Jamie Jones (Feat. Art Department) - Our Time In Liberty (CRM094)

With the wait almost over for Jamie Jones’ second artist album ‘Tracks From The Crypt’ Crosstown Rebels get set to drop the absolutely massive single ‘Our Time In Liberty’ featuring cult dance outfit Art Department. A bassline symphony for the senses, this elusive slayer of dancefloors is finally getting a release alongside a heavy-duty remix from comrade Russ Yallop.

Jamie Jones has had a monumental impact on the underground house scene for this generation and out in June ‘Tracks From The Crypt’ - a collection of tracks that Jamie has created over the past few years – will epitomise the producers’ influential sound and include highly-anticipated unreleased tracks such as ‘Paradise’ and ‘Frequencies’. Now Jamie Jones is synonymous with Hot Creations, the label he started in 2010 with Lee Foss and currently one of the biggest underground labels in the world, but this release signifies a return to the artist sound that brought Jamie Jones to superstar status as a DJ and innovator.

The original ‘Our Time In Liberty’ is already a huge record without even seeing an official release, amassing thousands of views on youtube and carrying the full force of that old school Jamie Jones bassline hook on a progressive twisted trip. The ever haunting, distinctive vocals of Kenny Glasgow and the synth stabs and bass hydraulics combined, make ‘Our Time In Liberty’ a sheer sonic force to be reckoned with.

Vocalist Kenny Glasgow and No.19 boss Jonny White aka Art Department had a meteoric rise in 2011 when they unleashed ‘Without You’ – one of the biggest bombs hit the underground that year followed by killer debut LP ‘The Drawing Board’ on Crosstown Rebels. One of the Toronto scene’s finest exports, Art Department have created a sound that is burned on the collective memory.

Next up on the release, another member of the nu-school brigade Russ Yallop makes a welcome return to the mothership Crosstown, delivering a tougher, more upfront remix with heavy bass punching through the warped melody - soaring synths, sinister FX and a UK underground vibe.

Label: Crosstown Rebels

Cat no: CRM094

Web: www.crosstownrebels.com

Distribution: Above Board Distribution

Released: Mon Apr 30th, 2012

LINK TO THE TRACK

Francesca Lombardo Debut EP

London-based, Italian-born Francesca Lombardo will release her 4 track debut ep fro Crosstown this Spring; heaving switched from an upbringing of classical music to electronic, Francesca, who is also a trained opera singer, has created a pure sound in her studio that blends all her qualities into anthemic future classics. Come see her make her debut at Get Lost in Miami and/or check out here for the first time, her superb new dj mix on our Soundcloud page

The London based DJ, Vocal Techniques graduate and accomplished pianist first surfaced under the Jackie Misfit guise. With this alias, she DJed at various underground parties plus clubs like Brixton Academy and The Drom in the English capital,... but also released on labels like Lokomotiv Recordings and started her own imprint, Echolette Records. It was a quick success story, with remixes from the likes of Hector picking up keen support from tastemakers including Marco Carola, Radio Slave and Loco Dice.

Now, though, having also made waves as vocalist and keyboard player with Def by Disco (who toured and had residencies around the UK) this unique electronic sculptress is working under her given name, Francesca Lombardo.So far she has spun alongside titans like Sven Vath, Agoria and Tobi Neumann at places like Klubbers Festival, Madrid, and Danzoo for Space of Sound, always joining the dots between house and techno.

Production wise for this genuinely musical talent it’s all about feeling, and it has been since growing up around her father’s vast collection of instruments as a child. “My style is colourful,” she says. “I like to write a track depending on how I feel. My tracks usually follow a concept.”

Said music is inspired by a lifetime of listening to Depeche Mode, Aphex Twin, Plastikman and more recent sounds like those offered by Ghostly International and Traum. But also by playing piano at Conservatorium of Music for Classical piano and singing opera from a young age. “Despite this, I was always attracted to electronic music and machines” she remembers. “I could never really cope with classical.”

With all these skills and musical experiences available to draw on, the future looks bright for Francesca Lombardo - an upcoming EP on leading contemporary label, Crosstown Rebels is only testament to that, as is the fact she has been signed to the much lauded Rebel Agency alongside the likes of scene darlings Jamie Jones, Maceo Plex and Art Department.

Maceo Plex - Frisky (CRM093)

Just in time to join in another Miami attack by the Rebels crew, Maceo Plex delivers two prime cuts, showcasing his undeniable gift for seductive grooves. Aptly named ‘Frisky’, Maceo is clearly gearing up for the party/mating season with this next installment on Crosstown Rebels.

Title track ‘Frisky’ has all the flair of a Maceo floor burner, destined to warm bodies as the night draws in and set the mood for fun and friskiness. With a sprinkling of classic Maceo dust over the mid-tempo chugging groove, the bassline rumbles below that well renowned funk and there’s no doubt Maceo’s reign over slinky hypnotic house is set to continue.

Continuing in the smokey house vein but lifting the tempo for the later crowd, ‘Sex Appeal’ is another ode to the fairer members of the species and injects a little romance into the more bumping slice of Maceo gold on offer here. A dose of acid and a breakdown and slow build of shooting synths until the melodic bassline drop is sure to raise the roof (terrace).

There’s no question that Eric Estonel aka Maceo Plex is one of the most in-demand figures in dance music. Finding a balance between a hectic touring and production schedule Eric hides out at his tranquil base in Valencia, Spain but when it comes to the business – Maceo just keeps bringing it and his bag of soul-filled grooves to the party –notching up fans across the board, from BBC Radio 1 DJs to DC10 revelers. As well as keeping up the success of his flourishing Ellum Audio imprint, a highly anticipated second artist album is due out on Crosstown Rebels in the autumn.

Label: Crosstown Rebels

Cat no: CRM093

Web: www.crosstownrebels.com

Distribution: Above Board Distribution

Released: Mon Apr 9th, 2012

LINK TO THE TRACKS