Buy / Stream: https://ffm.to/exploited-club-trax-08

7 years ago Exploited has expanded their name to include Exploited Ghetto, a sub-label that brings new acts into the scene and from people yet not in the Exploited roster. The label name Exploited Ghetto was rebranded to Exploited Club in 2021. Exploited Club Trax Vol. 08 sums up 15 Exploited Club Tracks from 2022.

Buy / Stream

Shir Khan Presents Exploited Club Trax, Vol. 08

Buy / Stream: https://ffm.to/bonaficio

Making waves previously on Exploited as well as on Blue Shadow and Monaberry (alongside AIKON), dentist-cum-producer Sandhog is back with another hot EP.

Oriental vibes abound on the beguiling ‘Bonifacio’, where a punchy kick underpins on-beat electric bass in driving fashion, and a beautiful plucked Eastern instrument laces the track with metallic, pitch-bending mysticism. Somewhere in the distance a Thai-funk-esque electric guitar solo noodles away as hypnotic Thai vocal wails draw us in further.

‘Oishii’ snaps along with an electro-tinged swagger, with old skool funked-up bass giving the track a real wiggle amidst tight percussion. Subtle chord sequences and sassy male vocals colour in the gaps, with rasping synths heightening the breakdown tension. A sweet double-time synth hook pushes the track along with renewed vigour after the drop, and acidic squelches add a thicc layer to the bass.

Artist: Sandhog
Release: Bonaficio
Label: Exploited Club
Cat: EXP109
LC: 96788
Publisher: Exploited Ghetto Music Publishing
Beatport Pre-order: 04.03.2022
Releasedate Beatport & Streaming: 18.03.2022
Releasedate Global Download: 01.04.2022

Bonifacio

Sandhog - Bonifacio I Exploited Club

Buy / Stream: https://ffm.to/packim-tanzen

Packim returns to Exploited following the success of ‘Super Future’, and his signing to hot Israeli label Blue Shadow Records. With a feature on Whomadewho’s BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix to boot, his star is well on the ascent.

A rousing Italo disco throwback, ‘Tanzen’ sucks you in with its bouncing off-beat bass groove, authentic ‘80s drum hits and dazzling arpeggios. The tension is kept high with sustained pad notes and more dreamy melodic motifs, before a vocoder-charged breakdown ascends into heavenly reaches. The unfolding chord progression brings a sensual touch as the beat shifts into a peppy breakbeat, and judicious use of reverb fills the edges of the track out beautifully. Dreamy, yet driving stuff, it was written during the pandemic with the inspiration of uniting once again on a dancefloor, and finally gets its chance to make a mark on the world.

‘Zusammen Alleine’ is similarly charged with emotion, focusing on another rampant off-beat groove and soaring leads. Classic synth sounds fill this crisp track, building a blissed-out feel. Gated rhythms and subtle vox synths allude to classic trance, while the gorgeous breakdown has a touch of ambient / new age deliciousness to it.

Artist: Packim
Release: Tanzen
Label: Exploited Club
Cat: EXP111
LC: 96788
Publisher: Exploited Ghetto Music Publishing
Beatport Pre-order: 29.04.2022
Releasedate Beatport & Streaming: 06.05.2022
Releasedate Global Download: 20.05.2022

Tanzen

Packim - Tanzen I Exploited Club

Buy / Stream: https://ffm.to/aikon-night-rider

AIKON returns to Exploited with two hot new tracks after storming the Beatport Indie Dance chart in 2021 with releases on Diynamic and Musumeci’s Multinotes label. With further releases on Monaberry and Disco Halal, he has been seriously in demand. He’s also putting out music through Adana Twins’ TAU imprint this year.

‘Night Rider’ is a killer, authentic electro groove, where vintage drum machines mete out a tough breakbeat rhythm and nagging bass synths pulse under formant-shifting mouth harp style synths and a dramatic lead hook. A moody breakdown reveals a juicy 8-bit vibe melody, and everything comes together beautifully after a teasing build and dramatic drum fills provide some punctuation. 

‘Street Dancer’ continues the sparse feel with metallic textures grinding against another stark, spacious breakbeat rhythm, and tightly-clipped synth arpeggios that recall Kraftwerk in their minimalist efficiency. An old skool breakbeat fills in the breakdown, and various subtle FX and vocal samples pad out the track with a heady, atmospheric feel.

