House News

Florecer steps up to the cultured Is It Balearic label with the sort of soothing downtempo sounds that are perfect for sunset moments with a quality drink.

There is plenty of mellow and dreamy West Coast lushness to 'Hidden Thoughts' with its shimmering synths and seductive vocal coos while the first remix from Hitchhiker steps up the energy with an arp-ed sound.

Das Complex gets dark and chugging as is his usual want on the flipside, then Cafe Del Mar resident Ken Fan offers a trademark chillout sound to close out another most calming EP from this great label.

Australian producer Loods releases feel-good house single ‘Riviera’ via Club Sweat. ‘Riviera’ juxtaposes clean percussion samples with a raw 909 drum pattern, creating a dynamic instant classic. The disco inspired house groover is sure to light up dancefloors around the globe!

Loods explains how the track came together, “it’s impossible to predict the trajectory a track will take. ‘Riviera’ started life as a beautiful sample that I thought made a really catchy club tool. But it quickly became one of the biggest moments in every set I was playing. After Club Sweat expressed the same enthusiasm for ‘Riviera’ as I felt on those pre-lockdown dancefloors, it felt like the right time home for the track.”

Emerging from Newcastle - Australia, Loods is part of a growing underground Australian dance music scene, tributing elements of classic filtered French touch and Chicago house. Relocating to London in 2018, Loods garnered attention after releasing two sold-out records on longtime friend Mall Grab’s Steel City Dance Discs label. Further cementing him as a talent in the scene, Loods played a Boiler Room set at London's iconic Southbank Centre, and toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe. Having received regular support from BBC Radio 1, Rinse FM, NTS and triple j, Loods went on to release summer anthem ‘Walking Away’ which Annie Mac labelled ‘Hottest Record In The World’, leading the release to score rotation on BBC Radio 1.

More recently, the Australian talent released 'Pure Bliss Meltdown', a peak-time Italo burner that Pete Tong quickly made his Essential New Tune. This was soon followed by the Gummi EP, a three-track exploration of synthwave house on Patrick Topping's Trick Label. With a recent remix of globally respected producer Purple Disco Machine’s ‘Hypnotized’, Loods now returns to Sweat for the release of ‘Riviera’.

We are really happy to announce the second release of the label: Acidshanti EP, presenting Uruguayan artist Santi Avg, member of the Holístico Records Crew. The EP consists in 3 electro tunes and a bonus track (B1) featuring Nicolas Amaro as guest artist of the record.

Luca LTJ Trevisi (LTJ Xperience) began his dj/producer career in the 80s. As resident dj in two of the most famous Italian clubs of the
time, Kinky in Bologna and Cap Creus in Imola, he was one of the first Italian jocks to spin House and to re-propose those black music,
jazz and latin-bossa classics from the 70s that at the end of the same decade would have given birth to the Acid Jazz and Rare Groove
movements. His first single release in 1988, titled First Job, together with Kekkotronics, was also the first release ever on Bologna
based Irma Records. It was featured in a lot of compilations of the time and entered several playlists, rapidly reaching cult status for
many UK and US djs. During the early 90s LTJ delivered a couple of singles in a kind of pre-breakbeat style: Dont Stop The Sax, released all over Europe, and Funky Superfly. He also produced US singer Tameka Starrs single Going In Circles, always for Irma Records, still a classic in the downtempo/r&b field. In the second half of the nineties Luca began to produce acid jazz bands like Bossa
Nostra, still today one of Irma Records main acts. Their first album had Vicky Anderson as special guest and today is still considered
one of the most important European acid jazz albums. In the following years he concentrated on developing his activity as collector
and rare vinyl merchant, which gave him the chance to get in touch with djs from all over the World and to discover many forgotten
gems from the past years. Thanks to this experience he was able to create two extremely successful rarities series on Irma Records:
Groovy and Suono Libero. In the meanwhile LTJ started to dj outside Italy too, performing in important venues like the Blue Note and
Jazz Café in London, Giant Step in New York and Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. In 1999 saw the release of his first solo
album under the LTJ Xperience moniker. The album was produced with the collaboration of fellow Irma artist and producer Ohm Guru
and had Taka Boom and Jackson Sloan among the guests. Two of the main tracks on the album are brazil house classic Sombre
Guitar and title track Moon Beat, which became a true hit of the Chill Out genre, featured in dozens of important compilations.
After making countless productions for Irma Records, including their second album When The Rain Begins To Fall (with the participation
of the historic Spanish-American singer Joe Bataan), and the recents singles as ORGAN MIND / I LOVE YOU (favorite track by Larry
Heard ) & ON THE FLOOR / SOUND MACHINE, LTJ is devoted almost exclusively to re-edit and reconstruct tracks from the past with
the addition of sounds and rhythms in post production for labels like SUPER VALUE, SMALL WORLD DISCO, HOT GROOVY RECORDS, OH CRISTO! increasing the production of this new musical genre that is currently defined as beatdown/slo-mo, working with
international labels such as Far Out Recordings, Sleazy Beats, Future Classics, E.A.R. Music For Dreams, Apersonal Music, Roam
Recordings, !K7.

