UPFRONTBEATS

The mighty Loco Dice starts a new mini-chapter in the history of his Desolat label with 11 track compilation album Serán Bendecidos.

Literally translated as ‘will be blessed’, Serán Bendecidos, ‘brings a message of unity and freedom’ and gathers artists that include Dice’s companions from the past and the present, international guests as well as new and exciting talents. Serán Bendecidos is founded on a desire to connect the Dice’s worldwide musical family, and will include events around the world, lunching with a US tour which kicks off in Detroit on the day of release.

It is the boss himself who kicks things off with the brilliant ‘2Thousand3’, a tribal house cut with bristling drums and rolling percussive energy. Spanish hit maker Cuartero then offers ‘Attention’, a deep space electronic house track with swirling, nebulous pads and slick drum work, and after a storming Desolat debut earlier this year, UK artist wAFF returns with ‘Dripping’, a big, raw and barreling cut with digital sound design and freaky vocal stabs.

Andrea Oliva turbocharges things with his giant kick drums and pinging cowbells on ‘Bases,’ and Francisco Allendes’s ‘A Game of You’ is a ducking and diving house number with well swung kicks and subtle synths. Long time label associate Yaga lands a rolling and direct jam called ‘Evolver’. The pressing toms and the rolling low-end bassline push the track to the heat while the syncopated hi-hat adds even more tension.

Dutchman William Djoko, who featured on the last Loco Dice album, offers ‘Tell Me How You Like It,’ which in his words is ‘an open invitation to have a fun and freaky night with no strings attached’, all embodied in a punchy, stripped back house track. Next is Belgian artist Mandana, a debutant who makes a big splash with a track that stems from a live jam. ‘Conflict’ is rhythmically inventive and effective dub house that insists you move.

After that is Puerto Rico’s Caleb Calloway with ‘Rollin Pin,’ which he ‘wanted to be played at the peak of the party’. It features his own Spanish vocal and rolling acid basslines, big dirty kicks and strident 303 drums. Cuky’s ‘Born Dancing’ brings more blasted bass and sleazy feelings all wrapped up in a perfect package. Finally, we have Guti, another producer who has long been associated with the label and here rounds things out with ‘Amanda 101’, a track that will blow up the floor with its urgent hi hats, muffled party vocals and rugged bass.

This is an essential collection of house and techno from some of the day’s finest talents, all compiled by the ever on point Loco Dice.

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