Jimpster delivered some great releases in 2023, most notably his Natural Child collab EP with Crackazat as well as his Tribute EP featuring South African vocalist Mavhungu and including heavy Osunlade remixes. He also produced some of his best remixes to date including Thakzin’s Don’t Let Me See, Blaze’s Wonderland and Detroit Rising’s Rocket Love.

It’s always a good day to announce a new Jimpster EP on Freerange and with two captivating originals plus a stunning Atjazz remix you’re in for a treat! You’re My Ecstasy sets the tone with Jimpster’s trademark deep Rhodes pads, punchy bassline and shuffling classic house drum groove. He once again manages to strike a great balance between soulful, musical, warm and just a touch moody.

Next up we have The Passion which builds a deep and jazzy mood around a 4 bar piano progression whilst the sampled interviewee gives his insight into how he maintains his passion for music. London based trumpet player KingCrowney adds some lovely horn parts, emphasising the jazz feel to compliment the spoken word.

Atjazz gets well and truly stuck in on his remix of The Passion. Reportedly completed in just two studio sessions the hardest working man in deep house (as Jimpster calls him) brings his well-loved deft touch introducing an beautifully syncopated bassline and classic Atjazz drums making for a clubby interpretation for the deep, discerning dance floors. More

Following a string of big remixes for the likes of Underground Resistance keys man Jon Dixon, Dave Lee, Miguel Migs and his downtempo LP Birdhouse, we’re pleased to announce a new Jimpster EP entitled Tribute. Featuring South African vocalist Mavhungu and two remixes from Yoruba maestro Osunlade, the release shows Jamie Odell in fine form fusing deep, afro and soulful house on the lead track and rubber-bassline bouncing jazz and acid lurking on the B2. Leading the EP, Tribute is a track inspired by Jamie’s trips to South Africa, a country hailed by many as the deep house capitol of the world. Having played there many times over the years he always returns feeling energised by the sights, sounds and experiences. Having recently remixed a track for Foliage featuring Mavhungu it felt like a natural move to collaborate together on an original track and here she delivers a brilliant vocal celebrating the beauty of Africa in her native language Venda. Mixing up organic and electronic sounds is something Jimpster has always done to great effect, ensuring there is a looseness and bounce to the groove with contemporary sonic textures blending with classic Rhodes pads and analogue synth lines. Who better to draft in for a remix than the Yoruba Soul maestro himself, Osunlade. The producer and DJ whose music has been knocking our socks off since first hearing his debut LP Paradigms in 2001 stays true to his roots on two versions of Tribute. Th first goes heavier on the vocal, keeping the instrumentation and groove more stripped back leaving plenty of space for subtle Rhodes chords and synth flourishes to shine. His Jazzstrumental version switches up the groove and pushes a repeating Rhodes riff and chords to the fore, making for a rolling remix which will warm the dance floor with its soulful vibe. Closing out the EP we have another original track in the form of Jacidswing. With the clue in the title, this little gem sees Jimpster fusing a bubbling 303 bassline with swinging jazzy drums and washes of synthy ambience to form something deep, immersive and slow burning in the way he does so well. More

It’s been a busy year for Jimpster, with his Soul Spectral and This Thing (with Rich Medina) EP’s both being amongst the best received and highest selling releases of his to date. He has also added his touch to The Sunburst Band, Soichi Terada, Feiertag, Baiana System, The Secret and Retromigration in the form of some massive remixes to boot, as well as having just released an Anthology spanning 4 vinyl. To help celebrate 25 years of Freerange and Jimpster we wanted to invite some of Jamie’s personal favourites to dig through the vaults and give their own spin on his sound. Kicking things off we have Oakland’s Space Ghost taking on One ft Casamena bring his deft, musical touch to the track complete with layers of digital synths, punchy bass and vintage drum machine groove. Next up it’s Detroit’s own Jon Dixon of Timeline and Galaxy 2 Galaxy fame. The student of Mike Banks and long-term Underground Resistance cohort turns Smile For A While into a late night, piano driven, fusion masterpiece with all that Detroit sonic trickery we know and love so much. LA duo Aaron Paar and Dave Fogg aka Teflon Dons released a slew of incredible 12’s in the mid- late 90’s before almost completely disappearing for most of the 00’s. Thankfully things are reactivated and we’re so happy to have them bring a tough, jacking, bass-heavy warehouse workout to the package. Atlanta’s Kai Alce is someone we’ve hoped to have contribute to Freerange for some time and finally it happened. Bags of smooth and soulful deepness drive Jimpster’s Inside The Loop in a classic direction with Wurli pads and Moogy solo all adding to that vintage sound. Man of the moment Kareem Ali takes the baton as he reworks Bought To Bare into a Balearic beauty worthy of playing during the most perfect sunset. If you’re a fan of Kareem Ali you’ll know the magic he brings and why he’s been hotly tipped as RA’s breakthrough artist of the month and included in Pitchfork’s best releases of 2020. More

