The Disclosure Project- Take it Down

About:

Claimed to be "obsessive musicians and producers", JP Phillippe and Mr. Jones-- the two guys behind the very successful contemporary deep house outfit, The Disclosure Project-- are back in business with a brand new track under Soul Industries, "Take it Down". An exciting line-up of remixes from sound engineer and producer, Daniel Seler aka. MDR and Canadian serial label owner, Adel Ghandour aka. Big Al, await you in this release!

Sounds Like:

A lazy Saturday afternoon vibe-- built with an extensive use of hazy rhodes, organic bass, tingling hats, and solid drums-- is what "Take it Down" is all about. For frequent listeners of The Disclosure Project, this release may be something different from the usual, arrangement-wise, but that mind-levitating and soulful imprint still remains.

Next up is Big Al's remix. When seeing Big Al's name as a remixer, it is pretty sure that the release itself gets a dance-floor-friendly fix. And true enough, for "Take it Down", this is the one! The Big Al remix of "Take it Down" first drops its bouncy bass and gloomy atmospheric pads as it starts to flawlessly bring together reverberated chords that when accompanied by the bass and the drums will make you start moving!

Third and last is MDR's remix. Known for his irresistible deep groovy bass, glimmering synths, sassy sax, and the good ol' feel good rhodes, MDR is always a standout. His remix on "Take it Down" lives up to the hype. Enough has been said.

Recommendation:

If we're not mistaken, this is the first time three of our favorite deep house artists, TDP, Big Al, and MDR have appeared under one stunning release! The original and the remixes are just amazing, it's a pretty close call for the original and its remixes, hence we recommend getting all of them... now.

READ MORE - The Disclosure Project- Take it Down

Big Al- Smooth Reaction EP

About:


First impressions last forever, they say, and for the music industry this saying definitely holds true. 


Haute Musique-- French for "refined and high-end music making"-- is the newest addition to the collection of labels by Ready Mix Records Inc., the company responsible for Ready Mix Records, Empty Whiskey Flask Records, Itom Records, and Tiny Lamp. 


It's all about sophistication, style, and elegance in Haute Musique. And here to demonstrate the perfect blend of sounds of the label is Ready Mix Records Inc. head honcho, Adel "Big Al" Ghandour with the debut release, "Smooth Reaction". For remix duties, expect one from the deep-tech outfit, The Messenger!


Sounds Like:


To those having ears well-versed in nu-school deep house sounds, just hearing the first few sequences with already give a hint that "Smooth" is a craft by Big Al. You can never go wrong with the neat, snappy interplay of kick drums, hi-hats, snares, and percussion Big Al have perfected. "Smooth" as a whole caters a very resonating feel thanks to the dense gliding bass and the lush, deep house chords. This track truly is smooth-flowing in all of its aspects!


Now on to the remix by The Messenger, the deep-tech house guise by Maria S. Jones and Joel Heim. "Smooth (The Messenger Remix)" is a remarkable deep house piece made even more remarkable by its ultra-groovy bassline and the chic interplay of chords. 


There can be no Smooth Reaction without Reaction! Big Al takes us to the more minimal sound of his productions with the last track, "Reaction". But don't let the word, "minimal" mislead you: "Reaction" brings together a somewhat glitchy yet warm track with snappy drums and tropical percussion. Edgy stabs and soaring synths also do their job in adding more color and dynamics to "Reaction".


Recommendation:


The two originals are definitely something to keep, and for the remix by The Messenger, it just proves that the guys behind the label have been doing their homework! 


With "Smooth Reaction" EP, Haute Musique lives up to its mantra of sophistication in music and has proven that it's not just another new label in the industry.


Cherish this right now, because more stuff are coming your way!

READ MORE - Big Al- Smooth Reaction EP

Marco Grandi- Bonita

About:


Around three months ago, Hungarian producer, Csaba Kiss aka. Marco Grandi debuted on Ready Mix Records with his superb release, "Love". This time around, Grandi winds up yet another release entitled, "Bontia" as follow-up with remixes from three deep house duos: Norbert and Daniel of the Moti Brothers, label owners in disguise, Adel "Big Al" Ghandour and Levente Szabo as the Harlem Knights (featuring Re-Bound), and of course, the supreme deep house collaboration, Evren Ulusoy and Sezer Uysal!


Sounds Like:


The original mix is something light on the head, while at the same time groovy. The delayed chords bring more swing effect into the track as it is perfectly contrasted by the dense kicking bass and the snappy percussion. As heard in his previous release, "Love", "Bonita" also caters a lush and a soothing atmosphere that carries the whole track.


The Moti Brothers start their remix with some jacking hi-hat work and some warm heavy kicking drums. The glowing chord and the vocal snippets from the original track get a more reverberated touch on the Moti Brothers remix. Bottom line, the Moti Brothers bring in their dreamy liquid deep house sound on board-- and the result is this!


The remix of the Harlem Knights contrasts that of the previous remix as it caters a dryer atmosphere and a more stable groove. The glowing chord is still present in this remix but the dense bass and the gliding bassline really makes the difference.


Never a single disappointing track from Evren Ulusoy and Sezer Uysal! Their remix of "Bonita" brings back deep house with a chic, body-moving groove-- these guys have always proven that two heads are better than one!


Recommendation:


Marco Grandi's "Bonita" is definitely a release to keep. 


If it's deep house groove and swing we're talking about, the original mix and the Evren Ulusoy & Sezer Uysal remixes are the picks. For atmosphere and texture, we have to give it to the Moti Brothers for an exceptional production. Of course, the Harlem Knights remix has both groove and atmosphere, plus the nicely patched deep, deep bass! 

