Da Funk- The Last Dance

About:

Acryl Music's head honcho Daniel Kneubühler aka. Da Funk takes a break from his usual deep house sound and ventures off to the sunny side of electronic dance music, cosmic disco! "The Last Dance" is the latest release on Dany's label as it caters two brand new tracks that will definitely take you to places you've never been to before. 


Sounds Like:


First up is "The Last Dance", which comes in with a dazzling arrangement of vintage but bold drums-- the first sign that this isn't your usual deep house sound from Da Funk.  The track is then followed up with flanged guitar strums and raw thick bass. The poignant guitar plucks and cosmic arps and pads are the highlights of this track, however-- these elements simply add that sunset feel to the "The Last Dance".

The second and the last track, "Sunrays On A Leash" offers a livelier take on Da Funk's cosmic disco sound; a track of blissful progressive plucks and arps topped off with upbeat hihat-clap interplay. Also, the thin-layered strings add a final euphoric touch for "Sunrays On A Leash"!


Recommendation:


Something different from Da Funk this time around, but he definitely pulled it off! We're just amazed on how different layers of atmospheric pads and arps, when combined, form a distinct feel. A craft of a veteran, "The Last Dance" truly deserves the Acryl Music seal! 

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Tim Andresen- Watcha Want

About:


Tim Andresen, head honcho for the label "What Happens", is one of Denmark's successful deep and tech house talents. Aside from him being hailed as the "Best DJ" and "Most Popular Nordic DJ" in the Danish Club Awards, Tim Andresen's talent never failed to gain the support from the big guns in the industry including Pete Tong, Mark Knight, and Fatboy Slim, among others. 


"Watcha Want"-- a three track release on Denmark-based deep house label, "DeepWit Recordings"-- marks Tim's debut on the label. Remixing duties fall onto the hands of DeepWit Recordings co-owner Alvaro Hylander, and Acryl Music label boss Da Funk !


Sounds Like:


Coming in with a steady four-by-four groove, the original mix of "Watcha Want" puts forth nicely-balanced layers of silky-smooth atmosphere, delayed rhodes, and reverberated vocal snippets. The bass tightens up the groove as the kick-hat-clap interplay binds all the elements together. Simple and clean to the ear, this is "Watcha Want", the original mix, by Tim Andresen.


First up from the remixes is Da Funk's. Da Funk plays around with some Roland TR-909 drums and comes up with his remix dubbed as, "Da Funk's Fancy Some 909 Dub". Similar to the original mix, the Fancy 909 Dub still preserves that thin layered atmosphere as Da Funk patches up some stomping kicks and some acidic grinding bass for contrast.


Upon seeing Alvaro's name as a remixer, we immediately expected something lush and really deep, as to we getting used to the sound he has perfected. True enough, Alvaro Hylander throws in an in-your-face deep, groovy reinterpretation of "Watcha Want". 


Recommendation:

Now, for the verdict. Overall, "Watcha Want" did not disappoint us, in fact, it pretty much amazed us, reminding us what deep house music is all about-- atmosphere, groove, and feel. We recommend getting all the tracks on this one because selecting only one favorite would be quite a difficult thing to do given the talents and mastery of the artists appearing on this release.

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Da Funk- Need For Faith

About:


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! 

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Acryl Music presents In the Night Vol. 4

Swiss-based deep house label, Acryl Music just released its fourth installation of "In the Night"! For starters, Acryl Music, with the providence of head honcho Da Funk (Daniel Kneubühler), has been one of the staples of the deep house scene since 2004. As they launch another fresh batch of tunes ranging from well-loved classics to never-heard grooves, the artists on the label give us a feel of that trademark Acryl Music vibe they have perfected all these years. 


