The Underdogs DJ crew and party have brought the freshest house music to Rio de Janeiro for the last four years. The collective now branches out with an exciting new label featuring Bernardo Campos, ICLE, and Bruce Leroys, plus a remix from Tigerskin.

Bernardo Campos is a new addition who brings a wealth of experience to the Underdogs collective. He is one of Rio’s most notable DJs, and his music often gets played by the likes of Maya Jane Coles and Maceo Plex. He is also one half of Nu Azeite, who released a stunning debut album on Cocada Music in January 2021. That record found favour with everyone from BBC Radio 1 to DJ Seinfeld, Tim Sweeney, and Horse Meat Disco.

ICLE is a core Underdogs resident who makes his long-awaited production debut here. Completing the line-up for this EP is Bruce Leroys, the Brazilian pair of Marcelo Abreu and Diogo Vaille. They have more than 20 years of DJ experience and have produced many Beatport Chart-toppers, including the last outing ‘Dos Cuerpos’ on Wired. Ricardo Villalobos has remixed their work, and they have also released on Armada, Get Physical and Kittball, amongst others.

This superb track came about after Bernardo Campos presented a basic outline of it to ICLE. They then decided to add in the Bruce Leroys duo, and all collaborate on a final version. The classic ‘Connected’ single is a real house gem with modern verve. Pianos and violins, an acid bassline, and melodic synth ambiance all add rich details as a sensual male vocal repeats the mantra, “I’m high, I’m high on you; we’re connected; connected”. It adds up to six minutes of pure house elegance that will please fans of Hercules & Love Affair, Horse Meat Disco, and Frankie Knuckles.

German veteran Tigerskin remixes with a deeper and more psychedelic edge. The original structure remains, but the vocals gain a vocoder effect. The pianos echo in reverb, and the beat becomes more dreamy.

This excellent first EP is one of many lined up for 2021.

 

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Artist: Bernardo Campos, ICLE, Bruce Leroys, Underdogs
Title: Connected EP
Label: Underdogs Music
Release Date: 2021-06-11

 

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– jbravo
Juany Bravo

Managing Editor
jbravo@musicis4lovers.com