Hamza & Vipul - House Music Soldiers

After three years of spreading India’s blossoming house music sound globally, Wind Horse Records continues to evolve with its sixteenth release, the superb “House Music Soldiers.” This is a collaborative production from Wind Horse’s two major players, Hamza and Vipul, who have individually made their names known through celebrated international DJ gigs and releases on a variety of imprints. Both based in New Delhi, the pair’s output has consistently exhibited sweeping, cinematic production, the inclusion of exotic live musicians, and rhythms drawing on the beats of India to create potent dance floor winners.

“House Music Soldiers” continues the label’s string of top notch releases, with this one being a bit extra special. It’s the first time Hamza and Vipul have collaborated on an original even though the two have been close friends since meeting years ago in the New Delhi club scene. “House Music Soldiers” has the cohesive, focused deep house sound of two like-minded DJs working as one in the studio. A rolling, deep rhythm leads a warm, bouncing bass line and electric chord stabs into the cut’s hypnotic spell. A processed vocal hook appears throughout “House Music Soldiers,” seeming almost like an incantation of the track’s name. It’s late night house music business of the highest order.

A trio of first-rate remixes further flesh out “House Music Soldiers.” Dutch DJ / producer Sebastian Davidson (Nightbird Music, Noir, I Records) is first with an atmospheric and evocative re-telling that pulses and grooves for perfect after-hours action. New Delhi’s Kartech, who previously appeared on last year’s Wind Horse Sampler, then provides a fine remix with swinging percussion, dubby flourishes, and dramatic (but still deep) breakdowns. The final version is courtesy of a recent Wind Horse discovery in New Delhi, Steve Conlan, who makes a strong debut with this remix. Steve turns the energy up a little by adding a huge bass line, staccato chord repetitions, and a crisp, steady build that’s primed for the nightclubs. It’s a fantastic package from Wind Horse Records, Hamza, and Vipul ready to be a part of DJ sets worldwide.