New York City-based House duo musclecars have been steadily building a formidable reputation within underground dance circles in their hometown. With the creation of their Coloring Lessons Party in 2018 (which is now a label), they sought to reinvigorate their city’s dance culture and foster a greater sense of community by highlighting and incorporating styles and genres largely associated with their Black ancestry. Shelter, (Building It Still) is the latest solo EP for the duo on their newly minted label.

B-side track, “We Go Home Together”, is a gorgeous, patient, amorphous cut of experimental Jazz-House. Its blend of emotive jazz arrangements with a more propulsive club-ready House beat illustrates a meticulous, yet free-form approach to music-making that the duo thrives at. The track starts with a thumping bass and shifty percussion before an ethereal synth wash wraps it in a more gentle veneer. These club-leaning tendencies turn out to be mostly a red herring, as they’re kept mostly at bay throughout the song’s 7-and-a-half-minute runtime. Once the sax emerges, it’s clear musclecars has committed to their own unique brand of soulful, genre-agnostic House.

As the track hits the halfway point, a piano-line suited for a classic Disco House cut signals yet another new avenue the duo seems keen on exploring. Despite their restless spirit, they never feel as if they’re trying to push too hard in one direction, ultimately allowing the track’s multifarious parts to playfully and organically interact with one another. Here, the duo prove just what naturals they are at concocting such ineffably blissful, melodically soothing dance music.

Pre-order.

Gilad.

Cet article Musclecars – We Go Home Together [Coloring Lessons] est apparu en premier sur Bolting Bits.

Let’s Play House “Like any good party, there’s an after-party. What, you didn’t think we’d keep it going? C’mon. We began this one with Jacques Renault’s Sky Islands, a full-length album that sought to achieve euphoric disco delight within a wonky conceptual framework; it’s his late-night live DJ sets in spirit, organized like a 70s or 80s vinyl megamix or public-access radio program, but comprised solely of a couple dozen originals he crafted in the studio, most of them being wrapped up during the summer and fall of last year.

Of course, we realized delivering such an experience, where no “song” is more than about 90 seconds, would do nothing for the working DJ, unless the working DJ is looking to nod off for thirty or take an extended bathroom break. Thus, Coast to Coast, a 12-inch that collects seven of the songs from the LP—in full-ength, special-disco-mix, club-ready form.

This EP will be followed by more long-form cuts, as well as additional goodies. There will be an after-party for the after-party”

Pre-order.

text has been provided by the label.

Cet article Jacques Renault – High [Let’s Play House] est apparu en premier sur Bolting Bits.

It’s no surprise to discover that Kolja Gerstenberg is the son of the percussionist who toured with techno legends, Afrotrance, during the 90s. This early absorption influenced his musical development and is most likely responsible for his love of true old school house music. Mix that with a passion for funky 80s grooves and a university degree in Percussion and you’ve got yourself a Kolja.

The Leipzig native expertly dials in sounds that originate from eras and locations entirely different from his own and we can hear this in this lively irresistible track, ‘Get Over’ part of his new ‘Anna Melara’ EP coming off Marcel Vogel‘s mighty Amsterdam-based Lumberjacks in Hell. Quite clearly, it doesn’t matter where you’re from or where you’re based; our spirits and musical appetites are boundless. House, jazz, rnb, disco, funk (to name a few) have a way of transcending geographic location and working upon our inner spiritual connections – revealing where we are at on a deeper more inexplicable level.

Detroit, Chicago, New York are the notorious places, known as the epicentres of real House music and rightly so, they most definitely are. These cities are homes to some of house music’s MVPs whose struggles, surroundings and stories gave birth to much more than just technical ability, but drew out raw creativity straight from the soul. Be it a lyric, a track, a design or an artistic endeavour, creativity lies within the producer, irrespective of locality. The importance of those states can never be diminished. With the expansion of technology, we are able to connect with each other all over the world and gain so much information on different cultures that we can feel a part of it. It’s important to never forget your roots, respect those who paved the way whilst always be open to the new and the now. As the song says ‘house is a universal feeling’ so just get over the postcode and GET DOWN!

Listen on YouTube.

Order here now!

