Blood Groove & Kikis (Edmunds Kasperovics & Kristaps Kārklins) is one of the finest upcoming Latvian deep house tandems we've come across with! Just so you know, Edmunds and Kristaps have been working side-by-side since 2006 first in a project called "Live Beat", and since then they have always been spinning at gigs as a duo.
As producers, however, their fair share of success also is remarkable. To give you a taste of what Blood Groove & Kikis is all about, we decided to share to you a review on their release on In Deep Records-- the spectacular three-tracker, "I Feel You EP"!
Sounds Like:
As mentioned, fresh, groovy, and deep are things you ought to expect when listening to a BG&K production.
Track one, "Give It To Me" caters a timely vocal stab that sets the pace while the bass completes the groove. The track also brings to life silk-smooth atmosphere and lovely vocal hooks. "I Feel You" and "Reset" are also a feasts to the ears-- lead by an irresistible Rhodes slicks and of course, the same interplay of vocal snippets and bass perfected by the duo themselves!
Recommendation:
Recommendation? Buy ALL the tracks in this release!
Ali Nepomuceno (Alinep) may be one of Manila's newest producers, but his name isn't really a stranger anymore most especially in the underground scene. Aside from being one of the driving forces behind Manila Underground, the counterpart of the Underground Renaissance of Detroit here in Manila, Alinep is also recognized as one of the resident DJs of TIME in Manila, the one and only underground club in the country..
Disco Pudge EP-- a three-track deep house release under Funkfield Recordings-- marks Ali's debut as a producer.
Sounds Like:
A collection of smooth and head-nodding deep house chords patched up with a few snippets of echoing vocals. Of course, don't forget the set of punchy snares and pounding kick drums!
Recommendation:
We recommend listening to "Disco Pudge", it definitely sums up what Ali's sound is all about! But "Snuffy Waffy" and "Unit 21" are also worth the listen-- so head over to Beatport and support this release!
Four brand new remixes of world-renowned Spanish DJ and producer, David Herrero have finally been released special thanks to ALMA Soul Music! Enjoy David Herrero's "Gimme Somebody" as it gets its remixed, not once, but thrice! We've got Siwell, Vozmediano, and Scan Mode on the remixes of the said track while co-label owner, Javier Varez pulls off a stunning remix on David Herrero & Sergio Parrado's "Delnorte".
Sounds Like:
First up is Siwell's "Gimme Somebody"-- expect a pumping tech house reinterpretation from Italian techno authority, Luigi "Siwell" Poggiani! Vozmediano's on the other hand is a vintage-sounding piece topped up with synth bass and a wonderful melodic pianos. The third and last remix for "Gimme Somebody" falls onto the hands of Alberto Sanchez, also a Spanish producer more known as Scan Mode, and the result is this heavy industrial-oriented deep and tech tune!
Something dark, groovy, and vocoder-lead, the Javier Varez remix of "Delnorte" is a rare concoction that showcases the darker side of Javier's sound.
Recommendation:
"David Herrero Remixed" greets us with a range of diversified mixture of electronic dance genres. This release also is something different, as mentioned earlier-- quite a drift from the usual ALMA Soul Music style, but they were still able to pull it off! For our favorite tracks, they are Siwell's remix on "Gimme Somebody" and Javier's remix of "Delnorte".
"Manila Sound" is the latest from Manila's very own Cyril Sorongon aka. Silverfilter! Released under the Florida-based electro and breaks label, Kick It Recordings, "Manila Sound" brings to life brand new electrifying sound from Silverfilter in breaks format. For Silverfilter, "Manila Sound" takes him back to the classic sounds of breaks similar to that of Adam Freeland's. It all started with that sweet portamento lead synth, according to Silverfilter himself, and the rest is history.
Rounding it up are stunning remixes from Kick It artists: Kwerk, Botbass, and Original Primate.
Sounds Like:
For the original mix, get ready to for an electrifying head-bobbing track from Silverfilter: expect in-your-face bass, mad-solid kick drums, and dirty synths! Kwerk lands a remix for grinding and pounding, still in breakbeat form, while Botbass concocts a dirty, trashy electro house remix of "Manila Sound". Original Primate,lastly, will strip your inhibitions off with his dark and tribal reinterpretation of Silverfilter's original work-- Let the music play!
Recommendation:
We don't often review electro and breaks here on Soundscapes, but this was actually a good excuse to do one. We recommend all the tracks in this release: from the Original mix by Silverfilter to the Kwerk, Botbass, and Original Primate remixes!
Swiss producer and Acryl Music head honcho Da Funk, takes over for the label's golden release, "Need For Faith"! Acryl Music has been industry since 2004, but it is only now that the label releases its 50th release-- a clear sign that it's always quality over quantity for Da Funk and the guys behind the label. Together with the original, expect authentic deep house remixes from Si Brad (Simon Bradshaw), Pete Moss, Elmar Schubert, and Q-Burns Abstract Message.
Sounds Like:
"Need For Faith" caters the unifying sound of Acryl and the trademark fat analog bass driven sound of Da Funk. Aside from which, you can expect a smooth-flowing line-up of hazy, spherical, and echoing synths.
Si Brad's remix spells vintage all over-- edgy discoid bass, deep atmosphere, and hypnotizing synths. Pennsylvania's Pete Moss drops a lush yet stubby remix of "Need For Faith", while German producer, Elmar Schubert turns over a chic and irresistible reinterpretation. For the last remix, "Need For Faith" falls onto the hands of Q-Burns Abstract Message as it turns into one intricate piece-- head-nodding stabs, tunnel-echoing atmospheric pads, analog bass all perfectly patched up together!
