Deephope- Antonyms EP

"Antonyms EP” is the perfect concoction of everything deep, chill, and groovy, and the man responsible for this latest release on Sophisticate Recordings is Deephope, a DJ and producer hailing from Spain. Deephope’s musical style varies from experimental to house and to techno, but in this release, we get to hear Deephope’s laid-back loung sound in three tracks.


First is “Deep Sun”, a downtempo track wrapped in silky smooth atmosphere and sunlit melodies. Something steady for the second track, as “ON” puts together deep sounds and a minimal feel for a change. “UP”, track three, also is a wonder of its own with its groovy bass and cool pads.


A little of everything makes the difference.

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Rodrigo Soria- Bold EP

Sao Paulo’s Rodrigo Soria puts together a spectacular release for Sophisticate Recordings and his handcrafted sounds are finally revealed in Bold EP! Two original tracks from Rodrigo are on this one: ”Bold” and “Unique” both portray Rodrigo’s deep-minimal and steady-flowing sound. Sophisticate Recordings head honcho, Alex Valentin (Alex V) also puts together a special remix for “Bold” that perfectly complements Soria’s sound and the label’s sound as a whole! Join in as Sophisticate Recordings celebrates yet another flawlessly deep and smooth release. Rodrigo Soria’s “Bold EP” is out now, exclusively from Sophisticate Recordings!

Bold EP (Sophisticate Recordings) by Rodrigo Soria

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Savvas- Blue Chords EP

Savvas Karabinos, a producer originally from Chicago, but now resides in Greece, appears on Sophisticate Recordings with his latest soothing deep house release entitled “Blue Chords EP”! Introduced into the EDM circuit back in ‘92, Savvas has been part of various musical stints from theatrical performances to website music production year in and year out. 

This time around, diversifying his sound is his biggest challenge to himself, and this is where “Blue Chords EP” comes in. Exposing the deep and slick side of his productions, “Blue Chords EP” comes in two tracks--”Blue Chords” and “Days on South”-- both undeniably crafted out of nineteen years of musical experience!

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Bruto Peroni- Go Slow EP

Bruito Peroni— hailed as one of the champions of the so-called new-school techno scene in Berlin— has landed on Sophisticate Recordings with his brand new release, Go Slow EP! To add spice to the release, label owner Alex V and Cleveland-based tech house artist, Marc Cotterell also contribute their respective remixes.

The original mix of Go Slow is a track packed with tech-injected sound, driving basslines, and glitchy vocals. Alex V’s remix, the second in line, contrasts the former with a wide array of glimmering melodies and smooth-flowing vibe. Marc Cotterell’s remix brings back the tune to tech territory but this time, darker and deeper!

Bruito Peroni’s Let’s Pretend gives the whole release a proper close with its one of a kind funky-tech sound. If you’re looking for something nasty, you gotta check this out!

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Interview with ALEX V

My inspiration was to create a digital platform to share quality deep house music, promote new artists and build step by step a solid and respected label.

V is for Valentin, Alex V's last name which still remains relatively unknown to most of his listeners and followers around the globe. Now that you know what V in Alex V stands for, we can move on to know more about him. Alex was born in the beautiful city of Barcelona in 1977, but it is in Tossa de Mar, where he now resides and continues to perfect his craft. 


As a passionate musician, Alex started producing at the age of 16, and from there he has started building up his arsenal of classy and elegant deep-tech sound. His list of labels where he has released material lists Night Drive Music, Acryl Music, Justified Cause, Big Mama,Sweetleaf, Deepology, Extremly House, Pulsewith, Mettle Music, Soulstar, and more. There is more to Alex than a producer. In fact, just recently, he has just established a deep-tech house label dubbed Sophisticate Recordings to give the world a taste of Alex V's interpretation of house music.





Sophisticate Recordings Official Website


Copyright © 2011 Miguel Libre




Hola, Alex! How are things going?


Things are going well, thanks. Its a very busy time for me as a producer and
label manager. There is always something to do and deadlines to achieve in this
business.


What does the letter “V” in Alex V stand for?


V means “ Valentin” which is my surname. A long time ago I used my full name
on my productions but after a while I decided to shorten it to just Alex V.


Continuing, let us talk about your productions: Can you describe to us
your sound? Also, how were you able to come up with such a sound?


