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However, as at the forefront of the house revival City Fly continue their quest in discovering and nurturing hidden house talent...
So for their seventh release City Fly are proud to present Bartellow aka Benedikt Brachtel. Hailing from Munich, Benedikt was educated in classical composition and has worked as a film soundtrack producer. Having found a kindred spirit in the form of fellow Munich-based producer Amos, the duo formed successful avant-garde electronic pop act 'Columbus' awash with analog synth stylings, infectious pop melodies and neo-futurism.
However, it's under his 'Bartellow' alias which has seen him gain further recognition as a visionary virtuoso. Initially appearing on Michel Baumann's (Soulphiction) revered Philpot label with partner in crime Roman Rauch, he has since gained the attention of influential tastemakers such as Gilles Peterson and Rainer Truby with his 'The Bartellow Thrill' EP. Last year proved just as productive too with a release on City Fly favourite Red Rack 'Em's 'Smuggler's Inn' imprint, a remix for Philly marvel King Britt and two releases on his own conceptual 'SVS Records' featuring the cream of Munich's mercurial production wunderkids .
Always on the lookout to showcase those left in the shadows, it looks like City Fly have unearthed another raw diamond in the form of Bartellow...

HUMMING BIRDS

Kicking off the EP is the title track 'Hummingbirds'. Starting off with stuttering hi-hats skipping over a kick-drum a la Theo, it's not long before synths and a bouncy, syncopated bassline drop in to add more depth. A dusty de rigeur male soul vox singing 'hummingbirds' then glides in, hovering over the bass and juxtaposing against the building complex instrumentation effortlessly. Add to this an arresting, ethereal breakdown with a dream-like yearning female larynx and you have all the ingredients for an inimitable style and distinctive flavour that's synonymous with Bartellow's productions - definitely one to take the dancefloor in a different direction...

HUMMING BIRDS (UGLY DRUMS ACID DUB)

Having been on their radar for some time, City Fly have finally snared producer du jour Ugly Drums to contribute to the label with a remix. The cologne native's inimitable production style has seen him appear on a diverse array of prestigious house labels such as Rush Hour, Freerange, Kolour, Black Key, and Fifty Fathoms Deep - not to mention his debut 'Saturn Memories' LP on the discernible Quintessentials imprint - and with an upcoming guest spot at City Fly's renowned club night, it was only a matter of time and natural progression that he would feature on their next release. On to the remix and as the title implies, Ugly Drums adds some Chi-town flavour in giving some acid-induced indigestion complete with 303 squelches, handclaps and cowbell that wouldn't sound outta place on an old, battered Trax record. Add some eerie synths and warbling vocal and you've got a typically idiosyncratic take on house that only Ugly Drums can concoct - from Cologne via Chicago...

RAW MATERIAL

Commencing with a heavy, thumping bass and jittery hi-hats, as the title 'Raw Materia' suggests one begins to feel that the track is of a more basic, rawer ilk. However it's not long before warm, swirling synths interject adding a dose of more depth and dimension - intertwining effortlessly against the raw elements. Relentlessly building, the track culminates into an arresting crescendo with the synths going into overdrive and infiltrating the uncompromising bass. Like on this occasion sometimes less is more - time to get back to the raw...

RAW MATERIAL (FRED P RESHAPE)

Not content with just one remix, City Fly have enlisted the transatlantic touch of deep house deity Fred P to add further gravitas to the EP. Though a veteran of the scene, it wasn't until he started releasing tracks on his Soul People imprint under his 'Black Jazz Consortium' alias that heads took notice with his deep and transcendent productions. Along with fellow New York Natives such as Levon Vincent, DJ Qu, Joey Anderson and Anthony Parasole, he was a major player in helping revitalise the NY house scene and has since released on esteemed labels such as Undergound Quality, Strength Music, Esperanza, Mule Electronic, Finale Sessions and The Corner - also remixing the likes of peers such as Nina Kraviz, DJ Qu, Basic Soul Unit and Lady Blaktronica. With this particular reshape it's another soul-charged ethereal excursion full of depth and emotion - one to submerge the dancers into a dream state...