PACK SHOT Diamond Dealer - Ndlalifa EP feat. Tabia - connected

Diamond Dealer feat. Tabia ‘Ndlalifa EP’

Artist: Diamond Dealer feat. Tabia
Title: Ndlalifa EP
Label: connected
Cat. #: connected 098
Format: Digital
Release Date: 8th April 2022
Tracklist:
1. Ndlalifa (Original Mix)
2. Ndlalifa (Jackson Brainwave Remix)
3. Ndlalifa (Jackson Brainwave Instrumental)
4. Ndlalifa (Kiberu Sibasa Remix)
5. Ndlalifa (Kiberu KwaZulu Remix)

South African House music mainstay Diamond Dealer joins forces with singer-songwriter Tabia to deliver a stacked EP featuring remixes from Jackson Brainwave & Kiberu.

Following two EP’s on MoBlack and a guest appearance on John Digweeds’ Transitions radio show, Diamond Dealer has garnered support from notable artists such as Black Coffee, Solomun & Sasha. He now adds his unique sound to the Stereo MC’s connected imprint with the ‘Ndlalifa’ EP.

Tabia’s prayer-like vocals plead for the return of the ‘Heir’ (written in tribute to Diamond Dealers son) and tell the story of ‘Ndlalifa’ through writhing, syncopated beats, guitar synths and cascading piano chords. These elements provide the ideal conditions for remixers Jackson Brainwave and Kiberu, who contribute two stunning tracks each to round off the release. In addition to including a chuggy AfroTech instrumental of their version, Jackson Brainwave opts for the hypnotic route: a four to the floor rhythm, stripped back percussion and added ambience characterize his remix.

The first of Kiberu’s takes combines Detroit influences with a shuffling groove. The raw bassline and arpeggiating flutes take centre stage as playful hi-hats duck in and out of the mix. The Kwazulu version picks up the pace by adding a Djembe groove and a distorted, stuttering bass line, creating a darker impression of the original while still maintaining the authenticity of Tabia’s deep and moving performance.

PACK SHOT - Various Artists (incl. Shifting Gears, Haruka Salt, John Barera) - Playground Compilation (Vol. 3) - toucan sounds

Various ‘Playground Compilation (Vol. 3)’

Artist: Various
Title: Playground Compilation (Vol. 3)
Tracks by: Shifting Gears, Haruka Salt, John Barera & more
Label: toucan sounds
Cat. #: YTCW082
Format: Digital
Release Date: 1st April 2022

New York’s toucan sounds ready ‘Playground Compilation (Vol. 3)’, featuring Shifting Gears, Haruka Salt, John Barera, and more.

Comprising a mammoth seventeen tracks and being released exclusively on Bandcamp with all proceeds going directly to artists, toucan sounds’ ‘Playground Compilation (Vol. 3)’ compiles various sounds and genres from label regulars such as Haruka Salt, Shifting Gears, Toribio, as well as newcomers to the imprint John Barera, Laenz, Matt FX, and more.

The compilation aims to encapsulate the underground sound of New York City, with many of the tracks and contributors deeply rooted in its musical lifeblood. ’Same Ole Thang’ by Whatever, Girl aka Louie
“Balo” Guzman & Bill Coleman was pulled off a cassette from the mid-90s (remixed and remastered for today) while the two were releasing records on Strictly Rhythm and Eightball Records. All the way to the 2020s, withLove Letters, who has appeared on some of Brooklyn’s top underground labels like Mister Saturday Night, Allergy Season, and The Bunker. They all join toucan sounds for the first time alongside artists like fleet.dreams and Escaflowne, who often play b2b, and whose fantastic releases on SorryRecords have seen them pushed forward in the local Brooklyn scene.

Overall, from the hazy opening house jam ‘can’t stop the moment’ through to the washed-out electronica of derek muro’s ‘ramble3 (Balearic Dub)’, the compilation successful exemplifies the open-minded ethos of the label. By emphasizing a focus on the local talent forged at their YouYooCanWoo Studios, as well as artists from further afield, the compilation is an assured collection of exciting music from the wide-ranging friends and family of the fast-rising imprint.

Brooklyn’s toucan sounds are a label at the forefront of emerging sounds and artists. Curated by French Horn Rebellion out of the You Too Can Woostudios in New York, the imprint has been championing acts such as Haruka Salt, Toribio, Brandon Markell Holmes, and many more since its inception in 2019.

