Various Artists – Deep Tech Lockdown Sessions, Vol. 1 [DTLA]

LA’s leading underground house imprint, Deep Tech Los Angeles (DTLA) has devised a new concept for its latest compilation titled ‘Deep Tech Lockdown Sessions Vol.1’ where an exciting selection of red hot artists serve up fresh music made during lockdown. The cutting edge release is out on June 19th and comes in place of the label’s usual seasonal selection of tracks tipped for big things in Ibiza. ‘Deep Tech Lockdown Sessions Vol.1’ features hotly tipped label debutants Tone Troy, Hukso, JollyJ, Kristone and Shayne Fontaine, label veteran CHESSER as well as label founder Redux Saints aka Jason Trevor Miller. Fresh from the studio and playing back like a lesson in contemporary, state-of-the-art sound, this six-track compilation sees DTLA continue in its mission to bring credible tech house to the masses.

Over the last five years, Redux Saints himself has been on a mission to move the dance floor. He has an unstoppable work ethic underpinned by a rare talent and his consistent, high-quality productions have drawn regular support across a wide range of global tastemakers including Gorgon City, David Guetta, Joseph Capriati, Roger Sanchez and more. He has landed on Low Ceiling, CR2, Stealth and Toolroom Records and his recent single ‘Suckin Up’ on DTLA in April was another big one for the increasingly essential artist. He kicks off the compilation with ‘Stay Home’ which socializes his public safety message for the pandemic. That adds an extra topical edge to this compelling tech house groover, which builds the tension and erupts into a bubbling track that is utterly irresistible. The opener to the compilation is off to a strong start with early support from Gorgon City, DJ Chus and Codes.

London-born, US-based CHESSER is next up. He’s released on Toolroom Trax and links here with one of New York’s premier music selectors in Tone Troy. Their incendiary ‘Let It Move Ya’, which has seen support from D.O.N.S and Redux Saints himself, bristles with percussive energy and ignites with a fiery vocal.  Husko’s ‘Just Hope’ comes just a year or so after his first release and in that time, he has signed to Toolroom, Glasgow Underground and CUFF whilst receiving props from DJs including Annie Mac and Denis Sulta. ‘Just Hope’ has big, bouncing drums and siren-like synths, topped off with diva vocals that really bring the heat. No wonder the track has drawn elite support from Piem, Pete Tong and Nic Fanciulli.

Miami’s JollyJ brings Latin flair to his music and counts Subliminal as a label home and boss Erick Morillo as a huge fan. To ‘Deep Tech Lockdown Sessions Vol.1’ he delivers ‘Stalker’, a punchy, low slung sizzler with frazzled synths and turbo bass which has seen it backed already by Get Looze, DOD, and Versus in the USA. Track number 5 comes from UK northerner, Kristone, a Toolroom and High Pressure label artist, who brings the ravey vibes with ‘Work It’. This track has garnered support from Erick Morillo, Chris Lake and Danny Tengalia and is packed with hard hitting drum loops and mad acid lines that burrow deep into the brain.

Last of all is Shayne Fontaine, again hailing from the UK; a producer who kicked off the year with a Beatport Top 25 hit with Redux Saints on Toolroom called ‘Carnival Soul’. Here he keeps it deep with his superb contribution ‘Save Me’. The chattery claps and party-starting vocal stabs all brim with tech house edginess to make for a fine closer that has already been winning over the likes of Golf Clap, Riva Starr and Kryder.