s them add percussion and synth stabs that make way for a spine-tingling crescendo just before the tribal groove kicks back in. The original features on Raidho’s new EP of the same name, with remixes of other tracks on the record coming from West & Hill and LUM.
AMÉMÉand NenaHalenaare two of the most exciting new talents in the Afro House scene. AMÉMÉrecently featured on an EP on Crosstown Rebels, collaborated withJamie Jonesfor a track on Cercle Records, and dropped EP ‘Power’on his own One Tribe Recordslabel, in addition to eye-catching sets this year at Coachella, Burning Man, New York Fashion Weekand Paradisein Ibiza to name but a few. NenaHalenaboasts music onStil Vor Talent, Saved Recordsand Hyena‘s Rise Music.
Based in Poland, Raidhois well-known for his flowing tribal rhythms and enchanting melodies which he blends with mystical atmosphere to create captivating tracks that radiate heat like rays from the desert sun. The new EP is his second release onSol Selectas, and he has also released tracks on other labels such as Bar 25 Musicand3000 Grad Records.
Two of the most exciting names in Afro House join forces for a scintillating remix.
Artist: AVIRA feat. Richard Walters Title: Wake Me Up Label: Armada Music Cat. #: ARMAS2362 Format: Digital Release Date: November 4th, 2022 Tracklist: 1. Extended Mix 2. Radio Edit
AVIRA is back and ‘Wake Me Up’ could very well be one of the year’s most standout audial journeys… Richard Walters delivers a hauntingly beautiful vocal that ties ‘Wake Me Up’‘s slow, chunky grooves and uncomplicated melodies together. This groovy, melodious and highly atmospheric track is truly the perfect combination of elements.
Artist: Damián Schwartz Title: La Sal De Tu Especie Label: Pulp Cat. #: pulp15 Format: Digital, 2 x vinyl Release Date: November 4th 2022 Tracklist: A1 – Renacido – 1:20 A2 – La Elipa – 5:48 A3 – Lopp – 4:51 B1 – Zwei Danke – 5:42 B2 – Zwei Danke (K15 Remix) – 4:39 C1 – Morro Da Urca – 1:30 C2 – Rufo ∞ – 6:14 C3 – Meco – 5:50 D1 – Milka – 3:58 D2 – Coney Island – 4:15 D3 – Lopp (GB Remix) – 4:44
Damián Schwartz makes a welcome return to Pulp for his third full-length album, La Sal De Tu Especie. The 11 track record was written over the last three years as a way of coping with some tough experiences and features remixes from K15 and Gifted & Blessed. It once again finds the Madrid producer serving up the sort of richly musical house that has always stood him apart.
Schwartz has been away for a while but emerged in the early 2000s with an artful take on house music. As a student of jazz, composition and bass, his intricate grooves have always been embellished with real melodic craftsmanship. In the past, they have come on this label, Esperanza and A Harmless Deed which he co-runs with José Cabrera. He has put out two albums before now and also works under the Epiphany alias as a producer and live act. He is a real master of his analog machinery and someone who never fails to bring fresh ideas. This superbly adventurous and widescreen new album proves that once again and shows off diverse influences such as 90’s broken beat by acts like Hanna and 4 Hero, the early IDM of LFO and Aphex Twin and the Detroit house and electro styles of greats such as Juan Atkins, Teknotika, Marcellus Pittman and Kyle Hall.
It kicks off with ‘Renacido’ which is a cinematic synth opener that places you into orbit. ‘La Elipa’ is expansive and jazzy house with cosmic chord work over the tight, punchy kicks and ‘Lopp’ then gets physical with broken beat drums and funky bass dancing around each other to uplifting effect. The superb ‘Zwei Danke’ is another masterclass in off-grid beat programming and soulful machine sounds that captures the essence of early Detroit house.
It is remixed by K15, a vital London beatmaker with credits on labels like Eglo and Wild Oats. His version showcases rugged, lo-fi and dusty drums softened by heart-melting chords and angelic vocal coos.
Schwartz’s ‘Morro Da Urca’ is a suspensory ambient interlude that makes way for the crisp electro-funk and starry-eyed pads of ‘Rufo,’ then ‘Meco’ cuts loose with boogie bass and glistening drums and perc that voyage through a whole eco-system of bright, nebulous synths. ‘Mika’ is another out of this world house composition with majestic leads and pixelated pads that bring warmth and future soul. There is real electricity in the freeform keys and corrugated drums of ‘Coney Island’ that will ensure any dance floor takes off.
Final remixer Gabriel Reyes-Whittaker aka GB (Gifted & Blessed) is a composer and sound artist whose music is a constant exploration of the bridge between the technological and the ancestral. He flips ‘Loop’ into an Afro-future jazz dance with infectious percussion and expressive chords that never rest.
‘La Sal De Tu Especie’ is a timeless fusion of jazz freedom and house grooves that takes you into a magical new dimension.
Artist Quote – “The 11 track record was written over the last three years as a way of coping with some tough experiences and features remixes from K15 and Gifted & Blessed.”
