Continue reading “Interstellar Funk – Rush Hour Weekender Podcast”
rush hour
Jordan GCZ – Lushlife II [RHD024JGCZ]
Jordan “Jordash” Czamanski doesn’t put out many solo records, but when he does, they tend to be rather special. Certainly, that is the case with Lushlyfe II, the Rush Hour released collection of ambient and experimental downtempo. He begins with the drowsy ambience and watery sound effects of “Sweet Dreams” – a kind of experimental, instrumental lullaby – before capturing the weary confusion of early morning stumbles back from the party on the soothing, guitar-laden “Yetghua”. Even better is the oddly exotic, jazz-flecked fluidity of “Sus”, while closer “Bol” is little less than a mood-enhancing horizontal treat.
Simon Weiss – Tele-Vision [VD023]
Tom Trago’s Voyage Direct label returns to action with a brand new 12” from Amsterdam scene stalwart Simon Weiss. The gloriously positive ‘Tele-Vision’, and it’s cyber-house fusion of darting synthesizer arpeggios, Detroit-influenced percussion, and thrusting acid bass – that heads up Weiss’ first EP for Voyage Direct. Dutch veteran and longtime friend of the family Dexter turns in a stunning remix, putting a well-placed boot up the backside of Tele-Vision.
Stump Valley – Magica Movida [RHD024]
Stump Valley returns to Rush Hour’s ‘No Label’ offshoot with more attractive, ear-pleasing fare. There’s a slightly more sun-kissed feel to Magica Movida, with opener “Oceans Refuse No River” coming on like a dusty and tactile nu-disco take on the dreamy, new age influenced Mood Hut sound. There’s plenty more to enjoy across the EP, with the dawn-over-the-Adriatic feel of “Sunshine Hotel” standing out.
Hunee – Hunch Music [RHM016]
Hunee aka Hun Choi presents his debut album “Hunch Music”. “Hunch Music” is the striking assembly of the artist’s versatile inspirations and productional talent. It is a rich musical journey that latches onto you and doesn’t let go easily. “Hunch Music” is rather special: it is a cinematic journey from the beginning to the end, with scenes we haven’t encountered before. It starts with “Woods” as the perfect introduction – a moody, mystic night haze that quickly changes into a warm and soothing whole. Following with “Crossroads”, the mystery transcends into something that moves us to the dance floor, and we’re not sure whether we want to keep moving or we just want to listen. “Hunch Music” has a nocturnal aura, an organic groove, and moments of glorious acid. It takes us up and throws us down, gently, while subjecting us to many cinematic and musical elements. For an artist who is also an avid vinyl collector, it might be difficult to ensure that his numerous inspirations do not distract from his artistic signature. Hunee’s production work is as colorful as his character, displaying a broad spectrum of his inspirations that manifest themselves in a surprising and seductive artistic entity.
2000Black – Make It Hard [RHM015]
Dego, Akwasi Mensah and Kaidi Tatham’s 2000 Black project is back with three timeless pieces that blend the group’s love for soulful futuristic beats and organic instrumentation beautifully. Firing on many levels and sure to tear up a floor or two this summer. To most headz, the producers behind 2000black need no real introduction. Initially inspired by breakbeat, house and techno, 4heros Dego has been constantly moving since the early nineties, enriching the drum & bass, soul and London boogie scene in his own unique way.
Vincent Floyd – I Dream You [RHRSS015]
Originally released on Dance Mania, ”I Dream You” is an absolute Chicago House classic. It is one of the deepest and most soulful releases the label put out in their early days, and it totally captures Vincent Floyd’s signature sound.
Overlast – What’s Your Planet? [RHD009OVERLAST]
Faster Action – Untitled [RHSTOREJAMS008]
Amsterdam’s fastest, getting down with the machines and laying down some proper dirty rhythm tracks.
