House Music Essentials Vol. 27 featuring Ken Ishii, Bleu Clair & more – We Rave You

It is safe to say house and techno music are a safe haven for many in the electronic music world. No matter what time of the day it is, many of us across the world find numerous artists providing us an escape route or even just an excuse to dance your heart out. As we look into our twenty-seventh chapter of the House Music Essentials series, there are many artists we highly reccomend to keep on your radar. This edition boasts a stellar lineup, showcasing both seasoned legends and promising artists such as Ken Ishii, Bleu Clair, Sherm, Halil Sensei, Titus1, Freshcobar, Feint, and Lavelle Dupree.
First making his mark in the scene with his debut on the renowned Belgian techno label R&S Records, Japanese artist Ken Ishii has become internationally recognized as a pioneering force of techno music and pushing the culture forward one pulsating beat at a time. Feeling the need to let loose on the dancefloor and get lost in time with an audio-visual experience like no other? Well then Ken Ishii is the artist to satisfy all your needs as he takes full control of clubs and festivals including Monegros, WIRE, Thantawan Music and Lifestyle Festival, WOMB Tokyo, Decadence Belgium and many more. Notably, he composed the official theme song for the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, broadcast in over 140 countries. His impact extends beyond music, contributing to film soundtracks such as “Whiteout” and video games like Rez. Ken’s influence reached new heights when he curated the music and designed a surround sound system for the Seto-Nippon Pavilion at the 2005 World Expo in Aichi, