UPFRONTBEATS

Raw District is Massimo DaCosta and Vernon Bara, a Belgian duo now making their debut on Moon Harbour with two fine original tracks and a remix by Italian Davide Squillace, who has a long and storied history of DJing and producing with label boss Matthias Tanzmann.

Raw District have been building momentum for the last couple of years with releases on Crosstown Rebels and Defected, and now come into their own on Moon Harbour. The pair who also run Homecoming Music previously released under a different name, but this new project focuses on darker club sounds that are truly compelling.

‘Underrated’ features disco soul vocalist Forrest, who delivers some attitude riddled rhymes in libidinous fashion as hypnotic synth stabs and rolling rubber drums drive on below. It is the sort of essential groove that will make whole ‘floors march as one and is perfectly steamy and emotive.

David Squillace is known for his essential extended DJ sets at Circo Loco as well as current AV project Blender, plus his collaborative project Better Lost Than Stupid with Martin Buttrich and Matthias Tanzmann. His remix breaks up the beats into a more tumultuous and shadowy groove that is weird and freaky, with whispered vocals sounding all paranoid. Prying bass sucks you in and clever filters make it a dynamic and ever evolving affair that never lets up.

Raw District then come correct with the invitingly jittery ‘Their Eyes’, a smooth, deep rolling groove that evolves through a number of subtle peaks and troughs. Tumbling toms and sweeping filters bring the sort of drama that dancers love, and when it kicks again you can almost hear their whoops of joy.

This is a fresh sound from Moon Harbour and a fine debut on the label from Raw District.

• FB: facebook.com/rawdistrict
• Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/rawdistrict
• Beatport: beatport.com/artist/raw-district