#sleight of hands

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[8dpromo]

Animal Friend - Stokin (Green Gorilla Lounge)

8DPromo · Animal Friend - Stokin (Green Gorilla Lounge)

Animal Friend's "Stokin" takes on new dimensions in the hands of San Francisco production duo Sleight of Hands, who transform the original's indie-disco framework into something altogether more expansive. This remix package, released via Green Gorilla Lounge, showcases the source material's strength and the remixers' deft touch at reconstruction. The Sleight of Hands remix maintains Kazuko Anne Kimura's haunting vocals while building new sound architectures beneath. The duo's production style shines through in the careful layering of breaks and house rhythms, creating dance floor momentum without sacrificing the original's psychedelic undertones. What's particularly striking is how the remix honors Animal Friend's evolution from an 80s-inspired rock outfit to electronic innovators. The original mix, included in the package, provides context for this transformation and highlights how Kimura and Jasper Speicher have developed their distinctive voices in San Francisco's electronic music landscape.

Jon Wesley (Insomniac) – “I love the Slight of Hands remix. It reminds me of Plastic Dreams a bit. Love the vocal too. Great San Francisco-style house.” Juan Moreno (Neo Ouija) – “Nice. Perfect track for the night.” Luis Machuca (Friskybeat Records) – “New funky wave vibes.” Ket Shah (Mucho Soul) – “The Original Mix is a Strong Dancefloor tool.” DJ Morpheus (Lysergic Factory Radio Show) – “Excellent track and remix by Sleight of Hands! I dig it very much.” Simon Kirk (Proton Radio) – “This is pure class. Stokin original mix is my fav, the punk influenced vocal against that backdrop of bass, keys and swirling pads! 10/10.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Traxsource, Apple Music, And Spotify.

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[8dpromo]

Sleight of Hands - Lipstick Shades (Green Gorilla Lounge)

8DPromo · Sleight of Hands - Lipstick Shades (Green Gorilla Lounge)

The Green Gorilla Lounge crew have been big movers and shakers on the San Francisco underground scene since the mid-'90s and Sleight Of Hands is the label's flagship combo. This collaboration between collaboration between DJ M3 and Phil Collis is responsible for singles on Smoke N' Mirrors, remixes for Om Records, and consistently working crowds on the club and festival circuit. Now Sleight Of Hands come at dancefloors with a potent collection of tracks from their Lipstick series. Behold: Lipstick Shades! This beauty batch of beats is 10 cuts strong and explores a range of influences, from jungles of Tulum to old school electro to synthwave for late night drives, The vintage-meets-the-new vibe of "Yucatech" is pure nightclub bliss, as are the sleazy midtempo handclap strut of "Arpwave" and the ecstatic Chicago House homage "Are You With Me." Sleight Of Hands are also ready to deliver more pensive sounds, such as the dreamy techno of "Lone Driver" and the dubbed-out Balearic House Remix of "Thankful." Championed around the scene, heard round the block, now's the time to grab some shade.

Tyler Stadius (Deepen) – “So good! Every track stands out. Can’t wait to get playing these.” Magnus Asberg (On The House Records) – “Yes yes! Full support on this.” Spaceotter (SCOHM) – “Hey Hey has extraordinary levels of vibe.” Brian Busto (Serious Soul) – “For me, it’s one of the best releases of the year. Excellent work!” Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Show) – “Awesome selection here – I can see featuring all of these in my sets.” Leri Ahel (Mutant Disco Radio Show) – “Some brilliant tracks here. Already played on my show!”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.

[8dpromo]

Sleight of Hands - Neon Dreams EP (Green Gorilla Lounge)

Sleight of Hands – comprised of San Francisco rave stalwarts Manny Alferez (DJ M3) and Phil Collis (Bachelors of Science) – have delivered the Neon Dreams EP, featuring six deftly produced cuts ranging from mid-tempo electronic funk to silky deep house to prime time club stompers. Previously responsible for singles on Smoke N' Mirrors, remixes for the likes of Groove Armada and Dirty Vegas, and top tracks for their own Green Gorilla Lounge imprint, the duo has been consistently working crowds on the club and festival circuit. The Neon Dreams EP cements their reputation as a rising act on the global electronic music scene. The release features female vocals are the forefront, with the sexy, slowed-down groove of “Thankful,” the emotional ride of “Not In Love” with the vocals of Jesse Rennix, and Octavio Genera's gorgeous interpretation of “How Long.” The Neon Dreams EP also nods its hat to Sleight of Hands’ clubbier inclinations, presenting the after-hours deep house of “Hypnotize,” “Walking Alone” with its peak time build-ups, and the shimmering dance floor magnet “Last Disco In The Attic.” Sleight of Hands’ acute sense of funk binds all six tracks, making for a compellingly diverse yet unified EP.

