Survival Tracks: Minimal #2

After a brief hiatus we return with some essential stripped back, raw, basslines and grooves to get you warmed up for Spring. With Ibiza openings in touching distance, new music is being released thick and fast and there is no short supply of quality music on offer right now. With a variety of new and well established labels who hope to find themselves as firm fixtures in record bags of the scenes biggest players this summer. For May I’ll provide you with my 5 essential tracks and the tried and tested number that I’m reaching for currently.

Rich NXT – Defy

FUSE bursts into the warmer months with a massive release from principal member of the London label, Rich NXT with his What’s In The Box EP. My highlight of the EP being opener DEFY, already causing a stir at FUSE parties previously, the track is classic Rich NXT, featuring trademark crisp percussion and the deepest of dubby, bouncy basslines. As it develops, an instantly recognisable vocal will leave you hooked, as it glides in and out of lively keys. This one will leave you hooked.

 Seuil – The Jungle

Eklo 031 comes from label head Seuil. The master of groovy, subtle sounds works his magic once again on this long, trippy micro house production. On The Jungle a low pulsating bassline combines with clicks and glitches that roll alongside mysterious vocal samples to hypnotise the mind.

 Archie Hamilton – Close to Home

Archie Hamilton features on the second release from Nima Gorji’s vinyl only label, NG trax. The highlight of the four tracker on the B-side, Close to Home showcases his signature locked down groove that grows throughout, adding entrancing percussion and a driving bassline to keep the listener enthralled.  Zendid – Mars 

Hot new Spanish based imprint Park & Ride Records follow on from their sell out first release Chicago with the next American city on their list, San Francisco. The label features a close roster of artists and friends who have created a platform to express their specific sound, classing themselves as a family, this warmth of feeling certainly is felt in the music. Pick of the bunch Mars by up and coming talent Zendid is a glorious, feel good summertime anthem that features shimmering, lush pads and a massive stomping bassline, sure to leave a smile on your face.

 Dragosh – Brinit 

A very famous short vocal sample here (I won’t spoil the surprise) is the centre piece of this new creation from Romanian producer Dragosh on Brouqade. Frothing percussion and electronics create an afterhours atmosphere merging with resonating low end weight. A dark, late night affair.

Tried & Tested

Ion Ludwig – Polarized Color

Fresh from a 2015 repress following serious demand, Mr Nubilous from the enimagtic Ion Ludwig is a release that you can’t help but draw for time after time. The A-side Polarized color is a stripped down, raw and deep tune that is well and truly aimed at bringing feet to the dance floor. Mysterious tribal sounds move in and out, mixing with haunting vocals and slender drum hits. A freaky peak time record that you can rely on to make bodies move in time.