Different Grooves
your electronic music reference
Casual Treatment
Artist: Casual Treatment
Title: The Secret Code EP
Label: Symbolism
Cat. #: SYMDIGI034
Format: Digital
Release Date: 22nd September 2023
Tracklist:
01 All The Way Up
02 Phenomenon
03 Secret Code
04 Cognitive Dissonance
05 Utopian Theme
06 Distorted Reality
Casual Treatment arrives on Ben Sims’ Symbolism
After his ‘Inner Urge EP’ dropped on Sims’ Hardgroove imprint in April ’23, Casual Treatment steps up with another six tracker for the UK don’s Symbolism imprint this September.
Entitled ‘The Secret Code EP’, the hefty release kicks off with the sub-aquatic sounds of ‘All The Way Up’, a bottom-heavy and tweaked-out cut that combines dance floor intensity with disorienting atmospherics. ‘Phenomenon’ and ‘Secret Code’ follow, gradually pulling back on the opener’s heady sounds and ramping up the tension/release stakes before the heavy swing of ‘Cognitive Dissonance’ funks things up. ‘Utopian Theme’, an organ riff-driven ode to Detroit, walks the line between dark/light perfectly before Casual Treatment disappears into the night with the tunnelling groove of ‘Distorted Reality’.
Hottrax presents Tripleution Part 4
Artist: Endor, Cristian Viviano, Raumakustik, Clyde P & Jil Tanner
Title: Hottrax presents Tripleution Part 4
Label: Hottrax
Cat. #: HXT116
Format: Digital
Release Date: 22nd September 2023
Tracklist:
01 Endor – Fakez
02 Cristian Viviano – Mastafunka
03 Raumakustik, Clyde P & Jil Tanner – Come With Me
Aptly named Hottrax to deliver the fourth part in their Tripleution series
Tastemaking platform Hottrax, run by house music authority Jamie Jones, already boasts a discography including Patrick Topping, East End Dubsand Yousef. The fourth part of their ‘Tripleution’ Various Artist EP series sits in good company, merging new artists and longtime label stalwarts for another stacked tracklist as it gears up for the release of its next edition.
With cleverly sampled instrumentals and plucked sonic strings, Endor’s ‘Fakez’ kicks off proceedings, having previously guested on highly esteemed imprints such as Solid Grooves, Repopulate Mars, Defected and Toolroom. Self-taught producer Cristian Viviano steps up next with ‘Mastafunka’, with its strumming bass notes and groovy drum programming. The German duo Raumakustik, Sola and Repopulate Mars associate Clyde P and multifaceted musician Jil Tanner join forces on the jagged beat notes of ‘Come With Me’, punching through with pumping breakdowns and a weighty bassline and highlighting Hottrax’s penchant for underground cuts.
Sean Ocean ‘Decennium EP’
Artist: Sean Ocean
Title: Decennium EP
Label: Milligramme
Format: Digital
Release Date: 29.09.2023
Tracklist:
1. Sean Ocean – Makemake
2. Sean Ocean – Quoar
3. Sean Ocean – Makemake (Noah Pred BeBe Mix)
4. Riflefeet – Ambassadors (Disconnect Remix)
Here we go with a fresh release for the dub techno aficionados, crafted by the hands of Sean Ocean, a dj and producer based in San Francisco, California (USA). His ‘Decennium EP’ is hosted on Milligramme, featuring a small set of productions that were started ten years ago and never finished: imagine the artist while couldn’t hide his glee when he gets the right sound combinations. A magnetic vibe surrounds the soundsystem during the playback, adding a mysterious flavor to the overall vibe. Noah Pred shows as remixer with his interpretation of ‘Makemake’, finally a remix of ‘Riflefeet – Ambassadors’ made by Sean under his Disconnect moniker closes the EP brilliantly.
“A selection of timeless dub tracks by a complete artist from San Francisco.“ Hilmar Reusch (Unspecial/Milligramme)
More info:
https://soundcloud.com/sean_ocean
https://soundcloud.com/milligramme_music
https://milligramme.bandcamp.com/
Various ‘Mental Picks Vol.42’
Artist: Various Artists
Title: Mental Picks Vol.42
Label: Expmental Records
Cat. #: XPMVA042
Format: Digital
Release Date: 20th October 2023 Worldwide
Tracklist:
Schime – Dark Bright (Original Mix)
Adam Rahman, Sonic Jay – Maya People (Original Mix)
Eddy Romero, Dave Hang – Flash (Original Mix)
End the year on an energetic note with the final instalment of our Mental Picks series from Expmental Records. As we mark 15 successful years, we reflect on a year characterized by superior events held at Sonar week, London, Manchester, Ibiza, and culminating at ADE in Amsterdam.
Our concluding Mental Picks compilation introduces an eclectic mix of three tracks from a diverse array of talented artists. We commence with a track from Schime, now featured for the second time on our label within the same year.
