Not Going Out – Alex Aguayo

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‘With light at the end of tunnel and thoughts of dancing again etching ever closer, Higher Love Recordings first release of 2021 sees them teaming up with Mexican producer Alex Aguayo for some unashamed hands in the air peak time electronic righteousness. The EP comes with 2 different takes on the original from label owners, Balearic Ultras and Whiskey Pickle’s Adam Warped.

Not Going Out starts with a bang, knocking out a four to the floor Italo electro cowbell beat and layering the synths to a proper almighty breakdown. A sustained reach for the lasers attack then ensues. What’s your name and what you on pal?

The Balearic Ultras provide the first remix. Developing the sound around Alex’s emotive synths, they add big breaks and a splash of acid. The tracks builds and builds for over 4 minutes before unleashing the ‘Rave Again’ breakbeat.

Rounding the release off is Adam Warped’s delicious slice of electronica. It features dance music’s most famous birds, subtle electro breaks and lush key and guitar work from Adam. A completely different take on the tune that would work as the sun sets over Sant Antoni de Portmany or at 4am on Sunday morning in Lost Vagueness with European Bob.

Not Going Out…. but….. Not Long Now….’

Releases February 26, 2021 – Buy at Bandcamp here.

Need Somebody – Hazy James

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Future classic klaxon! Here’s a cracking new release on Our Starry Universe, ‘Need Somebody’ from Hazy James is a slow burning, melancholic chugger. Over it’s melodic eight minutes it builds in intensity and brightens in atmosphere, a piece that will reward repeated headphone plays and could really work in an early hours ‘lose yourself’ club set (we can dream right?).

It’s paired with a b-side remix from ALFOS legend Sean Johnston in his Hardway Brothers guise. Sean keeps it deep and chugging as you’d expect but raises the temperature with hypnotic bells, loon birds and euphoric builds, expect this to delight the ALFOS faithful in Sean’s ‘Emergency Broadcasts’ over the Spring, yep it’s a banger 🙂

Need Somebody is out on Our Starry Universe 5 March on 12” vinyl and digital via Bandcamp – Listen buy via player below

Sunshine Radio – Tommy Guerrero

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Tommy Guerrero has just dropped a new album – ‘Sunshine Radio‘ and it’s a belter, with timeless, dusty, summery sounds soundtracking imaginary desert journeys. Sounding like a lost JJ Cale album covered by Kruangbin and remixed by Kamasi Washington it’s a ‘must buy’ item. Have a listen via the Bandcamp link below. Tommy had this to say about the album…

“Road to Knowhere is inspired by bits and pieces of Ethio-Jazz, Afrobeat, Highlife Spiritual Jazz and dusty funk 45’s. It’s what has kept this mortal vehicle fueled. I tend to take different paths each musical outing but this one is for the long haul, the one for the blue highways and forgotten byways. It’s the one to get lost to. It’s about the journey, not the destination… [If Road to Knowhere was about the long haul, TG’s new album Sunshine Radio is all about cruising on, dropping the top, and taking in a bit of fresh air]. Sunshine Radio hopes to spark a bit of joy as well as a moment to reflect and consider the fires of the world. Take a sonic respite from the endless noise.” – TG 

Nelson – The Magic Kitten

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A lovely podcast from a producer and musician much loved here at the Nearest Faraway Place, Matt Coldrick aka PAN ELECTRIC. Matt tells the miraculous story of Nelson the magic kitten, who ‘found’ Matt on the Greek island of Paros, last November and the profound impact this very sick, blind cat had on him. A lyrical, poetic story about hope, change and love. With lots of Matt’s beautiful music to accompany Nelson’s story too.

https://soundcloud.com/ambientnun/nelson-podstory

Nelson need lots of medical care and Matt has set up a fundraiser to help with his care into the future, any donation however big or small would be much appreciated. Donate here.

Peaceful Revolution EP – Simbad

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Simbad makes a return to Freerange following last year’s brilliant Take My Hand EP featuring South African vocalist Brian Temba with Peaceful Revolution, a top quality deep house four tracker.

