ARTIST: Maasa
RELEASE: Black Feather Series #01, 70’s Born EP
TRACKLISTING:
1. Walking On The Moon
2. Sound FX
3. 70’s Born
4. Walking On The Moon (In Flagranti Remix)
LISTEN/PURCHASE:
iTunes
Dancetracksdigital
Beatport
eMusic
We're happy to introduce our new Black Feather Series, a proposed suite of releases focusing on a more DJ oriented side (of disco & house leanings) to our downtempo eclectica. There’s no one better to kick things off than Maasa, a new alias of celebrated soulful house producer
Matthew Bandy. Behind the helm of Deep House Souldiers, Bandy is responsible for a number of top tunes, including his “This Is Why We Dance” single which found itself on Ben Watt’s
bestselling Buzzin’ Fly Vol. 1 compilation. Not content to stay with one style, Bandy created Maasa to explore more eclectic, mid-tempo, disco-based endeavors. The 70’s Born EP is Maasa’s inaugural expression.
With this EP, Bandy’s Maasa project attempts to capture the sounds of his early inspiration, mainly the funk and disco music from the 70’s and early 80’s. Instruments of the era were used including Rhodes piano, clarinet, and early Roland Juno and Arp synthesizers. The feeling is authentic but brushed with a contemporary feel; groovy for dancefloors of the present day. This is exemplified by the lead track “Walking On The Moon.” Fitted with a strong 80’s funk bass and rhythm track the cut also sports a rich vibe with spacey melodic touches that will easily entice today’s nu-disco DJs.
Many of these same sonic elements are blended and given a more uptempo backdrop in the following track, “Sound FX.” Disco strings, horns, and funky synth action tie together a resolute groove handily winning over deeper dancefloors. “70’s Born” is another uptempo wonder adding a more percussive backdrop into the mix. Bass melodies guide the way as Maasa’s now familiar string, rhodes, and synth embellishments accurately recall some of the production hallmarks of the decade in the title. Finally, “Walking On The Moon” is revisited with a crafty electric boogie remix by Brooklyn’s
In Flagranti (
Codek Records). The original’s heavy bass presence is the anchor as the inventive In Flagranti crew inject dubby percussion, large synth pads, and cosmic elements into their offering.
The future just got a bit more galactic ...
You can listen to the songs here:
