If anything is evident from listening to Byron The Aquarius, it’s that he draws from a rich history of musical influences. Melody, counterpoint, soul, and rhythm come together in his eclectic, jazz-infused deep house cuts. The last 15 years have been a whirlwind of high-profile production credits, world tours, and beat making from his home in Alabama. It’s all culminated in an album titled Ambrosia, his debut release on Jeff Mills‘ Axis Records.

The almost improvisational nature of “Spirit of Juju,” exemplifies the Byron The Aquarius (real name Byron Blaylock) style to a T. His skills as a classically trained jazz pianist are on full display. He deftly navigates a nearly seven-minute excursion through a multitude of bluesy, syncopated motifs. All while, a lightly thumping kick drum and frenetic snares keep the time. Byron plays all the parts of a futuristic jazz trio beautifully here.

Blaylock began his journey as a student of jazz and classical. While he was in college and mostly making hip-hop beats, he had a chance meeting with Detroit’s Kai Alcé. The fortuitous introduction not only allowed him to explore the less mainstream side of dance – it also was an education in the inherent Blackness at the core of house and techno. The meeting with the Detroit producer also helped him along a path that led to him working with Eminem, and helped Blaylock begin to forge a career in music that would allow him space to truly be himself in his musical output.

You can purchase Ambrosia in its entirety via Axis Records.

COVID-19 has completely uprooted the music industry. In the midst of the pandemic, however, we’ve been provided with an opportunity to connect with artists in ways never before imagined. Afriqua has married a number of eclectic influences in his latest, “Wagwan Bhagwan?”

In the single, Afriqua’s command of the keys is on full display. The gifted classical pianist and groove technician makes the song’s complex aural textures seem like light work. Dreamy glissandos, jazzy chord progressions, and a shuffling groove are all laid out on his pair of keyboards. It’s remarkable to note how much the medium informs his music.

Afriqua’s rich, soulful sound is informed by a divergent patchwork of experiences. Raised in Virginia on a diet of hip-hop and classical piano, he showed early promise as a traditional musician and disc jockey. He entered his first DJ battle at 11 and became a student at the Interlochen Center for the Arts at 16. By the time he finished school he had been admitted to London’s Conservatory of Music, and had already established his sound in dance music. As he attended one of classical music’s most lauded institutions, he continued his education in a mecca of electronic music.

The allure of club culture proved to be too strong, and he was bounced from The Conservatory. In true rave fashion, he turned this bit of bad luck into the start of his career as a house producer. He dove into production and quickly signed his first records, and thus Afriqua was born.

“Wagwan Bhagwan?” is available as a download on Bandcamp.

“Close Enough” is the kind of deep house gem that results from four dynamic minds working as one. Thomas Garcia, production duo Joluca, and SOHMI have laid down a buttery jam dripped in laid-back soul via Whoyostro White.

The song is anchored by snappy drums and bass line that’s felt as much as it is heard. Hazy arpeggios give way to a jazzy, straightforward chord that holds the composition together. All the while, the keys jump straight out in front with some ultra funk that sounds like it was ripped straight from a jam session and SOHMI’s sultry vocals dot the landscape, painting a picture of deep house bliss.

L.A.’s Thomas Garcia’s motto is “I make what I like, and I play what I love.” It seems to be working out well for him considering he’s released regularly on labels that have redefined the sound of house music. House Of Hustle, My Techno Weighs A Ton, Elrow, and In/Rotation have all picked up work from this talented young producer. He also works the 9-5 thing with Create Music Group.

Joluca are Adam Johan and David Luca, two producers also based in L.A. but originally from Edmonton. They’d already become well-established names at home when they took the plunge and moved to a sunnier locale. Since relocating, they’ve found a new home at IO Music Academy, sharing the production knowledge that has led them to release on landmark labels like Desert Hearts and Psycho Disco.

Korean-American artist SOHMI has quickly established herself as one to watch. She has coveted festival sets under her belt for the likes of Ultra Korea and CRSSD Festival, and she’s also been tagged in by Claude Von Stroke for The Birdhouse on Sirius Radio and the now-legendary Desert Hearts Twitch stream, a necessary stop for house heads looking to raise their spirits in quarantine.

“Close Enough” is available for free download via Music Is 4 Lovers.

North Carolina’s RXPHY (pronounced Raphy) works in a multi-genre patchwork of smooth, synthy melodies and sharply accented rhythms. His Radiant compilation spans the electronic music spectrum from dreamy downtempo to edgy glitch. It exhibits a true sense of sonic diversity while maintaining a fluid, well-defined aesthetic throughout.

“Lively” is a dive into poolside deep house. Equally beautiful and danceable, it opens with a pulsating bed of slippery synths and moves through a world of evolving thematic elements. The jazzy chord structure and slap-happy bass line come straight to the front, adding to the sunny atmosphere. The drums, namely the use of a snap, make for an organic feel. Taking a more energetic approach to the theme in the second half he twists the lilting synths into a shoulder-popping rhythm never losing the serenity of dancing in the warmth of a summer sunset.

RXPHY is ambitious to say the least. With the ease at which music can be released, anyone can make an attempt to be prolific in terms of quantity. Releasing high-quality content in bulk is another story. His first full-length release comes only a few short years into his career and features 20 tracks, many of which are collaborations with friends across the genre spectrum. Each is wonderfully composed and could stand alone as a single release.

Considering his growing presence on YouTube and attempts at growing a collective of emerging artists, it’s clear that RXPHY is not only establishing a place for himself in music, but attempting to build a community that includes his cache of talented friends.

Stream the entire album on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Music, or purchase the full album on iTunes.