It's hard to know when you don't understand...

artwork: Gareth Lloyd
The name Essáy has cropped up here and there over the past couple of years, and usually the words deep, beautiful, emotional are somewhere nearby. This time he's collaborated with CoMa who we believe is also responsible for that epic track titled 'Raindrops'. Listen here if you haven't already. If this belief is correct (they're both from Germany and the name on Beatport is the same) then this combination was always destined to produce great things. Here we have something for the fans of The xx. Deep, beautiful, emotional - play this one to your girlfriend.

Deceptive - Essáy & CoMa

Get following. Essáy here. CoMa here.

HH MIX #031 - OUTBOXX

photo credit: Tape Echo
We proudly present the next in the series. This one's a big one. Probably our favourite mix of the series so far - it's that good! Outboxx are a Bristol-based duo plugging away at creating top quality music. All their releases so far are fantastic. Stand out EPs last year were on Idle Hands and Immerse. This year they have, probably their strongest release yet out on BRSTL - a limited, no hype, vinyl only label from... Bristol, and their latest, the Astro Girl EP which is out on Immerse again.

Dolphs Vision - Outboxx [Immerse]


If you missed their Boiler Room set recently, unfortunately there were some technical issues with the recording but they've managed so salvage a few minutes of it which features 'Brighten My Day' with the lovely Naomi Jeremy on vocal duties. Watch it here. We are pleased to announce that they will be joining us on Friday 21 September at The Garage in Leeds. More details soon come.

HH MIX #031 - Outboxx [download]


01. Outboxx - Aporia [Idle Hands]
02. Crackazat - Panick Aggressive [Futureboogie]
03. G-Transition - Morning Sequence [forthcoming Boe Recordings]
04. Maxamillion Dunbar - Lemon & Lime [Ramp Recordings]
05. Tony Allen - Moyege [Mark Ernestus Dub]
06. Theo Parrish - Nefarious Stranger [Sound Signature]
07. Pop & Eye - Being Boing [Editainment]
08. Andrés - Jazz Dance [La Vida]
09. James Mason - Nightgruv [Rush Hour]
10. Mr Beatnick - Beneath the Reef [Don't Be Afraid]
11. Outboxx - All The Right Moves [forthcoming Idle Hands]

Please get following on their Soundcloud and Facebook.

Nina Simone x David Marston

This remix by the unknown David Marston, is fantastic. Possibly even better the Nicolas Jaar edit? And Hrdvsion's? We look forward to what's to come from this producer.

Feeling Good (David Marston's New Day Remix) - Nina Simone

Keep up to date on his Soundcloud.

HH MIX #029 - CUETEC

Next up in the series, with our second 'all own productions' mix, is Berlin based Cuetec. He loves all things deep and colourful from Jazz to Drum & Bass but this mix focuses mainly on slow, soulful house - perfect for the summer. When asked if he'd like to find another photo for the album artwork, he replied, "I like the cover artwork, as it fits somehow to my music that isnt always perfect". In this day and age with the dominant use of computers, producers' output is becoming too crisp and clean - music is art and it doesn't always necessarily need to be so exact, sometimes a little rough round the edges adds character.

Many of his productions/edits are available for free from his Soundcloud. We've zipped up our favourite 5 for you.

DOWNLOAD: Free Zip

1. Feels Good - Cuetec & Sarinha
2. Listening Pearls - Cuetec
3. I Am In Love - Cuetec
4. Strugglers - Cuetec
5. Still Sound (Cuetec Remix) - Toro Y Moi

DOWNLOAD: HH MIX #29 - CUETEC

01. Spacenight - Cuetec [Kubism Records]
02. Drops - Cuetec [Kubism Records]
03. Autumn Sun - Cuetec [Kubism Records]
04. Sleepless - Cuetec [unreleased]
05. Samal (Cuetec Edit) [unreleased]
06. Facing The Sun (Cuetec Edit) [Suol]
07. Stranger (Cuetec Edit) [unreleased]
08. Sleeping Beauty - Cuetec [unreleased]
09. After The Rain - Cuetec [unreleased]
10. Blue - Cuetec [Kubism Records]
11. Blue Moon - Cuetec [unreleased]
12. Axiom (Cuetec Edit) [unreleased]
13. Naked Dancer - Cuetec [Kubism Records]
14. Tokio Rush - Cuetec [unreleased]

Summer's here...!