Cet article PREMIERE: Kolja Gerstenberg – Get Over [Lumberjacks In Hell] est apparu en premier sur Bolting Bits.

For the better part of two years, Chikyu-u Records have been honing their passion for sharing underground electronic music with the world. Hailing originally from Japan but being brought up in Switzerland, the label has an already extensive output, with features from artists such as Moz, Karaba and Jack Georges. Their next release showcases the New Zealand duo 2XM in a genre-bending exhibition of musical finesse.

Liam and Ben have been curating the dance music moniker ‘2XM’ since the end of 2016, and in that time have explored a myriad of influences, ranging from disco to contemporary classical, all within a house-like construct. This project showcases these range of influences in a such a way that allows the tracks to exist both independently and for each other. “Session Funk” is awash with saturated Rhodes stabs, heavily textural percussion and solo lines that work together to create a dark and disparate ambience. It exhibits a quality of improvisation, but ties all of the parts together in a club-heavy context. The remainder of the E.P. traverses 2XM’s wide genre influences; “Don’t Wanna (Let You Go)” an atmospheric, down-tempo ode to disco, and “Crazy” a nod to their classical upbringing.

Cet article 2XM – Crazy EP [Chikyu-u Records] est apparu en premier sur Bolting Bits.

Back on NY mainstay Let’s Play House is Swedish duo Klubbhuset, who made their debut on the label with 2016’s tasty full-length, Marathons. This time, the two-man combo, comprised of Ari Bald and Egil Kahlbom, comes correct again with a five tracker of heady sample-work and hardware play here on Rehearsal. Our premiere from the record is the title-track and A1 cut, so let’s dive in.

“Rehearsal” is sustained by Klubbhuset’s patented, bouncy 909 percussion, flipping a gospel-like sample that all well-educated hip-hop heads should recognize. Clever filtering and hat work serve to keep the track hustling without monotony. It’s really a perfect main chop too; the vocals irresistibly soulful and catchy, with piano flutters and horn stabs from the sample accenting the experience. Though it’s the first track on the release, “Rehearsal” really works best as a later night affair. Its bittersweet loop staying faithful until the end.

On the rest of the EP, “Bare Feet”, “Our Friend Elliot” and “Loosing My Taste” introduce a more hard-ware heavy sound for the Stockholm boys. 909s and Juno riffs create synth-heavy, playful house experiences. Meanwhile, “Fuji Love” blends the sample and hardware approaches in a bright and jovial affair meant for straight chilling. It’s an interesting change-up considering the sample-reliant nature of Marathons.

Rehearsal hits shops on June 22nd.

Martín

Cet article PREMIERE: Klubbhuset – Rehearsal [Let’s Play House] est apparu en premier sur Bolting Bits.

Le Rubrique (soundcloud), who’s been at the forefront of Germany’s disco-house scene with his work behind the scenes with Sucio, is back with his new track “Pata Pata”, releasing on the latest volume (012) of the German Footjob label. Demonstrating his versatility with this addictive, well crafted, afro disco machine, Le Rubrique also utilizes pieces from oft-sampled afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti.

Andrew

Cet article Le Rubrique – Pata Pata [Footjob] est apparu en premier sur Bolting Bits.

One of the two bosses of German label Fine has four funk-filled, rolling tunes prepared for its seventh release. Look out for Tilman’s (soundcloud) dance-inducing, soul-seducing quartet of sample-heavy house and disco jams out on January 18.

A1 is packed with the usual disco/house sonic suspects: strings, jazzy keys and heartfelt vocal loops. It’s a credit to the Mainz-based producer that the bass varies significantly and with dynamism, but subtly enough that it mainstays the groove alongside the drums throughout the track. Cut 2 on the record stands out with its fluttering flute-loops, that float in and out on top of the beat throughout the song. Pleasant vocal hums, that almost sound like pads, smoothly fill out the background until about halfway when various soul-heavy vocal samples give the song a warm and almost contemplative touch.