X – X [RHD-X]
Mutant Beat Dance – PolyfonikDizko [RHM012]
Traxx and Beau Wanzer team up for another Mutant Beat Dance release. Who know these Chicagoans are out to push music into a different realm every time they work… The Mutants call it Jakbeat, inspired by the early days of house music.
Will & Florian – Will & Florian [RHD018WAF]
Low lit mini album from Willie Burns & Florian Kupfer. Recorded together in Brooklyn, New York 2014.
Vincent Floyd – Moonlight Fantasy [RHM008]
Unreleased material by Chicago’s great Vincent Floyd. Early works, mastered from the original DAT tapes. Electronic soul classics, now available for the first time. All tracks are drowned with warm leads, dreamy drums and dragging melodies.
Rick Wilhite – Vibes 2 [RHM010CD]
As a DJ and promoter Rick Wilhite has been holding it down for over twenty years. His ‘Vibes New & Rare music’ record store has been a main source for soulful electronic music in Detroit until its closure a few years back. The ‘Vibes New & Rare music’ compilation only features material that Rick Wilhite truly believes to represent the artists. After releasing Volume 1 in 2010, Wilhite now delivers the sequel, featuring pioneers and new talents alike from New York, Chicago and Detroit.
Population One – Theater Of A Confused Mind [RHM013]
Deadly Population One album from Terrence Dixon on Rush Hour. Under the Population One codename, Detroit citizen Terrence Dixon has realized some of his most vivid, esoteric portals to the Motor City mindset. ‘Theater Of A Confused Mind’ is Dixon’s 2nd album in this mode, twenty years after his debut album, ‘Unknown Black Shapes’, and the ‘Hippnotic Culture’ 2LP, whose ‘Rush Hour’ track inspired the company’s name.
Push/Pull – Bang The Drums [RHRSS011]
Reissue of 1990 NYC house record. Ben Cenac aka Dream 2 Science with a master piece African influenced house LP. This sounds somewhere in between NYC band No Smoke (Koro Koro) and the Dream 2 Science’s signature sound.
Magnesii – Vd Jam #1 [VD017]
The label say: ‘Its rare to hear a debut 12 single that really blows you away. Thats hardly a controversial statement; in truth, most producers take time to find their feet, developing a distinct style over a period of years, rather than months. Magnesii, then, is something special. Currently based in Amsterdam. The previously unheard of producer has delivered a stunning debut 12 for Tom Tragos Voyage Direct label. Raw, fuzzy and in turns melancholic, spellbinding and intense, its three tracks bubble and hiss to the distinct sound of vintage analogue hardware.’
House of Jezebel – Back In Dogtown USA [VD16]
Voyage Direct label turns to a man who needs little introduction: Dutch legend and man of many pseudonyms Danny Wolfers aka Legowelt. For this first outing on Voyage Direct, Wolfers resurrects the House of Jezebel alias and delivers two tracks of synth-laden analogue house goodness. “Back In Dogtown USA” sets the tone, as Wolfers layers rising chords, darting electronics and wide-eyed synthesizer melodies over a clattering analogue house groove. Wolfers’ ups the tempo dramatically on “I Took A Train In 1979”, transplanting us to the far reaches of our galaxy via jackin’ techno drums, picturesque organ melodies, drifting chords and intoxicating pads. There are echoes of classic Detroit techno, surging Rotterdam electro and vintage cosmic disco, yet it doesn’t really sound like any of these things.
Morgan Buckley – Shout Out To All The Weirdos In Rathmines [RHD-016BUCKLEY]
Word to the weirdos. Morgan Buckley’s vinyl debut with so many ideas and so much energy it’s almost hard to take it all on board in one listen. The sound of a man soaking it up and pouring it out.12″ comes with insert and a touch of ★magic☆.
Design A Wave – EP 2 [RHD015WAVEII]
Pt.2 of Design A Wave’s continued experiments in sound, sci fi and alien counter balance… Limited Edition EP with sideways thinking Cosmo Knex artwork
The Hipodrome Of Music 