Amtrak

ELECTRONIC/ DIRTY
Artist: Amtrak
Album: Dirty Dancing
Track: “Mmm Cake”, “Fit to Hit”
Street date: September 22, 2009
Label: Audio Reconnaissance


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Indianapolis-based label and distributor Audio Reconnaissance is sending out its head recruit, Amtrak, to scout out the electronic scene this fall with Amtrak’s LP, Dirty Dancing. Amtrak is the relatively new project of Morehead, Kentucky DJ, Caleb Cornett (Amtrak began in 2005). Amtrak’s debut EP in 2007, “In Transit”, generated national attention, leading him to gigs with artists such as The Ben Ishmael Revival, The Glitch Clique, and Surreal Estate. One blogger who attended Amtrak’s performances at the Indiana Electronic & Experimental Music Exposition in March wrote, “his late-night vibe was refined and lush.”

Dirty Dancing is smart and trendy, able to provide the perfect setting for anything from posh clubs and lounges to smaller get togethers. Of course, an hour-long ride on Amtrak would be appropriate as well… har har.

Check out “Mmm Cake” and “Fit to Hit." One is delicious and the other can beat up your annoying neighbors.

^ Poser Amtrak

The real Amtrak says: Mmm... cake!

Other notables at Audio Reconnaissance include Dreadnots, Old Ovelus, Twilight Sentinels, Smear, and the Glick Clique.

Slip On Your Shades... Roy Davis Jr. Makes You Feel Cool

Artist: Roy Davis Jr.
Album: God Life Music
Track: “What Cha Gonna Do? feat. Erin Martin”
Street date: July 20, 2009
Label: nice+smooth ultramedia

He’s probably one of the only DJs out there right now who incorporates soul into electronic music seamlessly. It’s not like he doesn’t have the experience to know what works; this guy started DJing when he was 12, 13 years old, and it was all up from there. In the 1980s, he started his own production company, Phuture. In 1998, he recorded hit single “Gabriel” with Peven Everett, which sold over 250,000 copies. As a producer, he has garnered quite the reputation as well; everyone from Warner Brothers, Sony, to MCA has been knocking on his door for Billboard hits (for Mary J. Blige, Seal, Patti LaBelle, Eric Benet/Faith Evans, etc.). Oh, and he DJs in places you and I only dream about visiting, like Dubai. Jealousy!

On his album God Life Music, Davis channels the ultimate house, cool R&B feel in a soulful, spiritual direction. Not only is his music highly suitable for posh clubs and lounges, it is also cathartic. You know it’s good when you can’t even describe it (absolutely no references to illegal substances here!). Go on, as your close dealer friend would say. Try it out for yourself.

For more RDJ goodness, check out his MySpace page.

Other notables at nice+smooth ultramedia: Kinder Atom, SolaZul