Review: Ali-is - Hammered Swing (Needa Records)

What marks an artist’s path? Is it his views on life? His desire to create? Or is it a drive to transcend death?  The bridge from inspiration to sound has been taken by many a man, now this road has commenced for a man not of this time, forgotten by technology, erased from the industrialized clone era, an artist beneath and beyond the evident, Ali-us has been boiling in the pot of creative revolution, seeking a path of his own. He has cemented his love of humanity, circuit instruments and sub-cultures into his music. Of which we now have a chance to channel into your auditory pleasure zone.

For the first time on Needa Records, the heretic Ali-us makes his debut on a four track E.P. with two remixes being handed in by the man with a long discography, Steve Frisco. The first two are the original pieces by Ali-us; the first is “Hammered Swing”. When working on the record’s ancient hieroglyphs that you are now reading, Ali-us being the anal retentive diva that he is, suggested his music should be described as “Aggrospheric” a mix between atmospheric and aggressive. The song reminisces of basic channel with a reggae dub flavour, influence from those dark Strictly Rhythm records he probably has shelved up.  “Mosquito fish” brings the flavour in this batch of soundscapes, with a kicking beat and smooth driven echo’s trailing you into dance floor ecstasy. The key’s hit you while the strobe illuminates you into Zen consciousness in a dark cinematic way.  Steve Frisco’s remix of 'Hammered Swing' seems to pay tribute to the aggression of the original making a good case as to why he is still making music after so many years. A kid inside is most certainly pushing the love for this remix, as you can understand the play of repetitiveness so evident in the original and the remix that has made techno music so evocative after so many years. “Mosquitofish’s' celluloid beat remix by Steve is a bareback bones rhythm excursion into the deep, turning ali’s-us cinematic piece into a rush of adrenaline for the low end junkies. Stunning music by two accomplished thinkers and musicians.

www.needarecords.com

Review: Marcello Napoletano - Rush EP (What Ever Not)

An Italian proverb says there is no two without a three, and as you can see by the title this is the third release from label What Ever Not. This time around for WEN003, bosses Dan Mela and partner Dodi Palese pick there friend Marcello Napoletano, who presents a different four track extended player titled Rush. Marcello is no new producer in the deep house panorama starting up in 2007 on Radiance, and since then releasing among others also on famous labels as Mathematics Recordings this being one of his greatest supporters, YORE, Quintessentials, Laid, and in 2012 also founding his wax only Marcello Vinyl which so far features three releases. As is expected Rush EP features Marcello Napoletano going into his old school raw deep Chicago house influenced sound, with the four very distinct different mood tracks titled; And Now A Grace's Grass Joint, Rush, Almanacco, and Survivor.  For the different moods the tracks in WEN003 present, I will call them the Good, Bad, Ugly, and the Romantic, taking stint from an old Italian Western movie by Sergio Leone.  The good mood track is And Now A Grace's Grass Joint.  Bad mood goes to the deep and dark Rush. Ugly is definitely the track titled Survivor which also features an interesting sample from Lil Louis I Called U and is the most peak timer of the tracks. Romantic is surely Almanacoo which inspires to old school New York soulful garage sounds.  A must have!            

www.whatevernot.net       

Review: Owen Jay & Melchior Sultana - Movement EP (Moods And Grooves)

Debuting on Connecticut's Underground Quality label, followed by The Riot EP on Batti Batti and more recent a superb 10" titled Here For You on Spanish label Minuendo, the Maltese duo Owen Jay and Melchior Sultana head to Detroit with a outstanding four-track EP titled Movement on the highly praised label Moods and Grooves; the label with previous releases from Moodymann, Kyle Hall, Rick Wade, Brad Peterson, Andres, Theo Parrish, Glenn Underground, Anthony Shakir, Mr. G, and Mike Grant to name a few. When a label of such caliber turns its attention to Europe it has to be something special, since from a catalog of over 50 releases only a few of the artists hail from the old continent. In this extended player Owen and Melchior show a new side to their various deep faces thus far, with a vibe leaning towards Afro Jazz house sounds. The four tracks in this player; Movement, Sentimental, That Feeling, and Mesmerised are definitely for the refined audience. Movement, the title track of this EP opens the groove with solid phasing drums and alternating rhodes chords leading to a jazzy break and followed by build up of raw 909 hats and snares. Sentimental is the most atmospheric yet soulful track of this release with saturated afro percussion, ambient pads and a brass-like chorus taking the listener to other places with it timeless melody. On the flip side That Feeling takes an old school deep house approach with warm pads and jazzy vibes reminiscent to the classic Guidance Recordings. The last track Mesmerised is a 7 minute broken-beat Afro jazz masterpiece with drowsing brassy pads and moaning leads.