The sun rarely makes an appearance in England, when it does, we all like to think it's here to stay. Here's a few tracks to make sure are on your iPods for that next time you head to the park with beers and speakers in hand.

Try Again - Loki Laredo [forthcoming Assembly Point]


All That - Loki Laredo [buy at Juno Download]

Hafflinger - Lauer [buy at Juno Download]

Hypnotized (B-Team Remix) - Eddie Matos [buy at Juno Download]

Those aren't free downloads so here a few that are. Perhaps a couple are a touch on the girly vibe but, if you're chilling with girls, there's no harm in that.

2nite (Late Nite Tuff Guy Re-Edit) - Narada Michael Walden

What's Love Got To Do (Zimmer Rework) - Tina Turner

Got Somebody - Moon Boots

Let Me Love You - Andi de Luxe

Featuring OCTOBER & BORAI

Even with the power of Google, you'll be lucky to find out much about October apart from a steady stream of releases dating all the way back to 2003. Following the Muscle Memory release on his own Caravan Recordings imprint in 2010 and the NY Fizzzzz collaboration with Appleblim, we've made sure to keep an eye on this chap.

His most recent work consists of two more collaborations with friend Borai, comprising the second release Never Learnt label. "Come what may, I'm holding on" seems to be the cry of the vocal sample in 'Level Abstain'. The track rolls out for a full eight minutes, aided by steady relationship between the kick and sub as well as pads that occasionally fall in and out of tune and time - blissed out house music for very dark dancefloors.

Level Abstain - October & Borai [Never Learnt]


Complimenting the A-side nicely is 'Vital Ital Rub'. More laidback and less insistent, but with a bassline to hold on to throughout, this is the kind of tune that can set the tone for a whole night. It comes as no surprise that these tracks have already gained support from firm HH favourites, Midland and Gerd.

Vital Ital Rub - October & Borai [Never Learnt]


As you might expect, this is a vinyl only affair - grab the 12" here if you want to hear the tracks in their full glory.

Introducing JESPER RYOM

Jesper Ryom is a name you need to nail firmly in your memory. The output so far has been outstanding. He is one of those producers that immediately stands out, grabbing your attention with his enormous musical talent. This one’s available for free, that’s all for now.

Close – Jesper Ryom

Get on his Facebook and Soundcloud while we eagerly await more info and a HH mix.

5000 Followers LP

What a way to enter 2012! We're super pleased to announce that we've hit a massive (for us) 5000 'likes' on Facebook. Thank you to each and every one of you, your support is what keeps us going!

After the success of the last compilation we've collated another selection of tracks for this special occasion. This LP is made up of tracks, which have previously been given away for free, and we've been meaning to post, but are yet to find their way onto the blog. Some of them new, some old. Enjoy...

DOWNLOAD: HH 5000 Followers LP 2012

01. Tsim Sha Tsui - Jack Steadman
02. 1000 Kisses - EJECA
03. Rock My Dub - Lukas
04. Russian Girlfriends - Perseus
05. Papa Was A Rolling Stone (Hesseltime & Benyayer Edit)
06. Changes (Lukas Remix) - Crazy P
07. Into The Night (Nicolas Jaar Remix) - Azari & III
08. Winter Madness - Debonair
09. Pearl (Chaos In The CBD Remix) - Manare
10. Rope Mirage - Lulu James
11. Night Time (Synkro Remix) - The xx
12. Something Missing - Frenic
13. Reckoner (Leftside Wobble Off-World Excursion) - Radiohead

12 months ago we were adamant that 2011 was going to be big one, unfortunately this wasn't really the case. However, 2012, we're hoping will be. We already have a couple of events planned for Leeds + more tees and jumpers etc - more news on that to come. Stick with us cos we're only just getting started.

Shelter - Essáy Edit

Essáy has dropped two serious productions for free download in the past week or so. This one tops the last, at 106bpm and 10 minutes long, it ticks all the boxes. Colourful, emotional and most importantly, a fine piece of music for the ears' listening pleasure. Credit to Birdy for providing such beautiful vocal too.

Shelter (Essáy Tearful Edit) - Birdy

This one's had a lot of attention on his soundcloud, if you aren't already following, well, you should be.

Help me take away my sorrow...

