It’s always a pleasure to see Scottish producer Milton Jackson back on Freerange and this time he joins forces with a trio of Detroit heavyweights to deliver the "Fire Emoji EP". Brian Kage is a producer / DJ, founder of record label Michigander and has released on esteemed labels such as FXHE and Planet E. Here, Brian is on co-production and mastering duties and helps bring a raw yet musical quality to all four tracks. HazMat Live is a Detroit native known for his unique approach to music and live performances having graced records and live shows with the likes of Kenny Dixon Jr, Amp Fiddler, Bilal, Soul Clap and Delano Smith. Finally, Jon Dixon adds his own inimitable touch to the release with his deft keyboard work. Jon Dixon not only leads the Underground Resistance live acts Galaxy 2 Galaxy and Timeline but has also performed with everyone from Jeff Mills, Carl Craig and Mike Banks through to Goldie, Leon Ware and Dwele.

Lead track "Fire Emoji" is probably best described as a serious stomper. A paired back club tool which pumps hard and will keep the energy levels simmering on any dancefloor worth its salt. Echoing vocals and reverb-drenched hits add a trippy edge whilst an extended break adds extra drama and tension to the arrangement.

"The Sunsetters" lightens the mood with a euphoric slice of chunky, deep house which acts as the foundation for HazMat Live to deliver his epic synth solo, accompanied by lush strings, deep pads and punctuating 909 snares.

"Wanna C U" fuses US and UK Garage sounds to form a taught, muscular club groove which will lock you in with it’s fat stabs, swinging beats and repeating sampled vocal hook.

Closing out the EP we have "The Shine" featuring Jon Dixon on keys, who brings things to a climactic finish with his masterful jazz piano flourishes, UR-esque pads and synth lead solo.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Glasgow and Detroit have always had a conjoined musical spirit. Ie. a strong love of house and techno. Here the relationship is manifested with Milton Jackson joined by Brian Kage and Jon Dixon for a super duper release which captures the heady and innovative spirit of these two pivotal cities in the development of the genre.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Fire Emoji
A2. The Sunsetters Ft. Hazmat Live
B1. Wanna C U
B2. The Shine Ft. Jon Dixon 

Black Loops is an endlessly creative producer who has brought constant invention to house music since his first release over a decade ago. His widescreen sounds take their cues from funk, soul and disco and are underpinned by a love of 90s grooves. They appeal to DJs and dancers alike which explains his constant demand for DJ sets around the world as well as his music being played and supported by the biggest names in the scene. After many years of vital 12"s and remixes, he now draws on everything he has learned and raises his levels with a fully realised debut full length.

"This album represents a step forward, an opportunity to craft something more musical and intricate, both in terms of arrangement and melody," says the artist, who draws on his roots as a drummer and lays down most of the kit and percussion parts himself. The majority of the album tracks were played live to give them an organic, improvised and personalised touch, with resulting jams reworked and reshaped where necessary over the last year. Because of that fluidity, Always Moving works in many settings. The mix of hooky vocals and compelling drums ground the record with a human feel, as do the collaborations with the guest musicians Black Loops has long admired.

The blissed-out broken beats of "CDMX" kick things off in soulful style, there's a deeper funk to "Mamao" (a tribute to the hugely influential Azymuth drummer Ivan Conti) and "Detroit Love Letter" featuring Byron The Aquarius is a warm and gooey deep house cut with majestic chords gelling the mix together. Marlena Dae is an emerging and hugely talented singer based in Berlin and features on tracks including the Metro Area-style disco bounce of "Electrical" and "LSD" as well as the weighty deep house of "Experience". She also adds her stylish and seductive tones to "Pleasure Ride" on which Harvey Sutherland features with some cosmic synth work.

"Always Moving" is an artistic triumph that blends a personal and musical approach to production with lived-in grooves that warm the body and soul.
The rest of this most intimate and heartfelt record features the boogie-tinged retro-future synth glow of "Synesthesia", dusty drums and twinkling late-night keys of "Time Space Matter" and leggy downbeat lushness of Intercourse. The lo-fi and left-field Dilla-esque drums of "Slow Jamz" and loved-up strings and warm, bass guitar groove of "Good Bye Berlin" close down the record in a tender fashion.