Artist: AIKON
Release: Night Rider
Label: Exploited Club
Cat: EXP110
LC: 96788
Publisher: Exploited Ghetto Music Publishing
Beatport Pre-order: 08.04.2022
Releasedate Beatport & Streaming: 15.04.2022
Releasedate Global Download: 29.04.2022

Night Rider

Street Dancer

AIKON - Night Rider | Exploited Club

Buy / Stream: ffm.to/something-cool

Returning to Exploited for another bite of the cherry, Italian duo gizA djs are back.
‘Something Cool’ blends elements of indie dance and nu disco in its loose, warm feel, with a dash of Italo disco attitude to boot. ‘80s synth pulses set the tone over live percussion and subtle bass, before a sultry male vocal adds more retro feel to the proceedings. Classic disco hi-hats drop in as the vocal switches from English to seductive Italian and big synth chords filter into focus. A sweet arpeggiated lead line thrusts into play as a Daft Punk-esque electric bassline funks away below. An unexpectedly wonky breakdown builds tension, setting us up for a colourful finale where the key elements morph and modulate in a beautiful fusion.

‘Rogue One’ is more of a brooding, atmospheric house affair, but one that comes with dashes of funk. Tribal percussion intersperses a turgid bass groove as mystical trumpet loops tease in and out of the mix. A discofied guitar lick bolsters an infectious, mysterious plucked melody, and imperceptibly the track builds intensity to a crescendo with eerie pads, heady reverbs, ride cymbals, urgent vocal chants and judicious use of FX.

Artist: gizA djs
Release: Something Cool
Label: Exploited Club
Cat: EXP118
LC: 96788
Publisher: Exploited Ghetto Music Publishing
Beatport Pre-order: 22.07.2022
Releasedate Beatport & Streaming: 29.07.2022
Releasedate Global Download: 12.08.2022

Something Cool

gizA djs - Something Cool | Exploited Club

Buy / Stream: ffm.to/black-hawks-of-panama-hurts

Did someone order a piano banger? Black Hawks Of Panama debuts on Exploited with an absolute monster in the form of ‘Hurts’ that’s set to get pulses racing and fists pumping skyward, ready for the Ibiza season.

Supremely chunky ‘90s house beats with a gently distorted techno undertone pummel away underneath the phat bassline whose tone is perfectly balanced between weight and melodic overtones. Piano chords bang a jaunty, rave-influenced hook, and Bisi’s sweet vocals provide a sensual, soulful counterpoint. Little else is needed to make this track thump hard except subtle sustained strings and big cymbal crashes, and there’s an instrumental available which cuts to the meat of the track.

And who is Bisi? She’s better known as British actress Victoria Ekanoye, a woman of many talents who featured on Black Hawks’ previous single on Future Disco ‘Mercer Street’. She starred in the West End musical ‘The Lion King’, toured the US with ‘The Blues Brothers’ and fronted the show as Mistress of Ceremonies at both the London and New York infamous nightspot ‘The Box’. She takes her influences from blues, jazz, Stax-era soul and trip-hop.

“Our mutual friend Lisa Forshaw had worked as a PR for Victoria whilst she was on the nation's most popular TV show” says Black Hawks Of Panama. “Lisa got in touch with me and explained I should work with Victoria. Immediately I was struck with vocal range but also her presence as a performer. So I hired a commercial recording studio in Manchester as we didn’t know each other then and we agreed 'Feel For You' would be a great track to do as it’s a joint favourite! Although I didn’t want a carbon copy of the Chaka classic—I don’t see the point in that—I wanted something more lowdown and sultry! After a great first session we discussed Bowie, Prince and Patti Labelle, so it was pretty clear from this point this was going to work out well!!”

The Mancunian producer behind the track took his name from an inspirational time spent in Panama City and its surrounding rainforests. Born to parents who both had influential roles in the Manchester music scene of the 1970s and 80s, he has spent time living in Ibiza and DJed under another name for many years. Black Hawks of Panama is a project that’s going from strength to strength, and this hot new single looks set to break down yet more doors for him.

Artist: Black Hawks of Panama
Release: Hurts Feat. Bisi
Label: Exploited Club
Cat: EXP117
LC: 96788
Publisher: Exploited Ghetto Music Publishing
Beatport Pre-order: 17.06.2022
Releasedate Beatport & Streaming: 24.06.2022
Releasedate Global Download: 08.07.2022

Hurts

Black Hawks Of Panama - Hurts Feat. Bisi | Exploited Club

Buy / Stream: https://ffm.to/dancing-you-and-me

NEAT return to Exploited with what might just be their strongest EP to date.