It's now time for something which might have been missing at HH before, a few easy listening disco-tinged edits which hopefully the majority haven't unearthed previously. These have been hanging in the iTunes waiting for the right time to arise. Last night was our first night back in Leeds which ended with a very enjoyable 2 hour set in the top room of Stinky's Peephouse but it now feels like a Saturday, the sleep pattern is already ruined and the dark grey blanket across the sky is somewhat depressing. That all sounds very negative, the plus side is that these tracks have been helping get the mood sorted.

I Need Dollar (KRL GBPmix) - Aloe Blacc

Even After All (Guilt Trip Edit) - Finley Quaye

Open For Service (Hot Toddy Remix) - Crazy P

Summersun (Cadillac Remix) - Miami Horror

Perhaps there's beauty in the darkness.

Mario Basanov - Clompac Mix

It's not usual that we post mixes other than our own on here but we can't recommend this one enough. 1 hour of gently rolling, melodic beats, perfectly accessible to any music lover.

Mario Basanov is no newcomer to the House scene with plenty of releases to his name on labels such as Needwant, Future Classic and Under The Shade.

In 2007 Mario teamed up with fellow Lithuanian DJ Vidis to form Mario & Vidis - the output has been nothing short of excellent. In particular 'Changed' and 'Test 2011' are recent purchases of ours.

Clompac Mix - Mario Basanov

Wolf + Lamb & Soul Clap Greatest Tour Hits Mix

Having just returned from their travels aimed to support the immense release compiled by the two duos, Wolf+Lamb & Soul Clap (out on !K7 Records) it has emerged that they've put together a very special mix with all their favourite tunes from the tour. This is definitely one to have on your iPod.

DOWNLOAD: Wolf + Lamb & Soul Clap Greatest Tour Hits Mix



Head to Substance.tv for the full interview.

Featuring GREAT SKIES

On July 30, Cut Records released their latest freebie by London's Great Skies. The release, entitled Summer Moments marks the fifth by the new label. As the title suggests, it's four uniquely deep tracks which certainly create a nostalgic summer-vibe. Give it a preview below, or download/buy it from Cut Record's Bandcamp site.

Summer Moments EP Preview - Great Skies [Cut Records]

Featuring STICKMAN & ELSEWHERE

Those of you who took note of this post from a couple of months back will already be aware of some of the music PYC Sessions are involved in this year. We were so impressed by the tunes in the zip that was given away (download it here) that we wanted to showcase some more material from the collective. This time it comes in the form of a thirty-five minute mix from two of its key players, Stickman and Elsewhere.

With sixteen tracks in total, the majority of which belonging to the boys themselves, this mix acts as a further example of the wealth of talent that Manchester has to offer at the moment. Skewed garage sounds are blended with laid-back dubstep atmospheres with such ease, making it difficult to keep up with a tracklist that is laden with so many dubs!



Our favourite tune from PYCZIP001, Elsewhere's 'Moments In Time', receives a fantastic remix from Stickman. With a haunting pause just before the drop and the combination of the bright synth work and sombre chords that follows; this track is absolutely killer.



In a similar vein is 'Nuclear Arms'. The lo-fi sound of the vocal sample gives it a really warm feel. It might be a little while before many of the tracks in this mix appear but Troy Gunner's contribution has kindly been made available to download below.

Nuclear Arms - Troy Gunner

It is always nice to see a mix full of tunes from a closely knit collective such as PYC. They are keeping underground electronic music alive just the way we like it.

DOWNLOAD: August 2011 Mix

01. Stickman - Being [dub]
02. Elsewhere - Moments In Time [PYC Sessions]
03. Troy Gunner - Nuclear Arms
04. Submotion Orchestra - Always (Synkro Remix) [forthcoming Ranking]
05. Stickman - Floor Music [dub]
06. Indigo - Snowfall [forthcoming Mindset]
07. Bay - Romance [PYC Sessions]
08. Synkro - Memory [forthcoming Styrax]
09. Stickman - Milk Cartons [dub]
10. Elsewhere - Insk [dub]
11. Elsewhere - Moments In Time (Stickman Remix) [dub]
12. Stickman - Always Gone [dub]
13. Elsewhere - Nurture [dub]
14. Elsewhere & Bay - I Think Of [dub]
15. Elsewhere - Shades Of Blue [dub]
16. Stickman - Hollow Bones [dub]

Both producers are busy building even more tunes and hope to have at least one vinyl release before the year is out. They are definitely ones to watch.