My style is based on elegant and smooth melodies mixed with a touch of
underground house music. I like to use software and hardware at the same time
on my productions. Cubase is my favourite DAW and many VSTi are good to do
this task. Loving all the Arturia classics and my Korg Z1 keyboard.


How about Spain and the house music scene— how are they like?


Barcelona or Ibiza always has been a city with a huge electronic music culture,
including deephouse. The local scene is good and you can find great artists and
cool labels around Spain.


As we know, you are the driving force behind the deep-tech house
label, Sophisticate Recordings. What was your inspiration behind the
establishment of the label?


My inspiration was to create a digital platform to share quality deep house
music, promote new artists and build step by step a solid and respected label.

In your opinion, how is Sophisticate Recordings different from the
hundreds of labels out there?


Sophisticate is a young label that wants to contribiute and bring great music to
the deephouse scene. Personaly I don´t think that we are better or less than
other labels, we try to care about what we are doing working with passion and
love for the music.


As a relatively-new player in the music industry, what are the various
obstacles you have encountered so far? What are your solutions to
these problems?


Make yourselft know to the public is one of the most dificult task today!
Promotion is essencial to run a label and keep it alive, its always hard.
Piracy is bad for small labels but also some people believe that it can be used as
extra publicity.


If you were given a chance to work with any DJ/ producer from any
label or country, who would it be, and why?


There are so many new and classic artist that i would like to work with. Im open to
anyone, its not about “names” or how famous you are its all about music.


Any last worlds for our readers and fans from all four corners of the
globe?


There are new exciting releases and podcasts coming soon, keep close to
sophisticate and thanks to all our followers for your support!


I, Miguel Libre, would like to thank you for time and effort in making
this interview possible. May more people support you and good luck to
your label— you will have my support as always!

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Modern Walker- Liuba Iswa EP

Barcelona-based deep tech-house label, Sophisticate Recordings, is Alex V's effort to show the world his interpretation of fine house music. Joining in for the label's latest release, Liuba Iswa EP  is Modern Walker, a German producer who has an ear for silky-smooth grooves. This release, of course, wont be complete without some touches from Sophisticate's head honcho, Alex V!


Its (Original Mix)
The first track on the release is of a unique blend of minimal, deep, glitch, and tech house music.      Even if it carries influences from various electronic genres, "Its" stays slow and steady to emphasize the lush atmospheric pads and glitchy samples Modern Walker has put into play. 


Its (Alex V Remix)
In contrast to the original mix, Alex V's remix caters a more dance-able sound thanks to its slow yet groovy bass. Aside from which, the Alex V remix of "Its" brings to life more bustling percussion and hi-hats that complement the glitch samples in the track. The echoing stabs also come in to bring more edge to the track. Now if you're wondering what the true sound of Sophisticate is, you just got your answer.


Don't Run (Original Mix) 
Stepping into minimal territory, "Don't Run", is the third and last track of this release! Prepare yourselves for something sedative. . .


Liuba Iswa EP by Modern Walker is the latest of Sophisticate Recordings, and is now available for download!

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Craig Stewart- Stellarium EP

Picking-up from our last review for British producer, Craig Stewart we now check out his fresh craft from Sophisticate Recordings-- and it is none other than the three-track EP, "Stellarium"! This deepness-drenched EP yields two original tunes from Stewart, "Stellarium" and "Better The Devil" as well as a remix from Sophisticate resident artist, Alex V.


Stellarium
For the first track, we get to hear something steady from Craig Stewart. "Stellarium", although steady in structure, caters some stomping kicks and crisp-sounding snares that keep the groove moving. By the time the track hits the breakdown, spherical flanged samples greet us, and for those who follow Craig's releases often, one can say it's his trademark vibe we feel throughout this tune. Steady, groovy, and fresh, we find Stellarium an ideal track for crucial warm-ups!


Better the Devil
Things get a little more upbeat and groovier as the second track, Better the Devil, takes its place! Head-nodding bass stabs play their part early on as the atmospheric pads start to heat things up for the breakdown. With a track like this, it's not that hard to get those heads bobbing to the rhythm!


Better the Devil (Alex V Remix)
Alex V handles remixing duties for "Better the Devil", and turns it into one night-crawling soundtrack! For this remix, expect deep and very smooth atmosphere as well as heavily-flanged vocalesque samples.


Stellarium EP is now available on your favorite download portals, be sure to support this one!

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