Sony Music’s new Latin imprint Orianna, was born out of a passion to create a Latin lifestyle label focused on delivering organic, electronic, and experimental music. Home to talent from around the globe showcasing the true spirit and roots of Latin culture. Originally founded by

Dusko Justic, alongside Def Mix legend Hector Romero who now serves as the labels A&R. Running since the Autumn of 2020, Orianna is already thirty three releases deep!

Next up, Ayala returns to Orianna for his second spellbinding release, joining forces with Brazilian Abrão on the gorgeously sun-kissed groove of ‘O Mestre Canoeiro’. We asked Ayala a few questions ahead of the release…

Please introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Ayala. I’m a producer and DJ from Italy. 

Where are you from in Italy and what is the music scene like in your town/city at the moment?

I was born and raised in the deep south of Italy, and I live in Trani, Puglia. The music scene here is a little “frozen” after the pandemic; we had a brilliant period a few years ago, with many big events and festival embracing both the underground and pop scene. Hopefully we’ll have enough potential to bring back those days. 

How long have you been making music and who are the artists that have inspired your sound along the way?

It’s a long journey. I started at 14, twenty years ago. At the beginning I was deeply in love with hip hop and house. I loved (and I still love) Biggie, Lauryn Hill, Nas. House music at that time was big and “pure”. Artists like Masters At Work, David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, Tony Humphries, Martin Solveig were international superstars, and their music inspired all guys approaching the world of production. I think these are the foundations of my music. Then I discovered all the amazing stuff behind house music: funk, disco, afrobeat, Latin music, garage. I’m still exploring.

Describe the style of music that you produce.

I think music is perhaps the greatest form of art to express a culture, an identity. Think about Fela, The Beatles, Hector Lavoe, Sergio Mendes. My music is a fusion of acoustic and digital elements, a mixture of cultures and vibes coming from the world. For me, it is constant research.

Tell us a little about your release on the mighty MoBlack..

MoBlack has  a well-defined sound; I mean, this label significantly contributes to the popularity of “Afrohouse”. My release was a little different and I think that’s what the label manager really liked. I tried to repropose the vibes of Afrobeat and Afrodisco in a modern way. It was like a display of the roots of Afrohouse. I’ll always be grateful for that. 

Your new single coming out on Orianna. How did you relationship with the label begin?

I’m a longtime friend of Hector Romero. We started to talk about Orianna when It was a seminal project, and I’ve always been a fan of the vision he had for the label. Moreover, Orianna’s style perfectly fits with the way I’m making music. We started our collaboration with the first single, Cumbianca, and now we will soon release ‘O Mestre Canoeiro’.

What inspired you to write this track? What is the story of ‘O Mestre Canoeiro’?

‘O Mestre Canoeiro’ is a metaphor of life. Life flows just as water goes, sometimes you must guide the canoe in rough water, sometimes it’s the water that carries you, sometimes the canoe tips. 

Abrão joins you on this release. What part did he play in the production?

Abrão is a sensational artist. He played a major role; his lyrics are beautiful. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with him. 

This music sits beautifully inside Balearic sets. Who would you like to see playing your music and where would be your dream place to hear it?

Ideally, any place by the sea would be perfect. I think I’d love to see Hector playing it because he’s that kind of Dj that plays with the heart. Not easy to find nowadays.

What was the last piece of music that you bought?

Al Green – I’m Still In Love With You, on vinyl. On digital, Quantic & Nidia Gongora – Almas Conectadas.

Is there a piece of music in time that you wish you had made?

The Chancha Via Circuito edit of Quimey Neuquen, by Jose Larralde. I never get tired of it.

What are you working on next?

I’m working on a new EP for Orianna and a couple of new singles with Abrão.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about you?

Just thanks to you for this interview. And sending much love to all who support ‘O Mestre Canoeiro’ and Orianna. 

Instagram: ayalaitofc

soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ayalabeatz

Ayala x Abrão release ‘O Mestre Canoeiro’ on Orianna 5^th December.

Buy / Listen via Beatport via link below

https://www.beatport.com/release/o-mestre-canoeiro-club-mix/3571793

From the beautiful artwork to the last note of the final track this is an essential album for your collection, timeless, un-categorizable, just plain great…

Step into the hazy musical minds of Glenn Echo and Daniel Meinecke on Partly Cloudy, their debut full-length on Motor City Wine Recordings. Mr. Echo, repping the Sol Power family out of Washington, DC, reached back to his 90s downtempo, acid jazz, and golden era beat-making roots to create 11 psychedelic, breakbeat-and-space-echo-infused tracks that serve as the perfect dreamy backdrop for Mr. Meinecke’s commanding and virtuosic New Orleans gospel funk.

Mr. Meinecke, an accomplished jazz keyboardist based in New Orleans (by way of Detroit), composed a dense, trippy, soundscape using nearly all the tools in his arsenal: Hohner D6 Clavinet, Moog Sub 37, Moog DFAM, Moog Mother 32, Dave Smith Prophet ’08, Nord C1 Combo Organ, and Nord Stage 2.

