OZBEK + Safer Atabey – Shake Off [Truesoul]

Following a strong showing on DC4 Vol.2, OZBEK & Zafer Atabey return to Adam Beyer’s label for their maiden Truesoul outing.

The Turkish artists collectively run the quality Extima Records and are powerhouses of the Istanbul scene. Their music channels the chaotic harmony of their hometown’s energy, as reflected by the fantastic ‘My Culture’, which featured on DC4 Vol.2 last autumn – and was a runaway success.

The duo begun their ‘Shake Off’ EP with the intention of channelling the festival-ready energy of ‘My Culture’, while taking it in a brighter, more playful direction. The result is a rugged party tune punctuated by a flirty vocal and hi-NRG riff that brings loads of fun old skool energy.

“The idea behind the track was to create something that still carries a strong groove but feels uplifting and fun at the same time. The vocal ended up playing a big role in that – it almost dances with the synths and gives the track a very human and celebratory feel,” they share.

‘Don’t Stop’ shows off a different side to the pair’s sonic palette – stripped back, minimal and groove-focused, augmented by a sparse vocal. “The robotic vocal was added almost as a playful invitation to the dancefloor, giving the track a slightly futuristic and indie-inspired character,” OZBEK & Zafer Atabey reveal.

Making it an all-Turkish affair, ALTER delivers a clubby snake-like re-rub of ‘Shake Off’, that strips the original down to its bare metallic bones. “ALTER is a young Turkish DJ building a strong reputation in Istanbul as a resident at the iconic Phonix Klein club. After hearing ‘Shake Off’ played there, he approached us with a clear vision for a more direct club reinterpretation, and we loved his enthusiasm. He kept the spirit of the original but transformed it into a sharper late-night weapon, which made it a perfect complement to the EP.”