London star Alexis Raphael returns to Hot Creations with the dance floor killer It’s Kinda Jazzy, with fine French exports Dan Ghenacia and Chris Carrier teaming up to deliver the remix with electrifying results. Title track It’s Kinda Jazzy is an ultimate peak time weapon. Alexis explains how it’s “a real melting pot of different musical influences that have inspired me over the years. There's everything from Hip-Hop to 90's UK House and Garage, Jungle/Drum and Bass, upfront House and Techno and, of course, Jazz.” On the flip Dan Ghenacia and Chris Carrier deliver a solid remix that keeps the pace, changing gear through trippy turns. Last up, second original track Strip Off lays down the swing with sultry vocal slices. An influential player on the London scene, Alexis Raphael earned his stripes across the pirate radio stations of North and East London during the late 90s and early 00s and went on to hold residencies at legendary London clubs The Cross and Bagley’s. His first release Spaceship was picked up by Hot Creations sub-label Hot Waves in 2011. Since then, he’s had numerous releases and remixes on labels including Jackathon Jams, Of Unsound Mind, Avotre and Get Physical and not forgetting his anthem, I Know. Dan Ghenacia is the undisputed kingpin of the Paris underground scene, having founded and ran Freak N’Chic for seven years and now one of the three creative minds behind new label and b2b2b DJ outfit Apollonia. Chris Carrier is another heavy-weight from the French underground scene. Together they have delivered some recent killer EP’s on Appolonia, Music For Freaks and Adult Only. More

Next up on Hot Creations local London hero Alexis Raphael comes to the fore with two original tracks that display the producer's intricate and diverse underground house style. Tried and tested on a multitude of dancefloors, 'Into The Light' is now unleashed to the masses with a quality business remix from the label heads Hot Natured. 'Into The Light' has been tantalizing Hot Natured followers since it first entered the sets of Jamie Jones and Lee Foss in the summer of 2011. Restrained and stripped back to the bassline, the moody groove is spliced with vocal snippets and enveloped by shards of eerie FX and murky synth stabs, all leading up to a massive crowd-moving drop and intensified sexy female vocal. On a totally different tip, 'I Know' has a far softer shell, still infused with a pulsing heartbeat but carried by swirls of euphoria and sensual samples. Building up the sonic textures over the melodic bassline, Alexis has created a beautifully spacious yet hands in the air record fit for poolside and terraces. On remix duty, Hot Natured take the reigns on 'Into The Light' throwing characteristic bumps and bleeps into the mix with punchy no-nonsense attitude and that dark sinuous bassline. The Hot Natured duo strikes again with their unfailing ability to inject a dancefloor with signature brooding funk and sex appeal. More

We're happy to report that the music on the 'Son of a Biscuit' EP from Kuwahara aka Mick Wilson and Scott Gray is every bit as colourfully eccentric as the title it bears. 'Ginger Cut' is dubbed up cloud of sound billowing over choppy hip-hop breaks, with an old skool female MC poking her head out of it to have her say every now and again. Rich Tea's edit of the track takes it into housier territory but, like one of those old Orb ambient singles singles on Wau Mr Modo, still gives plenty of work to the studio's echo chambers. 'Jaffa Quake' goes for snazzy, jazzy overtones and off kilter breaks, 'Kustard Cream' offers up reggae skank, again served up with plenty of sonic exotica, and there's even a more relaxed, Balearic bonus mix of 'Ginger Cut'. A thoroughly nutty record, but a genius one at the same time. More

Zapatilla, better known as Louis Hackett, is a founding member of Brownswood 's Owiny Sigoma Band and key collaborator on Eska's Mercury nominated debut album, but has a neat side hustle making house music with one foot in the gentle melodies of Balearic beat and another in the irresistible energy of Afrobeat. It's a recipe that he continues over onto this fine four tracker, which opens with the smoothly grooving but lively 'Like Dat' before 'Zimzimmer' builds up around a gently frenetic Afro guitar riff. On the flip, 'Disco Facial' is slower and more retro, with a synth line that could be from a lost John Carpenter soundtrack. 'Self Isolated' completes the package in its most esoteric fashion, another synth work rooted in the past, this time perhaps echoing the approachable experimentalism of Jean Jacques Perry. More

Larry de Kat joins Alexis Raphael’s recently launched Paella Hair Sex imprint with his debut EP on the label entitled ‘Radio K-Nip 4.20 FM’. Utrecht-based DJ and producer Larry de Kat is a rising talent with releases on Slapfunk Records, Lazare Hoche, Ruff and his own Katnip imprint. The artist has built a diverse underground following with his eclectic but distinctive sound gaining support from the likes of Bicep, Mark Farina, Ben UFO and Subb-An. 'Radio K-Nip 4.20FM' explores Jazz, Hip-Hop, House and Funk, adding another impressive release to his growing catalogue. Alexis has established himself as a critical figure within the house scene since rising through the ranks in 2011. His illustrious career has seen his material land on prestigious labels like Hot Creations, Mad Tech, Moda Black, Get Physical and Nervous, whilst remixing Disciples, Kim English, Tiger Stripes and Miguel Campbell. The recently launched Paella Hair Sex imprint is the beginning of a new chapter in the long-standing Deep House artist’s musical story. A return to vinyl in 2016 sparked the inspiration behind the vinyl-only label, now welcoming a heavyweight release from Larry de Kat this coming March.
Brief ‘cut and paste’ opener 'Tune In Turn On' features immersive drum loops, spoken word vocals and a classic flute sample, laying the way for the rest of the package. The sensational ‘J’ provides a feel-good Deep House affair, as a slick bassline sequence fuses with rising synth lines and soulful vocals to guide listeners on a hypnotic journey. The charming vibe continues on interludes - ‘The Spoiler’, ‘LoPass’ and ‘Zoned Out’ which showcase another side to the artists’ unique style, providing three stripped-back modern jazz affairs. On the flip, Larry de Kat’s rework of Vanity 6’s ‘Nxsty Girl’ combines funk-infused melodies with taut bass guitar-riffs and loose percussion arrangements to keep the energy flowing. ‘Criminally Understated’ is a harmonic slice of old skool gospel and soul - sensual chords, soft keys and fluttering modulations rise through the cosmos, whilst the B-side interludes 'Lonnies Tune', 'Interloot' and Tribulations round out proceedings in style. More