"In the Night Vol. 4" features the deep and soothing sounds of Acryl as heard in Office Gossip's remix on "Make Me" as well as Pablo Fierro's dub on "Gloomy Scene". In addition, this compilation also brings to life the groovier and funkier side of the label: Dima Promo's "Pace of Mind", Ilias Katelanos's "City Fields", The Messenger's "Smokey Morning" remix on Ivan Enot's "Morning"! Of course, surprise awaits all listeners of this compilation-- Da Funk slips-in one exclusive track that has never been heard by anyone, and that you just have to find out!


Acryl Music presents In the Night Volume 4 is out now! 

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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

Craig Stewart- Make Me EP

Craig Stewart is known for going on a pursuit with Johnny Montana in perfecting moonlight-inspired deep and soulful house music as heard in their productions and remixes like "Lunar Eyes", "Million to One", and "State of Mind". Make Me EP— Stewart's latest release on Acryl Music is quite different— it is minus Johnny Montana and the soulful vibe, but a plus to the technical and groovy sound of the deep! To celebrate this release, Alex V, Office Gossip, and Acryl Music head honcho, Da Funk also contribute their respective remixes to the package.

Make Me (Original Mix)

The original mix of "Make Me" is an easy-going head-nodding piece from Craig Stewart—definitely a soundtrack perfect for those lazy afternoons!

Do For Love (Original Mix)

A heavily-flanged, strong-riffed piece comes from Craig Stewart as the second track of the release. We get to hear the sharper side of his productions with “Do For Love”.

Do For Love (Alex V Remix)

Tossa del Mar-based, Barcelona-born producer Alex V hooks-up “Do For Love” with a smoother, more elegant, and a more atmospheric approach. This serves as a great alternative to the original!

Make Me (Office Gossip Remix)

Second remix comes all the way from London. In the hands of Office Gossip, “Make Me” turns into a stubby, hazy, and a laidback soundtrack.

Make Me (Da Funk’s Numb Soul Remix)

Dany steps-in with his newest sound-signature, the "Numb Soul". For this last remix on the release, Da Funk surprises us with trademark thick and stubby basslines, gray and chilled atmosphere, as well as echoing and haunting melodies. This track draws the release to a silencing close.

Make Me EP, together with its marvelous remixes from Alex V, Office Gossip, and Da Funk, is now available for purchase! Head over to your favorite download portal and support this release!

READ MORE - Craig Stewart- Make Me EP

Da Funk- Gloomy Scene (incl. Remixes)

It's been around two years since Acryl Music label owner, Da Funk released material on his label. As he breaks the spell, he sends out his latest craft, "Gloomy Scene" fresh from the deep with remixes courtesy of Pablo Fierro, Addex, and GarcyNoise!

Gloomy Scene (Original Mix)
The original mix starts off with heavy rolling basslines from the one and only, Da Funk! With its components filtered all the way and with its vocal samples looping down the line, and not to mentioned the dark atmosphere wrapping the track, "Gloomy Scene" is the perfect soundtrack to welcome back the big boss of Acryl Music.

Gloomy Scene (Pablo Fierro Dub)
Spanish producer, Pablo Fierro takes one for the team with his tropical inspired deep interpretation of "Gloomy Scene". Freshening, calming, and groovy, this is the Pablo Fierro dub!

Gloomy Scene (Addex Remix)
Da Funk's track garners another summery reconstruction in the hands of Romanian producer, Addex. For this track, Addex incorporates glowing chords, stubby basslines, and powerful kicks-- excellent remix right here.

Gloomy Scene (GarcyNoise Ibiza's Way Remix)
Garcynoise appears on the roster as the second Spanish producer. Taking pride for his heritage, he dubs his own remix as "GarcyNoise Ibiza's Way Remix". It's not just pride actually, the title speaks for its own sound--  big-room tech-drenched anthem with strong stab rhythms and filtered vocal samples on the breakdown! GarcyNoise's sound is surprising as always.

Four new excellent tracks on the label! Da Funk is back on Acryl for real.

