ListenUp: RHA Festival Edition
A collection of tracks by artists who are performing at this weekend’s event in Punta Mita, Mexico
This edition of ListenUp is made up of songs by artists who will be performing at this weekend’s RHA Festival taking place on the sands of Punta Mita, Mexico. RHA’s goals are simple: to offer cultured house music enthusiasts a sublime location and atmosphere in which to enjoy a sampling of the scene’s best electronic music. Featuring talent from all over the world, the festival on the Nayarit coast promises to be full of good vibes and great tunes.
Purple Disco Machine: Body Funk
The German producer known as Purple Disco Machine crafts funky house that’s inspired by the halcyon days of Studio 54. “Body Funk” certainly evokes the disco vibe, peppering in elements of modern underground to create an irresistible track. Sampling the ’80s classic “Body Work” by Hot Streak, this track was recently released on Sydney label Club Sweat’s sub-imprint called Sweat It Out!.
Dimitri From Paris: Disco Funk
Getting his start at the seminal French Radio 7 way back in the ’80s, Dimitri From Paris garnered global recognition thanks to the Daft Punk-led “French Touch” sound in the mid-90s. Unafraid to deviate from the French Touch movement, Dimitri From Paris engrained himself within the greater house pantheon with uplifting tunes that are entirely danceable. The very funky “Disco Shake” was released in 2014 as part of a remix compilation album with rinses from Tom Moulton and Luminodisco.
Catz ‘n’ Dogz: It’s Happening
At the forefront of the Eastern European club scene, Polish DJs Catz ‘n’ Dogz are perhaps best known for their live mixing prowess, but their original track “It’s Happening” showcases the raw talent they have in the studio. The founders of the aptly named Pets Recordings label the pair (Grzegorz Demiańczuk and Wojciech Tarańczuk) have crafted an infectious cut that will get you moving.
Walker + Royce: Sister
Walker + Royce (aka friends Sam Walker and Gavin Royce) are a Brooklyn-based duo whose first track, “Perfect Sound,” quickly scored them well-earned attention. Their 2014 tune “Sister” is a pounding deep house track that builds over an eight-minute span—with layer upon layer to explore sonically.
Green Velvet: Devotion
For serious house enthusiasts, Green Velvet’s “Devotion” is a banging track that’s evidence as to why the tech-house maestro has been a mainstay in the scene for decades. This, his most recently released tune, is a big bass rumbler that sparkles through its five-minute life.
ListenUp is a Cool Hunting series published every Sunday that rounds up the music we tweeted throughout the week.