The latest three CDs on the Irma label “I Don’t Want This Groove To Ever End” (2012), “Ain’t Nothing But A Groove” (2013), “Don’t Let
The System Get You Down” (2015) and “Beggar Groove” (2017) show the funkiest and grooviest side of LTJ !
In the last years LTJ has literally toured the world, some really important and popular Festivals have booked him for his reknown DJ
Set performances, Scottish Soul Weekender (Dumfries, Scotland), Mareh Festival (Boipeba Island, Brazil), Garden Festival (Tisno,
Croatia), Jazz Refound Festival (Vercelli, Italy)
And visiting Cities like: Tel Aviv, Skopje(Macedonia), Belfast e Derry (Ireland), London, New York, Berlin, Bucarest, Amsterdam, Paris,
Marsille, Barcelona, and Vilnius (Lithuania). just to name a few.
Deepening of a Groove is the new album, the fifth dedicated to the research of sounds Disco Funk from its origins revisited by today's
rhythms and the dancefloor feeling of 2000. For the first time on this album 4 sung songs appear. Bad Side (already released in single
version) and Infiltrator are sung by Anduze, soul singer from Los Angeles also known for his collaboration with Parov Stelar. I'm Gonna
Funk U and Stranger are sung by the Marche singer AdniL for the first time in collaboration with LTJ.

A release that doesn't bow to genre conventions, deeply emotional at its core. Sometimes cinematic, often infectious, and always loosening limbs on the dance floor. This is Man Power music.

Geoff Kirkwood's first vinyl release of 2023 comes courtesy of Helsinki's Echocentric Records. Kirkwood is just as comfortable writing and presenting experimental symphonies, ambient hauntology, and audio-visual orchestral performances as Bed Wetter or delivering raucous kinetic techno as MPX. For everything in between, he is Man Power

Here we go again! Coming back with a juicy 4 track VA from the french
team that started their business back in 2016. ALVA, Armless Kid, Mara
Lakour & Ortella are part of this brand new adventure that you are
about to discover. Nothing but quality House music provided in this
release, we hope you like it as much as we do!

NDATL continues with the return of Abacus to the label, "The Lower End Theory" is another slab of deepness from the produced who has released on classic labels "Prescription" & "Guidance to name a few.

The EP dives right in with the title track "The Lower End Theory" bouncin with a deep bassline then iced over with glossy keys that give you sight into his theory. Next "Atlanta Deep" is his ode to a late night drive in the A. Then on the flip we have "Mortise & Tenon" a 10min journey thru Detroit Techno to Toronto's underground.

A perfect title as "Mortise & Tenon" is a type of woodworking joint! Now close your eyes & throw your head back into the Lower End Theory.

2023 Repress

2nd single cut from latest kuniyuki album "feather world". a side, kuni reconstructed jazzy deep house which one of the best sax player played freaky sax to experimental techno house. it's not easy to compare to other artist. but if i say, it's like kink meets joe claussell. b side, one of our most respected artist dj sprinkles remxied dark poetry track which legandary 80's singer anne clark joined to great playful deep house. it's for all house music lover. 3rd single cut will be finally kuni&henrik schwarz collaboration. coming in end of may!!

We are proud to announce the debut release of Mexico city base dj&artist “Soos”. He is a resident dj of Mexico city’s best party “Sunday Sunday”. This release is his first physical release A side is unique mixture of 90’s ground beat, break beats and obscure sound. B side is 90’s underground vibe deep house. Hope you dig this new artist!

Grovin’ deep vibes with Alfonso Bottone & DiscoJuice on new Dailysession Records wax.