Introducing LOOSE FIT

Somehow a Loose Fit track (the first of the two below) ended up in one of our latest playlists which got a thorough listen to on the trip to and from London this weekend. It was the stand out track and so we weren't surprised to find more quality material after only a small amount of research. However, we were surprised when we stumbled across their latest release, and noticed that it came out today on Join The Dots. It is entitled Table Beggar / Magnetise EP and those are, if you hadn't already guessed, the two (stunning) title tracks plus there's a couple of remixes of each. Check the release out below, and bag it for yourself here.



Before we discovered that bit of conveniently timed news, we were planning a post anyway as the pair, originally from Manchester, have given away a couple of excellent tracks for free. Make sure both of these are given a chance, especially if you have some summer parties lined up. Personally, we think the slower, more rolling 'Bolsena' might be the favourite out of these two.

A Deeper Pelago (Rework) - Loose Fit

Bolsena (Radio Mix) - Loose Fit

It's not what you say...

It's what you do. Only a quick post but both these tunes are rocking the after-work blues away good and proper. Big up Essáy and Lorca.

1901 (Essáy's Heat Edit) - Phoenix [RUDEEE]

Giant Star - Lorca

Featuring PHAELEH

Despite never having been quite sure how to pronounce his name, to us, it has become synonymous with super tight production from the more pleasurable end of the Dubstep spectrum. Out of Bristol, Phaeleh has come up with the goods to follow up his fantastic first album, Fallen Light.

The Cold In You showcases such amazing versatility above anything else. The title track featuring Soundmouse is one suited more to the lounge than to the club, in stark contrast to the heavily dub-infused 'Perilous' or 'Caustic Storm', which sounds like it could have come out of the depths of South London circa 2006.

Perilous feat. I-Mitri - Phaeleh [Afterglo]


However, the track that stands out just above the rest for us is 'In The Twilight', with glistening guitars and wonderfully soft drum sounds. All in all, Phaeleh has got the balance just right.

In The Twilight - Phaeleh [Afterglo]


Preview the rest of the tracks here, then go right ahead and pre-order your copy ahead of its 1st August release, you won't be disappointed.

I just want you close...

If you haven't bought (or even clocked) this release yet, then you really have been missing out. Hackman, one of Leeds's finest, serves up an absolute summer jam for Greco-Roman. We could not recommend this highly enough.

Grab it here, and bonus points for those who recognise the sample!

Featuring ARKIST

Two such big releases within only a few weeks of each other really can't be ignored. Bristol's Arkist is really bridging that genre gap which is on everyone's mind. His Apple Pips release is one of the strongest from a label that has been a little quiet of late. 'Rendezvous' is one hell of a lead track and comes with a perfectly cut vocal sample. 'Fill Your Coffee' leaves the heavy garage beats behind to reveal one of the most refreshing dubstep tracks we have heard in a long while.

Fill Your Coffee - Arkist [Apple Pips] (out now)


Not to rest on his laurels however, Arkist has recently teamed up with fellow Pips artist Kidkut for a release on Hotflush. In more of a house style, 'One Year Later' will glide through your speakers on a sunny afternoon, and is complimented on the flip by the fascinatingly entitled 'Vanilla Imitate'.

One Year Later - Arkist & Kidkut [forthcoming Hotflush]

Introducing GROWN FOLK

As always, this might not be an introduction to some, but we feel strongly that if you haven't checked out this relatively new production duo from Canada, you should pay a little attention now.

After first discovering Grown Folk by their track 'Steady Moving' on Truancy Compilation One, which was not only the lead track of the LP but also the definite highlight, we've been meaning to give them a mention somehow or somewhere for a while. Now having just listened to their EP preview entitled 'City Wind EP', which was out in May on Templar Sound (also backed with Damu and Chaos In The CBD remixes), the urge to push some exposure was immediate. They only have roughly 200 followers on each of their Facebook, Soundcloud and Twitter accounts - what's going on?!

The productions a fresh unique sound, ignoring boundaries and always sticking to loveable, refreshing and enjoyable music, whether it be chilled or energetic. Big futures ahead for sure, especially if they keep up the flow of quality free music...

Steady Moving - Grown Folk [RUDEEE]

Runaways (Grown Folk Remix) - LOL Boys

City Wind EP Preview - Grown Folk [buy]


'Droptop EP' is due out soon on Silverback Recordings.