Our second offering is a complex track that blends the signature styles of India-born Adam Rahman and Sonic Jay based in Dubai, marking their first contribution to our label.
To encapsulate the collection, Eddy Romero, the linchpin of our label, collaborates with Dave Hang for a sonically intriguing closing track crafted during the post-Sonar week festivities.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our supporters for their unwavering encouragement throughout the year. Keep an eye out for more releases that await you beyond this collection.
Mike Shannon ‘Shadow Moves EP’
Artist: Mike Shannon
Title: Shadow Moves EP
Label: Rekids Special Projects
Cat. #: RSPX57
Format: Digital
Release Date: 15th September 2023
Tracklist:
01. Shijima 3000
02. B4B
03. The Way We Rise
Mike Shannon joins Rekids Special Projects for his ‘Shadow Moves’ EP
Mike Shannon brings his debut Rekids Special Projects EP ‘Shadow Moves’ to Radio Slave‘s label, following the internationally acclaimed producer releasing three albums on respected imprints Plus 8, Force Incand ~Scape. Alongside releases on his storied Cynosure Recordings, the forthcoming three-track ‘Shadow Moves’ EP restates why Shannon holds such a revered status in modern electronic music. The ‘Shadow Moves’ EP sees the Canadian artist deliver sublime techno with well-chiselled grooves.
After ‘Shadow Moves’, the next nod to its manga inspiration, ‘Shijima’, moves through tight percussive layering and jaunty, bass-led build-ups. Then comes ‘B4B’ featuring rhythmic, shaking subs as its clattering kick drums sit beneath. ‘The Way We Rise’ finalises the EP with shifting hi-hat patterns and growling bass levels as the cut weaves through its striding beats.
‘Very excited to finally get these manga-inspired groove weapons out into the wild. Been test driving these in my dj sets and can’t wait to share these with you.’ – Mike Shannon.
Anchoret ‘Brussels EP’
Artist: Anchoret
Title: Brussels EP
Label: Solar Phenomena Music
Cat. #: SOLARD49
Format: Digital
Release Date: 15th September 2023
Tracklist:
01 Absynth
02 Brussels
03 Absynth / Brussels (Ion Ludwig’s Dramatique Fille Vision Remix)
04 Brussels (Martinou Remix)
Ion Ludwig and Martinou remix Anchoret’s ‘Brussels’ EP on Solar Phenomena Music
‘Absynth’ opens Anchoret’s ‘Brussels’ EP, its mysterious synth work carefully massages the mind through excellent tonal frequencies weaving and gliding among its minimal drums. ‘Brussels’ then continues with a raw reese bass moving up and down over its steady rhythm, it’s a track filled to the brim with feeling, evoking a sense of yearning and nostalgia.
Perlon, Meander & Trelik’s Ion Ludwig then puts his spin on both tunes, melding them together into his signature psychedelic, minimalistic house style. Closing out the release, sewer sender boss Martinou remixes ‘Brussels’, turning the track into a chilled-out groover, losing the bulk of the reese and instead letting the beat roll through its ambient soundscape.
3024 artist Anchoret returns to Solar Phenomena Music after dropping his ‘Stay High’ single featuring Jay Tripwire and Anja Schneider remixes earlier this summer, already winning the support of artists like Kölsh, NicoleMoudaber, Gerd & Louise Chen.
Kyle Hall ‘Cosmic Touch EP’
Artist: Kyle Hall
Title: Cosmic Touch EP
Label: Apnea
Cat. #: Apnea 105
Format: Vinyl/Digital
Release Date: 11th September 2023
Tracklist:
01 The Cosmic Touch
02 Cobalt
03 Phantom
Kyle Hall preps three-track ‘Cosmic Touch’ EP for Apnea
Kyle Hall’s ‘Cosmic Touch’ opens his EP of the same name with masterful machine drum funk. Anything he touches turns into interplanetary gold, proven by the hypnotic and detailed grooves present across the release and his output to date. In ‘Cosmic Touch’, hazy resonant synths playfully bounce off layers of infectious rhythm, entrancing the listener before ‘Cobalt’ rides in with galactic pads and rolling toms, a swirly acid-line unfolding slowly in the second half. Closing out this next entry on the Spanish Apnea imprint, ‘Phantom’ chugs along a mystifying, ghastly synth line while typewriter-like hats hammer onto its steady kickdrum, chirpy sequences carefully filling the spaces between.
Detroit artist Kyle Hall blends classic motor city techno with house influences, his personal take on the genres characterised by a warm, soulful sound and intricate rhythmic patterns in turn drawing from jazz, funk, and hip-hop. His music has landed on labels like Hyperdub, his own Wild Oats & ForgetThe Clock, and now, he follows up his collaborative ‘Crown’ LP with StevenJulien on Apron Records with a three-tracker on Apnea, a label which recently returned to the fold with quality releases from the likes of GeraldDonald’s Gedankenexperiment and E.R.P.