The world of dance music 25 years ago was a very different place from the one we now inhabit. Rave had transitioned through Hardcore into Drum & Bass whilst UK Garage was brewing nicely and the UK pop charts were full of underground dance records. Meanwhile, the likes of Mo Wax, Ninjatune and Compost were pushing away from the dancefloors, introducing blunted beats, jazz-fusion sonics and a whole new movement to electronic music. It was into this atmosphere that Freerange was born, a UK label that reaches its quarter-century this year. At the helm over the last 25 years has been the partnership of childhood friends Tom Roberts and Jamie ‘Jimpster’ Odell. It’s been a long and eventful journey, from an era of 56k modems, faxed reaction reports and when DJs still bought actual records, Freerange has weathered many storms and sailed through some of the most revolutionary changes to hit the music industry. Through those 25 years, and like the proverbial comforting sound of Bob Ross’ voice, Jimpster’s own music and those artists he releases through the label remain a constantly reliable, not to mention dance floor-smashing presence through the ups and downs of the house music continuum. This Anthology brings together some of Jimpster’s finest productions across two double pack vinyl LPs from the preceding two and a half decades, showcasing his detailed approach to production and proving why he continues to thrive in the current scene, continuing to be held in high regard by many of the founding fathers of house music and young up and coming producers alike. TRACK LISTING: A1. Dangly Panther, A2. Seventh Wave, B1. Sleeper, B2. Can't Stop Loving, C1. One (feat. Casa Mena), C2. English Rose, D1. Curve, D2. Don't Push It More

With his One EP still getting love from the likes of Spinna, Jamie 3:26, Joey Negro, Osunlade and many more, Jimpster strikes back with another release to lift spirits during these unprecedented times. Produced during the first few weeks of the worldwide lockdown, it was his intention to spread a message of positivity and optimism which can be felt on title track Smile For A While. The overall mood of the track has a slightly ambiguous yet heartening tonality, with a filtered looping vocal sample taking centre stage whilst piano lines and analogue arpeggios layer up adding depth and texture. The subtle and seductive groove will draw you in and its warmth and soul will make sure you smile for a while. Flipping over we have Echoes In My Head which takes a more percussive approach based around a rolling bassline and crunchy live hihats. Taking a slightly darker route, Echoes In My Head feels like Jimpster has successfully managed to get all his influences to meld together perfectly to form something cohesive and substantial. His love of 90’s ‘intelligent techno’, On-U sound, early US house, ambient, all going in the melting pot and forming a track which we’re sure will be something of a secret weapon for many DJ’s. Just the kind of track that can completely hypnotise a discerning dance-floor during the hazy hours. Closing out the three track EP we have the Head In The Clouds Mix, which is an alternate version of Echoes In My Head which heads in a more soulful direction. Piano chords and a bending bassline grab your attention whilst a percussion-heavy groove and dubby elements create space and depth to draw you in and ensure you get lost in its heady confines. TRACK LISTING: A. Smile For A While, B1. Echoes In My Head, B2. Echoes In My Head (Head In The Clouds Mix)
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A leading figure of the contemporary electronic world, Jamie Odell aka Jimpster sets his sights firmly back on the album format with this beautifully crafted long-player; Silent Stars. A self-confessed creature of the night, the Freerange Records and Delusions Of Grandeur boss taps into his nocturnal and escapist impulses to deliver a superbly executed modern-day fusion album. His seventh studio album and first since 2013’s highly-acclaimed Porchlight And Rocking Chairs, this is an album dedicated to the nocturnal hours. Silent Stars is a richly textured ride through the tapestry of house, from jazz-infused opener ‘Migrations’ through to the dense, orchestral euphoria of ‘Tau Tona’ and the minimal, percussive bounce of title track ‘Silent Stars’. The listener edges a touch closer to the dancefloor on tracks like ‘Yansa’ and ‘Power of the Doof’ - yet the grooves stay subtle with intricate percussion, dense sound design and a mischievous streak being palpable throughout. A range of guests are welcomed by Jimpster across Silent Stars. Hotly-tipped Londoner Florence Rawlings adds her vocals on ‘Crave’ and ‘Everytime’. Past collaborator and member of Kirk Degiorgio’s The Beauty Room, Jinadu weaves emotional soul on album centerpiece ‘The Sun Comes Up’. Khalil Anthony lends his vocals on ‘Where You Are’ and leading session drummer Andy Gangadeen (Massive Attack, Chase & Status, The Bays) lays down his immense beats on ‘Tau Tona’. Jimpster is a true veteran of the global house scene, a custodian of the authentic deep house sound and a producer who has quietly created some of the most reflective and sophisticated electronic music of the past two decades. 20 years on from his album debut, Jamie Odell continues to impress.

