#fortunea

This summer fortunea head Klaus Benedek returns with a deep and moody two track single. “At The Shore” is featured on the A-side, and it’s a fitting piece for sunset and after-hours sessions. The track evokes nostalgic memories of a simpler, laid-back, and peaceful time on the beach. A smooth guitar is the key element as the track builds up to a break that dives into the waves of the ocean. Siren-song vocal cut ups and a beautiful, haunting pad splash through the mix, providing the icing on the cake. The B-side — though similar in vibe to the title track -- has a more somber feeling to it. “South Bronx Depression” reflects the mood of the troubled New York neighborhood during the ‘70s and ‘80s. A bombastic jazz fanfare has been sampled, filtered, chopped, and transformed as the track’s hook. Eerie synthesizer stings make an entrance as a narrator tells his story. The vinyl is limited to 300 copies. Mastered by Patrick Pulsinger.

Vanilla Ace (Club Sweat, Elrow) – “Cool, laid back grooves.” Tensnake (Mirau / Defected) – “Lovely tunes!” Dutchican Soul (Salted Music) - “Both tracks are fire!” Pete Williams (Natural Rhythm) “South Bronx Depression is an odyssey.” Andrew Emil (Broadway & Wilson) – “Love this release.” Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “Gorgeous.” DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show, Perth) – “Klaus is quality. I like this release a lot.” Richie Hartness (UM – syndicated radio show) – “Enjoyed the funky swagger to this terrace affair.” Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel, Sydney) – “Absolutely top shelf house. Inspiring production.” Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) - “Excellent release from Klaus. South Bronx Depression is superb!”

The never-at-rest fortunea label digs deeper into the Viennese scene to uncover a new EP from city denizen Nick Hanzo. In addition to his appearance on the fortunea 10 compilation, Nick has been active with Austrian club night Schmusesalon, the audio-visual collective Wiener Endorphine, and his own Belly Dance Services with his partner in crime and collaborator, Yaman. The evocatively titled Last Day, Miracle! EP is his full debut for fortunea and fits right in with four tracks of deep and unique sounds. “20:45” opens the EP with magical tones suitable for casting a spell on the dance floor. Jazzy keys and analog pads synergize with crisp rhythms in beautiful harmony. “Caroline” goes deeper with its ghostly vocal, splashes of guitar, and steady mid-tempo bump. “Your So, …” features layers of Rhodes riffs over snappy beats and vocal teases throughout. The EP closes with the title track, loosening a cut-up Chicago feel, and interspersed with curious breakdowns and moonlit samples. Indeed, it’s another top release from the reliable fortunea crew.

Dutchican Soul (Salted Music) – “Wow! Fresh sounds. I love the vibe on all of these.” Mark Mac (The Sounds Collective) – “Very cool release guys, top vibes.” Joey Silvero / Distant People (Seamless) – “The sound here is just fantastic. The contrast of the drums, chords and general feel is something else.” Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) – “Nice vibe on this one.” Billy Butler (247 House Records) – “These are really nice, carefully shaped tunes.” Steve ‘Griffo’ Griffiths (Freak Da Funk) – “A tasty Viennese whirl of an EP.” DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “Quality house music that’s easy on the ears, heavy on the vibe.” DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Love the jazzy vibes!” Sparatikness (Synkotik) – “Sooooo Freaking Goooood!” Pat Lezizmo (Conya Records) – “There is a nice overall vibe to this EP. Nice production, warm smooth atmosphere, and well produced.”

Alex Kolodziej, a German with Polish roots, now firmly based in Vienna, has been one of the most in-demand techno and house DJs in the Austrian capital since the early 2010s. With a limited number of productions released to the public, Alex’s DJ sets have been the main avenue for others to hear his tracks. Now Alex has revealed a crucial three track single for the forTunea label. Leading with “Workaholic”, the release quickly establishes a hallucinatory deep house vibe, thanks to the pulsing bass drone and enigmatic spoken vocal that open the track. Crisp percussion and building melodies develop throughout the dream-like affair without ever losing grasp of the dance floor. “Slacker Attitude” gets into down-and-dirty territory, introducing a throbbing, funky bass line under the cut’s slinky tempo. Strange vocals pop in and out, and various treatments and tone splashes imply a covert operation in progress. Viennese DJ/producer Peletronic (Hungarian Hot Wax, Underluxe Records) provides a spacey remix of “Slacker Attitude” to close the single, showcasing strategically placed sonic hits and flourishes that compliment the steadily reverberating pad and insistent kick drum. Late night satisfaction guaranteed.

