#kohib

8DPromo · Kohib - Find You (Beatservice Records)

A key figure in Tromsø's club scene since the late nighties, Øivind Andersen Sjøvoll, returns to Beatservice Records under his Kohib moniker for a deep, hypnotizing house cut, "Find You." Having released on Beatservice Records for nearly 20 years and putting out productions on labels such as Paper and Sprechen, Kohib's stature as a world-class producer, DJ, and club promoter speaks for itself. Get ready to be entranced by "Find You," Kohib's latest single. It's a musical journey that commences with a powerful, industrial bassline, punctuated by crunchy drum machine hits and echoing claps. Karoline Stensland's captivating vocal refrains further draw in the listener, creating a mantra that locks one into a spiraling groove as offbeat synth stabs and subtle strings bounce around the mind. It's a one-of-a-kind musical experience. Mesmeric and driving, every element is perfectly placed to resonate through the body and soul. This is machine music fused with feeling.

DJ Sabo (Sol Selectas) – “Damn this is fire. Proper groovy bass and luscious vocals. Love it.” Richard Hardcastle (All Out War Radio Show) – “Chicago vibes via Tromso – large!” Lee Jones (Country Gents / Buslife) – “This is really really good. Thanks loads.” Duserock (Finely Tuned) – “Love it! I will absolutely play it.” Simon Kirk (Proton Radio) – “Awesome … what a tune!” Yogi Haughton (DJ Mag reviewer) – “Oooof! Great vocal part and that bottom end. Love dis.”

8DPromo · Kohib - Take One (Beatservice Records)

Kohib is back in Beatservice action, joining forces with vocalist Karoline Stensland on the delightfully deviant "Take One." Since releasing last year's mesmerizing "Today's Tales Of Tomorrow," Øivind Sjøvoll took a short break from his Kohib project to deliver some heavy dancefloor textures under his Ransel alter ego. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait too long for Kohib's return, and he picked up where he left off with a typically refined slice of subterranean immersion. Fans of Sjøvoll's back catalog will know to expect the unexpected with each evolving release, and, true to form, the producer, DJ, and party promoter keeps audiences on their collective toes with a distinctly floor-focused turn. "Take One" sees crunching house drums power aberrant bass and detuned synth leads as brooding acid and tension-building strings add to the nocturnal mood. Karoline Stensland pitches in with a stirring vocal performance, flitting between snarling spoken word to searing soul as verse transitions into chorus. Driving, elegantly sinister, and steeped in soul, this is certified dancefloor fire from Kohib.

Psycho-Jones (Kater Blau) – “Killer! Can’t wait to spin it.” Al Mackenzie (Retroforward) – “Big fan of Kohib. This doesn’t disappoint.” Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “Ooh I’ll take one please!” Jean Jérome (Kut ‘N’ Paste) – “Twisted! A great track.” Black Mighty Wax (GRU Radio) – “It makes me move – that’s a good sign.” Simon Kirk (Proton Radio) – “Love this. I can see two copies being worked.”

8DPromo · Ransel - Phoenix (Beatservice Records)

Beatservice Records presents the latest single from Øivind Sjøvoll's recently birthed Ransel moniker, the talented artist taking time out from his familiar Kohib project to craft the powerfully atmospheric brooder, "Phoenix." Sjøvoll launched the Ransel project in 2022 as an outlet for his more club-focused productions, maintaining his immaculate production aesthetic while constructing subtly new sounds with a kinetic charge at their core. Having released a dazzling body of work on some of the underground's most revered labels as Kohib, he's long been a key feature in Beatervice Record's roundly compelling roster. His latest material is just as engaging as one comes to expect from this unique musical voice. "Phoenix" launches with gorgeously evocative chords simmering over a percussive rhythm. Effortlessly building as the arrangement unfolds, haunting motifs and dubbed-out delays meander across the panorama, with sinister bass notes and grainy synth textures adding tension before the seductive groove resolves into a pulsating heads-down strut.

Deep, vivid, and gently poignant in tone, this is sublime work once again from Sjøvoll, his Ransel alter-ego demonstrating another string to his creative bow.

Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “Loving the effortlessly cool vibes here. A treat to drift away to.” Chris Simmonds (Cross Section Music) – “Super chilled. Will support.” Merlyn Martin (Baker Street Recordings) – “This is a very solid release.” Jamie Topham (Summer Soulstice) – “Silky production and late night vibes.” Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “STUNNING! A must for the show this month. Love me some hangdrum.” Simon Kirk (Proton Radio) – “A real treasure here. Beautiful chords and those delicate, thoughtful melodies fill me with joy.”