Severino (HorseMeatDisco) – “Oh Wow Yes!” Chris Todd (Crazy P) – “Wicked EP. Cuts through the deluge of mediocre promos like a hot knife through butter!” Flash Atkins (Paper Recordings) – “This is great. Super fresh and orginal. Top marks for all tracks!” Amrisha Prashar (IAMRISHA) – “Love it!” Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “Epic Ep. Thanks for sending!” Tronik Youth (Nein Records) – “Great EP.” Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “Seriously groovy selection!” Quincy Jointz (Timewarp Music Radio Show) – “Very nice modern pop music.” Dr. Best (Radio Z) – “Thankful feat. Jesse Rennix is a bomb! Big tune.” SimonG (Volcano Radio) – “Dang, Walking All Alone develops into a skanky jam. I’ll be looking forward to testing it on the big rigs.”

Available Now From Beatport, Traxsource, Apple Music, And Spotify.

[8dpromo]

NRVS LVRS - City Lights Remixes (Green Gorilla Lounge)

Green Gorilla Lounge returns to the fray with a top tier set of remixes of "City Lights", a cool song by acclaimed San Francisco-based indie band NRVS LVRS. "City Lights" was the first single off The Golden West, NRVS LVRS's debut album released earlier this year. The powers-that-be at Green Gorilla headquarters fell in love with the song and quickly envisioned a plan for more dance floor-oriented interpretations. Fellow conspirators Sleight of Hands, Pezzner, Tone of Arc, and the duo of Lucas Hulan & Petr Braun were enlisted, and this outstanding release is the result.

GGL's in-house heroes Sleight of Hands – made up of DJ M3 and Phil Collis – provide the first version, which is filled with big stomping beats and dirty bass lines and utilizes the original's vocal in a particularly moody manner. This one's a late night monster. Seattle's Pezzner (Freerange, Systematic) is up next, and his remix will certainly satisfy all the Pezz-heads out there. Pezzner's main mix and dub both feature the creative rhythmic high jinks and clearly produced sonics that this masterful tunesmith is known for. Tone of Arc, a quickly rising project formed by Derrick Boyd AKA Dead Seal, delivers a cinematic treatment peppered with distinctive sound design moments and cavernous percussion blasts over its entrancing deep house foundation. Czech producers Lucas Hulan & Petr Braun (Nightphunk Recordings) then close things out with a shimmering rework that samples and manipulates the vocal while it provides spaced-out aural scenery for the dance floor.

Laurent Garnier - "Pezzner's mixes for sure." Phonogenic (Moodmusic / Turbo) - "I'm really digging this. The Sleight of Hands remix is serious business." Larry Tee - "Pezzner's remixes are lovely." Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - "The Sleigh of Hands remix … sexy!" Tensnake - "Very nice Pezzner remixes." Chris Fortier (Fade) - "Some great remixes here." Lars Behrenroth (Deeper Shades of House) - "I'm loving the Pezzner remixes!" Shahrokh Dini (Shahrokh Sound of K / Compost) - "Nice release … the Sleight of Hands remix is good." Jamie Kidd (BYC Music / Box of Kittens) - "Sleight of Hands and Tone of Arc mixes get the vibe … right on!" Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) - "Great stuff here … all killer, no filler." Tyler Stadius (Deepsite / Dialtone Records) - "The Pezzner remixes slay! Super addictive poppy concoctions." Anthony Mansfield (Roam Recordings / Hector Works) - "Nice package. The Sleight of Hands mix has the swagger." Strictly Underground Music (music blog) - "We can't stop playing the Sleight of Hands remix … great tune, beautifully produced, super grooving sound. Gotta love those claps!" Manel Sanmartin (Cambrils DEEP) - "Wow … awesome release! The singer has a very sensual voice." KP London (FEEL Radio Show) - "The Lucas Hulan & Petr Braun remix is just what the people need … well done!" Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) - "Fantastic! What a package we have here. Pezzner comes out on top for me with those rich, deep grooves but all of these mixes will be used with pleasure."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.

[8dpromo]

Blue Soul - Deeper Inside (Roam Recordings)

Scott Boutin aka Blue Soul returns to San Francisco's Roam Recordings with a diverse EP that shows his talent for creating timeless dance music. Great beats, stylish synths, and dreamy soundscapes adorn this release throughout. The title track, "Deeper Inside", is a banging blend of acid and dub elements combined in a way that takes two classic styles and refreshingly makes them new again. "The Wiggle" follows as a sweet, summery downtempo track with whimsical melodies making up a jingle-like feel that could be used to sell you just about anything under the sun. Breakbeat drums cut through and the bass delivers a dynamic funk feel. "1980 Something" is an unassumingly euphoric acid tune with a nod to the sounds of '80s electro, combined in a classic way that would not sound out of place as an underground anthem to some of the more tasteful festivals taking over the music landscape these days. As a special bonus, the Sleight of Hands duo of Phil Collis and DJ M3 bring their different backgrounds to the foreground on this release with their remix of "Deeper Inside." Classical elements provide drama while UK bass breakdowns give it a dance floor edge while space age synth explorations reveal something more rave ready. An exceptional release with many distinct flavors … and fortunately for wax lovers, Roam Recordings will also be issuing this one on 12" vinyl.

