Francesca Lombardo - Perseidi EP (CRM145)

Italian techno evangelist Francesca Lombardo sets up her forthcoming album on Crosstown Rebels with the 'Perseidi' EP, paired with a remix from highly revered producer Aril Brikha.

"Perseidi is named after a meteor shower called perseids" explains Francesca, 'Perseidi is the Italian name for it, wich comes from the constellation Perseus. The astral shower happens mid July till 15 August so this record is coming out at the right time'

Representative of her multi-disciplinary musical background, Francesca's music transcends the dance floor, each track providing an emotional narrative, full of wistful dreamy soundscapes, stirring melodies, deep, hypnotic rhythms and her unforgettable vocals. Featuring live instrumentalist, merging the world of electronic music with Francesca's classical upbringing, The Perseidi EP is a combination of grand and orchestral compositions, together with subtle, nuanced numbers - a healthy balance that epitomizes Francesca's sound ethic; mature, refined and powerful. Aril Brikha's remix of the title track is equally as cinematic, fusing sweeping chords with subtle beats to create an epic classic

Francesca's classical musical training started on piano at the age of 6. Her first release on Damian Lazarus' Crosstown Rebels label came in 2012, since which she has had several nominations for 'Breakthrough Artist Of The Year' and conceived a live set incorporating a group of instrumentalists, varying from a string quartet to a 40-piece symphony orchestra; collaborating to compose and conduct intricate new productions. 2015 welcomes a new phase of her career as she prepares to unveil her debut album, a body of work that will truly represent the essnce of what she is all about, forward-thinking, experimenting, well-crafted, thoughtful and, most importantly, made from the heart.

Born in Iran and raised in Sweden, Aril Brikha forged his career with one of the biggest techno records of all time, 'Groove La Chord', picked up by techno luminary Derrick May for Transmat Records. Since then he has delivered two critically-acclaimed albums and worked with acclaimed label such as Peacefrog and Poker Flat.

Tracklist:

1. Perseidi

2. Uttermost

3. Perseidi (Aril Brikha Remix)

4. Tulips On Mars

Release Date: 20/07/2015

Cat#: CRM144

Distribution: !K7 / Above Board

LINK TO THE TRACKS

Him_Self_Her - Love You Like I Used To (CRM132)

Dynamic UK duo Him_Self_Her are back on the essential Crosstown Rebels with another bumping deep house burner ‘Love You Like I Used To’ once again featuring the distinctive vocal chops of Kieran Fowkes who also appeared on previous Crosstown hit ‘Gone Too Long’ (which spent 11 weeks at the top of the Beatport chart). Featuring a tough and distorted remix from hot property Francesca Lombardo and the driving cosmic force of UK disco darlings Psychemagik on the flip, this is a house track for the peak season of al fresco hands ­in ­the­ air dancefloors.

BACKGROUND

Claire and Leon aka Him_Self_Her have been producing together since 2012 when they hit it off on amusical level during their formative time on the local house scene in Leicester. All that it took was one studio session to realise the potency of their union and their genre blending productions showcase a range of deep grooves and disco infused techno with a human heart. With their breakthrough release ‘Gone Too Long’ sparking the attention of none other than Pete Tong, he promptly made it his Essential New Tune and support followed from heavyweight DJs such as Jamie Jones. Next releases came on Elite Records and OFF Recordings.

The classically trained, multi­ talented Francesca Lombardo is one of the most successful artists of this era on Crosstown Rebels and with several shimmering releases for the label including ‘What To Do’ and the ‘Changes EP’, Francesca has amassed a sizable global following, entranced by her live instrumentation and vocal performances alongside the Rebels at events such as Get Lost and Day Zero, as well as the worlds dance music meccas DC10, fabric and Panorama Bar.

Undoubtedly two of the biggest stars of 2012, Danny McLewin and Tom Coveney aka Psychemagik are partly known for their prolific output of remixes but first appeared on Crosstown Rebels with a killer original release ‘Black Noir Schwarz’back in March. Avid vinyl collectors and masters of the re-­edit, the duo has released an impressive array of highly acclaimed releases as well as highly­lauded compilations, such as the self­released ‘Diabolical Synthetic Fantasia’ and last years superb ‘Magik Sunrise’.

• Label: Crosstown Rebels
• Cat no: CRM132
• Web: www.crosstownrebels.com
• Distribution: !K7 / Above Board
• Released: Mon Sep 22nd, 2014

LINK TO THE TRACKS

Francesca Lombardo - What To Do (CRM115)

Fast-­rising Rebel queen Francesca Lombardo is back on Crosstown with her seductive new single ‘What To Do’ featuring remixes from Infinity Ink, Matrixxman and a Luca Cazal Dub. Showcasing Francesca’s undeniable raw talent and pure, fluid vocal flair, ‘What To Do’ is another example of the producer’s sublime song composition in an electronic framework. The sultry mood evoked by Francesca’s voice wraps around the infectious melody as spooky ethereal tones rise and fall with the subtly driving groove. Infinity Ink strip down the elements with mechanical precision, injecting some darker bass and a more solid kick. Matrixxman revels in the twilight zone and delivers an alternative trippy tapestry of jagged synth stabs and melodic bleeps with only waves of the vocal. Luca Cazal’s Dub is a perfect late night builder with added sonic textures.