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Jimpster serves up the first single entitled Crave from ahead of his forthcoming Silent Stars LP complete with remixes from Atjazz and Flabaire.In its original form Crave, which features the vocals from hotly-tipped Londoner Florence Rawlings, is an emotionally charged electronic torch song guaranteed to get inside your head from the very first listen. The spacey chords and punctuating string stabs bring hints of the 80’s to mind whilst Florence’s gentle vocal floats in the air like a fresh sea breeze. In addition to the mesmerizing original we present two brilliant and contrasting remixes from one of the UK’s legendary producers Atjazz as well as Paris‘ rising star Flabaire whose D.KO Records has been dropping gem after gem since 2013. Atjazz spins Crave into outerspace with a fat, driving groove and twisted sonics making for an incredibly deep and forward-looking slice of aural gold. In contrast, Flabaire looks back to the early 00’s for his classic soulful house rework which calls to mind the sounds of Spinna and vintage Naked Music. Closing the release we have another original track entitled Where You Are featuring Berlin based US native Khalil Anthony. Here we find Jimpster doing what he does best, creating a sublime late night club track with his deft musical touch making this one that will stand out in the crowd. More

Here we bring you the second part of the Jimpster remixes package with amazing new interpretations of Brought To Bare from Deetron and Tanner Ross. Deetron delivers two diverse versions of the original in his own unique style. First up is the main remix which goes for a stripped back approach but works Jonatan Bäckelie’s full vocal to maximum effect with just a sublime Reese-esque bass line and fat kick for company. The second mix aka Deetron’s Paradise Version oozes quality with a unique and dynamic arrangement, echoes of Underground Resistance in the drums and stabs and amazing pads all making for a deep and musical journey. Finally Bostonian Tanner Ross goes raw R&B on his version with jacked up drums straight out of the Neptunes school of beatmaking, keeping things stripped bare for the vocal to shine. Another fine example of why this man is causing so much damage with his bold and interesting productions right now. Hope you enjoy! More

In March of this year we saw Jimpster's Porchlight And Rocking Chairs LP fall on expectant and eager ears, winning praise from the likes of RA, DJ Mag and Groove as well as plays and support from a host of the worlds best radio and club DJ's. With the majority of the LP being more home listening than club-focused we decided to call in some of our favorite producers to rework a track of their choice for the dance-floors and here we present you the first part of the amazing results. KiNK needs little introduction of course, except to say that his live set as well as his hands on hardware approach in the studio has seen him become established as one of the most exciting producers of the last couple of years. When he agreed to remix Porchlight And Rocking Chairs (a track he incidentally referred to as his favorite of the year!) we couldn't have been happier and knew that something very special would come from it. When he got in touch to say he'd done a version but explained it was done live in one take with all the parts being tweaked in real time making it very hard to change anything we were even more intrigued and excited. As expected, what he delivered is an intense, high energy reworking full of piercing high's and rattling lows, keeping the original chords and many of the keyboard lines in place but injecting a raw drive and improvised feel which has already seen it become a highlight of Jimpster sets this summer. Andre Lodemann provides the perfect antidote to KiNK's frenetic version in the form of his Towards The Seer Remix, going for a tight, emotive, late night groove which develops slowly, teasing out the arrangement and keeping things sublime and understated. Subtle bass twists and dubbed out FX build to the extended break where we're introduced to the original's acoustic bass riff in all it's glory. Another brilliant Andre Lodemann production. Looking forward to hearing your feedback on this and if you're good people and provide us with a little comment other than 'support!' you can expect to be hearing the Deetron and Tanner Ross remixes coming your way very soon! More

One of the UK's most established and consistent deep house producers, Jimpster, is due to drop his eagerly anticipated Porchlight And Rocking Chairs LP on 20th May 2013. His first studio album in six years sees him continue where he left off on the 2006 masterpiece Amour by taking the blueprint of House music and infusing it with an attention to detail and musicality often lacking in much of today's more disposable dance music. As Jimpster himself admits, much of the inspiration for Porchlight And Rocking Chairs came from the countless hours spent exhausted or hungover in airport lounges on the way back from gigs. It’s during this early morning never never land that he would seek solace in his ipod or start creating tracks on his laptop. Anything too challenging or abstract would be an irritation. Anything too ambient could sedate to the point of missing flights. So normally it would be the kind of lo-slung, emotive, deep shit with enough groove to get into but also just the right amount of warmth and soul to keep spirits lifted in those tiring, and often solitary hours. On returning to his studio we see Jimpster lean heavily on his hardware synths and drum machines, rediscovering their quirks and foibles after too many years working with convenient but sometimes sterile plugins. This hands on approach runs right through tracks such as Brought To Bare, featuring the vocals of Jonatan Bäckelie, where a simple, sparse and honest quality help make this one of the LP's highlights. Hold My Hand or Rollergirl show off Jimpster's innate talent for dubbed out, late-night deep house whilst elsewhere we find more raw and bass heavy downtempo tracks such as Cracks In the Pavement and The Glowing Embers. A true journey from start to finish, the LP draws to a close with an alternate LP version of Jimpster's recent single These Times featuring Beauty Room vocalist Jinadu. Here we see the producer incorporating acoustic guitar for the first time ever on a glitchy yet beautiful reworking of this future classic, making a fitting close to a fresh and forward-looking album from a long-standing yet still completely relevant artist.
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For his latest single we see Jimpster opt for a much more organic sound palette following a return to a hardware and microphone based approach to his production. Dusting off his analogue synths and busting open the big box of percussive toys has clearly been an inspiration as we're treated to a track that goes way beyond his more linear club tracks Alsace & Lorraine and Change In You yet without ever losing sight of the dancefloor. Jinadu, whose second Beauty Room LP (with Kirk Degiorgio) is about to drop, has delivered a mesmerising vocal with conscious lyrics and the kind of melt your heart harmonies we're more used to hearing on a Steely Dan track. Up next we have Jimpster's own Dub version of These Times which keeps the vibe intact but builds a more dramatic arrangement using layers of building vocal harmonies. Extra energy comes from stripping back the groove and simplifying the bass parts resulting in a deep and driving track with a warm and original sound. Finally we have a second original track in the form of Can't Stop Loving which is about as raw and warehouse as Jimpster is likely to get. Not from want of trying of course, but we know he just can't help himself when it comes to bouncing basslines and lush pads always drenching his productions in a sweet soul infusion.
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We are delighted to offer a very limited hand-stamped repress of Black Loops’ debut EP, 7 Hills on FreerangeThe Italian producer who splits his time between Berlin and his native country has had a solid few years rising through the house music ranks through releases on respected labels such as Shall Not Fade, Pets, Toytonics, Aterral, Gruuv & Neovinyl.His broad-ranging influences taking in funk, soul, disco and 90’s NY house inform a depth, warmth and musicality to his productions which has seen him in demand DJing around the world and makes him an obvious fit for us here on Freerange.This EP, produced almost exclusively during an extended tour in Australia opens with title track 7Hills, the area where he stayed and worked on this release. The trademark Black Loops swinging groove, smooth Rhodes stabs/ keys licks courtesy of Nikos Haropoulos and a deep, rolling bassline all come together to form the perfect warm up track - uplifting, understate and with a subtle sense of anticipation.Next up we have Parisian producer Mad Rey getting stuck into 7Hills for a raw, bumping interpretation which jacks things up a notch taking it into heavier peak-time territory. Mad Rey has been responsible for some brilliant releases on French label D.Ko, Rekids and most recently Mamie’s Records and alongside label mates Flabaire and Paul Cut he has helped reestablish Paris as a hotbed of fresh, musical talent.Flipping over we have two more Black Loops originals. King Paul takes an old soul vocal sample and works it to great effect over crisp 909 beats and sun-soaked keys whilst a vinyl-only bonus track Linda38 treads a similar path but with a punchier groove and warm pads rounding off this EP in fine style. More

Freerange Records are thrilled to announce the arrival of Crackazat's latest long-player, the scintillatingly soulful and jazz-enriched masterpiece, 'Evergreen'. There can be few artists to have emerged in the last decade or so who've made a more indelible mark on the deep house universe than producer, Ben Jacobs, better known as Crackazat. The accomplished musician's effervescent productions routinely hit the sweet spot between elemental dancefloor fire and cerebral musicality – thanks to a propulsive sound combining influences of jazz, house, garage, funk, hip hop, Latin, neo-soul (and far beyond). While he's already forged an instantly recognisable sonic palette all of his own, new album 'Evergreen' represents his most accomplished work to date. Making his full vocal debut while introducing a new level of songwriting prowess to his long-established dancefloor credentials, this is the complete Crackazat. Composed during – and undoubtedly informed by – these trying times, 'Evergreen' explores themes of adversity and gratitude, arriving as both a masterclass in contemplative songwriting and a celebration of musical influences. Elegantly bridging the gap between the soulful house underground and jazz-flecked crossover realms – inhabited by the likes of Jacob Collier, Thundercat, Tom Misch, and Jordan Rakei – the album echoes of a time where jazz-funk sensibilities and popular appeal were not mutually exclusive. Few artists boast the musical aptitude or creative vision to attempt such a bold fusion of styles, and thanks to its exceptional execution and irresistible appeal, 'Evergreen' is primed to introduce Crackazat's sound to an entirely new audience. More

One of Freerange’s longest standing artists Manuel Tur serves up another brilliant release in the form of Love Me Well. Someone who needs very little by way of introduction, Manuel has been honing his craft for nigh on two decades with a discography which includes some of the most influential labels and associations in electronic music. Running Back, Innervisions, DFA, Ovum, Objektivity, Mule, Drumpoet, Permanent Vacation, Andhim, André Hommen, Tensnake, Shit Robot, Tale Of Us, Ane Brun… you get the idea. Manuel continues to be in demand as a producer and remixer and remains relevant thanks to his golden ears, precision engineering and Midas touch. For his tenth Freerange release (not including his three LP’s!) he delivers a diverse three track EP which spans the house spectrum from the deep, emotive late night mood of the title track through sublime, delicate and hauntingly beautiful Paperasse and rounding off with the driving, acidic, minimal disco groove of Touch Move. Proper job! More

Freerange Records are happy to present the first of two EP’s taken from Crackazat’s forthcoming long-player, ‘Evergreen’. Featuring a stunning remix from Chicago house innovator, Ron Trent, the jazz-soaked EP serves as a tantalising preview of the tour de force that will soon follow. Few artists have made a more powerful impact on the deep house universe over the last decade than producer, Ben Jacobs, better known as Crackazat. Consistently striking the sweet spot between dancefloor heat and cerebral musicality, his unique take on the house sound elegantly incorporates elements of jazz, garage, funk, hip hop, Latin, neo-soul, and beyond. Eagerly awaited album ‘Evergreen’ sees Jacobs soar far beyond the confines of his existing catalogue, incorporating a whole new level of songwriting prowess while making his full vocal debut. Bridging the gap between the soulful house underground and jazz- inspired crossover realms, 'Evergreen' is Crackazat’s most accomplished work to date and unquestionably primed to further enhance his already glittering reputation. Blending the purest forms of deep house with authentic jazz sensibilities, EP opener 'Beacon Of Light' bursts with themes of positivity and gratitude. The virtuoso instrumentation endows the track with a distinctly live feel, while Jacobs’ inspired vocal charges the track with soul-rich sentiment. Intelligently crafted to bring the heat in all-manner of settings, its floor-focused beats and compelling arrangement combine to affect maximum impact whether played in the clubs, bars, or on the airwaves. Next up, deep house luminary Ron Trent steps in with his awe-inspiring take on Crackazat’s modern jazz ballad, ‘Simple Things’. Trent needs little in the way of introduction, a bonafide Chicago house legend whose spiritually-infused sound is unmistakably his own and never fails to mesmerise. Lifting elements of the Robert Glasper-inspired original while spacing out the stirring falsetto vocal, Trent stretches the track into a meandering deep house epic. Voyaging through waves of Latin percussion, ethereal piano keys, and psychedelic synth sweeps, Trent takes us on a profoundly affecting dancefloor journey as only he can. Next to arrive is Crackazat’s ‘Maritime Dub’ take on ‘Beacon Of Light’. Evolving over skippy house drums and thick bass, chords rise in to caress the looped and filtered vocal, periodically opening up into the full chorus line to add shimmer to the heads-down house bump. Aimed squarely at moving dancefloors while delicately tripped-out, this simmering groove sure to hit home with fans of the trademark Crackazat sonic. Finally, the LP’s title track 'Evergreen’ launches with a sprightly jazz swing before dusty drums add weight to the sophisticated instrumentation. Here we find Jacobs presenting jazz and house as a single entity, with carefully orchestrated wind instruments, keys and mallets dancing over an improvised walking bass line, as the distant vocal elevates the track far into the stratosphere. More

The crushing news of Kenny Gino’s sudden passing in July of this year hit very hard. Having only just come out of hiatus to release new Solid Gold Playaz material for us here on Freerange, the US underground house heroes are set to introduce their uncompromising deep, jacking sound to a whole new audience. And with Kenny’s partner Mike T’s blessing for the previously scheduled follow up EP to go ahead, we are proud to present you with the Solid Gold Playaz Next To You EP. For the hardcore fans out there, this music will blow you away, and feels to me at least, like the ultimate SGP release, even without the added weight and poignancy the tracks now carry. Opening up we have Next To Me which is as deep as it gets with beautiful floating synths drifting on top of an unrelenting rolling groove whilst Kenny’s vocal adds a powerful and emotive edge. My Soul Is Quiet follows with another incredible piece of music, drawing you in with its hypnotic mood and simple yet ridiculously compelling bass and synth hook. Again, the drums are unapologetically minimal - not a fill or breakdown in sight - but that is what locks you in and creates something entrancing which makes you feel like it could go on for eternity! Flip over for Who’s Playin’ For Ya, a more old school Chicago-inspired slice of raw, underground house which cuts up Rhodes, strings and snippets of vocal samples around a glitchy FM synth sequence. The funk is real on this one. Closing out this very special record we have Do You Think, going deeper still with expansive pads, soprano sax sample and chiming percussion all underpinned by a massive, dub bassline. Rest in peace Kenny Gino. You left a powerful legacy of amazing music! - Jamie More

It’s been a busy year for Jimpster, with his Soul Spectral and This Thing (with Rich Medina) EP’s both being amongst the best received and highest selling releases of his to date. He has also added his touch to The Sunburst Band, Soichi Terada, Feiertag, Baiana System, The Secret and Retromigration in the form of some massive remixes to boot, as well as having just released an Anthology spanning 4 vinyl. To help celebrate 25 years of Freerange and Jimpster we wanted to invite some of Jamie’s personal favourites to dig through the vaults and give their own spin on his sound. Kicking things off we have Oakland’s Space Ghost taking on One ft Casamena bring his deft, musical touch to the track complete with layers of digital synths, punchy bass and vintage drum machine groove. Next up it’s Detroit’s own Jon Dixon of Timeline and Galaxy 2 Galaxy fame. The student of Mike Banks and long-term Underground Resistance cohort turns Smile For A While into a late night, piano driven, fusion masterpiece with all that Detroit sonic trickery we know and love so much. LA duo Aaron Paar and Dave Fogg aka Teflon Dons released a slew of incredible 12’s in the mid- late 90’s before almost completely disappearing for most of the 00’s. Thankfully things are reactivated and we’re so happy to have them bring a tough, jacking, bass-heavy warehouse workout to the package. Atlanta’s Kai Alce is someone we’ve hoped to have contribute to Freerange for some time and finally it happened. Bags of smooth and soulful deepness drive Jimpster’s Inside The Loop in a classic direction with Wurli pads and Moogy solo all adding to that vintage sound. Man of the moment Kareem Ali takes the baton as he reworks Bought To Bare into a Balearic beauty worthy of playing during the most perfect sunset. If you’re a fan of Kareem Ali you’ll know the magic he brings and why he’s been hotly tipped as RA’s breakthrough artist of the month and included in Pitchfork’s best releases of 2020. More

The world of dance music 25 years ago was a very different place from the one we now inhabit. Rave had transitioned through Hardcore into Drum & Bass whilst UK Garage was brewing nicely and the UK pop charts were full of underground dance records. Meanwhile, the likes of Mo Wax, Ninjatune and Compost were pushing away from the dancefloors, introducing blunted beats, jazz-fusion sonics and a whole new movement to electronic music. It was into this atmosphere that Freerange was born, a UK label that reaches its quarter-century this year. At the helm over the last 25 years has been the partnership of childhood friends Tom Roberts and Jamie ‘Jimpster’ Odell. It’s been a long and eventful journey, from an era of 56k modems, faxed reaction reports and when DJs still bought actual records, Freerange has weathered many storms and sailed through some of the most revolutionary changes to hit the music industry. Through those 25 years, and like the proverbial comforting sound of Bob Ross’ voice, Jimpster’s own music and those artists he releases through the label remain a constantly reliable, not to mention dance floor-smashing presence through the ups and downs of the house music continuum. This Anthology brings together some of Jimpster’s finest productions across two double pack vinyl LPs from the preceding two and a half decades, showcasing his detailed approach to production and proving why he continues to thrive in the current scene, continuing to be held in high regard by many of the founding fathers of house music and young up and coming producers alike. TRACK LISTING: A1. Dangly Panther, A2. Seventh Wave, B1. Sleeper, B2. Can't Stop Loving, C1. One (feat. Casa Mena), C2. English Rose, D1. Curve, D2. Don't Push It More

As the dancefloor continues to be out of bounds you can rely on Freerange to bring you house music which runs that little bit deeper and more soulful, lifting spirits during these darker times. Following hot on the heels of Laroye’s Be The Change, the label offer another heartwarming release, this time from Brooklyn-based artist Greg Paulus. Perhaps better known as one half of No Regular Play, Greg has appeared on labels as diverse as Soul Clap, Let’s Play House, Ghostly International and Kompakt. For the City Movements EP Greg has delivered three brilliant originals which showcase his talents as a trumpet player, vocalist and producer. Opener Breezy Point comes correct with Greg’s vocals coming to the fore backed by a crunchy house groove, a solid, analogue bassline and simmering Moog synths. Flipping over we have Do You Love Me? co-produced with fellow Brooklyn artist Taylor Bense, and which takes a jazzier approach with Greg’s filtering trumpet arrangements adding a warm, organic depth to the track whilst the Prince-inspired house groove keeps the funk factor running high. Closing out the release we have Mr. Lee’s Trophy Theme in which Greg and co-producer Teddy Stuart reimagine the scene as a certain film director arrives to receive his latest award. There’s plenty of attitude, a hint of sleaze and a dash of humour but above all else we have bags of soul emanating from within the layers of warm pads, Wurli chords, trumpet lines and hooky vocal. TRACK LISTING: A. Breezy Point, B1. Do You Love Me?, B2. Mr. Lee’s Trophy Theme
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With his One EP still getting love from the likes of Spinna, Jamie 3:26, Joey Negro, Osunlade and many more, Jimpster strikes back with another release to lift spirits during these unprecedented times. Produced during the first few weeks of the worldwide lockdown, it was his intention to spread a message of positivity and optimism which can be felt on title track Smile For A While. The overall mood of the track has a slightly ambiguous yet heartening tonality, with a filtered looping vocal sample taking centre stage whilst piano lines and analogue arpeggios layer up adding depth and texture. The subtle and seductive groove will draw you in and its warmth and soul will make sure you smile for a while. Flipping over we have Echoes In My Head which takes a more percussive approach based around a rolling bassline and crunchy live hihats. Taking a slightly darker route, Echoes In My Head feels like Jimpster has successfully managed to get all his influences to meld together perfectly to form something cohesive and substantial. His love of 90’s ‘intelligent techno’, On-U sound, early US house, ambient, all going in the melting pot and forming a track which we’re sure will be something of a secret weapon for many DJ’s. Just the kind of track that can completely hypnotise a discerning dance-floor during the hazy hours. Closing out the three track EP we have the Head In The Clouds Mix, which is an alternate version of Echoes In My Head which heads in a more soulful direction. Piano chords and a bending bassline grab your attention whilst a percussion-heavy groove and dubby elements create space and depth to draw you in and ensure you get lost in its heady confines. TRACK LISTING: A. Smile For A While, B1. Echoes In My Head, B2. Echoes In My Head (Head In The Clouds Mix)
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Coming next on Freerange we’re very happy to announce our first Argentinian artist to the label, the highly talented DJ and producer Manuel Sahagun. Manuel has been putting out house music since the early 2000’s and has released tunes on Berlin’s Tooman, UK’s Drop, and Detroit’s Kolour as well as remixing Warren ‘Hanna’ Harris, Robert Owens and Patrick Chardronnet. He brings a freshness and eclecticism to his productions that fits in perfectly with the Freerange ethos of forward-thinking house music loaded with warmth and a touch of soul. the ‘Closest Star’ EP is a superb four-tracker that draws on diverse influences to great effect, and is one of the most original, yet floor-friendly sounding collections of music we’ve heard for a while. More