www.moodsandgrooves.com

Review: various artists - The Riot EP (Batti Batti)

Batti Batti returns with another serious release, this time from label boss Owen Jay and studio partner Melchior Sultana. Avoiding the use of sampling, the Riot Ep is a four tracker of genuine deepness, very original in style and structure and having all sounds produced on vintage hardware gear. Style wise this Extended player varies from the more club oriented tracks Silent Change and The Riot which could easily be categorized as deep techno, to a very house groove titled Afterparty and a Rhodes world wide infested mid-tempo groove titled Mirror from Melchior Sultana. Rumor has it that Dj Jus-Ed the Underground Quality boss has been playing these tracks for the past two years and as the engraving on the vinyl suggest BBR03 is a dedicated to the deep house community worldwide. Vinyl released in Spring was limited to three hundred copies with only a few left here and there. Now its time for the digital release.

www.battibatti.com

Review: Uraz Kurt - Hip Hip Uraz (Soulab)

Soulab returns to a full album by one of its latest new rotation artist, this time coming from Turkish producer Uraz Kurt.  This full length album is called  'Hip Hip Uraz' as it's very fair to say once you listen to the eighteen tracks featured in this interesting long player.  This album is definitely an arsenal of good grooves and songs, most of which are in Hip Hop and R'n'b sounds with a couple of house influenced here and there. If you want house listen to Beach Dance and Big Fun, this last cover version of Detroit's Inner City smash hit back in the eighties. Another cover version in this album is but this time in hip hop nu-soul grooves is 'Everybody Loves the Sunshine' and as in Big Fun singer Cagri Ultay does another amazing job. All I can say is to do not sleep on this because the Uraz Kurt's Hip Hip is an art of groove inspired  by past soul, funk, and new wave sounds produced and put together in a modern method.

www.soulab.com

Review: various artists - Funky Party 2 (Soulab)

Soulab after a few months releases its second instalment of the compilation Funky Party, a melting pot of great funky grooves coming from a bunch of talented funk soul brother producers, heading the new school.  These names are paramount with the French Soulab label; Uptown Funk Empire, Cool Million, Los Charly's Orchestra, Fatback 4Way, Confection from Australia, Uraz Kurt from Istanbul, and a brilliant newcomer from  France: Moonshoes.  Some of these names are part of Soulab artists rotation since years, while others have joined the label in the recent months. These production teams are also backed by a dream team of vocalists: The Maestros  Rotimo Soul, The Supa Soul Brotha Del of the Neutronics, Don Dolla, the Divas Cagri Ultay, Me'lisa Morgan, Diane Marsh and Janice and Ange in the thirteen tracks featured in this compilation. As is usual to all Soulab compilation Funky Party 2 while coming from new school artists looks at funk music from its various sound identified by many in decades; from the seventies, eighties, to the nineties with a twist of modern tech thrown in noticeable by those with good ears.  It's absolutely essential modern Funk business on Funky Party 2 again in its second instalment.

www.soulab.com

Review: various artists - The Soul Revolution 3 (Soulab)

Soulab continues in its strategy of the last months and continues to bring a series of innovative not only for the DJ but also great to listen compilations, all with a different theme to them and exploring soul and funk in its diverse forms.  This time around Soulab presents The Soul Revolution 3, a thirteen track unmixed compilation coming from twelve different artists all from the French label stable.  This compilation follows this second instalment issued past June 2012, so if you are into this you might as well check that out.  The Soul Revolution 3 as the name says explores soul in its various sub genres its has transformed into in the last years.   A transformation which is musically speaking a making of over a century.  You can listen to for example Weeland and The Soul Collectives 'Push You Back' and you are into modern Rnb territory. While Slow Motion Replay 'Terminal Station' takes into Latin inspired vibes.  For more funk house grooves check the Uptown Funk Empire here with two tracks, the more pumped dub remix of Allen Hoist 'With Love', and the broken beat 'Feel this Groove' by Sir Gloves. Uraz Kurt 'Remeber the Light'  gives a new meaning to modern soul with its electronic vibe mixed with sounds coming from life instruments.  Soulab does it again with a great compilation of quality music, that's about it.      