Woven together with Glenn Echo’s production, arranging, and engineering, the end result is a rich tapestry of heady sounds with one foot firmly planted in the now and the other harkening back to the days of early Nightmares on Wax, Thievery Corporation, AIR, Ninja Tune, and the Native Tongues sound. Housed in a beautiful LP package with artwork by the legendary Michal Rafaj, printed on reverse cardboard to display proudly at your turntable while you spin it on those partly cloudy days.

releases November 26, 2021

We’re reallly happy to have Norwegian electronic artist Third Attempt join us to discuss his excellent new remix package; ‘Quarantine / Remixes’

Please introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello, my name is Torje aka Third Attempt. Nice to meet you and thanks for reading!

Where are you from, where are you now?

I grew up in Asker, Norway. About half an hour’s drive away from the main capital Oslo which is where I am living now.

What are you up to today?

Buying extra warm clothes for my trip to Svalbard this weekend! Going to be playing / attending a  program through ArtEx, talent Norway. Heading to the studio to prepare for the gig after all that.

Talk us through your new release.

On this new remix album, I’ve invited some of my favorite DJs & producers to rework the Beats From The Quarantine project that came out earlier this year. Mostly Norwegian based, people from all over the country. Tromsø, Trondheim, Bergen & Oslo. A great get together, and a perfect chance to show both sides of the Third Attempt project. To show that listening-based music is important, but at the same time not forgetting the dancefloor!

Is there a process of production that you follow when making a new track? 

Most of the time I start with the bassline or the drums. Either that or I build everything around an irresistible sample. Most important thing is the groove. I spend most of my time nagging over small details. Making the process a bit tedious. It’s so worth it though!

Who would you love to see playing this track?

Nightmares on Wax if I had to pick a name. One of my favorite DJs!

Where is the best place to listen to it?

The club!

What was the last piece of music that you bought? 

Re-mastered LP of 9980 by connect ohm. Ambient stuff 

If someone wanted to get to know your taste, what album should they listen to?

Floating points – Shadows 

Tell us who you think is one of the most important producers of all time to you? 

It’s a tough one. But I’ll have to go with Quincy Jones

What advice would you give to other producers in the studio?

Stop procrastinating and just do it!

What have you got the pipeline?

Album coming out may of next year. It’s finished and I can’t wait! 

Third Attempt releases ‘Quarantine Remixes’ on Beatservice Records 26^th November buy via Bandcamp here or via player below…

Bruise are back with another slab of timeless Detroit inspired deepness in ‘When Pianos Attack’ (Listen & buy via Bandcamp link below). We got a chance to talk to Christian from Bruise about his story in music and the development of his sound:

Please tell our readers about Bruise

Bruise originally started in 2015, as a collaboration with Diesel (from Xpress-2) and with a remix of a track for James Kumo’s label. The project has evolved from there and I would describe Bruise now as an ever-evolving musical collective. The sound to date is heavily influenced by early Detroit, 90s house and techno but the intention is that future releases will explore many electronic genres.

Where are you from, where are you now?

Originally from Birmingham now living in Enfield North London.

What are you up to today?

Currently working my day job at PRS for Music which involves making sure writers get paid for when their music is used. So, if any of your readers make music make sure they join PRS!

Talk us through your new single.

‘When Pianos Attack’ was written at the end of last year and it’s a big old piano house stomper. Whilst it clearly has a nod to ‘that 90s piano sound’ with hints of ‘Masters of Work’ and ‘Kerri Chandler’, I feel it throws in a bit of a modern Bruise twist with arpeggiated piano rifts, dramatic operatic choirs and, as always, a shed load of strings. It’s a bit of a banger.

Is there a process of production that you follow in the Bruise studio?

All productions evolve from initial jam sessions in Ableton and unless I’m working on a remix, I never start with any idea of what I want to create. I just try and enjoy the process and then when a good idea starts to develop, I work quickly to get the bare bones of an arrangement down. Then I build on that idea until its finished. I tend to have many tracks on the go and usually work on an idea for no more than 1-2 hrs to maintain the energy and try and avoid creative fatigue. I think when you jump between tracks and work quickly you tend to make more honest decisions. It’s when you’ve listened to something too many times and for too long that the brain starts to hear the track in a non-constructive way.

Who would you love to see playing this track?

Anyone as it’s such a buzz and honour to have a DJ choose to play a track you’ve created.

It’s always amazing to hear a track played on radio so if any of the specialist show DJs on Radio 1 gave it a spin, which would be ace.

What’s the best time in the night to enjoy it?

I reckon it’s built for peak time or end of night business

What was the last piece of music that you bought?

Bad with Phones – Marinade

If someone wanted to get to know your taste, what album should they listen to?

Going to go for an oldy but Future Sound of London – Accelerator

Tell me what you think is one of the most important records of all time to you?