The title track features Swedish talent Storken, who has released on Running Back, and channels beautiful ‘80s Balearic vibes into its skippy house template. ‘80s electro bass funk leads the charge while wonky tape delays massage guitar chords and female vocal cuts into the distance. Bubbling synths subtly augment the central pillars of the track. The blissed-out breakdown makes for a stunning ambient / chillout interlude, allowing this glorious track to breathe and stretch out its arms.

‘What’s Up D?’ continues the retro theme, with diva house vocals cut up and set by turns against jaunty chime chords and a warped, nagging, pitch-bending synth hook. The ‘90s house percussion shuffles away with tinges of techno in its clap patterns and soft ride cymbals, while rubbery bass pulsates beneath. It’s a lean, punchy workout that flits between euphoria and heads-down intensity.

‘You Know What My Love’ rounds off the EP in beautiful style. The most gentle of the three tracks, its combination of stuttering vocal cut-ups, spine-tingling chord delays and succinct yet driving beat make for a dreamy experience. The breakdown is a stunning affair, where soaring pads float atop sensual melody and hypnotic FX, sunsets and lapping waves invoked by its heavenly sounds.

Artist: NEAT
Release: Dancing You And Me
Label: Exploited
Cat: EXPDIGITAL233
LC: 15799 
Publisher: Exploited Ghetto Music Publishing
Beatport Pre-order: 29.07.2022
Releasedate Beatport & Streaming: 05.08.2022
Releasedate Global Download: 19.08.2022

Dancing You And Me

NEAT Feat. Storken - Dancing You And Me | Exploited

Buy / Stream: https://ffm.to/bitergliter

Madrid’s Depaart return to Exploited following their excellent 2021 release Julian (with its hot Bawrut remix), and they’ve come up with the goods once again. With other releases on Diynamic, Sasha’ Last Night On Earth and increasingly their own self-titled label, they are definitely ones to watch.

Blending elements of electro, techno and Italo into one colourful pot, ‘Blitergliter’ is an understated anthem of a track that builds and builds to a spectacular zenith. Beginning unassumingly with a filtered chord stab pattern, a zesty bassline soon buzzes in atop a simple but punchy drum groove. The bass melody unfolds as splashy techno cymbal rides propel the track and a cutesy 8-bit synth line meanders in the background. Bitcrushed, sustained organ chords frazzle the first breakdown as an arpeggiated melody dances below, all the while the energy building. 

Next comes a sweltering acid line, squelching and freaking incessantly as the track threatens to reach fever pitch. The rug is pulled from under us as the 303 emulation segues into a stripped-back section where the track catches its breath, leading into the main break where dainty chimes tease the main melody while the acid and organs interplay with rippling snare fills. The chimes and bassline unite joyously at the drop, capped off with a heavenly synth line, and finally another distorted acid line towards the end of the track to add another dramatic touch as the brooding bass tones swell.

Artist: Depaart
Release: Bitergliter
Label: Exploited Club
Cat: EXP120
LC: 96788
Publisher: Exploited Ghetto Music Publishing
Beatport Pre-order: 23.09.22
Releasedate Beatport & Streaming: 30.09.22
Releasedate Global Download: 14.10.22

Bitergliter

Depaart - Bitergliter | Exploited Club

Download/Stream >> https://fanlink.to/kafferp

Two Street Tracks regulars team up for scorching new single on the label. 9th House collaborates with the Portugese/Italian artist Vhyce on the cosmically charged ‘Kafferp’, conjuring up a seductive and smooth Italo house inspired journey.

9th House is the versatile Brisitsh producer who has already been making waves with a series of releases and remixes for labels such as 17 Steps, Shall Not Fade, Hottrax, Street Tracks, DJ Haus’ Hot Haus label, and a release forthcoming on Gerd Janson’s Running Back imprint. Vhyce meanwhile has been busy delivering stellar releases for the likes of Pets Recordings, Sincopat, Monaberry, Future Disco and Boogie Angst.

Download/Stream

9th House & Vhyce - Kafferp (WO183) [clip]

Out now on Rekids: lnk.to/REKIDS205

Mona Yim debuts on Rekids with ‘Gotta Do This, Gurl’, featuring remixes from Radio Slave.

Born and raised between Singapore and Germany and now based in Berlin, Mona Yim spent time bouncing between the clubs of London, Berlin, and Paris while honing her craft, culminating in a recent remix for DJ Seinfeld’s ‘Tell Me One More Time’ on Ninja Tune. Now readying her debut solo release on Rekids, Mona Yim delivers two dreamy house cuts for the imprint, backed with a pair of remixes from label-boss Radio Slave.