TRACK LISTING

A1. CDMX
A2. Mamao
A3. Detroit Love Letter Ft. Byron The Aquarius
B1. Electrical Ft. Marlena Dae
B2. Synesthesia
B3. LSD Ft. Marlena Dae
C1. Experience Ft. Marlena Dae
C2. Pleasure Ride Ft. Harvey Sutherland & Marlena Dae
C3. Time Space Matter
D1. Intercourse
D2. Slow Jamz
D3. Good Bye Berlin 

For the second edition of our City To City series we arrive in Lisboa. A city with a rich heritage of electronic music born from a strong affinity to authentic, underground dance music culture. Institutions such as Lux Fragile have carried the sound of Lisbon since it's formative years in the late 90’s. Its long-standing resident DJs now deservedly receiving global recognition and in return, introducing a wider spectrum of appreciation for the sound of the city. Some of which are included on City To City: Lisbon. Here on the second instalment of City To City we introduce six original tracks from seven artists currently making waves in Lisbon.

Kicking things off we have Lisbon native, label owner and someone whose name has been firmly integrated with the city for 20+ years, Kaspar from Lisbon AKA DJ Kaspar. With releases on esteemed imprints such as Clone, 4Lux, Stripped and Chewed alongside various works on his own Percebes Musica, we're proud to have Kaspar lead the charge. Mereces provides a raw, hypnotic groove layered with chopped vocals and synth lines which creating an analogue and spontaneous feel which Kaspar has become renowned for

Next up, and picking up the pace we have DJ Honesty and his peak time club track Jazz Mutant. Thumping kick drum, choppy b-lines, intricate drums and a perfectly placed vocal at the end of the first break-down create the foundations for dance-floor pleasure. The German native and long-time Lisbon resident has previously graced the likes of Sonar Kollektiv, Compost & Cabinet and is a welcome edition to this stellar line-up of talent.

Closing out the A side we have another Lisbon native, Lux regular and label / record shop owner Jorge Caiado. Jorge is a staple on many a line-up across the city and now internationally flying the flag for the deep-house sound of Lisboa. DJing far and wide from Chicago and Berlin to Beijing and Toronto, Jorge can be heard pushing his minimal deep house sound through his sets and releases on Carpets & Snares, Groovement and the sister label of Chez Damier’s Balance Recordings, Inner-Balance. Jorge has provided the beautifully crafted Good Days for this release which see him layering up the textures, floaty synths, soulful vocal chops & melodic top-lines providing something which truly nourish the soul. Proper deepness!

Flipping over we have UK born & Lisboa based Megatronic. Having recently released on labels such as Razor n Tape, Feedasoul and The Remedy Project, Megatronic has firmly established herself as a global artist. A maverick tour de force, she brings her infectious energy to the release via a bumping vocal house track with touches of Bruk vibes entitled Casey Screams.

Next up we have Lisboa local and someone who has their feet deeply-rooted to the culture of the city, Moreno Ácido delivering a track entitled Until The Break of Dawn. Mario is diverse in his productions with previous output ranging from tougher, jackin’ tracks such as 100 Controls from his Trash/Treasure EP on Call To Action through to deep, intricate late night moods such as Until The Break Of Dawn.

Closing out this special release we have two names most synonymous with the underground sound of Lisbon and more specifically the institution of Lux Fragil; Yen Sung & Photonz. The duo have previously worked together on projects such as Angel Rights on their own imprint Alphabet Street Music and we’re excited to have them provide a thumping track, heads down groover to close the EP. Changes is straight to the point. Rolling bassline, in your face stabs and a heavy dose of kick drum. Something you’ll hear at Lux on any given weekend and a fitting close to a brilliant VA representing all corners of the deeper side of Lisboa.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Freerange shift their focus to Lisbon, introducing six artists from the Portuguese capital that represent the fresh face of it's contemporary house scene. Characterized by bold lead motifs, frenetic rhythm sections and a woozy, sun-scorched approach.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Kaspar From Lisbon - Mereces
A2. DJ Honesty - Jazz Mutant
A3. Jorge Caiado - Good Days
B1. Megatronic - Casey Screams
B2. Moreno Acido - Until The Break Of Dawn
B3. Yen Sung & Photonz - Changes