Recommendation:
We would not be wasting our time in writing a proper review of a release not worth recommending, would we? But we also couldn't help announcing our favorite picks in the release either!
So here it goes: the original mix is fantastic-- it perfectly sums up what Acryl Music is all about. Much respect to Da Funk! For our favorite remix, it's got to be Elmar Schubert's: so seemingly simple (but we producers know it's not) yet its addicting groove is out of this world!
"I just prefer to smile because I know that I never will be rich in making music." -Javier Varez
Javier Varez isn't playing the game for money nor for fame, but he's in it for passion. Currently based in San Fernando de Henares, Madrid, Spanish producer, DJ, and label owner Javier Varez is one of the driving forces behind the A-list house music label, ALMA Soul Music. Javier manages ALMA with D Low, Memphis and Alex Sosa and their unending dedication towards quality music can be heard in the releases they bring out. In fact, ALMA not only caters to Javier's , D Low's, Memphis' and Alex's own releases but it is also responsible for releasing material from Alvaro Hylander, Evren Ulusoy, and Satoshi Fumi, just a few of the many seasoned artists in the industry.
Read through our exclusive interview with Javier Varez himself, and know more about his music, his label, and his insights when it comes to music. Maybe soon, we can have him over again to talk about his grandfather's grape harvest in Spain!
Greetings Javier! Thank you for making this interview possible. Without further delay, let us begin the interview. Firstly, how are things lately as a producer, a DJ, and a label owner?
Hello Miguel, is a pleasure to sharing some words with you and readers of Soundscapes. Things are cool about my work, we are really glad with the running of our label Alma Soul Music, so many great releases and several projects in clubs are coming.
Before we go to the details of your label, Alma Soul Music, let's first talk about your solo career. What inspired you to become a DJ and a producer?
Certainly I must to thank to my brother Fernando, he was my example and inspiration in the world of electronic music from I just was a little children! Years after was inebitable to focus my attention out of the commercial music, for this reason at day of today is possible to listen different influences like Jazz or IDM sounds into my own Deep House productions.
We're pretty sure that the things that revolve around you have had certain impacts on your musical career. In your case, how has Madrid been able to influence your career?
It´s not easy to answer this because I´m thankful to many people in Madrid.Certainly it´s a city where you can enjoy several types of art every day, inside and outside the music, without a doubt all people could be well influenced here... But I recognize that this is a country with a giant porcentaje of persons who prefer to spend his time and money in seeing to famous TV celebrities "playing" Mainstream music at big clubs. Definetely I think that this is not the land of opportunities... but sincerely I don´t see my life far of this sunny place.
Now, we talk about your label, Alma Soul Music. Can you tell us something about your label?
As I said, me and my partners D Low, Memphis and Alex Sosa are 100% satisfied with Alma Soul Music´s way, soon we will launch great material from important artists such as David Herrero, Ilya Santana, Siwell, Show B, Jack Pattern, Meterius Johnson and many more. In other things I must to remember that our own radioshow "Alma Dreams" is broadcasted weekly by 3 radio stations in Europe, it´s all about midtempo and downtempo music, out of our usual Deep House tunes.
Alma Soul Music: Javier's Record Label
What is or are the driving force/s behind Alma Soul Music, and what makes it unique?
Another time I gonna be sincere with you. I think that we launch just the music we like with the wish that be nice for our listeners, but I recognize that at day of today is very hard to highlight between bigger labels... Maybe one thing what distinguishes us is our visual image, we always use original designs from artists as record cover.
As a label owner and manager, what obstacles have you faced in the past, and how were you able to surpass these problems?
Uff... daily I ask to myself why I was not the creator of Facebook or maybe a muscled porn star who gains millions of dollars per month? LOL. But the reality is other, it´s simple, if people can get music for free, why them gonna spend money in it? The problem with piracy always will exists in our life, I don´t see a solution for this... I just prefer to smile because I know that never I will be rich in making music ;)
Let's go back to you being a producer. How does your studio set up look like?
I share a studio with my partners of Alma Soul Music, this room is called Atmosphera Studio where I usually kick our Akai MPC and touch some notes with my nose in differents analog synths. Also I record sweet melodies made with my own voice with Logic and our Rode condeser microphone (these sweet melodies always are erased instantly because my voice sucks)
The Atmosphera Studio
If there's one producer in the world you would like to collaborate with, who would it be?
My favourite artist from years ago is Matthew Herbert, would be amazing to see him working for our label!! But the true is that i never will try to make music with him, because is 100% sure that I would damage the results! He is the most original artist in electronic music in my opinion.
Any news for your followers? What's new from Javier Varez and from the guys on Alma Soul Music?
At the moment personally I only can speak about a new moniker for a different style of my productions, future releases with a couple of important labels. And about our label, I will try my partners works more, this form I will can sleep more hours!
This concludes our interview! The guys behind Soundscapes by Motionmigs would like to thank you for your time and effort in making this interview possible! We wish you all the best. Cheers and keep in touch!
I´m really thankful for this nice and funny interview, maybe another time i could speak about grape harvest in my grandfather´s town or something similar hehe!Thanks a lot from me and all Alma Soul Music components!
Here's a free download mix exclusively made by Javier just for our readers here on Soundscapes! Check it out, and have a good day! :)
Javier Varez´s Mixtape for Motionmigs.com by Javier Varez
