Next up to add his sounds to the ever impressive Hotflush cannon is Argentina’s Shall Ocin. He serves up The Cliff/The Mist, a two track EP that showcases his knack for infectious groove in all its glory. The man born Nicolas Abalos has released music under a number of aliases over the last decade plus, but it is as Shall Ocin that he has had most success. Putting out music on labels like Culprit and Ellum Audio, he has established himself amongst contemporary tastemakers and here cements his reputation with a great debut on Hotflush. Opening the account is the excellent ’The Cliff,’ a steely main room house track with grinding synths that roam and whir about above weighty bass. It’s a physical, arresting track that brims and bristles with apocalyptic fervour and will truly work crowds into a lather as it continues to build. ‘The Mist’ is much more in your face, with malfunctioning machines smeared about above metal drums. It’s a real writhing monster that twists and turns with great filter work making for the most dramatic of atmospheres. This texturally rich, maximalist EP makes a fine new singing for the UK label and is another great entry into Ocin’s increasingly essential discography. More

Barcelona­based, Argentinian producer Nicolas Abalos – aka Shall Ocin returns for his second helping of Culprit, almost exactly a year after his label debut, ‘Crash into My Love’. The first EP set the inventive and musically adventurous template for Shall and was supported by the likes of Damian Lazarus, Ivan Smagghe and Miguel Campbell, among others. The artist continues to explore the psychedelia­tinged, heavy electronic groove territory with the three sparkling originals on the ‘Conception EP’ plus a remix from Edu Imbernon. Each song is brimming with musically sophisticated ideas: Shall’s own effected vocals, at times immediate and emotionally charged, at others – disembodied and spooky; his love of a catchy electric guitar riff; tight and precise basslines; off­kilter synth melodies, touches of jazz fusion and shimmering ambient textures. More

Yet another gifted and hard working producer who’s successfully crafted his own sound in a very short period of time, Shall Ocin is in the midst of an artistic breakthrough with distinct releases recently on Leftroom and Ellum Audio. Striking in its crisp sound design and adventurous in its sonic ideas, ‘Crash into My Love’ is the work of a self-assured talent. Its three originals fall within the underground dance music spectrum that Culprit specialises in: deep and nuanced, yet propulsive and dance-floor ready; placed perfectly between primal and cerebral, between esoteric and immediate. The EP carries a few coherent themes: its heavy electronic bounce underpinning jazzy instrumental passages that belie the producer’s deep musicality, with slightly eerie vocal touches – Shall’s own – connecting the dots. ‘Crash Into My Life’ is the EP’s most punchy and percussively strong statement and its most dance-floor engaging, with the improvisational electric guitar riffs adding a special element. The vibe is deeply nocturnal and foreboding. ‘Don’t Come Here’ also bristles with the bouncy energy, its processed vocal the most energetic part of the EP. ‘My Little World’ is the most plaintive and emotional track on the release, its acoustic guitar and bassline parts complimenting the hopeful vocal hook. Culprit’s Canadian compadres, My Favorite Robot, make a much welcomed debut appearance on the label, delivering a slice of contagious electro funk with their interpretation of the title track featuring heavy bassline riffs sure to get many a floor moving. More

With its title track heralded as 'ESSENTIAL NEW TUNE' by Jamie Jones & Seth Troxler on BBC's Radio 1, Shall Ocin's 'Tribute To Summertime' EP on Leftroom is tipped to be a crucial asset in record crates this autumn. This is Shall Ocin aka Nicolas Abalos' second offering for the Leftroom label following the brilliant Left'd released 'Moving On Powerdigger' earlier this year. With a natural talent and an ear for musicality this is clearly the onset of a fruitful career for this young producer. Ocin displays his dance floor sensibilities here, skilfully blending samples from George Gershwin's 1935 classic 'Summertime' with electronic sounds to create a refreshing contemporary cut in 'Tribute To Summertime'. Drawing on harmonised vocal lines and a cutting organic piano the track embraces the current resurgence of soul music in house, alongside raw shuffling drum programming and a bulbous sub bass-line, creating a sure fire dance floor killer. Next up 'Feel The Same' applies a more driving nature with a hooky electronic bass, heavily processed vocal chops and ethereal atmospherics building a smooth, moody intensity that unceasingly entices you for its six and a half minutes. 'I Know' closes the release and again displays Ocin's love for warm natural sounds, incorporating sporadic funk-laden slap bass notes, elegant warbling flute sounds and sensual guitar chords, a clear indication of his love for jazz and the diverse paths it envelops. More

Clash Lion is a mix of three personalities; Shall Ocin, TERR and Daniel Watts. Three artists with different musical backgrounds merging forces to create a truly eclectic and open minded label. With an approach to release unique electronic music covering a multitude of genres from techno to retro electronica, their passion for innovative and experimental productions shows no boundaries. The labels debut release “Return” cannot be more aptly named, as it will be the first release from Maetrik aka Maceo Plex, breaking his 5-year hiatus under this moniker since his last EP “Unleash The Beast” on Ellum. Maetrik tantalizes us with this outstanding release. Deep and dark warping modulation, twisting upon a bellowing low end is accompanied by searing experimental riffs slithering throughout Cortex 11 - B Ninex 7 – C has a low end drone of power, which builds slowing alongside a relentless hat before releasing into a mind bending synth pattern of pans and fluctuations. Synth depth reigns supreme as the weighty beat kicks into gear, completing a truly mesmerizing Maetrik 2 track production. More