Jovonn's Body N'Deep label kickstarts the year with the next in the series (Vol 4) of the sought after BND Projects. This release brings standout tracks from the like's of Jovonn (edited by Ben Rebel), Marc Cotterell, Matty Gillespie and good friend Jermias Santiago.

The second single-artist EP on Nuances de Nuit comes courtesy of the ever impressive Velvet Velour, releasing four intricately-produced, enchanting pieces of electronic music out into the universe.

190g Vinyl! Bleu Ciel is back with its 11th release by Demond Vinyl Only. Blue White Marbled.

De Lichting label co-founder and Amsterdam-based artist Eversines debuts on Ralph Lawson's venerable UK label 20/20 Vision here with an EP that follows up previous outings on Kalahari Oyster Cult and Nous'Klaer Audio in fine style. It finds him serving up plenty of his intricate sound designs and meticulously crafted rhythms with 'Turning Blue' a full favour tech cut with cosmic energy. 'Retract' is darker with thudding drums and futuristic moods and 'Vlaag' then gets all heady with deft synth modulations and 'Clarity' brings some lush late night house sophistication. A classy EP, for sure.

2024 Black Vinyl Repress!

Ukrainian duo iO (Mulen, Rejected, Diynamic) delivers the new NM2

record with four deep tracks for your pleasure.

Warehouse Find!

Fabric resident Anna Wall and production partner Corbi link up again for the first time since their debut EP 'DATs In The Attic' dropped on Ritual Poison in 2019. Between then, Anna has gone on to release music on her own label Dream Theory and turned in a gorgeous deep cut for music platform 22 tracks' final send off before closing. Corbi has been no stranger to production either, heading up important label Fina records and releasing stand-out EPs on Rough Recordings & Kouncil Cuts.

The pairing bring their newfound knowledge to LTWHT, shape shifting between colorful displays of breakbeat and melodic perfume. Ahead of the release, Anna & Corbi spoke of their love of digging into the past, delving into old techno and rave records and inspired by artists like LFO. While the influences are apparent their sound remains unique, contemporary and flourishing with personality.

Title track 'Persistence' opens with choppy breakbeats and deep subs, adding extra depth and weight; providing the perfect base for the record's shimmering synth lines. 'Consciousness' then conjures wide-eyed atmospherics, joining hands with a soothing, deep bassline and diamond shaped arpeggio. 'I'm just changing consciousness' is gently spoken as the track ebbs and flows across the oceans moon-lit surface.

Subtly euphoric and inherently introspective, B side opener 'Take A Moment' shows a developing side to the pair's growing sonic palette. Early trance meets breakbeat, in an emotive display of otherworldly electronics and primordial whispers. The tracks bassline and lead add an extra layer of playfulness, turning the track from a cerebral workout to a blissful dance around an open flame. The record comes to a close with 'Regardless' an acid inspired dream that unfolds amongst a backdrop of clouded pads and intoxicating patterns.

House royalty right here. An unmistakable voice over the decades, from the late ‘80s till the present day, Byron Stingily’s falsetto tones are some of the purest around. Whether hitting the high notes as part of Ten City or in his solo songs, his gospel-tinged, uplifting voice has soundtracked countless euphoric moments.

Club Chi’ll Records welcome Byron to the label as he delivers a signature, piano-laden, hands in the air vocal house gem in the form of ‘Can’t Help It’. Not stopping there, they enlist the expertise of Wade Teo, Spaces Between and Soul Clap to add their trademark flavour to proceedings with four distinctive remixes.

Early support Louie Vega & Smokin Jo.

After debuting with an action packed Various Artists, London's Yecad Music follow up with a heavy minimal bubbler from Romanian talent Dragutesku. Presenting two heads down originals on the A-side it's a display of textbook minimalism and as if that wasn't enough, the master blaster Barac has been enlisted on remix duty and duly delivers two exquisite interpretations. Big !

Repress!

Mint Condition continue their mission excavating the outer fringes of classic House and Techno. Unreleased mixes, classics and overlooked gems mined from the last 20+ of contemporary dance music are the order of the day. From Chicago, Detroit and New York to London and beyond, Mint Condition have got their expert digging hats on to bring you exclusive heat and those rarer than rare jams that have been on your wants list for years! Dig in....