Now based predominantly in Cape Town, the French Londoner producer and DJ is one of
the most prolific artists in the scene having notched up countless EP’s,
remixes and production work for labels like Apron, G.A.M.M. Faces,
Hyperdub, Atjazz, BBE & Brownswood. His association with Gilles Peterson
and Worldwide runs deep, hosting regular shows on WWFM as well as
traversing the globe delivering his unique and eclectic sets from Africa
to Asia and beyond.

Featuring South African upcoming producer Zito Mowa & vocalist
Lwandile Zulu who brings a raw and impassioned energy to the deep and
soulful mood, this tune was recorded in support of the troubled events
from the past few months and inspired by by the work of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Next up we have a track entitled Let Go which could quite easily be the
lead track of the EP if they weren’t all as good as each other! This is
late night emotive house music at its most sublime. Drop this at the
right time and watch the floor come together in collective bliss.

Flip over for SMBD’s Shaolin Dub remix of Peaceful Revolution which pushes
the original to the outer limits of the audio spectrum. Sub-sonic low end
rumbles sitting in contrast to the ghost like whispers, glitches and
industrial noises that pierce the ethereal pads.

Closing out this special release we find the unassumingly titled Soulful
Jam, a low-slung groove which sees Simbad going heavy on fizzing analogue
synths with a serene synth solo takin centre stage amongst the lush
chords.

EP release date: 22 January 2021 – Buy via Bandcamp on vinyl & digital

90s Anxiety – Jus Jam

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The Broken District label brings you ‘90s Anxiety’, a maxi EP / mini album from label founder Jus Jam, who takes us on a deep exploration into his hazy musical world. His music is often described as dreamy and contemplative, with sharp beats and smooth bassline, ‘90s Anxiety’ does not disappoint in this respect. Heavily inspired by nineties underground club culture, the EP travels through UK garage to dreamy hip-hop, from early electro to new jack swing.

On opener ‘Daydream’ and its B-side sister ‘Ryoji’s Dream’, the producer delivers two dreamy compositions crafted with the forward thinking hip-hop head in mind, touching on manga soundtracks and David Lynch’s surreal cinema. ‘Neopolis Sound’ is a subtle ode to early electro and breakbeat, old sci-fi movies and 90s video games. ‘Higher Sense’ is a modern and dreamy vision of breaks and jungle with elements of jazz. Title track ‘90s Anxiety’ takes a contemporary angle on new jack swing mixed with elements of house and funk slap bass. ‘Wide’ goes full on two-step with its steamy atmosphere, syncopated beat and powerful sub.

This collection of tracks is Jus Jam doing what he does best, mixing many forms to create something completely new and visionary.

Releases January 22, 2021 – Pre order / Buy here

September On The Island – George Solar Chris Coco

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Balearic legends Chris Coco and George Solar have just released a cracking follow up to their smash October collaboration ‘Noche de San Juan‘. This time they’re celebrating my favourite month to visit Ibiza with ‘September on the Island’, a shimmering, jazzy dubwise slice of late summer soul. Best listened to from a sleepy bar with a glass of Hierbas and a view of Es Vedra I’d say, get involved via Bandcamp link below.

Release date 15/1/21

North Satellite – A Rising Sign

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North Satellite is a new project from Eugene Tambourine, he’s working with the maestro Darshan Jesrani, who’s on mixing duties on this release on his new label, Startree. This four tracker is sprinkled with some of Darshan’s special Metro Area depth and soul, it’s sultry, late night, slo-mo dance music. Proper after hours e-soul of the highest calibre, have a listen and get your hands on the vinyl via Juno sharpish…

Celestial Hike EP – Mike Salta & Mortale

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To round off another year of sun-kissed, soul-soothing musical adventures, NuNorthern Soul has turned to studio partners Mike Salta and Marty Mortale, a Denmark-based duo with decades of production experience behind them.

A superb four track EP from Mike Salta & Mortale on Phil Cooper’s NuNorthern Soul label. It might be grey and damp here in the UK right now but this release in pure Summer and sunshine, flawless quality from first to last. Get on the pre-order now via Bandcamp link below…