8DPromo · Ransel - Islands (Beatservice Records)

Beatservice Records is thrilled to announce the *Islands EP from Ransel – an intriguing new project birthed from the inspired mind of Øivind A Sjøvoll, better known as Kohib. The Islands EP sees Sjøvoll adopt a floor-focused sound for the all-new moniker, serving two typically finessed compositions that each exude the distinguished quality of production we've come to expect from the skilled sonic craftsman. Having released scores of well-regarded titles on some of the world's most revered underground labels, his latest project is a perfect fit for his familiar Beatservice home. Both tracks on the EP feature bewitching vocals performed by Charlotte Qamaniq and Kathleen Merrit, who spent time visiting his Tromsø hometown back in 2018. Embellishing the music with a delightfully mysterious charm, their traditional throat singing lends itself perfectly to Sjøvoll's profound sound signature. The opening track "Qimmiq" unfolds over a hypnotic midtempo rhythm, with the unforgettable vocals echoing over a bed of immaculately formed synth textures as thick waves of percussion add endless depth to the groove. Undulating over a deeply immersive arrangement, the music mesmerizes as it effortlessly builds. Nudging the tempo while delicately upping the energy levels, the propulsive strut of "Islands" is equally atmospheric. Rugged drums and infectious percussion provide the club-ready power before the almighty bass hook adds infinite weight to the groove. Purposefully ebbing and flowing over a full-bodied arrangement, saucer-eyed synths and loose-limbed congas swirl over the grainy vocal chants, combining to create a gloriously enigmatic moment of dance-focused abandon. Striking, original, and overflowing with class, this is yet more impressive work from Sjøvoll, leaving us waiting with bated breath to hear more music crafted under his fascinating new Ransel alter-ego.

Peter Kruder (Kruder & Dorfmeister) – “Islands is great! Thank you.” Flash Atkins (Paper Recordings) – “Pure heat from Kohib. Loving the murky, swampy Islands.” Trent Banks / Citrus Age (Reflect) – “Wow! What a deep, visceral project. This will take people to other places.” Sean Johnston (Hardway Bros) – “Both of these tracks are excellent.” MGiK (Sofa Surfing) – “On air a must!” Quincy Jointz (Ibiza Global Radio) – “I like ‘Qimmiq’. Also, I can imagin playing ‘Islands’ with it’s heavy percussion in my DJ sets at the right time.”

As a longtime member of the Tromsø electronic music scene, the multi-faceted Kohib has acted as a club organizer, DJ, and prolific producer. Since debuting on Beatservice’s Prima Norsk 3 compilation Kohib has released numerous singles and EPs as well as the album Make Fire and its remixed companion. In addition to club-focused tracks for Beatservice, Sprechen, Cibicaldi, and SpinSpin NYC, Kohib is also proficient in headier electronic styles. In that vein, his album track “Hear This” appeared on the Buddha Bar XIV compilation. A highlight of 2012’s Solar Day EP was “So Good,” a fiery dance-floor stomper with Dagny on vocals — before she released her worldwide super-hit “Backbeat.” Kohib decided to test out a newly constructed studio set-up by revisiting “So Good” for one of his renowned Discomixes. It’s a shameless and irresistible dance version that’s twisted and funky, pulling in elements from disco, ‘80s synth pop, and modern house music sounds. Accompanying this stunner is a remix from Reggie Got Beats, the latest addition to the Beatservice roster. This ‘b-side’ mix complements Kohib’s version with extra funk and rhythm action, giving lucky DJs a tough choice for their sets. Might as well play both!

Vanilla Ace (Toolroom) – “Cool disco flava.” DJ Sabo (Sol Selectas) – “The Reggie remix is funky.” Mat.Joe (Mother Recordings) – “This is dope!” Mr. V (Sole Channel Music) – “I Love this!” K-Zan (Radio Galaxie FM) – “2 great versions. Full support!” Cabaret Nocturne (MFR / Nein) – Italo Disco Power! I lke this revival.” Belabouche (Midnight Riot) – “Reggie Got Beats Remix for me!” SimonG (Volcano Radio) – “As the title says, so good … Nice, funky, and floor ready.” Richard Hardcastle (Solid State) – “So good indeed! Reggie’s funkier take does it for me. Killer production and hooks on both.” Bruce Tantum (XLR8R) – “Cute little tune. Digging both sides a LOT!”

A little bit of Nordic disco thunder to rejuvenate Kohib’s earlier collaboration with Dagny, the Norwegian producers reimagines "So Good” with a cosmic, italo-pop energy.  Written back in 2012, Dagny and Kohib both from the northern city of Tromsø recorded the original version in 2012 with the track appearing on Kohib’s “Solar Day” EP. However, it wasn’t long before Dagny made herself Norway’s pop darling with her breakout hit “Backbeat” and Kohib felt the song needs an update to suit her newly-found stature as he explains:    

“‘So Good’ was originally a organ-bass driven house tune, which in the last minute before delivery, Dagny came along and recorded a killer vocal. I never quite felt that her vocals came through on this track, so a new release with a re-edit has been planned for a while now."