Hollis P Monroe - "There is so much to like about these originals … unique and well-done. Great release." Vanilla Ace - "Cool sounds all round here." Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / Mega Jawns) - "A really nice warm stash of tunes here … I'm liking all of them." Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) - "The title track is cool but I think '1980 Something' is my favorite. Blame the 303." ALTZ (Altzmusica / DFA) - "I love this deep acid sh%t!" ROBOT84 (Paper Recordings) - "Brilliant release. Some quality tunes on here. The Sleight of Hands remix is the cut for me, but '1980 Something' is pretty special." Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - "Some pretty fun tracks here." Belabouche (Midnight Riot / DiscoDat) - "Wicked stuff!" Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "Great EP … Sleight Of Hands drop a wicked remix, while the originals are class, '1980 Something' in particular. Top!" Tyler Stadius (Deepsite / Dialtone Records) - "I love 'Deeper Inside' … I will play this out right away." Scheibosan (Shanti Roots) - "I'm liking 'The Wiggle' … good groove." Tariq Ziyad (New Urban ERA music blog) - "'Deeper Inside' is a slice of techy breaks magic … in fact, every track on this EP is sheer class." Galen (Pacificsound / Dirtybird) - "Blue Soul rules! Quality goodness every time."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.

[8dpromo]

Sleight Of Hands - Valhalla / Huh! (Green Gorilla Lounge)

The Green Gorilla Lounge crew have been big movers and shakers on the San Francisco underground scene since the mid-'90s. The label born from these bay area party hustlers is now relaunching after a five year hiatus. The occasion is met by Sleight Of Hands, the rising collaboration between DJ M3 and Phil Collis. Already responsible for a prominent single on Smoke N' Mirrors, remixes for Om Records, and much more, the duo have been consistently working crowds on the club and festival circuit. It comes as no surprise that their new single for GGL has been heavily road tested as well as 'playa approved' at gigs like the Disco Knights camp at Burning Man.

Sleight Of Hands' "Valhalla" and "Huh!" are just the type of bass-y, deep house, acid fusion cuts perfect for the diverse and open-minded west coast party goers. Both tracks are playfully twisted, constantly evolving to never end up at the same place they began. "Valhalla" is a post-apocalyptic stormer. Intermingling acid currents wind their way through heavy metallic chords, punchy bass, and reverberating chants. A constant ping lets listeners know not all is lost, even amongst the swirl of alarming sounds. "Huh!" is a lighter piece, but it keeps much of the same energy, this time diffused with bold fun. Constant wavy organ stabs in a call-and-response with more determined rhythmic variations start the track off innocently enough. Soon a breakdown introduces a rumbling, sub-dependent bass groove on overdrive and, eventually, guttural acid lines. Familiar but sparingly used diva vocals lend just the right amount of attitude to the track.

Sleight Of Hands deliver a decidedly proper welcome back for the Green Gorilla Lounge label.

Nick Warren - "This is mega! I love it." Pezzner - "It's party time!" Gavin Hardkiss (Hawke) - "Dopeness." Thee Cool Cats (Get Physical / Nurvous) - "Nice one … 'Valhalla' is hot." Randall Jones (Audio Therapy / Baroque) - "These tracks are dope! I like both … I'm gonna put them in rotation on this current Asia tour." Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - "This is pretty hot." Vanilla Ace - "'Huh!' is dope." Inland Knights - "'Huh!' is in the box for sure." Distant People (Foliage / Seamless) - "A smooth and funky bump here … I like the tension and build up." Tee Cardaci (Low Down Grooves / Sine Qua Non) - "Having spent many a night under the disco ball at Green Gorilla parties, I'm glad to see the label is back. Great release!" DJ Craig C (Peace Bisquit / Pound Boys) - "Hot sh&t! I love how different this is. Both tracks are gonna get played … I mean, rocked!" Al Bradley (3am Recordings / Fabric) - "Wicked bassy grooves here, particularly on 'Valhalla' … awesome and powerful stuff." Mark Mac (The Sounds Collective) - "It's like being back in Golden and Kinetic Acid House … Terry Farley would love this tune." Black Mighty Wax (Irma Records) - "'Valhalla' is already an anthem for my future sets. Massive!"

Available now from Beatport.