Tracklist:

01 fleet.dreams – can’t stop the moment
02 Son of Lee – D.A.I.S.Y.
03 John Barera & James Preston – Turnaround City
04 Shifting Gears – Brooks
05 Escaflowne – Betta Believe
06 Love Letters – High North
07 KIMIKO – Quarantine Booty
08 Laenz – Cracked
09 Haruka Salt – 2001 Shibuya
10 Toribio – My Neck (BDA Remix)
11 Whatever, Girl (Louie “Balo” Guzman & Bill Coleman) – Same Ole Thang
12 Matt FX – The Hothouse
13 Brandon Markell Holmes & Futvrst – Silence & Monogamy
14 Robert PM – More Life
15 Sinego, toucan sounds & JAD Sounds – So Flute vs m.p.b. feat. Pink Flamingo Rhythm Revue
16 Lorna – Mosfet
17 derek muro – ramble3 (Balearic Dub)

PACKSHOT VONDA7 - Arrivals - art | werk

VONDA7 ‘Arrivals’

Artist: VONDA7
Title: Arrivals
Remixer: Artche & Cornelius (SA)
Label: art | werk
Cat. #: AW019
Format: Digital
Release Date: 1st April 2022
Tracklist
1. Arrivals
2. Arrivals (Artche Remix)
3. Arrivals (Cornelius (SA) Remix)

VONDA7 returns to her fledgling art | werk imprint with new single ‘Arrivals’, backed by remixes from Artche and Cornelius (SA).

Floating amongst genres and sounds to craft her own sound, DJ, producer and label owner VONDA7 is an artist in continual evolution. Following eleven years in her adopted hometown of Berlin, recent movements have welcomed change via a break in Valencia, Spain for new (ad)ventures, working at the renowned Berklee Music College while immersing herself in the country’s iconic Balearic music scene and climate. Having joined Sebastian Muallert for his Circle Of Live course, one of the producers she looks up to most, coupled with exploring deeper connections with her mind and body through yoga, meditation, and long beach walks, April now sees the unveiling of ‘Arrivals’ – featuring remixes from the UK talent Artche and South Africa’s Cornelius.


A resonant and moving production fusing swirling lead synths, delicate, subtle keys and VONDA7’s trademark, whispering vocals, ‘Arrivals’ showcases a captivating and hypnotic slice of melodic techno. Up next, Artche’s remix ups the energy as he journeys deep into the late-night hours via swirling basslines and tough drum licks, before Cornelius’ blissful interpretation effortlessly combines hazy atmospheres and rich soundscapes to close the show.

 

 

PACK-SHOT-Insolate-Night-Love-EP-Symbolism

Insolate ‘Night Love EP’

Artist: Insolate
Title: Night Love EP
Label: Symbolism
Cat. #: SYMDIGI017
Format: Digital
Release Date: 25th March 2022
Tracklist:
01) Her
02) Night Love (Vocal Mix)
03) Super Bloom
04) Back to Me

Insolate returns to Symbolism with ‘Night Love EP’

Following her ‘Sins EP’ in 2021 and contribution to the Synchronicity compilation for Ben Sims’ imprint, Croatian DJ/Producer Insolate is back on Symbolism this March with ‘Night Love EP’, four tracks of tightly wound techno.

Kicking off with the elastic arpeggios and otherworldly vocal fx of ‘Her’ before the busy, shuffling funk of ‘Night Love (Vocal Mix) unleashes its staccato melodies, ‘Night Love EP’ quickly shows it’s music for dark rooms and strobe lights and isn’t messing around. The third track, ‘Super Bloom’ is a powerful stomp shot through with more manic, randomised synths before closer, ‘Back to Me’, spaces things out with a skeletal groove adorned with barely-there percussive detail and organ licks.

Insolate’s decades-long reputation as a key figure in the Croatian techno scene has been steadily spreading outside the country’s borders for almost as long and has even seen the artist granted official government status as an ambassador for the arts in 2017. Releases for her Out of Place label, DJ Deep’s Deeply Rooted and Planet X as well as gigs throughout the world continue to grow the ranks of the Insolate dedicated.

PACKSHOT Spencer Parker - Kiss - Saved

Spencer Parker ‘Kiss’

Artist: Spencer Parker
Title: Kiss
Label: Saved
Cat. #: SAVED268
Format: Digital
Release Date: 25th March 2022

Spencer Parker returns to Nic Fanciulli’s Saved imprint for new single, ‘Kiss’.

“We welcome back Saved label favourite and one of Europe’s leading DJ and producer’s this month, Spencer Parker, who delivers his brand new single, ‘Kiss’. Renowned across the globe for his unique style of House, Tech House and Techno, Spencer Parker’s productions, remixes and re-edits have found homes on respected labels including Rekids, HE.SHE.THEY., Trick, Nite Grooves, Tsuba, Work Them Records, Warehouse Music and his music has been heavily supported by A-List DJ’s Ricardo Villalobos, Radio Slave, Dixon, Gerd Janson and more!

