Mano De Fuego land on Yaxteq with the mighty Fuerza EP. In 2022, los hermanos Cedillo also known as Soul of Hex launched their Mano De Fueogo alias from Underground Resistance headquarters in Detroit. Their debut for Yaxteq showcases their versatillity as producers. Sagrada is pure musical magic for the dancefloor with rising chord swells, relentless bass and strings that reach into the cosmos. Aztec Obelisk gives a latin flavor to the classic Detroit electro-bass blueprint. Fuerza dives deep into hi-tech jazz including an interstellar saxophone improvisation courtesy of Tijuana’s own Manuel Paez Armendariz. DJ Dex then takes the soul of Fuerza and remixes it with the concrete foundation of jaaackin US house music. All tracks were mixed and arranged at the Yaxteq studio in Los Angeles. Saludos!! More

Dedicated EP written and produced by Santiago Salazar More

DJ Dex aka Nomadico of Underground Resistance is nearly out of time. So the Replicante is here to get
more life... fucker!!! Dame más vida... Qiero más vida!!! There's no time to warm up or over think it... just
feel the groove, move and you'll get there. The Off World is here, not in L2 orbit hiding behind the earth.
This is the funky dark place that rumbles your dancefloor. His mentor Gaff has something to say about
getting more life but he needs to slow down and disappear into the bass. Always on the move, spinning
over skyscrapers and rising vertically into the clouds, the Spinner Theme is thumping and sets the mood
just right. More

Esteban Adame aka Frequencia drops the track list for an intergalactic backyard party with the Chicano Boombox EP. Esteban’s music career started as a DJ in L.A.’s East Side backyard party scene, he then stepped up his musical game by collecting gear and studying the piano. His evolution into a professional musician led him to gigs around L.A.’s jazz and salsa scenes. But he never lost his love for DJ culture and electronic music and that led him to join Mad Mike’s Galaxy 2 Galaxy band through his mutual friendships with UR’s Santiago Salazar and Yaxteq’s own DJ Dex. He’s released music on esteemed labels such as Underground Quality, Dolly, Mister Saturday Night, EPM, Jealous God and more. He also collaborates with DJ Dex as El Coyote.

“Rush The Floor” makes you want to do just that with its hypnotic lead synth and a breakdown that will leave the dancefloor wanting more. “Deep Function” flexes musical chops via soulful chords and a perfectly timed solo all riding over a thumping house beat. “Still Here” recalls classic Detroit Techno methodology as a reminder to keep the inspiration flowing. The EP is rounded out with “The Promise” a driving yet euphoric track perfect for watching the sunrise after a long night. More

UR's DJ Dex's Yaxteq label returns with the debut 12" from Honduras producer Ritmos.
Features fellow UR / Timeline member Jon Dixon and the one and only Lee "Scratch" Perry on vocals. More

Demi Riquisimo’s Semi Delicious return for their 18th vinyl only excursion via Berlin based Revivis’ ‘Surrender The Body’ EP.

A dance floor focused 4 tracker, the EP is a distillation of the sonic palette quickly becoming synonymous with the sound of Revivis, nodding to the past whilst looking to the future, all through the lens of timeless house fundamentals.

The release kicks off with ‘Pick Me Up’, a diva vocal affected chugger that leans on the 90s progressive aesthetic whilst remaining versatile and current. The A-side wraps up with the title track ‘Surrender The Body’. A minimal fuss, hands in the air, euphoric piano house jam that can be noted for it’s subtlety despite it’s anthemic nature.

No foreplay on the flip as we’re straight into the mixer via ’Perceptions’. A sample heavy four/four beat combines with a bass line that implores your head to nod along a menacing top line.. big peak time business on this one. Closing out a wildy impressive Semi Delicious debut from Revivis is ‘Ruminating’ bringing with it a healthy helping of gospel keys and acid. More

Sugar Honey Iced Tea! is the highly anticipated debut album from musclecars, set for a May 2024 release on BBE Music. Having already established their presence in the club scene, from the joyous atmosphere of their Coloring Lessons parties to their residency at Nowadays in NYC, and with genre-bending performances worldwide, musclecars are eager to unveil this new world they've intentionally crafted.

This forthcoming album comprises 13 tracks that sonically come together to offer a profound lens into the Afro-American experience. Themes range from joy, to loss, intimacy, helplessness, perseverance, and all the facets that lie in between. From the very first tune, musclecars set the tone with an exploration of afro-dystopia, carrying listeners through the entire album whilst creating imaginary futures born out of self-preservation and self-discovery.

Through their practice of sonic storytelling, native New Yorkers Brandon Weems and Craig Handfield use this album to speak to the nuances of their daily lives and their environment. Join them on this musical journey as they delve into a collection that captures the essence of the black experience with authenticity, emotion, and rhythm. This album stands as one of their favorite bodies of work in recent memory, and they're so excited to share it with you. More

With an arsenal of releases on labels like NDATL, PPU, Black Catalogue, 2MR, and Harsh Riddims, Atlanta artist Stefan Ringer presents the first release on his own imprint FWM Entertainment. This contribution contains a fluid spectrum of sounds . "Southside", is a soulful, sexy summer house cut. "Great Beat" follows up in a similar vein; jazz inspired, introspective, and upbeat. While "Wanna Be Bad" is a freaky skating rink inspired track. "Got Me 123" is a Hypnotic 2 step groove, and rounding it out is "FR Shawty" a slowed vocal stepper. More

