Various Artists - "Blue Cover" Series 2.1 (EP Sampler) by Freshly Squeezed (Record Label)

‘Blue Cover’ Series 2.1 marks the return of the popular Blue Cover Series as it began in 2012. The original Blue Cover Series ended after 5 years and 12 EP’s with a comprehensive collection and there was no intention of continuing it, but a few recent Freshly Squeezed releases proved to be worth reviving the concept. The intention of the Blue Cover Series is mainly to showcase new signings and one-off singles by emerging and developing artists. Atom Smith, formerly of the Californian duo The Gentleman Callers of L.A., contributed two songs from his four-track Swing-Hop EP Flashin’ Like Gatsby, while the ever-enigmatic masked DJ The Swing Bot added his surprisingly dark and heavy Swing-House song Coquette. Pisk, better known as the mastermind producer behind the Italian Electro-Swing band Swingrowers, returns after 2017’s single Minnie the Moocher with his new track It Ain’t Right, influenced equal parts by Dancehall Swing and Latin Dance rhythms. JAWN is another returning artist, who waltzed into 2018 with a defiantly tempo-shifting seductive track Obsession (By My Side), featuring Alanna Lyes from label colleagues Grinny Grandad. ‘Blue Cover’ Series 2.1 is part of the revived Blue Cover Series, with future releases planned from the likes of, K.D.S., CHARLIE BEALE, FAB SAMPERI and others so keep your eyes peeled!

Shaka FLASH CITY MiniMix by Freshly Squeezed (Record Label)

Brazilian DJ and producer collective SHAKA release their second EP ‘Flash City’ worldwide with UK based label Freshly Squeezed. Direct from the plush exotica of São Paulo on the Brazilian east coast comes this eclectic electronic offering that is hard to pigeon-hole but nevertheless reflects the colourful life beside the 21st century Atlantic Rainforest. Soulful vocals, tasty guitar licks and funky riffs share space with glitchy drum beats, fat basslines and warped synths - cut up, shuffled around and moulded back together into a brilliant and uniquely different but coherent sound. When we released their debut on Freshly Squeezed we said they were ‘ones-to-watch'. ‘Flash City’ doesn’t let us down and is, if anything, a more left-field and sonically more unique release than its predecessor. Artwork is once again by Lee Hodges, whose unique style of vividly bright colours and inspired illustrations are instantly recognisable and totally apt. SHAKA continue their gigging and party schedule in the South Americas.