UPFRONTBEATS

Germany’s Ninetoes is back for his third EP in three years on Moon Harbour, and once again proves why he is one of the most essential talents in tech house. Label boss Matthias Tanzmann plus Harvard Bass also step up to remix one track each.

Releasing on Kling Klong and Play It Down, the man born Özgür Yelmen has achieved plenty since emerging in 2013. As well as putting out the likes of ‘Finder’, which went on to become one of the most Shazamed tracks in Ibiza, his hip hop influenced sound last year gave rise to the Bonita EP on this label. Played far and wide by taste making headline DJs, this latest offering is another subtle evolution of his sound.

It is the dry and stripped back ‘Be’ that opens the EP in fluid and infectious style. Weaving together hurried drums, intricate percussion and fluttering snares, the track is restless and super groovy and one to get you into a state of hypnosis.

Matthias Tanzmann steps up to remix and makes the drums bigger and more airy, with rolling snares and watery sounds percolating up through the mix. It’s pure dancing music that has an irresistible tech-funk to it.

Ninetoes’s second cut is ‘Stand Up’, another paired down and warm track with soft drums and shakers. It’s atmospheric and heady for more cosy and late-night dance floors, with a heated chord progression dancing up top to bring colour and energy to the groove.

Mexican-American bad-boy Victor ‘Harvard Bass’ mixes up the raw appeal of American booty with the style and function of European beats. He flips the track into something with splashes of cymbals and vocal stabs that amp up the energy levels. Filled with tension and pressure that never releases, it’s a fresh way to round out a varied EP of forward thinking house music.

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