Sometimes it takes a while before you finally get the chance to seize your moment. DJ and producer Matt Masters has been working for Freerange for around 15 years, presenting their radio show as well as polishing Jimpster’s hi-hats, washing Manuel Tur’s MIDI files and ensuring that all Freerange releases adhere to EU regulations regarding deepness and houseyness. Here we present you with the sampler of his debut long player ‘Never Ending Nights’. Featuring four highlights from the eleven tracks of precisely engineered house and electronica, the LP sampler is a high-quality, pristine project, as befitting someone who has worked for so long at one of house music’s most revered imprints. Matt is proof that dedication pays off: he’s been asking Jimpster if he can put out an album literally every day for the last decade and a half and the Freerange label boss has finally capitulated, going a step further to executively produce the LP. Aside from a couple of carefully crafted downtempo tracks, ’Never Ending Nights’ is dance floor targeted but achieves the ultimate goal of the dance music album, possessing enough musicality and interesting production touches to stand up to home listening too. Matt has also thoughtfully included one track that can be used as a DJ incantation to summon up a horde of sentient headphones to do your bidding. Perhaps because of the protracted nature of the album’s production, there’s an unhurried confidence to many of these tracks, almost a swagger; big riffs slowly reveal themselves as epic chords unfurl beneath steadily ticking percussion, the assured, contemporary production providing an audio snap-shot of where UK deep house is at in 2019. More

Hugo Mari, formerly known as Books, has been receiving a lot of welldeserved love of late, and for good reason. Even though the London-based producer has been delivering respected dance-floor cuts and Edits on labels such as Omena, XVI and Sound Of Speed, his most recent release on Detroit Swindles’ Heist has really helped put him on the map. Having remixed Dele Sosimi and been remixed by Laurence Guy and Kai Alce, Hugo is moving in the right circles and it’s only a matter of time before he really gets the recognition he deserves. His debut EP for Freerange is aptly titled Unalloyed Pleasure and consists of three originals that will give you and the dance floor just that. The lead track manages to meld slamming kicks, distorted bassline, deep, cinematic strings, disco hats and cut up spoken word into something fresh and unique. Raise It Up sees Hugo go full on euphoric disco mode with an uplifting slice of sun-drenched soul just perfect for the summer months ahead. Lush Philly strings and vocal sample bring a classic vibe and catchy hook to the party. Closing out this brilliant EP we have Just A Memory, a jazzier and more pensive slice of deep house music with upright bassline and familiar Rhodes sample taking centre-stage. Snippets of vocal float in and out of focus whilst the rolling, percussive groove brings an immersive energy that locks you in to it’s seductive mood. More

It’s been five years since we had Manuel Tur grace us with a solo release on Freerange. In that time he and studio partner Adrian Hoffmann have been busy igniting dance floors with their side projects Clavis and Amberoom for labels such as Innervisions, Ovum, TAU and Freerange as well as remix and production work for artists like Andhim, André Hommen, Tensnake, Shit Robot, Tale Of Us, Ane Brun, Larse and Asobitai. Manuel continues to push his sound forward on three original tracks which make up the Organic Reach EP. On the lead track Astrakan he has crafted a sublime slice of deepness centred around a driving groove, building layers of chiming chords and a perfect bassline. Sitting somewhere between Motorbass/Super Discount, DJ Q/early Nuphonic and Steve Reich this track looks set to cast it’s majestic spell on those whose idea of a banging tune isn’t confined to obligatory 8 bar kick drum dropouts and white noise risers! On Hold Your Hand Manuel coming up with another masterpiece of deep, emotive, widescreen atmospherics with organic percussion, pulsing bass and jazz vocal refrain adding to the dramatic late-night mood. Finally, Organic Reach closes the EP in a dark and heavier style with experimental textures, time stretched fills and mutant sonic explorations making for what must be Manuel Tur’s most ‘techno’ production for Freerange to date. More

It’s taken a mere 12 years to get Simbad back on Freerange for his follow up to the 2006 Solar System release under his Mowgly moniker. Not that he’s been scratching around looking for inspiration in that time.... the London based producer and DJ is one of the most prolific artists in the scene having notched up countless EP’s edits, remixes and behind-the-scenes production work for labels like Apron, G.A.M.M. Faces, Hyperdub, Atjazz & 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 South Korea and beyond. Collaboration plays a huge part in Simbad’s musical output and for his new release for Freerange he teams up with South African vocalist Brian Temba, whose previous release together Come Join In dropped on Hi:Rise back in 2011. In it’s original form Take My Hand is a sublime, forward-looking deep and soulful house track based around a filtering symphonic string loop, low-slung groove and heart-felt vocal. Simbad has created a very London-centric vibe but with a French touch and Detroit sensibilities, drawing from house heroes such as Parrish and Bradock, joining the dots and creating a fresh masterpiece in the process. Next up we have Jimpster on the remix, picking up the BPM’s slightly and loading up on his trademark deep stabs, sub-bass and spacious FX adding just enough dance-floor bump whilst leaving the vocal placed firmly at the core. On the flip side we have two SMBD Zulu Edits which replace the more spartan groove of the original with some driving Afro percussion. The first version keeps the vocal intact, the second version goes balls deep into dub territory, closing out this amazing release with an instrumental pushing the strings and hypnotic groove front and centre. More

