Kittball

Nolan feat. Forrest
‘C’EST LA VIE’
Kittball

Yet another sterling production from Nolan who makes it all sound so effortless but then that’s life after all. The original version slides by in a haze of shuffling funk driven by probing bass stabs accompanied by synthesised flourishes and capped off by Forrest’s deft vocal dexterity. Raumakustik deliver a cool contrast with their remix adding an edge to the groove but then explore a rousing rush of chorus mid-point. Next, P.A.C.O. transform it all via looped electronics plus deeper moods which unfurl into hypnotic piano punctuated emotions suiting the vocal right down to the ground. Kitball have released a number of gems this past year, this is one more.

Release: December 16
https://www.facebook.com/DJ.NolanUK
http://www.kittball.com

https://soundcloud.com/kittball/sets/nolan-ft-forrest-cest-la-vie-ep

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Reviews: 166

carlos-menaCarlos Mena
Deep Forever More
Yoruba Records

Three brand new tracks adore this latest release from Carlos Mena and as you might well expect they combine the words: deep, pounding yet evocative House music. The release opens with the self-explanatory Bang It which has Osunlade intone its title until you well and truly receive the message. Musically its edgy fusion of scratchy beats plus pulsating stabs that will see this placed firmly on the dancefloor, and is accompanied by an instrumental should you so desire. Elegba then explores tribal percussion, expressive chords/ vocals and even fretless bass, while Deep Forever More returns to a clash of more challenging electronics alongside a spoken message that resonates in timeless fashion.

Release: February 8 2016.

https://www.facebook.com/realcasamena
http://yorubarecords.net

https://soundcloud.com/yoruba-records/sets/carlos-mena-deep-forever-more-edits

KITT111_PAX_COVER1400PAX
Illusion EP
Kittball

This EP’s title is tailor made for those who like it deep, tough and forward-thinking. Indeed the title track: Illusion is quite something, verging on excellence. Driven by a rich amalgamation of dark, brooding beats, probing bass and a smouldering vocal that cuts to the chase this first-rate arrangement of imaginative sounds stamps Tribal, House and even Techno boxes. Complimented neatly by the Everything version, and then by the contrasting fizzy electronics of Wolves this proves to be yet another notable release from Kittball.

Release: Beatport February 23
http://www.wearepax.com
http://www.kittball.com

Two Diggers PicTwo Diggers feat James Dexter
Fatback EP
Inermu

Another intriguing production to bring to your attention is this three track release on James Dexter’s relatively new Inermu imprint. Opening via the smoky Disco flavours of Fatback which blends sampled subtlety just as much as it does pounding beats, there is something just that bit different, more creative going on here. The even friskier Queen then sets pulses racing with deeper repeating intensity, while the final number To The Blues may well hint at their influences and features another fiery bassline amid a frenzy of drums and voices (assisted this time by James Dexter).

Release: March 14
https://www.facebook.com/Inermu
https://www.facebook.com/Two-Diggers-1575016746118733

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Reviews: 152

Single of the Week

Matthus Raman
Swimming With Birds
Musik Gewinnt Freunde

What’s not to love about this debut for the label as Matthus Raman aka French DJ/ Producer Alexandre sequences a teasing, sensual series of engaging electronic notes together with pulsating beats and a surreal sense of occasion. Swimming With Birds is a captivating piece of music gets played over some eight minutes and I’d be more than happy if it was even longer. A first rate remix comes from Jake Chambers who lends the title a darker, more brooding atmosphere care off slightly sinister bass and tougher sounding drums. Next is Ambria which continues the theme of explorative synthesisers alongside probing drum machines, although this time round features repeating minimalist signatures that capture their intended mood perfectly – happy/ melancholy.

Release: May 25
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Matthus-Raman/151987691525396
http://www.musik-gewinnt-freunde.de

https://soundcloud.com/musik-gewinnt-freunde/sets/mgf_028

MF Hercules
Raindance
Classic Music Company

Yes it’s ridiculously infectious with nagging melodies bounding across your stereo and you could quite easily see/ hear this receiving big-time airplay across the coming summer party-time months? Built upon the breezy vocal refrains along with sassy organ pulses and funky drums and bass this also comes with two spot on remixes. First from Nick Monaco who toughens up the bassline and adds more exotic keys to arrangement offsetting the voices nicely. Plus, from Till Von Sein & Tigerskin Remix who play a shimmering line of Marimba over the enhanced percussion fuelling yet another irresistible take of this.

Release: June 8

https://twitter.com/mfhercules
https://soundcloud.com/classic-music-company/sets/mf-hercules-raindance

Juliet Sikora
Larrys Garage EP
Kittball

Already celebrating ten years in existence now comes this killer release from Kittball. No surprises for guessing the who, what, why or wherefore behind the inspiration for this track: Larry’s Garage. Or burning Hot House Music as I like to call it. The beats are rough and edgy as the bassline punches deep while you may recognize the voice over which drives it all along providing a serious injection of impassioned energy into this inescapably great track. Tender Trip, on the other hand fuses contemporary Acid lines together with hissing hi-hats and feels all the more melodic in the process.

Release: May 26
https://soundcloud.com/juliet-sikora/1-juliet-sikora-larrys-garage

Various Artists
Brazilika
Far Out Recordings

This is beautiful. So good in fact that the sun has come out in the north of England. Compiled by the labels very own Joe Davis to celebrate twenty of Far Out Recording’s quest to bring you the very best of Brazilian music this compilation is little short of a joy to behold. Not only because of the rich rewarding musical textures but also because no other music does the things it does to mind, body and soul. The release comes as the individual tracks plus on the second cd via an invigorating mix care off Spiritual South.

Release: May 25
http://www.faroutrecordings.com
https://soundcloud.com/platform/marcos-valle-1985-ss-translation-by-theo-parrish-boiler-room-debuts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujxLavNY4WU

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