www.soulab.com  

Review: Nasty Boy - Underground River EP (Batti Batti)

Italian DJ producer Niko Nasty Boy returns to BattiBatti after appearing for the various artists These Days extended player released in early March, with the solid track 'Something in my Shoes'.   A tune that personally I cannot stop playing! In this extended player Niko follows to the letter the BattiBatti signature sound, presenting three atmospheric deep house tracks; Early in the Sky, For My Bag, and Underground River. All three tunes are deep and underground with a classic mood to them, inspired from sounds of the mid nineties.  To sum up in short Early in the Sky is atmospheric, while For My Bag is mellow with a romantic feel to it, while the last track Underground River which gives the name to the extended player is the most moving of the lot.  Nasty Boy is definitely one of the names to watch in the months to come and the Italian young producer should be on the radar for all deep house music lovers.      

www.battibatti.com 

Review: Nasty Boy - Clock (Old Future Music)

Old Future Music a digital and vinyl label from Naples Italy, presents its latest release coming from Italian uprising producer Nasty Boy who presents us with a three different track player called Clock.  Nasty Boy on Old Future Music sixth digital release follows such names as Rick Wade, and D.O.B appearing previous to him on this young label.  Nasty Boy three tracks here are Clock, Fall Out, and Oversized all of which are characterized for deepness and pads which dive you into deep house rhythms.  The middle track Fall Out stands out for its slower tempo characteristic compared to the other two, and its analog dark underground vibe.  Fall Out is also the most raw of the tracks found in this extended player, with a characteristic which grows more the more you play it.  The title track Clock which opens this extended player is a journey with nice looping drums plus repeating pads asking you to get deeper.  Oversized is the most groovy with a nice old school rhythm again building atmospheres with pads, Latin percussion giving a lift, and background chants.            

Review: various artists - Atmospheres EP (Batti Batti)

Number two for the Batti Batti vinyl series and as the first release the label goes on with presenting a four different artist extended player titled Atmospheres EP.  With such a title it is definitely a must that each track here offers a diverse flavour of atmospheric deep house.  Opening this vinyl on side A is label boss Owen Jay and his studio partner Melchior Sultana who presents the track 'Spheric'.  In this track the Maltese duet take you deep and dark with some nice keys and pads creating a thin genre border between house, techno, and dub.  The second track in this vinyl comes from man of the moment Nathan H who presents 'Alpinsim'.  Here Nathan creates a nice soft percussive groove which blends well with the build up of the track.  Side B sees the return of Belgian artist Cleveland who was presented to Batti Batti on the good number twelve of the digital series with a two track extended player.  'Pandora' which is Cleveland track is a mellow at some points romantic instrumental affair which takes you on a journey inside.  Last but not least is Bittersuite who appear for Batti Batti for the fourth time.  This British production team presents 'Monk Vibe', an African tribal rhythm track with hints of soul and dub sounds merging in and out.     

www.battibatti.com

Review: various artists - These Days EP (Batti Batti)

Number thirteen and the forth extended player from Batti Batti.  Again the Malta underground dance label takes the various artists route, bringing together three different protagonists.  Two House from Denmark, the Italian Nasty Boy, and Red Pig Flower a Japanese lady currently DJing constantly around Europe in such clubs as Tresor Berlin and Fabric London.  Some of these names might sound familiar  to some of you, as all have previously released music on different labels some also with a well known signature to them. All three tracks deliver a different flavor yet they all feature a special blend of deepness. From the Detroit chords of These Days, to my favorite tune by rising star Nasty Boy some nice warm pads in this, and the hypnotic elements with a border to minimal of Red Pig Flower track Romantica.  This is again a very interesting EP from Batti Batti. Need I add more!