Vienna-based producer Sam Irl popped up on our radar a couple of years ago following stellar releases on Jazz & Milk, but honestly we should have been paying far closer attention as this guy has been making the best crunchy, MPC-driven jazz-infused House music dating right back to 2006. EP’s for S3A’s Sampling As An Art and collaborative projects with Patrick Pulsinger and Dusty have won him fans including Gilles Peterson (leading to a release on Brownswood), Mr Scruff and Session Victim amongst many others. His live sets have also seen him perform at the hallowed grounds of Panorama Bar and Sonar Festival. For his debut EP here on Freerange Sam has delivered four tracks which perfectly showcase his production skills and knowledge of what makes a dance floor tick, kicking off with title track Rain Technique. Quirky keys and a playful groove help build a warm and charming vibe, light and bouncy yet deep and driving enough to get your dance on to. Trust follows with loping, lopsided percussion forming the basis of the groove, sparse Rhodes pads punctuating the beat and adding just the right musical element to the mix without cluttering the beats or compromising the sense of space. Flipping over we have All That’s Left which sees Sam utilising his trusted TR606 for some lovely snappy snares and sizzling hihats. Chiming arpeggios join the repeating chord riff creating another simple yet uplifting and playful mood which can’t fail to get under your skin. Closing the EP we have a wonky, shuffling house track which once again shows Sam proving less is more, sampling his key elements into the MPC and jamming out the arrangement in a live and improvised way which brings a fresh, somewhat naive appeal to the production. More

Massiande has become one of the most captivating talents South America has produced for authentic House music. An artist of multicultural roots, he was born in 1988 in Santiago, Chile, has lived most of his life to the side of US American people, has Dutch family heritage and his name derives from a Sierra Leone dialect. All of these global influences have had a great effect in the way he perceives and lives music. Growing up as a profound and dedicated fan of Soul, Jazz and Disco; discovering House, a genre that connected these genres' roots with electronic experimentation, was a life turning point. Inspired by the same Chicago spirit, in 2015 the release of "Stand", through the prestigious MOS Recordings, represented a step further in his career as a producer, finding its place on the crates of DJs as diverse as Patrice Scott, Voiski, Apparat or Honey Soundsystem. These days, Massiande brings a deeper and mature House sound which is reaching a wider audience, with his conceptual "Freedom" EP through UK's Phonica Records and the landmark "Yesterday, Today, Forever" EP on Jimpster's Freerange, while also revealing a consistent variety of skills on a fully dancefloor-oriented EP for Hercules & Love Affair's Mr. Intl imprint. More

It seems like the Italians are well and truly taking over here at Freerange these days. Following hot on the heels of releases from Stefano Ritteri and Bugsy we now present you with a brilliant three tracker from Rome-based producer Whitesquare. Known for previous releases on 2020 Vision and Toy Tonics Whitesquare has switched up his sound a little to delve deeper into the world of Afro-inspired electronic house which fits perfectly on Freerange and should appeal to fans of Hyenah, Rancido and the Keinemusik crew. Title track Traces To Nowhere sets the tone, taking it's roots from the precision sonics and reduced approach of Berlin minimalism but infused with a warm, organic sound palette, resulting in a deep and atmospheric track which is powerful yet understated. Flipping over we have Understand, another hypnotic mood-setter which utilises a repeating vocal, percussion fills and a killer sub bass to create a track which places all the emphasis on the paired-back groove and subtle detail. Rounding off the EP we have Suivre, a conga-heavy drum tool which mashes up live jazz drumming with a driving kick and echoing vocal to great effect. The sense of space makes this one a winner for changing things up in the mix and sounds fearsome on a big system. Three lovingly crafted tracks which bridge the gap between Berlin and Johannesburg, bringing a fresh yet appealing sound to please dance floors worldwide. More

Bugsy hails from Milan where he is resident and co-host of the brilliant Take It Easy club night which brings many of the finest house DJ's to the city and remains packed week in and week out. With his featured producers Astroloop at his side Bugsy has come up with a quality debut loaded with fat, low-slung deep beats and Detroit-inspired grooves for Freerange entitled the Svegsy EP. The lead track sets the mood with mid-tempo loping beats that have 'Freerange' written all over them. We can't get enough of the simple yet satisfying warm-up vibe which oozes from this track. Understated, warm and relaxed yet with a bump and grunt which calls you to the dancefloor. A2 is a track entitled New Vision where we find a straighter groove underpinned by a restless, pulsing, analogue bass and shifting block chords. With it's heads down attitude and simple, rolling arrangement this is Jimpster's personal favourite for banging on a big system. Flip over for the aptly titled Ghost Song. Here we get off-kilter vocals and fleeting glimpses of a melody which then disappear into the ether. All in all a slightly surreal yet groove-heavy track which has a charm of it's own. Rounding off the EP we have Chicago house legend Boo Williams on the remix of Ghost Song, where he takes a minimal approach with a hint of acid but keeping his soulful touch. Enjoy! More