MANUEL DARQUART – KEEP IT DXy

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The new school meets the old school. Riding those crystal-clear waves off the back of their standout EP for WOLF Music, New Zealand duo Manuel Darquart double down with this 10-inch remix package containing a classic reworking from the master of dream house, Don Carlos and a sleazed-up street soul workout from themselves.

No introduction is needed when you see Don Carlos’ name in the mix. A legend of the Italian dream house movement that has influenced so much of what we’ve heard since, not least the productions of the Manuel Darquart guys. A dream (house) matchup some might say.

Step one, Carlos sprinkles his magic on ‘Keep It DXy’ switching up the drum programming and adding those Balearic flurries that add a considered dose of dreaminess to whatever he touches, think summery sweeping strings and echoing synth stabs.

On the flip the Manuel D guys go full sleaze, weak at the knees for their ‘Sleazy Sunday Mix’. Imagine a street soul, Balearic lovechild and you’re on the right track. Start suppin’ a margarita and you’re getting closer. Sun-lounger on the sand, Adriatic in front of you, last night’s euphoria still a buzz in the brain and you’ve hit the spot.

Out on 10” VINYL & DIGITAL – RELEASED: 20TH AUGUST 2021 – Listen / Buy here

Nick & Samantha – Summer Is Here

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Balearic duo Nick & Samantha are back with a slowed-down bossa’d-up, re-imagined version of Barry White’s classic love song. Make your own love story on the beach with this as the soundtrack. The EP also features two original songs, Pathways is a groovy, abstract, stream of consciousness thing; Summer Is Here is a bright, breezy guitar instrumental that will make you feel like Summer at any time of year.

Café Mambo & Absolut DJ x Matt Nearest Faraway Place – Sunset – Aug ’21

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Here’s a new super chilled 30 min sunset mix, posted as part of Cafe Mambo and Absolut‘s Sunset DJ competition. If they’re going to fly out some lucky sunseeker to play in Ibiza next month it might as well be me right? If you’ve enjoyed the mix give it a repost & favourite and maybe I’ll buy you a shot of Hierbas down at Cafe Mambo one day soon 🙂
M.

It’s tricky to capture a mood in such a short mix, but I tried to get a flavour of what I’d want to hear in a longer sunset session. So there’s vintage Balearic classics from Joan Bibiloni and the San Sebastian Strings, fab new school Balearic from Nick & Samantha (out now on Chris Coco‘s label), Cantoma and Bongo Entp. Then closing out the set with the timeless, emotive beauty of David Sylvian‘s ‘Let the Happiness in’ as the sun dips below the horizon.

Cicada Interlude – Nick and Samantha
The Gypsy Camp – The San Sebastian Strings
Accadde a Bali – Arawak
Back Into Daylight Ft. Quinn Lamont Luke – Cantoma
Baby Song- Bongo Entp
Summer Is Here – Nick and Samantha
Sa Fosca – Joan Bibiloni
Let The Happiness In – David Sylvian

Bad Business Club – ‘Naked Neighbor’

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Effervescent nu-disco act Bad Business Club present their second supremely refined full-length album the deliciously sun-soaked and harmonically rich ‘Naked Neighbor‘.


Following excellent releases on revered label, Midnight Riot, the band return with eight delicately honeyed tracks – each of which are certain to ring out blissfully over pool-sides and ocean panoramas throughout the long hot summer and far beyond. Informed by an irresistible blend of Moroder-infused disco edge, yacht rock flair, and understated modern gloss, their sound is the aural embodiment of a gentle summer breeze.

The band wrote ‘Naked Neighbor‘ at a hilltop cottage in Puerto Rico, examining the theme of leaving old baggage behind as they reflected on their break from everyday Brooklyn life.

Released 13/8/21 – Buy / stream / Listen here.

Not My Day – Quinn Lamont Luke & Alex From Tokyo

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Quinn Lamont Luke is back again, just one month since his last release, the sublime ‘Don’t Run Away’, this next track on his own El Triangulo label is ‘Not My Day‘ – another top quality addition to your collection from the New York and Oaxaca Mexico based musician, songwriter and producer.

Not My Day bounces along beautifully with some cheeky synth action and an uplifting 90’s feel. The stellar Tokyo Black Star remix c/o Alex from Tokyo takes you deeper and dubbier, into late night acid chug territory, with tougher beats and a stabby synth, softened by Quinn’s vocal crescendo coming in to make some summer dance floor memories.

These trackshad previously appeared on an extremely limited, vinyl only release on Alex From Tokyo’s World Famous label in 2016.  Seeing the digital light of day for their first time now, the release comes along with a luscious “retouch” by Tokyo Black Star of Quinn’s cover of the Lil Louis classic “Club Lonely.”

Out now, listen and buy via Bandcamp link above and here.

Ground Plane Aerial – Elusive Maneuvers EP

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Mysterious Copenhagen producer ‘Ground Plane Aerial’ has adopted a new name for a new project, the first releases on his own Theorama imprint. Ground Plane Aerial is the latest incarnation of the mysterious man behind the highly regarded Paxton Fettel project. With countless releases under his belt on much respected labels – including Delusions Of Grandeur, Kolour LTD, Apersonal, and regular home Greta Cottage Workshop – the new nom de plume is an exciting new vessel from where he intends to advance his odyssey into house-inspired jazz-funk futurism.

This new two tracker sets out his stall in fine style with a pair of driving, guitar and piano lead stormers, just add sunshine and friends for guaranteed dancefloor heat. He’s managed to combine timeless jazz sensibilities and emotion with contemporary production values to dazzling effect. Out 30/7/21 – Buy and listen here via Traxsource.

SONLIFE – The First

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Out today on Chris Coco’s Disappear label is SONLIFE‘s beautiful single ‘The First‘. A beautiful, shimmering slice of soulful, jazzy electronica. It’s delicate shuffling beats and emotive piano make it perfect headphone listening, it’s an essential addition to any poolside or beach bar playlist this Summer and an exciting taster of the forthcoming album from this South London producer. Out now via Bandcamp, see link below…

https://youtu.be/Pfo1WBq5wUA

BRUISE – JOY/ THE THEME

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Bruise – described by Terry Farley as “Rotary connection meets Mad Mike” – land on Foundation Music to deliver their new two-track release, ‘Joy’ / ‘The Theme’; a genre-blending EP that is split between the euphoric sonics of ‘Joy’ and the darker techno- leaning sounds of ‘The Theme’. Classic, timeless house sounds with a tough techno edge, think of the driving power of a Floorplan release and you’re getting the idea, don’t sleep on this one!

Available to pre-order now via Bandcamp here.

Didi Han – Wake Up EP

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Wake Up is the first project from Korean newcomer Didi Han on French label Roche Musique. The 5 track EP was completed after the Seoul based-producer, singer and DJ’s trip to Bali in 2020. Inspiration from the sounds heard and the experiences she had in the warmth and heat of the island, are what influenced this shimmering collection of deep house, Balearic and synth pop tracks. Head to Ep opener ‘Good Times’ for a summery flavour of this excellent release

Out now on all digital service, listen, buy and stream here.