A firm favourite of label boss Nic Fanciulli’s ever since he heard the track, ‘Kiss’ emanates Spencer’s inimitable, signature sound. Sampling the infamous Sister Sledge classic, ‘One More Time’, Spencer adds his own spin on the sample incorporating funk laden drum grooves, enchanting mid-range synth melodies, crisply mixed percussion, playful bassline and a pulsating low-end, resulting in the perfect peak-time production, destined to blow up the club! Enjoy!” – Saved, March 2022

PACK SHOT - Drumcell, Thomas Hoffknecht - Severance Check EP - CLR

Drumcell, Thomas Hoffknecht ‘Severance Check EP’

Artist: Drumcell, Thomas Hoffknecht
Title: Severance Check EP
Label: CLR
Cat. #: CLR099
Format: Digital
Release Date: 25th March 2022
Tracklist:
01 Arrp
02 Arrp (Cut Edit)
03 Severance Check
04 Arrp (Tool Edit)

Drumcell and Thomas Hoffknecht team up for ‘Severance Check EP’ on Chris Liebing’s CLR this March.

Working together for the first time, Los Angeles’ based Drumcell, previously a core CLR artist, and Hamburg-based DJ and producer Thomas Hoffknechtjoin forces for ‘Severance Check EP’ on CLR, turning in four heaving techno tracks for Chris Liebing’s imprint.

Leading the release is the original mix of ‘Arrp’, which sees two further edits throughout the EP. Bringing heavy synth stabs and pumping drums, the track kicks off the release with a bang. Following is the ‘Cut Edit’ of ‘Arrp’, bringing a headsy dose of alternate stabs and loose claps to the mix for a rowdy edit.

The title track, ‘Severance Check’, follows with tripped out bleeps, reverberated percussion, and crunching sound FX before ‘Arrp (Tool Edit)’ closes out the release with a dose of pounding kicks, sizzling hats, and monstrous breakdowns.

Liebing’s iconic CLR imprint, started in 1999, returned in 2021 after a five-year hiatus. Initially titled Chris Liebing Records until 2010, then Create Learn Realize until the break, and now Create Learn Repeat, CLR reemerged in the techno underground with releases from Liebing himself, followed by newcomer Frankie Bromley, upstarts Hertz Collision & Gene Richards Jr, and DEAS, as well as veteran Luke Slater.

PACK SHOT - V111 - Erotik Talk EP - Rekids Special Projects

V111 ‘Erotik Talk EP’

Artist: V111
Title: Erotik Talk EP
Label: Rekids Special Projects
Cat. #: RSPX38
Format: Digital
Release Date: 18th March 2022
Tracklist:
01 Erotik Talk
02 BSDM
03 Ball Gag
04 Sex Domination

V111, aka Jacopo Varen, is an Italian DJ/producer who has produced music since 2013 under his V111 and Varen aliases for labels such as Suara Music, Pushmaster, Opium Trax and many more. Arriving for the first time on Radio Slave’s techno-focussed Rekids Special Projects, V111 delivers four racy tracks crafted for pounding clubs and dark rooms.

Leading the release, the title track ‘Erotik Talk’ opens with crunchy percussion and twinkling leads before a creepy breakdown introduces a powerful sense of dread. ‘BDSM’ maintains the energetic pace of the EP, bringing sliced up vocals and rave stabs alongside a powerful 4/4 pattern. ‘Ball Gag’ sees twisted synthesis wrapped around heaving drum programming, making for a dense techno jam, while ‘Sex Domination’ sees squeaky FX paired with shimmering hats to close out the EP.

 

 

GS_076_Macho_Cutie

Macho Cutie ‘Kawasaki Love Foundation’

Artist: Macho Cutie
Title: Kawasaki Love Foundation
Label: Golden Soul Records
Cat. #: GS_076
Release Date: 26.3.2022

Golden Soul Records’ reference 76, is signed by our fellow “Macho Cutie” and this nordic duo have the ideal touch when it comes to Cosmic Disco, not defined as a genre, Golden Soul records releases real Cosmic Disco and these two guys know how to compose a cosmic disco of the highest quality levels, that will make you look at the stars.

The EP features two remixes from two of the label’s managers, Aleito and James Rod, each with their own personal vision, but giving a depth of field to the reference to make it ideal for any dancefloor.

UV0109

Ramy Mishriky ‘Magical Drums’

Artist: Ramy Mishriky
Title: Magical Drums
Remixer: Sonic Jay
Label: Univack
Cat. #: UV0109
Release Date: Beatport (exclusive) – 08.042022 / other – 22.04.2022
Tracklist:
1. Ramy Mishriky – Magical Drums (Orginal Mix) – 122 bpm
2. Ramy Mishriky – Wind Bloom (Orginal Mix) – 120 bpm
3. Ramy Mishriky – Magical Drums (Sonic Jay Remix) – 123 bpm

Univack presents ‘Magical Drums’ an EP by the egyptian (Los Angeles based) Ramy Mishriky. His style is influenced from various music genres such as Jazz, Blues, Eastern music, and a pretty wide range of genres, resulting a complex, organic and deep house sound. This EP is formed by two originals and a more progressive remix by the great and versatil indian artist Sonic Jay.