Our premiere track from the EP, Stay Here Forever, will consume listeners with its heavy and full bass-end, and splashy and crunchy top-end. The track’s flow is now and then broken up aptly and evenly by a sequence of chopped and stuttered chord samples – not too dissimilar to a rolling Daft Punk disco thumper – to make it all the sweeter when the drums punch back in. Perhaps undeservedly buried as the record’s last track, Take Me For Your Love is arguably, overall, the EP’s most dynamic. Two guitar riffs (the first, as if sampled from the legendary Voodoo Chile’s unreleased cousin) come in interchangeably. Along with an ethereal chord progression of strings, they give the song an impressive balance of melodic simplicity and depth.

Jacob

Cet article PREMIERE : Tilman – Stay Here Forever [Fine] est apparu en premier sur Bolting Bits.

Better Listen Records continues its hot streak into 2018 with a debut EP from Joe Corti (soundcloud). The young Londoner’s short discography is off to a strong start with singles on the always good Pusic Records, the always sleazy Mr. Nice Guy Records, and now a proper artist EP on one of America’s most promising underground house labels.

[soundcloud url= “https://soundcloud.com/boltingbits/joe-corti-mr-kuti” /]

Comprised of carefully selected samples and exciting arrangements, From London With Love shows off Corti’s ability to dig out timeless samples for the dancefloor and weave them into a DJ’s dream. Special People and Mr. Kuti make up the rowdy, percussion-filled A-side, while Thinkin’ and Fulham Broadway go a little deeper into disco territory — keeping in line with the label’s roots.

Special People and Mr. Kuti are definitely cut from the same cloth, both containing a myriad of elements organized into hard to pin down but nevertheless emotionally engaging tracks. The repetition of the samples at play could easily get stale but, as the lyrics cleverly float in an out of understanding, one forgets about the message, sticks to the feeling, and keeps on dancing. Thinkin’ switches up the formula in favour of strings, cheers, and smart filtering. Rounding things off is Fulham Broadway, a funky number full of syncopated hits and an oh-so-sweet bassline. The tracks here could be from almost any era of which conveys a maturity beyond the producer’s years.

From London With Love is out on vinyl January 26th and you can pre-order it here.

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Adam Johan

Cet article PREMIERE : Joe Corti – Mr. Kuti [Better Listen Records] est apparu en premier sur Bolting Bits.

Cet article PREMIERE: K98 – PBJT [Times Are Ruff] est apparu en premier sur Bolting Bits.

Switzerland, the home of flashy one-handed backhands (cc: Roger Federer & Stan Wawrinka), snow capped mountains and more recently a new dance connoisseur in Ecar (soundcloud).  Wasting little to no time, Ecar has kickstarted his musical journey on his very own label Royalties Rates Records (R R R).  We’re constantly putting pen to paper on unique dance cuts from all across Europe but very rarely from this region and boy do these four tunes spell promise for what’s ahead!

Not much is known of Ecar at this stage but what we do know is that he is an individualistic artist, a sole trader who has always written music by himself. Some may find this a little introverted but for him it has instilled a real sense of ‘DIY’. Having the ability to apply and deliver your craft without the assistance or meddling of others can be a golden attribute in music. Ecar tells us that the reason for Royalties Rates existence is simply to become another voice in the beautiful conversation that is club music.

 

[soundcloud url=”https://soundcloud.com/boltingbits/ecar-diana” /]

 

And what a nostalgic dose of club music we receive on the A1 “Diana”. Compressed drum breaks kick hard as we’re quickly introduced to a twanged out synth scale that sounds as though it’s recorded straight from an 80’s house party. Unsuspectingly so, the sweet tones of a Diana Ross vocal from ‘It’s Your Move’ enter the fray, alongside a scuttling drum machine, propelling the tune into a swell of positivity.

The two B sides on the record speak more to the modern late night. In particular, on “Untitled Waves”, Ecar shows a deep knowledge of the acid genre, taking listeners on a beautifully eerie journey.  Tech stabs roll over ethereal synth patterns as the Suisse fellow takes us somewhere else… It’s like diving head first into a dank rave scene of cinema, you don’t recognize anyone around you yet you’re in rapture regardless.

From what we’ve heard on the inaugural release from Royalties Rates Records and its head honcho Ecar, there can only be further class audio to come. Only 300 of these gems will pressed, so don’t sleep and get your pre-orders in.

Welcome to R R R!

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Will

Cet article PREMIERE : Ecar – Diana [Royalties Rates Records] est apparu en premier sur Bolting Bits.