READ MORE - Da Funk- Gloomy Scene (incl. Remixes)

Da Funk- Gated Que EP

One of the veterans in the deep house scene is back with a massive release from 2600 Records! Hailing all the way from Winterthur, Switzerland, Da Funk unleashes his latest five-tracker EP entitled Gated Que containing two original tracks and three remixes from Ivan I & Raygun, Onur Ozman, and Andy Mowat!

Gated Que (Original Mix)
Feel-good track right here! For the first track of the release, we get to hear once again Da Funk's signature bass together with calm atmosphere. Moreover, its perfectly timed cuts and breaks are some of the aspects you have to check out in this track.

Where Is Your Head (Original Mix)
This time around, we get to hear a slightly edgier approach to Da Funk's sound. Darker, heavier, yet still retaining that Da Funk vibe, "Where Is Your Head" is indeed a soundtrack for nocturnal house sessions!

Where Is Your Head (Ivan I & Raygun Remix)
Ivan I and Raygun surprise their listeners with their own remix packed with a massive groovy bassline! Vocal samples supplied in this remix also makes it stand out on its own.

Where Is Your Head (Onur Ozman Deep Remix)
Zürich-based producer also takes one for the team. Onur Ozman hands-over a tech-influenced take on Da Funk's "Where Is Your Head". Aside from which, the brilliantly-composed chords are some of the most salient features of this remix.

Gated Que (Andy Mowat Remix)
Shifting to a more upbeat vibe, Andy Mowat's remix ends the release with its tight rhythm and head-nodding basslines!

Gated Que EP is now available exclusively on Beatport, and will be available worldwide starting September 30,2010. Support this release!

READ MORE - Da Funk- Gated Que EP

Dinka- Hive

It's always a thrilling sight when new release covers from Dinka hit Facebook pages and other social-networking sites. May it be a release under Anjunadeep, Unreleased Digital, or even Enormous Tunes, a Dinka release is something always worth listening to! Just a couple of days ago, Unreleased Digital just released Dinka's latest three-track EP entitled, "Hive". As mentioned, it definitely is worth the excitement!

Hive (Original Mix)

Similar to the ones on "Elements", "Green Leaf", "Celtic of Scotland", and other beloved Dinka masterpieces, "Hive" brings back the the smooth-sailing arpeggio that keeps the rhythm in Dinka releases alive. Moreover, we are also greeted by a rich, atmospheric climax that this track provides. The time-tested sound of Dinka is once again put into play here in this track.

Selling England (Original Mix)

Combine Dinka's vocalesque and mystic sound, spherical ambiance, and an electrifying rhythm, you will get something like this next track, "Selling England".

The Quietest Moment (Original Mix)

Finally, the much-awaited follow-up to Dinka's Instrumental Remix on Leventina's "Here Workin"! "The Quietest Moment" really has one massive harmony to it-- surely one of the many reasons why we keep coming back for more! This track is definitely sublime and is up there with the other Dinka classics we have enjoyed all these years.

Three new instant-classics from Dinka up for grabs! Having said all of these, Dinka has definitely made quite an impact in the scene and on their listeners, and we, the listeners, literally cannot get enough of the euphoria they bring.

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Groove Department- Mai Thai (Da Funk's New York, New York Remix)

Picking up from the last review for Da Funk's Valverde remix of Stitches by Pete Moss, we once again visit another signature remix from Daniel "Da Funk" Kneubühler-- this time, for Groove Department's Mai Thai.

Released under Ready Mix Records, the Da Funk's New York, New York Remix is undeniably one of Dany's breakthrough sound to the more straightforward and chic shade of deep house music. To start off, heavy kicks, echoing vocal snippets, and groovy bass-work get the job done, as the dark chord stabs bring the track to a whole new deep dimension. Moreover, this New York, New York remix caters a very body-moving piano build-up that effortlessly raises the track to its limits, leaving its listeners in great ecstatic awe.

Always a pleasure to have Da Funk here on Soundscapes, his tracks always leave us wanting for more! Support this wonderful release alongside the other records from the package!