Housey Doingz was a sort of pre-millennial super crew of London producers and DJ's (Dave Coker, Dave Pine, Justin Bailey, Laurant Webb, Nathan Coles, Terry Francis), movers and shakers on the capital's tech-house scene. The latter half of the decade into the first half of the noughties belonged to the exciting future looking and stripped down sounds that were emanating from now cult labels like Wiggle, Swag, Surreal etc. The Housey Doingz crew were at the centre of this scene and sound, but 'Doing It' from 1997 and released on the Pagan label predates and showcases a plethora of sonic styles that later became synonymous with that scene. Borderline 'Progressive' numbers like this corking EP are real beauties and found themselves in the boxes of the top jocks of that world and more (see: Sasha, John Digweed & co). A beautifully diverse collection of cuts right here, and a very rare and sought after slab of wax among record collecting circles. For a real flavour of what was to come 'Doing It' is a dope look through the window of one of London's most exciting electronic music scenes.

'Doing It' has been legitimately re-released with the full involvement of the Housey Doingz massive and was remastered by London's Curve Pusher from the original DAT's especially for Mint Condition. 100% legit, licensed and released. Dug, remastered, repackaged and brought to you by the caring folks at your favourite reissue label - Mint Condition!

Repress!

Proto-house classic 'Nightgruv' gets a re-release and includes a longer unreleased edit!
James Mason is mostly known for his late 70's album 'Rhythm Of Life', which is a soul-jazz classic. Soon after music trends shifted to (electronic) disco and James' music became out of fashion, leaving 'Rhythm Of Life' to be the only album he released to date. The early early 80s saw him have a few studio sessions from which more electronic output like Wuf Ticket's 'The Key (Prelude Records) resulted. James also produced various disco acts like Disco 3, Earl Flint and Brenda Bayton.

The first bunch of remixes for Kito Jempere's Green Monster. The album itself was a versatile journey thought all music styles and patterns you can imagine, remixes are keeping the same direction.

EP opens with a remix from multi-talented and prolific studio genius Ewan Pearson, the man behind hundreds of remixes, production and studio engineering duties for artists like Tracey Thorn, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, The Chemical Brothers and many many more. And Mr Pearson is taking Kabwato on a journey! Originally recorded as two and half minutes as some say mid-album filler, this boat (kabwato in chewa language) is going deep down the tropical river and through breezy morning rainforest valleys. A perfect trip for your midday staying home alone errands or for your early morning ray of light at the bar with a beautiful panorama.

Same track is getting treatment from the mighty Cable Toy! Unmistakable peak time euphoria manifest - going back to my roots-esque piano meets 90s cable tv dance show house party!

On the flip is the remix by The Dawless. The Dawless are Ramil' Goddeem from LAUD and Sergey Gol'd, producer and owner of GoldxFish Music studio. They recently released their debut album "Broken Aux" on System 108, got remixed by DMX Crew and became residents of LOUD BOYZ label. The project has simple ethics: computers not allowed, only real gear and vibes. The duo has created a true rage rave anthem for Kito Jempere now. Having already been played in a lot of DJ-sets blasting through packed warehouses, now it became available to everyone.

EP closing opus is by Kito's frequent collaborator - UK born and Japan based producer Max Essa. Every Kito's album was accompanied by Max's remixes and this time he's delivering pure beauty again. Creating some Golden-era "8 1/2 weeks" vibes, Max transforms the track into a post-summer voyage anthem.

UK house icon Mr. G makes his FUSE debut alongside longtime friend and collaborator Duncan Forbes, with the two partnering for their excellent ‘Time To Dip’ EP.

An artist truly regarded as one of UK house music’s greats, Colin McBean, aka Mr. G, stands today as an individual at the pinnacle of the genre as his trademark sound and legendary live sets continue to tantalise crowds across the globe. A special guest at FUSE’s final show at London’s iconic Printworks in March, the event that went on to influence the EP’s curation, the UK mainstay heads to Enzo Siragusa’s globally renowned imprint for the very first time this September as he delivers his ‘Time To Dip’ EP alongside longstanding friend and regular collaborator, Duncan Forbes. Friends for many years, having known one another since Forbes’ Animated project, their collaborations on Phoenix G and 49North and recent LP have seen the duo uncover a selection of high- quality cuts from across the house spectrum - and here they showcase their innate chemistry across four tracks loaded with quality.

“Gotta say, this EP really is born outta standing on the stage before my set at FUSE at Printworks and listening to what was being played. When I got back I said to D that I wanted do something based around what I had heard, never really thinking Enzo or FUSE would get it, but how wrong we were. It’s another fab meeting of minds with D, which makes this joint EP so different yet special... I feel it covers many different bases and tempos, a real gem. Looking forward to see what folk make of it.” - Mr. G.