www.battibatti.com

Review: various artists - Funky Party (Soulab)

How can you unite the past with the present and make it look like a straight line.  This is bascially the compilation Funky Party from the French label Soulab. This latest Soulab thirteen tracks compilation unites the past from artists like Tom Moulton, Leroy Burgress, and Eugene Wilde to new school names as Uptown Funk Empire, Cool Million, and Los Charly Orchestra and half a dozen others in between.  Its impressive to see new bands as these mentioned last who make music which sounds similar prototype house of the early eighties with huge tribute to the sounds played at the Paradise Garage, Zanzibar etc.  The so called begining years in the big apple of this period being the aftermath of disco and the start of a new era.  Funky Party is definitly a must have for those interested in the roots of dance, and house.  Funky Party also is a compilation reminding that there is no future without a knowledge of the past and how house and dance music came to be what it is today!   

www.soulab.com

Review: Dodi Palese - Switch, Spacewalk (What Ever Not)

In just a bit short to a year What Ever Not releases its catalogue 002, this time coming from other label partner Dodi Palese who presents this two track vinyl with Switch on side A, and Spacewalk on B.  Both the tracks are of a track atmosphere with a dark deep feeling to them.  Switch is the most dance of the tunes and has an industrial feel groove with old school style high hats, nineties style pads coming in and out, and vocal starting at the middle which adds an agreesive feel also thanks to some sound bits added.  Spacewalk is the darker side of this release featuring a very well made tribal groove with a sound style between dub, techno, and deep creating one loopy trip just short of seven minutes.  A note here is that Dodi Palese will also be releasing an album coming March with a sampler featuring three tracks from the long player following this release by a couple of days.  If you like his style here I suggest you check it out!     

www.whatevernot.net

Review: various artists - Soul's Back Again And Again!!! (Soulab)

After making a very hot December month with two releases, Soulab starts 2013 presenting this new compilation which looks to its past, from not so long ago as the Uraz Kurt tune which was released in December 2012, or more back in time as the tracks from Uptown Funk Empire.  Soul's Back Again And Again is a thirteen tune compilation from various artists from around the globe, and part of the Soulab artist rotation.  Soul's Back is a series of compilation with two predecessors released first in 2008, and Soul's Back Again issued in 2011. The artists featured in Back Again and Again are; Uptown Funk Empire three tunes, Allen Hoist and Slow Motion Replay both with two tracks, Uraz Kurt, Weeland and The Urban Soul Collective, Isaac Aesili, Various Artists, Dan Electro, and Giuseppe Storniolo these having one track each.  The tunes are all of a soul influence, with a different variation of theme which goes from broken beat, down tempo, funk, hip-hop, house, jazz, and latin influences.  This makes Soul's Back Again and Again not only a DJ use compilation but also for the good listeners being it lounging or driving.

www.soulab.com     

Review: various artists - Four Seasons Volume One (Got2Go)

Got2Go is a new label from France founded in 2012, and producing its first release What is Love EP by label boss Fat Bastian in the middle of the same year.  Couple months later and Got2Go presents its second catalogue number titled Four Seasons Volume One.  Got2Go second release features two tracks by different artists, both added with a remix.  As release one this new Got2Go Vinyl is a tribute to early Chicago Jackin house sounds. Side A of Got2Go 002 features rising deep house star Brazilian born French resident Whim-ee with a track called 'Where's Your Pants' here showing her harder darker side reminding me of Cajmere mid nineties productions.  This tune is remixed by Martin de Brig in a more techno house flavour.  Side B features Anaxander with the track 'You've Got' which is in turn remixed by Jared.  As release number one Got2Go Records 002 is available in vinyl only, in a cool marble grey colored platter and limited to only 250 pressings.