READ MORE - Groove Department- Mai Thai (Da Funk's New York, New York Remix)

Leventina- Here Workin' (Dinka Instrumental Mix)

Just the track you need to spice up a gloomy day.

With the stunning atmosphere and the upbeat melodies Here Workin' has to offer, people should start coining a new sub-genre of electronic dance music-- uplifting progressive house.

Leventina's Here Workin' came in six different versions, namely: the vocal mix, the original mix, the Dinka Vocal Mix, the Dario D'attis Remix, the Helvetic Nerds Remix, and of course, this, the Dinka Instrumental Mix. Among those renditions mentioned, the latter one was the most appealing to me because of the wonderful introduction this track catered.

With soul-penetrating vibes, this Instrumental Mix is the perfect set opener for any given progressive house set.

In a nut shell, prog house aficionados would find this track as "Dinka-flying-higher" track, while first time listeners of the genre may find this as the fresh fruit in a basket of rotting apples.

READ MORE - Leventina- Here Workin' (Dinka Instrumental Mix)

Dinka- Scarlet EP

Scarlet EP

Artist: Dinka

Released: 2009 [Beatport]/ 2010 [Junodownload]

Label: Enormous Tunes

Genre: Progressive House

Track listing:

Scarlet (radio mix) - (04:00)
Scarlet (original mix) - (07:36)
Scarlet (chillout reprise) - (03:07)
The Celtic Of Scotland (original mix) - (07:31)
Gateways (original mix) - (07:58)

Summer season is just around the corner, but I feel the calm summer essence every time I listen to this blissful EP by Dinka.

Released under Enormous Tunes, Scarlet EP contains fresh and upbeat melodies that will leave you wanting for more. Before I discuss the tracks, here are some things you might want to know about this stunning producer: Dinka is a female Swiss progressive house producer crafting quality tunes and remixes characterized by spherical harmonies and easygoing melodies on labels like Unreleased Digital, Anjunadeep, Enormous Tunes, and Cool Vibes.

Dinka also has a long list of releases that stomped various EDM events and conquered radio shows around the world , some of her releases include "Meaningful Story", "Canonball", "Temptation", and her remix on Jaytech's "Pyramid".

Just last December 18, Dinka released her Scarlet EP on beatport.com, and it will also appear on Junodownload.com sometime January of 2010. To avoid redundancy, I will only talk about three out of the five tracks from Scarlet EP:

Scarlet (original mix)

Progressive house aficionados will easily know that it's another Dinka track from the first few minutes. Moreover, Scarlet caters the perfect formula of Dinka that listeners from around the globe crave. Steady, uplifting, rejuvenating, this is Dinka's Scarlet.

The Celtic Of Scotland (original mix)

Have you watched Braveheart? Well, this track contains elements from the soundtrack of that classic movie, and it was shaped into a summer anthem in such a way it is so fresh, so melodious,and so liberating. This is a masterpiece I tell you, because everything about this track is simply wonderful; from the synths to the bass, and of course, to the unique ambiance combined all together by Dinka. I am already addicted to that sense of longing this track offers, and I will play this all summer long...

Gateways (original mix)

There is something new from Dinka in this track-- a banging breakdown-- progressive house style! Before that, Gateways is heavier in sound compared to the two tracks mentioned, but it still has that spherical ambiance. This is what you get when you cross over Chicane's Offshore with Ronski Speed's breakdowns, add a spice of Leventina's vibes, and topped off with Dinka's uplifting essence-- yeah, I think that's how I would describe this track.

Like what I have said, summer's just around the corner. Yes,-- swimming on the beach, watching the sunset, lying under a tree, feeling the fresh breeze-- these are what summer is all about! This flawless EP makes me want to rush the three months I have left before summer. Thanks to Dinka's delicate taste for electronic dance music, each day is a beautiful day for her listeners across the globe.

Artwork by ~jup3nep

READ MORE - Dinka- Scarlet EP