2016

MONEY $EX continue to mine a rich seam of new wave sample House talent from Germany's creative heart... KICKFLIP MIKE steps up for their fifth outing, working through a crate full of dusty samples and pushing through an MPC haunted by the ghost of Madlib, as pitch-bent melodies bounce off the heavily swung beat work.As always, Hip Hop provides a sturdy foundation for this House, but make no mistake, we're living very much in the future.

It's been nearly three years since Letherette announced their arrival with a widely acclaimed debut album on Ninja Tune. Here, they return to Coldcut's legendary stable for the first time since. The duo begins in confident fashion, delivering a hazy, jazzy take on dusty deep house ("Rayon"), before going deeper into UK deep house/classic US house fusion with the similarly wavy and quietly positive "Look No More". They're often at their best when including post-dubstep production techniques within their garage-influenced deep house tracks, and that's exactly what's delivered on "Without You". Best of all, though, is toasty, floor-friendly closer "Don't Think About Me", which layers soulful vocal samples, twinkly samples and fluttering chords atop a deliciously warm groove.

"Legwork 5 comes from Berlin-based bad boy Kenneth Scott. Tonight is a slow building affair with a heavy bass line that weaves it's way into your consciousness before opening up for all-out psychological warfare. On the flip the Legwork guys speed up the tempo and add steady drum work to give the main loop it's just deserts."

The Organ Grinder mints his new record label with a bulked up reissue of a gem from his back catalogue that will make DJs - and dancers - very happy. Far from throwaway, this is music rooted in the '90s US garage sound of Kerri Chandler, Masters at Work and early Todd Edwards, with the intensity of true deep house and the light rhythmic touch of UKG. 'Obsession' originally came out almost 5 years ago, but there's simplicity in its skittering rhythm and a mantra of rising minor-note synth hits that keep it burning into the dancefloor. 'X Rated' hits like its inverted counterpart, with a more heavily weighted drum groove and garage stabs that spiral down your spine. 'Physicality' opens the EP with cunningly-sampled soul music, sung notes of passion belted out over a tense background of keys and Rhodes chords, weaving an atmosphere that only comes out of expertly woven harmony.

After starting as a digital label, Chicago based Groove Access Music makes its vinyl debut! Groove Access has multiple releases by label owner and Chicago's own, Ed Nine, and is set to expand with more Chicago artists and others outside of the city. The label's focus is simple; to represent a music culture that just feels right & brings positive dance floor vibes. The debut 12"release "Timeless" also comes from Ed Nine. Ed creates his own unique flavor with each track while simultaneously paying tribute to his city and its diverse house sound. Join in on the journey from deep to acid house and celebrate Chicago's timeless house sound!

"A side brings Rudman's finest house sounds , for this heavy dancefloor produced track, but in the same time moody and balearic , with a strong synth bassline that easely took control of the vibe and transformed it to a strong dance effect. For the B - side Imogen meets NuNorthern Soul artist Dos Palos , with a slower tempo track , with Ilija Rudman's instrumental stripped down mix of the Lady Of The West Way . This remix sounds and could easily be integrated in any motion picture end having that powerful vibe of goodbye ."

When you’ve been in an industry for over 20 years, adaptation and evolution are key functions in any field. If you’re Kevin Hansford aka K-Def, you’ve seen good, you’ve seen bad, you’ve seen change and on occasion, you’ve seen history repeat itself. For some artists, staying true and being innovative can be a fine line and a struggle. On one hand, a reputation is built from birth creating a connection that should always be maintained. On the other hand, growth or lack of growth will occur whether change is embraced. A producer like K-Def would not still exist today in 2016 without being aware of those survival tactics. In a society dictated by technology, it’s hard to imagine the world as we know it without the devices and digital platforms we entertain unconsciously.As he continues to push himself, more recently K was inspired to track down all of his original 90’s gear and works dating prior to his software transition after a recent resurgence of old machines from the younger generation. That meant pulling out 2 full trash bags of floppy disks, revitalizing his old MPC 3000 to new condition, dusting off rack sampler modules and hunting down his MPC 60ii which was the first machine he used debuting in 1993 under Marley Marl. Going through that process brings us K-def’s new album, The Way It Was. The title sums it up. Instead talking about dues he paid and the roots of his skill set, The Way it Was is a living demonstration for younger listeners who grew up after the 90’s and his core fans who remember the days of his Lords of the Underground, Real Live, Mic Geronimo and World Renown productions like yesterday. Though mostly instrumental, frequent collaborator Blu appears on 3 tracks. Blu was inspired to record the socially aware, “The Boys” and the lively “Strawberry Lemonade” (featuring Damu the Fudgemunk and newcomer Kunal) after hearing K-Def’s original demo cassettes. At 11 tracks, “The Way It Was” is a must have for 90’s fans. It IS exactly “what it was”.• A collection of rarities & unheard tracks from the vaults + a handful of new, vocal collaborations• Includes vintage instrumentals from the 90s, some that were used for singles by Lords Of The Underground, Tragedy, & Mic Geronimo & Others + many beats that were never released• Includes vocal collaborations with Blu, Damu The Fudgemunk & Others • One of two K-Def albums released on the same day. Each album is available on vinyl individually, or on a CD together• Sea Blue Vinyl

In a genre where the most pivotal and defining moments occurred over 2 decades ago according to popular to consensus, few artists have managed to consistently achieve excellence and visibly contribute from the early 90’s to present day 2000’s. With regime changes, trend cycles, and technological advancements, producer K-Def is in a class of “rare breed” artists that pridefully embody the title veteran. So much can be said about what he has accomplished throughout his 20 plus year career, but specifically in 2015, K’s output and quality have stayed atop the conversation. Building a foundation at Redefinition Records, who adopted the catchphrase “Quality Over Quantity”, is not a question of how much, but rather how good. For the label, K-Def is an exception. His latest offering entitled “The Unpredictable Gemini” (1 of 2 new albums released simultaneously), is a fully instrumental opus into the mind and soul of one of hip hop’s greatest producers. The Unpredictable Gemini showcases his evolving style and genre pioneering tricks and techniques he continues to refine through the use of his unique production tools. Keeping this project very close to heart and classified from the public over the last 3 years, K meticulously produced, composed, arranged, mixed and mastered well over 100 tracks before making executive decisions on this album he wants the world to hear. Speaking on the album, K-Def made the following statement: “I want you to know that the sounds on this album display some of my true inner feelings about music & life. With the advancement of technology and my knowledge of using all kinds of recording equipment dating back to the late 80’s, I present to you the unpredictable Gemini.