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Premiere: Szkatulski & Kosmalski – ‘Keep It’ EP

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Szkatulski_Kosmalski

Nothing makes us happier than having the opportunity to introduce our readers to emerging new talent. Meet Szkatulski & Kosmalski, a Polish duo composed of Damian Szkatulski and Maciej Kosmalski. After working for years as DJs, they have entered the production realm in a big way with their triumphant Keep It EP. A stellar effort brandishing three deep techno cuts — “Keep In Touch,” “Keep Your Balance” and “Keep Your Head” — all powered by warm basslines, chugging grooves and sublime strings, the EP displays a musical maturity that hints at even bigger things to come. We’re extremely pleased to world premiere their debut effort out tomorrow on Downpour Recordings, a Toronto-based label helmed by Peter Marrone and Andreas Rizek. Listen below and be sure to keep your eyes — and ears — on these talented guys.

Szkatulski & Kosmalski’s Keep It EP is out July 28, 2015 on Downpour Recordings.

Premiere: Betty Black – “Valley Low” (Champagne Brains Remix)

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Betty Black

Betty Black (a.k.a. Sylvia Black) is known for her work as the lead singer in New York City-based dark electronic band KUDU. Anyone who has seen her perform can attest that she brings charisma and smoldering intensity to each performance. In addition to her work in the band, she’s an acclaimed songwriter, writing and collaborating over the years with heavyweights such as Black Eyed Peas, Moby, William Orbit, Kelis, The Noisettes, Spank Rock, Benny Benassi and The Knocks. Hell, she can also throw down on bass too!

Ms. Black returns with her latest offering, the three-song Addicted to Life EP, and we’re thrilled to world premiere the cut “Valley Low” remixed by her KUDU bandmate Deantoni Parks. His re-rub adds a distinct new wave flavor to the synthier album version that maintains the essence of the original version.

Says Black of the remix, “Deantoni Parks is one of the most talented drummers and track makers I’ve ever known. He gets called on by industry giants such as John Cale and T Bone Burnett all of the time. After years of being away from our first band together, KUDU, we’re still making music and he’s the first person I’ll call on for a remix because he really gets it. In fact, KUDU still had an unreleased full-length album just sitting around with all this sick drumming and production/writing from both of us. And it’s really damn good.”

Betty Black’s Addicted to Life EP is out now.

Premiere: Light Year – “Smoking Causes Blindness”

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Light-Year-Smoking-Causes-Blindness

You might know Light Year — Sydney-based mixmaster Jordan Feller — from his spate of high-profile 4/4 groovers on Bang Gang (“Night/Vision,” “5GIRL5,” and “Moderation”) and techy, sinewy Come Together EP issued last year on Spectral Sound, among his many dance floor offerings.

With a musical stance that has one foot rooted in the past and the other firmly planted in the future, Feller brings his sublime old-school informed sensibility back to Exploited (the Berlin imprint released his easygoing house jam “Never Know” in 2014) with his upcoming Bell Trax EP.

We’re thrilled to world premiere “Smoking Causes Blindness” from the brilliant new release, a track that finds Feller weaving together an effortless party cut out of a pastiche of punchy beats, vintage vocal samples and an infectious melody line that won’t quit. What inspired the name of the tune is anybody’s guess. But what we can attest is that this jam is, er, smokin’ hot. Hit the play button below and feel the heat.

Light Year’s Bell Trax EP is released August 3, 2015, on Exploited.

Premiere: Dusty Kid – “Doa”

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Dusky-Kid

The student has become a teacher. About a decade ago musical upstart Dusty Kid (the nom de plume of wildly talented Italian producer Paolo Alberto Lodde) entered the electronic music scene with a treasure trove of fresh ideas. Freely exploring electro, minimal and tech-house, his productions found their way onto choice releases for esteemed labels including Southern Fried, BPitch Control and Kling Klong.

After presenting the world with 2013’s cinematic III (his brilliant techno-infused Duoteque releases with Andrea Ferlin on Boxer Recordings are also suggested listening), the Sardinian phenom is back with evocative new ear candy.

In September, Dusky Kid will release his new album, Not So Green Fields, a journey which finds him continuing on his quest to go where no other electronic music producer has gone before. In the meantime, he’s set to unveil a terrific EP, The Arsonist, and we’re thrilled to world premiere an exclusive non-LP version of “Doa” from the upcoming three-tracker.

An epic Balearic masterpiece brandishing lush acoustic guitar performed by The Heart and The Void and vocals hummed by the Kid himself, the gorgeous “Doa” is a poignant homage to his musical idol Ennio Morricone.

Where many producers pay lip service to musical innovation, Dusky Kid simply let’s his music do the talking.

Dusky Kid’s The Arsonist EP is out July 27, 2015 via Isolade. Look for his new album, Not So Green Fields, dropping September 4, 2015.