Seattle based Uniting Souls Music drops their second release with Mutha' Funka. The Original is an organic, funk-influenced, jazzy house romp with horns, wah-wah effected bassline and a ton of soulful flavor. The flip features the "Masterwille Remix," enlisting the talents of Willie Diggs (aka Johnny Fiasco and Jon Lemmon) for a funky, bouncing tech-house affair. Exceptional remix and the standout version, without question. ***(3 of 5)
Time Remaining EP - Various - Mafia Records (US)
Release number nine for Portland based Mafia Records. Bringing together the production talents of new comer Jason Swales, Mafia staple Staffan Ehrlin and the always rocking Dean Rodell, this is another extraordinary EP for Joe McCann and the boys. "4 Sides" starts it off and is a hard-rocking, techno drum track of the first degree. The flip features "Part of a Complication," a straight for the jugular brutal smash and "Jah Ride," a compelling trip to the tough, hypnotic side of techno and the standout track on this EP. Quality, as usual. ****(4 of 5)
Evilution - Derek Martin - Rhythmic (US)
Up-and-coming NY based producer is handed the controls of this ship on this sixth release for Rhythmic. The title track is a deep, slow-building tech house mover with subtle stabs and a cavernous bassline. The flip features the undeniable "Too Many in my Head," a trippy, deep tech-house mover with vocal stabs, funky beats and a ton of late night flavor. The standout track here is "Playstate," which was recorded on a Sony Playstation, showing you don't need the latest gear to produce amazing music, this is a straight ahead killer that will have you and your dance floor moving. ****(4 of 5)
Sub Bass EP (part 1) - One Fingered Pocket - Amfibius Recordings (US)
Another superb release from San Francisco based Amfibius Recordings, finds DJ Sulli and Ryan Jamez (aka One Fingered Pocket) at the controls. "The Resistance" opens up the set with deep grooves, spoken-word samples and a ton of soulful flavor. "Free Your Mind" is next, with silky keys, old school vocal samples and a slow, groovy rhythm. The EP concludes with a more minimal dub that will work over the most critical dancefloor. ***(3 of 5)
No Way Out - D Martin & Hiro - Faucet Music (US)
Derek Martin drops the debut release for his newly formed Faucet Music imprint, with the help of underground house icon, Hiro of Con-Fu-Sion fame. "No Way Out" is first, with forward moving tech-house percussion, trippy stabs and hot computerized vocals. The flip features "Substitue Teacher", a futuristic, electro-infused tech-house mover with smooth percussion and hypnotic, left-of-center keys. "Come In London" wraps up the set, with an incredible, infectious vibe that is hard to resist. Said to already be winning favor with the Fabric UK crew, this is deep, sexy and compelling in all the right ways. ****(4 of 5)
Spellbinder - Jeff Bennett - KG Beats (US)
Sweden's Jeff Bennett is one of the busiest producers on the tech-house scene, yet he continues to churn out quality tunes, time after time. The EP brings his talent to bear on two outstanding jams. "Spellbinder" starts things off, with slow building percussion, drop bass and an amazingly simple, yet effective, "Casio"-style keyboard riff. The flip, "Partials" is a tribal influenced mover with rich keys, upfront drums and a gradual, groovy texture. ****(4 of 5)
Wrist Block (Orig and Joey Beltram Remix) - Side Four - Hidden Agenda (US)
Tony Rohr and Dietrich Schoenemann are back under their Side Four guise on this rocking 2 track EP. Side A features the original version, with minimal but rocking percussion and trippy, acid-tinged keys. The real killer in this package however is the Joey Beltram remix turned in on the flip. Hypnotic keys, banging beats and one tension-building breakdown after another. This is a hot reworking and a top quality addition to any techno DJ's set list. ****(4 of 5)