Title track ‘Time To Dip’ is classy house music that packs a punch typical of that trademark sound we’ve come to know and love. It’s heavy and tough yet stripped back and unquestionably dancefloor focused, all softened by hooky female vocals and hazy textures. Duncan’s ‘Sherbert Dip’ mix highlights the vocal and brings it to the fore as shuffling drums and sweeping melodies build around the elements. The flip welcomes ‘All Night’, a delightfully vibrant track pairing rich rhodes, swirling leads and sharp hats with an abundance of subtle jazzy textures, before Forbes’ ‘In The Zone’ remix delivers an immersive, heady and dubby late-night voyage for a mesmerising final ride.

Germany’s Cécille continues to put the spotlight on the rising Dutch underground this February, welcoming Amsterdam’s Rooléh onto the roster with his ‘Distant Phase’ EP.

Across the past few years the Nick Curly and Marc Scholl helmed Mannheim, Germany based Cécille Records has moved from strength to strength with releases and material from the likes of Leon, Sidney Charles and Reboot, while also building a strong connection to the powerhouse Amsterdam scene with material from the likes of Dennis Quin, Prunk and upcomer D STONE. Here the imprint welcomes yet another rising star from the Dutch capital, namely Rooléh who’s been making his mark via releases on Archie Hamilton’s Microhertz and Too Many Rules among others.

‘Look At That’ leads with a swaying bass groove, loosely flowing organic percussion and choppy vocals, intertwined with an amalgamation of stab sequences, synth licks and stuttering effect breaks. ‘From A Distance’ follows and shifts towards a more loop led feel with hypnotic, unfurling vocal chants, a loopy tribal rhythm and a throbbing low-end drive.

‘Flower Phase’ then kicks off the B-Side with a more tripped out intensity via modulating synth flutters, airy chords, a snaking sub bass line and skippy drums before ‘Past Cognitions’ with a more classic house feel, fusing jazzy organ licks and playful chants with a bulbous bass groove and a crunchy 4/4 rhythm.

Soul Clap Records serve up the flavours of Tatie Dee for their next release. Morning Routine is a six-track weave through bumping house complete with trademark remixes from Black Loops and Belaria.

Opener ‘Nuit d'Ménil’ channels journeys home through the 20th arrondissement of Paris, around Ménilmontant, for Tatie and her friends. Those late-night walks inspiring this dreamy glitched out, synth heavy roller.

Next up, ‘Bed and Break fast’ is a dancefloor bumper, raw and emotive yet powerful and punchy. Moving from a breakbeat to a 4/4 rhythm it’s an intoxicating concoction laced with grooving bars, glistening pads and deft sax injections. Black Loops steps up on remix duties honing in on that breakbeat flavour with a late night, blissful, bouncy burner.

On the flip, ‘I Wasn't Born In 1937’ nods to Tatie’s pal Lucas Moinet, who runs Studio 937. The person that introduced her to the world of the MPC, rolling with her to buy her first one. Having got home and plugged everything in, the first sound Tatie composed on her MPC was this one - it was for him.

Next, ‘16 Swing-71’ is a classic-leaning, ‘90s feeling deep house track. Weighty organs and trademark deep house stabs are served with the 16 swing-71 shuffle from the SP1200 to make everything groove just right. Closing it out Baleria puts a fast-paced new beat spin on 'Bed and Break fast’ for a club ready powerhouse remix.

Daje Funk Records makes a most welcome return with the outstanding four track Slam Dunk Vol. 2 EP featuring groovy sensations from Jisco Dazz, BPlan, G. Markus and Frank Virgilio.

First up on the A-side is ‘Change’ from Jisco Dazz (the alter-ego of Get Down Edits’ Daz Dalton) with a track which plays like a cool breeze hitting your face on the hottest day of the year. Gentle keys and a gorgeously unhurried rolling drum beat are joined by that bassline! Suddenly, you’re driving a convertible down LA’s Sunset Strip. Even before the vocal kicks in, you know there’s a perceptive wisdom at play here. Change is gonna come. The loud minority has spoken. Uplifting, inspiring and moving– one for the sun kissed terraces out there for sure.
Next on the A-side is ‘Hey Boy’ by Italian producer/DJ Giuseppe Fimiani aka BPlan - a dirty lowdown that perfectly completes the vibe of the A-side. BPlan’s skills in bringing a unique take to a familiar riff is nothing short of genius. The perfectly pitched bass, filtered chord progression and mid-tempo beat lead us on a journey drenched in summer juices which, when combined with the vocal samples force you to stay in the moment and stop runnin’ with those Joneses. A sublime slice of a summer long past served up by one of the brains behind Caffè Corretto Edits, this is Daje Funk at its very best.