Well, there is a big bag of records that could fulfil that criterion but a record that absolutely blew my mind at the time was Future Sound of London – Papa New Guinea

 What advice would you give to young producers in the studio?

Try to find time to create music every day. When you listen back to your own productions, do so away from screens and other distractions. Share your music with your mates and other producers, listen to their feedback but also take time to find your own identify and carve out your own sound. Most of all just enjoy the process.

What have you got the pipeline?

New Bruise originals, some more Bruise remixes and even a Bruise edit.

Bruise release ‘When Piano’s Attack’ on Foundation Music 12^th November.

UK based Balearic maestro James Bright returns to release action with his new ‘One Wish’ EP Featuring Danish vocalist MALO out now on Sveva music. We got the chance to have a word with JB about this cracking new four tracker:

Please introduce yourself to our readers

I guess I started making music in my early teens when I took up the guitar. I bought myself a Shure SM58 mic and a Tascam 4-Track and was constantly writing little hooks. I tried the whole teen band thing but unfortunately, I always fell to pieces when it came time to play on stage. I started producing around 1999 when a mutual friend introduced me to Steve Miller (AFTERLIFE). We went on to form the downbeat act LUX. Northern Lights, the first track we wrote together  was picked up as the opening track for Café Del Mar Volume 7. We released a couple of albums as Lux. As a solo artist I released the album Little Things in 2010 which has been followed  by string of eps on various different labels.

Tell us where you’re from and where you are now?

I was born in Kent, but my family moved to Macclesfield in Cheshire when I was 2 years old, so I think I can claim to be a Northerner these days. I’m still based there now.

Talk us through the ‘One Wish EP ft. Malo.’

It started with the track that would eventually become ONE WISH. I wrote the backing track to send to MALO after being introduced to her by Mark Lusty from SVEVA MUSIC. I’d recently heard Malo’s vocals on a couple of THE SWAN & THE LAKE tracks that she features on. I wanted to write something for her that was a little more up tempo (up tempo for me at least) with quite tough drum sounds but that was still  quite soft and gentle, something that I thought would really compliment her voice. I was really happy when I got her vocal back. The other three songs on the EP came together quite quickly after that and I thought they all worked well together as an EP.

Tell us a little about Malo

Malo is a Danish singer- songwriter. She released the album “WHO AM I” in 2019 through Hans Zimmer’s music company EXTREME MUSIC, with a follow up Ep again with Hans Zimmer currently being set for release. Early this year saw her feature on  tracks by fellow Dane THE SWAN & THE LAKE released on MUSIC FOR DREAMS.

Do you have particular process you follow when you make a record?

The production process for this Ep was the same as all my previous productions really. I very rarely go into the studio these days with any pre conceived ideas. When writing I just like to sit with a blank canvas and see what comes out. It could start with a beat or bassline or even just a sound I find inspiring. As you can imagine writing like this, I have hard drives full of sketches of songs that at the time didn’t go anywhere. I guess the good thing about that is I have to hand a library of sounds that at some point I found inspiring to delve through. Once the Ep was finished, I handed it over to Steve Miller (Afterlife) for mastering. As you can hear from his extensive library of top releases over the years Steve is the man to go to, he gets such a full and complete sound.

Who would you like to see playing it?

Hopefully,  anybody that likes it. Though I guess it’s always nice to know that other producers and DJs are playing your music. When getting back the PR reactions it’s always a massive buzz and privilege to not only see some legends of the scene (Don Carlos) have received your music but to have review and really like it.

Where’s the best place to enjoy it?

I like to think the tracks on this EP would work equally well on the dancefloor or watching the sunset with a cocktail in hand.

What was the last piece of music you bought?

Just the other day I bought the beautiful new PROJECTIONS EP ‘Original Cell.’

Tell us, what do you think is one of the most important Balearic record of our time?

That’s a tough question……Even though I’ve been  producing  and releasing “Balearic” music for over 20 years now, compared to a lot of people  I suppose I’m still a newcomer to the scene and my depth of knowledge isn’t  as great as others. But some important records for me personally are….

Cantoma – Pandajero

Afterlife – Dub in ya Mind

Nightmares on Wax – Les Nuits

Penguin Café Orchestra – Air a Danser

Sabres of Paradise – Smoke Belch II (Beatless)

The Grid ‘Floatation (Subsonic Grid Mix)

What is the best musical advice you’ve been given?

“Use your ears and don’t rush” There’s no big secret to producing apart from learning to use the gear you have and listen, in fact spend hours and hours listening don’t be in a rush to finish something and “Find your style” don’t try and be the next big thing by copying what you think will sell.

What else do you have in the pipeline?

I’ve got an Ep coming out next year on Phil Coopers NUNORTHERN SOUL label which I’m very excited about and I’ve just started a collaboration with Joe Morris which is still in the early stages but is sounding great so far. Also, I’m just discussing the release of another Ep on a label that’s starting up again after a break, which fingers crossed I’ll have some news about very soon.

James Bright releases ‘One Wish ft, Malo’ on Sveva Music 15^th November – Listen / Buy here.