Again, Stefan Ringer brings forth that heat! Four tracks made for the floor. The A1 "DoU?" begins with the classic phrase "she loves me, she loves me not". A nod to the tunneling vocals throughout the track. Hard hitting drums and percussion get you pumped and ready to take the journey. Deep emotional chords press on; as a thumping sub bass line connects everything together. A2 is "The Loop". Crispy 808 claps and hats lure your ears, while deeper chord stabs wrap everything in a package you can't refuse. The real star is the fat almost hollow bass line that hypnotizes you. The angelic synth harmonica solos throughout leave you begging for more. B1, "Reach", features the silk-like vocals of Detroit's own Javonntte. The chord stabs, drums, and bass line really show out on this track. Proven to work in clubs across the world, by the likes of Kai Alce, JT Donaldson, Ash Lauryn, ByronThe Aquarius, Wajeed, Patrice Scott, and Touching Bass, this one is definitely for the floor. Finally the B2, "Love2U", showcases Stefan's ability to slow things down without missing a step. Smooth, simple, and intelligent, the melody is the star of this track. Sensual and expressive vocals convey the message of this tune. The solo provided near the end articulates how much more there is to come from Stefan and this label. You need this. More

A1 - Get Rite
A2 - Body Language
B1 - Free Thought
B2 – Trysheen

Atalanta’s hotly tipped Stefan Ringer comes correct with a four-track breeze through deep, hazed out, syncopated house for Second Hand Records. Following standout releases on the likes of NDATL, People's Potential Unlimited and Argot and comparisons with the likes of Marcellus Pittman and Kyle Hall, Ringer is a talent you do not want to pass up.

Though never in doubt, 'Side Notes' sets out Ringers stall for all to see. At points MPC crunched samples lay over the top of punchy basslines and echoed ad libs, at others free flowing keys dance around layered drum loops and off kilter percussive hits.

There’s a cut here for everyone - a deft magic, versatility and spark that you need in the bag. More

re-pressing of this in-demand Moodyman produced classic! More

FWM Entertainment has kept that same energy in its second release by label head, Stefan Ringer. The A side track "SO" is instantly exciting! The chorded turned arpeggiated melody and rhythm section take over your body and the song invokes different feelings and emotions as it progresses; this is a song you will definitely want to have for this summer and beyond. Over on the B side, "Afrotine" brings a more tropical broken beat type of flavor. The percussive yet chromatic sound of the kalimba is almost hypnotizing. Sunshine, cool breezes, and smiles come to mind when hearing this one. The B2, "Time" is a slowed down vocal groove that slaps! The melody floats effortlessly along the beat with the bass line following closely behind, complimenting the changes throughout. Overall this one is a keeper and a great follow-up to the acclaimed FWM001.

More

Continuing Mr Bongo’s series exploring the wealth of material released through the record labels of Sonny Lester, 1977’s Funk Reaction finds Hammond B3 organ virtuoso Lonnie Smith at his most dancefloor-friendly. Dripping with groove and swagger, this album skates between jazz-funk, cosmic disco radiance, beat-laden slow-jams and conscious psychedelic soul.

Having played with the likes of George Benson and Lou Donaldson in the ‘60s, alongside releasing a string of albums on Columbia and Blue Note, Funk Reaction sees Smith move into late ‘70s disco-funk-tinged territory.

Originally released on Sonny Lester's Groove Merchant Records successor, Lester Radio Corporation, the album feels more like a collaborative band-orientated project as opposed to a solo artist outing. Featuring some elite session players of the time, including Steve Gadd on drums, guitarist Lance Quinn and bassist Bob Babbitt, the album is tied together expertly by songwriter, arranger and conductor Brad Baker.

It’s worth the price tag alone for the superb disco-funk nugget 'Funk Reaction’. Other highlights include the only Lonnie Smith penned track on the album 'All In My Mind', that shines with a beautiful Stevie Wonder-esque quality and the slick guitar-led floater 'When The Night Is Right’, written by and featuring guitarist Richie Hohenburger. Elsewhere, ‘For The Love Of It’ and the Brad Babbitt written ‘Babbitt's Other Song’ serve up classic jazz funk flavours, both featuring stellar tenor saxophone from Eddie Daniels.

As a whole, the album is a superb example of Lonnie Smith’s ability to merge jazz with elements of funk, soul, disco and beyond, experimenting with ideas whilst broadening the scope of both his audience and appeal. Fans of The Blackbyrds, the CTI / Kudu stable and ‘70s George Benson will dig this!

Single LP in gatefold sleeve. More

Adeen Records is on a roll right now and this time out they welcome the Detroit hero that is Marcellus Pittman for a new and beguiling four-track 12". Known for his work with The 3 Chairs collective as well as his solo jams, this Motor City mainstay opens up with 'You Always Hank Bank One Time' which is a real mental maze of rickety loops and blurts of degraded synth. 'Another Spring Lover' is another rusty and lo-fi piece of archetypal Detroit house that is very clearly machine music but with a unique sense of human soul. 'I'm Gonna Be The Everything' is a raw drum track with sparse, heartwarming chords and 'Slick Nickle Pladium Investment' is a knackered downbeat hip-hop closer. Magnificent. More

Stefan Ringer aka REKchampa says he makes music that’s danceable, intelligent, and soulful, and we couldn’t agree more. This 4 track EP of soulful house from the star of Atlanta’s underground scene has everything for the discerning DJ (bangers Bounce #3 and Can’t Stop) and the home listener (heady deep cuts Feeling It and The Come Down) alike. The release coincides with 2MR’s first in a series of semi-regular parties at Black Flamingo on the 27th, with Ringer, Mike Simonetti and Justin Strauss More