On the flip side, Samosa favourite G. Markus ups the tempo and tickles the boogie bone with his ‘Pocket Rocket’. A bona fide groove from the get go, you’ll find it hard to resist this funky ensemble of raggedy rhythm guitar, heavenly brass flares and seductive vocal sample – wrapped in a bassline so tight you could hang your washing on it. What we have here is an infectious, smile inducing, foot tappin’ rocket. Coming in at a deceptive 118bpm, Pocket Rocket will sensually massage your ear drums and leave you begging for more. Much more. And you can get it.

Frank Virgilio closes the EP off with his Roland 303 inspired ‘What’s In My Mind’. What starts as a build up of squelchy acid tones soon transforms into a jazz-infused, eclectic arrangement featuring strong tribal drum beats, muted trumpet and warm chords. It’s a track that defies a label, and Frank Virgilio does an excellent job of subverting expectations on the first listen. The haunting female vocal repeats “I don’t know what we’re gonna do with that…”. But we do. We’re going to dance to it. We’re going to love it. Once the delicate warmth of the breakdown hits you’ll be feeling funk, so let it get into you. A perfect curtain closer to a perfect EP.

The Slam Dunk Vol. 2 EP is another Daje Funk slam dunk that leaves you breathless. A must-buy and one to certainly fly out of all good record stores fast, so grab one while you can!

Originally released on Resound Records, a one-off subsidiary of the classic Gherkin imprint in 1990. The title track is a deep hypnotic 12 minute ride through the Chicago underground. On the flip are the smooth & emotional ‘Isolation’ and the euphoric rush that is ‘Silent Noise’. Timeless Chicago House Music. Essential EP!

Bárbara Boeing joined Toy Tonics. The Brazilian DJ selector and heavy addicted worldwide vinyl digger (that some of you might have seen at the last Dekmantel Selectors Festival). Bárbara has been playing with the Toy Tonics DJs for some time, so it was just a matter of when the EP would happen. Now it’s the moment.

Bárbara teamed up with Sam Ruffillo, the Italian producer, keyboarder, DJ (who just had a little scene hit with the Italianissimo release). Sam helped her to shape 3 tracks. Dance floor fillers that Bárbara basically did the way SHE needs them for her DJ sets. And the results are bangers. Inspired by people like DJ Raffa, Mr. Monday, Yello, MBG international Records, Penny Penny she and Sam created 3 instrumentals that reflect 3 different shades of Bárbara’s taste:

Baile Do Silêncio:
Inspired by the 90s funk from Brazil and its high energy inside the dance floors, Baile Do Silêncio was made to make people dance.

Brasiliana:
Dreamy Italo House chords over some Latin percussion creates the intimist atmosphere of this deep and mysterious track.

Brigada:
Hard to be categorized into one genre, this track serves a pinch of Balearic elements over a dancefloor-oriented House with some Kwaito and also Italo Disco references.

Bárbara Benghi Boeing – yes, that is her real name - comes from Curitiba, South of Brazil. She is a great example of a person with an ultimate passion for music, spending big periods of her life only searching for sounds, organizing parties, playing in hundreds of events and then slowly growing into an international famed DJ personality that stands for a high-quality music standard and a tasteful selection that only SHE can serve.

Bárbara is very disciplined in selecting and creating moods inside of her sets. As she puts it: “... there is a magical part in attracting people into the music that is more of a feeling or sometimes just a mix of tracks I like. In my mind, I usually know where I am going to for the next couple of tracks. My DJ sets become something very individual in the end. With Sam, I wanted to create tracks that can fit into certain special moments of my sets..“

In fact, her sets are very exiting soulful trips through different sound worlds. Always very colorful and percussive, sometimes deeper, often full of Latin positivity. She has a long history of DJing and searching for music since she started to play guitar with 13 years and later became part of a local DJ crew (with Phil Mill, who is part on one of the tracks of this EP) in Alter Disco, her local party in Curitiba. Slowly, she became known and started to play outside.