Francesca Lombardo has rapidly become one exceptionally in­demand lady on the scene. Fully inaugurated into the Rebels camp, the Italian London based DJ/producer and classically trained vocalist released her first two highly acclaimed ‘Changes’ and ‘Eyes Of Nature’ EPs on Crosstown Rebels and is gearing up for a debut album release on the label next year plus a much coveted appearance on the Rebel Heart stage at Burning Man 2013. Francesca also recently debuted in the Boiler Room with a magical live set, coming soon.

 Infinity Ink is London/Ibiza based duo Ali Love and Luca C (the latter of which delivers the dub for this package). Infinity Ink have been taking over dancefloors and the air waves under various guises, delivering last year’s summer anthem ‘Infinity’ on Crosstown Rebels and also ‘Benediction’ and‘Reverse Skydiving’ as part of super house group Hot Natured.

Charles McCloud Duff aka Matrixxman is purportedly a man trapped in a realm of unending 3D avatars roaming lost amongst dystopian digital wastelands. Matrixxman´s debut EP ‘The XX Files’ received critical acclaim from Pitchfork, The Fader, Spin and Fact Magazine while garnering support from the likes of Damian Lazarus, Jeff Mills, Josh Wink, Boris of Ostgut Ton, Trevino and Dubfire. His own imprint Soo Wavey is a purveyor of brutally futuristic interpretations of classic WBMX era Chicago house and Detroit techno.

• Label: Crosstown Rebels
• Cat no: CRM115
• Web: www.crosstownrebels.com
• Distribution: Above Board
• Released: Mon Sep 23rd, 2013

Tracklist:

1. What To Do

2. What To Do (Infinity Ink Remix)

3. What To Do (Matrixxman Remix)

4. What To Do (Luca Cazal Dub)

LINK TO THE TRACKS

Francesca Lombardo - Eyes Of Nature (RBL012)

After her incredible ‘Changes EP’ on Crosstown Rebels earlier this year, new lady of house Francesca Lombardo continues to impress this time through the Rebellion arm of the enterprise with her ‘Eyes of Nature EP’.

´Eyes´ is first up and opens with a slick percussive grove characterised by lots of organic elements coalescing to paint a mesmerising, ritualistic picture. Bells, shakers and cymbals rattle and echo while deep haunting synths climb and fall to create a real sense of drama. Francesca utilises her vocal training to devastating effect intermittently throughout the track, panning her own heavily FX´d vocals across the mix adding further to the suspense.

On the flip vocal stabs and a tabla drum riff set the tone on ´Wander and Wonder´, before an infectious woodblock melody signals the arrival of a huge baseline taking this one straight to the dance-floor. The full potential of the track is released with the introduction of Julien Riachi´s hypnotic vocals, which are sure to prompt a few ´hands in the air´ moments. Exquisite production skills see that the track continuously evolves sonically and elementally, whilst Lombardo´s classically trained ear ensures that the vast array of musical elements on display make perfect sense.

We wait in excitement for the forthcoming album to be released next year on Crosstown Rebels.

Label: RebelLION

Cat no: RBL012

Web: www.crosstownrebels.com

Distribution: Above Board

Released: Mon Nov 5th, 2012

LINK TO THE TRACKS

Walker & Royce - You're Not Welcome (CRM096)

Currently bubbling under the surface of Brookyln’s house scene, Walker & Royce are about to break through with their addictive debut single ‘You’re Not Welcome’ on the mighty Crosstown Rebels imprint.

Geared directly at the floor, ‘You’re Not Welcome’ is a bona fide bomb representing the nu breed of talent coming out of NY. Mood-driven and fizzing with hot synths, a deeply infectious vocal and hooky bassine, it’s a summer anthem with a menacing edge, likely to spread like wild fire.

The second original track ‘Stare If You Want To’ is another essential party cut. Kicking off with a powerful rhythm and shards of disco, the track is soon enveloped by the rolling, drum-led groove as the old school U.S vocal line is fused with 80s synths and funky guitar licks.

On the B-side remix, Francesca Lombardo takes ‘You’re Not Welcome’ on a deeper trip instilling restraint and delicate rhythms with smokey bass whilst retaining the solid groove of the original. A new signing to Crosstown Rebels, the Hackney based Italian singer and musician has a debut EP coming to CR in July and an album forthcoming next year.

Part of the Nervous Records NY crew Walker & Royce aka Sam Walker and Gavin Royce having been packing a serious punch with an array of scorching remixes for artists such as 33hz, Publicist, Saarid, and SPF 5000, as well as a string of club-ready originals. Like a scene out of Mad Men, Sam and Gavin realised their potential music chemistry while sipping brandy in the offices of Nervous Records. Next thing they knew, they were in the studio together banging out tracks that you can now hear thumping through speakers all over the world. 2012 is set to be a breakthrough year for Sam and Gavin with this massive release and more material ready to drop on OFF Recordings and Pets Recordings.

Label: Crosstown Rebels

Cat no: CRM096

Web: www.crosstownrebels.com

Distribution: Above Board Distribution

Released: Mon Jun 11th, 2012

LINK TO THE TRACKS