READ MORE - Marco Grandi- Bonita

Stan Kolev & Juan Mejia- To the Clouds (Part 1)

About: 


Stan Kolev-- a serial Beatport chart-topper, a world-renowned Miami-based progressive house DJ and producer, and a certified globetrotter-- needs no introduction anymore. If you guys can still remember, "Emotional Content" was the Stan's first artist album, released in 2007 under Ready Mix Records. This time Stan returns to shore with a brand new collaboration with Juan Mejia-- label manager of the legendary Dutchie Music (and Grouper)-- entitled "To the Clouds". 


"To the Clouds" is, in fact, a two-part release from Ready Mix Records: this first installment features the original version, two remixes from label owner Adel Ghandour aka. Big Al, and Beat Factory (Big Al plus Levente Szabo). The second part, however, will be released next week-- really impressive line-up of remixes-- but we'll keep it a secret for now!


Sounds Like:


The original mix of "To the Clouds" features the perfected trademark sound of Stan Kolev-- haunting melodies, hypnotizing vocals and well-known "heart-quenching" synths. Not just that, this original version also caters a fascinating bassline that seemingly "lifts us from the ground and takes us higher into the clouds" and that dash of glimmering arps that gives us that brilliant stellar feel. 


Going not too far from the ground, Big Al unleashes the first of two remixes, the "Big Al's Deep Dub". This one in particular brings together heavy piano stabs, a low groovy bass, and some warm rhodes to balance the atmosphere. "Big Al's Balearic Mix" on the other hand also caters the similar elements of the previously mentioned version but highlights a Balearic-inspired electric guitar solo that really gives "To the Clouds" a touch of soul.


The last remix in the package is from Beat Factory, a project of Big Al and Levente Szabo. Aside from its excessive use of punchy percussion and stabs (in a constructive manner), the Beat Factory Remix also showcases its heavy chunky bass that effortlessly adds extreme dance-value to the track! Tight and sweet-- this is the remix by Ghandour and Szabo will definitely make it out to the venues.


Recommendation:


On to the verdict... This release as a whole is definitely above average. From the production quality to the undying creativity and propagation of groove, "To the Clouds" part one may just top charts this season.  


All tracks are definitely of good selection, but the Beat Factory remix is that one sick track that we would not even think twice in testing on the dance-floor. 


Watch out for part 2 next week! That you will really enjoy, take our word for that!

READ MORE - Stan Kolev & Juan Mejia- To the Clouds (Part 1)

Mehmet Akar- Butterflies

About:


Adel "Big Al" Ghandour is known for his impressive line-up of record labels, with Ready Mix Records (est. 1999) being the the label that tops the list. This time around, we get to review something from Empty Whisky Flask Records, the record label that features warm, organic, and sophisticated sounds, established by Big Al himself  back in 2010 with his partner Levente Szabo (collectively known as Harlem Knights).


"Butterflies" is the debut release of Turkish soundsmith, Mehmet Akar on Empty Whisky Flask Records. As the release hailing from one of the most respected electronic artists from Turkey, "Butterfly" comes with two marvelous remixes from Harlem Knights and Alberto Kanzyani. 


Sounds Like:


The original mix of "Butterflies" lives up to the standards of EWFR. In the first few seconds alone, "Butterflies" graces off with mellow rhode progressions, then continued with a flawless flow of gliding contour-rich bassline and seemingly mangled vocal hooks-- all of which have been dipped into a lush and soothing sample in the breakdown.


"Butterflies" gets a tech wash-down in the hands of Big Al and Levente, the two guys behind the guise Harlem Knights. Their remix still preserves the gentle grooves of the original and is in fact dubbed with more radiant keys in the breakdown. . . just before it fades into the groovy part of the track.


Things get deeper as we hear Albero Kanzyani's take on "Butterflies". Just two things to expect from this one: first, dense bass that will definitely make you move a muscle, and second, the interplay between the jazzy trumpet and the heavenly vocal add-on that will spice things up. 


Recommendation:


Just another fantastic release reviewed. We're pretty impressed with "Butterflies" and its remixes, actually, and thus we recommend all three tracks. 


Watch out for more from Empty Whisky Flask Records!

READ MORE - Mehmet Akar- Butterflies

Adham & Hisham Zahran- Triplets: the REMIXES

Adham & Hisham Zahran released “Purple Sunday / Triplets” a couple of weeks ago under Acryl Music. The release was so highly-acclaimed that it garnered a remix package for the track “Triplets” dubbed as “Triplets: the Remixes”! Stepping in for this special release on Acryl Music are Alvaro Hylander, Big Al, and Christoph Kardek!

Triplets (Alvaro Hylander Remix)

A simple yet dance-worthy remix we have from Alvaro Hylander. Just like his other wonderful deep house productions, the Alvaro Hylander remix of Triplets is head-nodding, steady, and fresh! Road-test this tune in your gigs, or groove to it on your own— either way, you can never go wrong with it!

Triplets (Big Al Remix)

For the second remix, we have something infectious from Big Al! His remix caters catchy distorted leads that loop to a very chill climax while being accompanied by walking basslines, strong grooves, and warm atmospheric pads. If you’re looking for something dance-able while it retaining the original essence of Triplets”, then you just found the right remix!

Triplets (Christoph Kardek Remix)

Christoph Kardek leans towards the atmospheric and soulful side of his productions as he adds a rework of his own. Very lush atmosphere layers we have for the Christoph Kardek remix. Not just that, Kardek also surprises the listeners with something unexpected yet something brilliant— for that, well you just have to listen to find out!

READ MORE - Adham & Hisham Zahran- Triplets: the REMIXES