Pumping through the robotic energy of its bleeps and booms, Dagny tops off the track with a fun and inviting vocal. With the cheerful charm of Dagny’s voice complimenting the jumpy staccato of the track, glitchy synths dance between the acidic snarl of percolating synth cascades and the track’s intergalactic wonder.

A blast from the not-so-distant past, you can revisit Kohib’s update to “So Good” alongside the original, and her high-profile collaboration with Steve Aoki on the blurting bass and penetrating sound of “Hit Your Heart”.

“Hit Your Heart”

“So Good” (Original Mix)

Kohib is an important member of the Tromsø electronic music scene, equally as a club organizer, DJ, and producer. His debut was on the Prima Norsk 3 compilation in 2005, followed by an album, a remix-album, and a string of highly regarded EPs and singles. Kohib has had success both with his electronica-style releases (the track “Hear This” from his debut album was licensed to the Buddha Bar XIV compilation) as well as his dance floor releases for Beatservice, Sprechen, Cibicaldi, and SpinSpin NYC. This latest track for Beatservice, “Talk To Me”, was originally commissioned for the Trash The Wax Vol. 3 compilation on Paper Recordings. The full length version is revisited for this single, accompanied by a shorter Discomix. Featuring a spectacular live bass line, party-starting handclap percussion, and rousing vocals by Fox, “Talk To Me” is a prime time nightclub mover and shaker. The cut is surely a future disco classic in a just world, ready now for DJ validation and repeated after hours rinsings.

Michael Fossati (Spirit of House Web Zine) – “Contemporary disco at its best.” Jon Wesley (Music Goes On Radio Show) – “Damn this s$%t is amazing. It’s nice to hear something that sounds different. The crowd is gonna eat this up.” Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “Superb and sleazy!” Craig Stewart (Montana & Stewart) – “Feelin’ both mixes.” Piiit (Septante Sept) – “Excellent! Super funky.” Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “Infectious … never a bad thing.” Zach Van Lue (91X) – “A Smasher.” Snooba (Radio Panik) – “Superb! Universal!” Cabaret Nocturne (Nein / MFR) – “Bomb!” SimonG (Volcano Radio) – “Wacky beats that slink along … infectious.” Daz-I-Kue (Future Soul Records) – “This is cool. Seeing this being chart bound and a festival fave.”

Ravi Brunsvik is one of the young forces in the current house-scene in Oslo, Norway. He is half of the duo De Fantastiske To, who have released fantastic EPs on Paper Recordings, Trunkfunk Records, Omena, and Ism Recordings. Ravi’s solo project, Rave-enka, has issued a couple of house releases on Paper Recordings, along with a more techno-ish EP on Nein Records. Now Rave-enka joins Beatservice Records for Friksjon – a jam-packed release featuring two glitzy club-ready stompers and stellar remix work from Manchester DJ Chris Massey (Paper, Sprechen) and familiar Tromsø-artist Kohib.“Friksjon” started out as a remix commissioned for Beatservice, but eventually evolved into a track of its own. It’s a frenzied four-on-the-floor club cut with hints of Detroit and an early ’90s sound run through 2017’s rave filter. This is followed by the hypnotic “Diskomiddel” which features robotic arpeggiations, an insistent bass line, and a totally mental build-up that ideally would be accompanied by blazing strobe lights. On the remix tip, Chris Massey tackles “Friksjon” with confidence, delivering a version that gives the retro-flavored original a modern late-night house music sheen. Kohib then works his magic on “Diskomiddel”, somehow making the track more intense and dramatic with a pulsing drive that will send gravitational waves spiraling all over the dance floor.

Claude Young (Different World Productions, Tokyo) – “Friksjon is a really hot floor mover! Nice!” Larry Tee (Carnage Music) – “I’m loving this!” Onionz (Electrik Soul) – “Nice One!” Tronik Youth (Nein Records) – “I love the Kohib remix.” Dean Facer (Resident Advisor / Our House Magazine) – “Amazing release … I really love this vibe!” Snooba (Radio Panik) – “Infectious Dance Floor Trax!” Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “Amazing work again from Rave-enka. I’m a fan!” David Cronin (RTE 2FM Radio) – “Lovely 4 tracker here. Will play.” Osvaldo Panero (DJW Magazine – Argentina) – “Bueno!” Jamie Topham (Summer Soulstice) – “Another fine release on the Beatservice imprint. The Rave-enka original of Friksjon is my pick, it takes you back to the halcyon days of house music.”