Review: Uraz Kurt - Five Smoking Turkish Grooves (Soulab)

Uraz Kurt is a Turkish producer who after debuting on French label Soulab in Uptown Funk Empire on remix duties on the just released 'The Remix Strikes Back' this time sets up record straight with his extended player titled 'Five Smoking Turkish Grooves'.  As it is easy to note the title says it all on the number of tunes you find in this release, that is five, and the nature of them all being of a laid back groove with a Nu-soul inspiration.  Opening the dances in this release is the very soul 'Voice of your Heart'  featuring the excellent voice of Cagri Ultay.  A down tempo soul which musically speaking makes you think of years gone by.  This one is followed by the excellent 'Missed Connect' more on a Nu-Soul and featuring a very modern electronic inspired groove.  Third track in the 'Istanbul Funk Interlude' Jazz funk mixed with Asian atmospheres for just over two minutes.  The next track is my preferred of this extended player 'She Doesn't Wanna See' a broken rhythm Jazz house stormer with very well laid floating chords and vocals.  'One More Idea' is the more big room dance with a funky house rhythm and bass line merging into jazz funk influences later on. 

www.soulab.com 

Review: Uptown Funk Empire - The Remix Strikes Back (Soulab)

Uptown Funk Empire presents this interesting remix package from the acclaimed 2009 released funk and soul infected album The Empire Strikes Back.  The Remix Strikes Back is the title of this new pack which features a total of eighteen remixes of the tracks; 'N.O.W', 'Boogie', 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now', and 'You've Got to Have Freedom'.  Some remixes in this new collection have already appeared previously in seperate releases as those from The SOS, The Gemini Bros, and some of the remixes featured in the single issue the past Spring of 'N.O.W'.  The remixes from Uraz Kurt are new, he gives his touch to three of the tracks, all minus Boogie.  The remixes made to 'N.O.W.' are actually my favorite here, with two interesting reworks from Patchwork already released last Spring and I do not know how I missed it, to the spacey African rhythms of Staro45.  Other interesting remixes are the Teemid Re-edit of 'Boogie', and Uraz Kurt remix of 'Nothing Gonna Us Now'.

www.soulab.com

Review: Cleveland - Mid-Sun EP (battibatti bb12)

The new BattiBatti release comes from Belgium artist Cleveland titled Mid Sun EP which features two deep house tracks, with a moving groove.  Opening the dances in this release is the track Bruxlyn One, a nine minute key infected builder with vocal snippet and unusual sound coming off and on.  Number two is the title track Mid Sun a more deep track to the previous with a Chicago house drum style and nice warm sounds.  Cleveland a new rotation to the BattiBatti artist line up is also to be featured in the second upcoming vinyl release, along three other artists to come out before the end of this year.  Watch this spot for more information.      

www.battibatti.com

Review: various artists - Basement Tracks EP 1 (Batti Batti)

Founded up in 2009 and since taking out ten phenomenal releases BattiBatti makes its entry into the vinyl world with this first four different tracks package titled Basement Track EP 1.   The deep, and underground house scene has always been a keen supporter to this pure Deejay medium, and being BattiBatti a label dedicated to those sounds the move was certainly expected in due time and most surely welcome.  Label boss Owen Jay with his partner Melchior Sultana opens the dances with the track titled 'Groove Me'.  He is followed on side A by 1Dan a repeat artist on BattiBatti who here comes with the dark, deep, cosmic but yet energetic 'Light Bridge'.  On the B side we have Nino with the trip deep track 'Nino' which reminds me a bit of Callisto from Guidance Records, and Benedikt Frey of Mule and Ethereal records fame and his acid infected 'Moving Shadows'. 

www.battibatti.com

Review: various artists - Holdin On EP (battibatti BB11)

Release number eleven for Malta's iconic deep and underground label Battibatti.  This third series in the various artist extended players titled Holdin On presents four tunes all by different artists, two of which making their first appearance on BattiBatti.  The repeating artists are 1Dan, the producer of BB07 'Wish You Well', and Melchior Sultana who here presents himself solo, being the usual partner of label boss Owen Jay.  The new artists are Marco Nega, and the duet of Romeo C and Alhan G.  Dan1 opens the player with the deep and voyage track Another Afternoon here in the late edit version.  Marco Nega an artist with releases on Underground Quality and BuMako follows with Intromental, an atmospheric tune with jazzy chords.  Third is Melchior Sultana 'Holdin On' a very jazz inspiring tune, which builds up to a groovy affair. Closes this extended player the more pumped up Romeo C and Alhan G 'Don't Tell Me What To Do', a deep tribal affair with nice keys and sensual vocal female and male vocal hooks.   

www.battibatti.com