Chicks Luv Us ‘Rhell/Trippin’
Artist: Chicks Luv Us
Title: Rhell/Trippin
Label: Desolat
Cat. #: DESOLAT084
Format: Digital
Release Date: 8th September 2023
Tracklist:
1. Rhell
2. Trippin
French duo Chicks Luv Us return to Desolat as Loco Dice welcomes them back to the label for their two- track release, ‘Rhell/Trippin’.
Launched back in 2007 by internationally renowned DJ/producer Loco Dice, Desolat stands today with a history and reputation as rich as any within the global house realm. With the label relaunched after a brief hiatus earlier this year as Miami’s Cortes took the wheel for its big re-introduction, the label boss now reveals the second release of 2023 on the label as French pair Chicks Luv Us make an impressive return. Heading up their own CLU Recs and Encasa Records imprints while releasing material via Hot Creations, MÜSE, elrow and more, their breakthrough single ‘Qu’est Ce Qu’il Veut Lui?!’ on Desolat in 2019 saw them rack up a wealth of support from across the scene and stands today as a gem within their growing catalogue. Now returning four years later, early September brings two fresh productions on the label as they return with a pair of heavy-hitting cuts across ‘Rhell/ Trippin’.
Setting the tone via hefty kicks and menacing low-end tones before introducing wonky electronics, skippy hats and warped hip-hop vocal samples, the title cut ‘Rhell’ is a no-nonsense and impactful production crafted for packed dancefloors as it marches forth with authority. Switching things up but keeping the energy levels high, ‘Trippin’ fuses rubbery basslines, harsh metallic tones and squelchy acid-tinged leads for a chaotic yet precise and driving journey deeper into the peak hours.
Felipe Gordon ‘The Warehouse Beast’
Artist: Felipe Gordon
Title: The Warehouse Beast
Remixer: Glenn Underground
Label: toucan sounds
Cat. #: YTCWVYL06
Format: Vinyl/Digital
Release Date: 8th September 2023
Tracklist:
01 The Warehouse Beast
02 It’s Over (Drive My Car)
03 The Warehouse Beast (Glenn Underground Medusa Mix)
toucan sounds welcomes Felipe Gordon for ‘The Warehouse Beast’, a timeless house record and a tripped-out remix from Chicago mainstay Glenn Underground
Felipe Gordon’s low-slung and funky title track ‘The Warehouse Beast’ kicks off with deep drums and playful chords. It’s a nice loose-limbed cut infused with jazzy melodies and muffled vocals that spread warmth. It’s an irresistible groove that shows off Gordon’s ability to tap into truly emotive feelings. His brilliant ‘It’s Over (Drive My Car)’ picks up the pace but stays low and deep, its smeared chords like rays of fading sun while its elastic bassline roams free down low.
Glenn Underground is a house pioneer. His jazzy style and complex grooves have defined a uniquely deep and musical take on the genre over the last 25+ years. He remixes ‘The Warehouse Beast’ with his usual style – dreamy and cosmic chords, atmospheric samples and an introspective mood that is full of beauty.
Felipe Gordon is a producer, multi-instrumentalist, DJ and label head who recently founded Wide Awake. He fuses everything from jazz motifs to lush piano and acid bass into his house cuts on the likes of Shall Not Fade, Toy Tonics, Clone Royal Oak and Razor-N-Tape..
Alinka ‘I’m Your Ghost EP’
Artist: Alinka
Title: I’m Your Ghost EP
Label: Rekids
Cat. #: REKIDS228
Format: Vinyl / Digital
Release Date: 8th September 2023
Tracklist:
A1. Teachers
A2. I’m Your Ghost
B1. I Still Believe
B2. 909 Lives
Alinka Returns to Rekids with her latest EP ‘I’m Your Ghost’
Following the relaunch of her label Twirl alongside Shaun J. Wright, Alinka now brings her brand new EP ‘I’m Your Ghost’ to Radio Slave‘s Rekids. Having made frequent appearances within its catalogue, her ‘I’m Your Ghost’ EP sees the Ukranian-born, Chicago-raised and Berlin-residing producer return with four eclectic and club-orientated house tracks. These will sit amongst her previous releases on Permanent Vacation, Needwant, HE.SHE.THEY and Crosstown Rebels.
“This EP is a dedication to Chicago, and all the “teachers” that made me fall in love with House Music. They’re tracks for the dance floor. I wrote them for the people who are too busy dancing to stare at the DJ.” – Alinka
‘Teachers’ is the first cut presented on ‘I’m Your Ghost’ with its sharp percussive layers building towards the well-honed grooves in its composition. Title-track ‘I’m Your Ghost’ punches through next with weighty, wobbling subs placed against a catchy lead. ‘I Still Believe’ is featured with rising chord progressions and pounding kicks as ‘909 Lives’ draws the EP to a close with an intricate mix of synths and striding drum work, paying homage to its title. It’s a package highlighting why Alinka is on an unstoppable rise, with support from some of the biggest names across house music.