Dean Facer (Resident Advisor) – “Very nice indeed!” Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) – “That (Peletronic) late night dub though!” Tony H (Viva Recordings) – “I really dig the Workaholic track.” Simon G (Volcano Radio) – “I love Workaholic’s bumping, heavy bass line. Winner!” Larry Tee (Carnage Music) – “Hot one!” Makossa (Makossa & Megablast) – “Some solid tracks here.” Jamie Topham (CD Pool UK) – “Cool production across the whole EP. Peletronic’s Late Night Dub of Slacker Attitude grabbed my attention the most on here though.” Greg Fenton (Magazine Sixty / DMC Magazine) – “Good Dub by Peletronic.” Andrew Duke (Andrew Duke in the Mix) – “I’m very impressed with this label.” DJ Tronic (Dancefloor Mayhem Blog) - “Really like the Late Night Dub. Will play on my radio show.”

Klaus Benedek returns in style with the “Consequences” EP on forTunea, another grand foray showcasing the Austrian producer’s versatility and diversity. The title track is an energetic tech house adventure and stellar addition to any peak-time set. “Hibernation” and “The Rays of Your Arms Pierce the Mist” experiment with siren song vocals in sonic atmospheres reigning both dark and cozy. And yet the main show stealer on this release is the emotional “The One” on the a-side, whose iconic melody leads to a boisterous climax, rendering listeners speechless. Inspired by ‘90s techno and a longtime vinyl collector, the multidisciplinary Klaus Benedek weaves a patchwork of genre influences—Chicago house, deep house, disco and breakbeat—into a unified oeuvre both timely and consequential.

Pete Williams (Natural Rhythm) – “Chunky good vibes here.” SONNS / Alexandre Mouracade (Kompakt Records) – “Nice lush deepness. Well done!” Doza (LawnChair Generals) – “Very thoughtful and interesting tracks.” Rise Ashen (Balanced Records) – “I love these sounds.” Greg Dowling (Fish Go Deep) – “The Rays of Your Arms Pierce The Mist is for me, lovely track.” Blueshift (Nurvous Records) – “Great EP! I think ‘Hibernation’ will work best for my sets.” Dean Facer (Resident Advisor / Our House Magazine) – “Excellent EP throughout!” Marcelo Tavares (Deep Space Podcast) – “Stunning!” Laurent N. (House Nation Radio) – “Cool EP with nice sounds. Support.” K-Zan (Radio Galaxie FM) – “I’m really in love with Klaus’ productions. I’ll drop it in gigs for sure.”

Following critical mass around the forTunea vinyl release of Klaus Benedek's Exhausted EP, the Austrian label has now released its digital version. Leading track “Calm Before the Storm” is a 9-minute magic carpet ride weaving plush deep house rhythms with breakbeat underpinnings as a hand drum-laden slow percussive build gives way to a smooth string chorus. The original Benedek track “Still Daydreaming” is re-imagined by MPC wizard Roman Rauch (Philpot, Quintessentials, Secret Crunch, Tenderpark) with hard-edged minimal syncopation, while the EP’s title track “Exhausted” bounces with a hypnotic filtered hookline to plunge the listener from new depths to unmatched heights. Benedek’s “Exhausted” is replete with dance-worthy hooks sure to be a lethal weapon in any DJ arsenal. Give it a spin and add it to your stockpile of house music slayers.

DJ Harri (Sub Club) – “I’m liking these. Will play and support.” Mat.Joe (Mother Recordings) – “Dope!” Tensnake (Defected) – “Lovely pack, thanks!” Jaymz Nylon (Nylon Recordings) – “Amazing! I will support all 3 tracks.” Loz Goddard - (Kolour Music) – “The Roman Rauch Remix of Still Daydreaming will definitely get some use from me.” Michael Fossati (Spirit of House Web Zine) – A very mesmerizing gem.” Dean Facer (Resident Advisor) – “All three tunes are amazing!” Lars Behrenroth (Deeper Shades of House) – “Calm Before the Storm is super nice!” Dr. Best (Radio Z – Germany) – “Exhausted is my favorite here, nice tune.” DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show – Perth) – “Deep, dreamy house. I love it!” Simon Off aka Sun People (Sub FM) – “Great release! I love the broken beat vibes of Calm Before the Storm. I’ll play this in my sets and on the radio show.”

I’m sorry I’m late orz

13. Do you get jealous easily?

I… sometimes, I’m not very jealous but I do so… eue

37. Have you ever liked someone who your friends hated?

Yep, well, the hate didn’t start until later, does that count? 

50. If your first true love knocked on your door with apology and presents, would you accept?