Leading the release, ‘Gotta Do This, Gurl’ brings crispy, bouncing drums alongside moody pads and subtle vocal chops, building up to an emotive breakdown. Radio Slave beefs up the drum patterns with breakbeats for his remix, adding additional atmospheric FX to existing melodic elements for a chunky, driving track. 

‘Dots Obsession’ sees floaty percussion, gentle synth work and vocals working in tandem to craft a soft yet evocative house jam. Injecting a pumping 4/4 pattern alongside elements of the original, Radio Slave’s interpretation brings the energy levels up with pitch-perfect dub FX and swirling synthesis.

Luke Hess

The Way

Mona Yim - Dots Obsession (Radio Slave Remix)

'With his third release on the label, Kevin Reynolds follows up his 'Come On Then EP which featured a few singles from the upcoming album “Come On Then” alongside some heavy hitter remixes.'

Read The Full Interview: https://whenwedip.com/2022/10/interview-kevin-reynolds/

Follow: @jon_dixon // @kevinreynoldsdetroit // @yoruba-records

Premiere: Kevin Reynolds - Riverfront (Jon Dixon Remix) [Yoruba Records]

'Since it's inception True Romance has consistently beamed balmy releases across jubilant dance floors and has acted as a platform for both established and auspicious artists. So far, records from the likes of Ben Gomori, Dan Corco, Jesse Bru and label head Tensnake have all worked to form a distinctive identity for True Romance - one that is defined by solid, functional House and Disco suffused with a lick of sunshine.

Next up is a single from Tulsa based DJ and producer: HeartWerk. Tagged as 'Moody House From Someone Who Cares', HeartWerk holds down a radio show at Vandelay and has a solid slew of floor fillers under his belt. His latest offering 'Tulsa In The House' evinces his sounds accurately as it packs a solid punch while remaining heady, emotive and full of soul.

'Celluloid' lays prickly 808 hats over an 80s sawtooth while spectral pads glide over head. Toms, claps and twinkling synths all intertwine as the track swirls along. 'Tropicaliente' then follows up with a potent, no nonsense House groove. Filtered stabs, irresistible bongos and delayed brass flashes pepper a vibe that is guaranteed to do damage on the floor. The title track then brings things to a conclusion with a straight up Chicago- tinged banger. Sharp 909s, vocal snips and
a hypnotising synth line work to capture a pure but hedonistic jam - one that sits neatly into the True Romance catalogue.'

Follow: @heartwerk // @trueromancerec

Premiere: HeartWerk - Tulsa In The Haus [True Romance]

‘Day One’ aptly leads the way with swaggering kicks and a filtered string sample that rises triumphantly right in the centre of the mix, bringing everything together with powerful drama.

Electric Days EP

Day One

Subseq [Minimal Groove Concept]

Get Your Strut On (Take Your Time)

Shir Khan started Exploited in 2007. Exploited Rec now plays host to some wide-ranging and innovative electronic talent - including Adana Twins, Claptone, Budakid, Joyce Muniz, James Curd, Shir Khan (to name a few) - and its artists have been receiving numerous supportive spins from the likes of Solomun, Pete Tong, Soul Clap, Wolf&Lamb, Azari&III, Jesse Rose, Axel Boman and A-Trak.
This is serious dance music at it's most cutting edge with all the juice to really get you going. It's totally contemporary, innovative and has a chunky dirty feel. "Exploited" take you on an invigorating roller coaster ride back to your youth when you first listened to dance music with all the thrills and spills you so enjoyed about clubbing. It's heavy, exciting and special.
'"Exploited Records" is a seamless melting pot of varied styles that simply can't fail to please even the most discerning ears. Highlights here are plentyful. Not to be missed at any cost.' (Clash)
'Musical hybrids are truly the flavour of today, but few have managed to capture the atmosphere of an unpredictable microcosm of a night out on a recordlabel - until now. Shir Khan's label "Exploited" bottles the zeitgeist's giddy thrills with plenty of style and substance. This is dance music hybridism in all its most glorious forms, and Shir Khan is an expert at making square pegs fit round holes.' (DJ-Mag)
'"Exploited Records" boss Shir Khan has been gaining a lot of acclaim recently, and deservedly so - as he has shown us the high quality, diversity and forward-thinking nature of his label. Engaging, riveting and diverse.' (Data Transmission)

Black Hawks Of Panama - Hurts Feat. Bisi | Exploited Club

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