She adds: "When I had the opportunity to go to Europe, I used to send a million emails to people that maybe would like my music and one or two would answer me, then I could play at small gigs and radios. Then, slowly people started to invite me for bigger things. Over the last 2 years now, there is a lot of buzz around Bárbara. She was invited to play main time slots at festivals like Dekmantel (BR) and Dekmantel Selectors, Time Warp, Nuits Sonores, Lente Kabinet, Cocktail D'Amore, Flow Festival and many others .. and is part of the Toy Tonics Jam DJ crew officially now.
WAS EXCLUSIVE RELEASES - OUT THIS WEEK

Part One of the Album "Let Me Dance"

Oliver Marquardt aka Dj Jauche, one of the avant-gardists and pioneers of the Berlin techno and house scene, releases his new album "Let Me Dance".

During the last 3 years, he has incorporated influences and experiences from over 35 years - as a DJ, event organiser and clubber - into his album.

The idea to produce this album was born in the lock-down and with it the desire to make people dance again - house music, in all its facets.

Just what the doctor ordered...

Next up on Q1E2 Recordings - for the label's fifth release so far - is Dr Sud. He's a Rome-born, Berlin-raised producer whose music is a fusion of percussion-centric soundscapes and integrated jazz-leaning harmonies, drawing inspiration from diverse genres like electronica, funk, and house.

On 'Heading South', the broken beat don serves up his specialist percussive sound, folding all manner of drums into synth-smothered house. The EP explores the undulating cycle of morning into night, back into morning, inviting you to dance your way through it all.

'Brina', a word which in Italian refers to morning dew - perhaps found on a tent on the morning of a festival - represents the breaking of dawn with broken beats. The track breaks and squints into the start of the day with spacious kick drums leaving room for warm, almost familiar pads and keys.

Then, 'Life Itself' reflects daytime, revolving around an arpeggiating synth that soon makes way for luscious keys.

An excursion into percussive bliss concludes side A in the form of the magical, grin-inducing 'Evening Breath'. This, as you might have guessed, is where the listener cruises through smoothly into the final stages of the day. It encapsulates that last burst of light as the sun sets and a slight shiver of the evening air slivers up your spine.

Then, before you know it, the mysterious night arrives. Flip to that B side, and 'Tramontana' will greet you, inviting you to dance deep into the late hours.

When you're there, the chugging '3/4AM' will hit the spot like an unforgettable dance floor moment, bursting with low and slow Balearic tendencies.

Finally, 'Mondgesicht' - "Moonface" in German -fittingly concludes proceedings with deep lounge vibes. Mumbles of effortless trumpet manoeuvre through a swaying sea of percussion and delicious, wavering synth solo. The day is here again. The cycle is complete.

This is some seriously high-quality music on show here from Dr Sud. The EP is out on Q1E2 Recordings in October.

Its been some years since HARD TIMES dropped new music in our laps, but having kick started a new wave with March’s release of Steve ’Silk’ Hurley’s stunning ‘All I Need’, featuring Sara Garvey on vocal duty, the label follows up swiftly with more precision groovemanship.. this time from Hudd Traxx label boss and core HARD TIMES family member, Eddie Leader.

As a DJ, producer, promoter and label boss Eddie has, over a twenty five year career, become a standard bearer for UK House Music. His own productions have graced seminal labels including Classic, Robsoul, Plastic City, Morris Audio and Balance Alliance, while his own Hudd Traxx imprint has become a go-to for many a discerning disc jockey. Its roster boasts releases that feature Matthew Herbert, Rolando, Jovonn, Rick Wade, Agnés and More.

Fresh from remixing Hurley’s ‘All I Need’, Leader now looks to ’Slow Everything Down’ with four fresh jams of his own that all stay true to the Hard Times ethos of quality, deep underground sounds.

Preaching from the front is ’Stand Up’, with its warm groove, piercing piano chords and soulful sermon. So come on… Stand up, to get down. On ‘Gratitude Power’ a seismic kick drum and bass combo pave the way, garnished with keys, synth stabs, bongos and a sprinkling of vocal as the track winds things on smoothly.

‘Slow Everything Down’ is where its at. A calmer, warmer groove, built from raw beats, spoken word and glistening piano. Coolness personified. This is where we're at. Leader slows and closes with final cut ’To Me To You’, icing the EP to perfection with its drowsy and hypnotising keys.

HARD TIMES continue to deliver the good times.

Austere Recordings and LAAK are back with a limited 200 copy, hand stamped release. Expect the usual deepness!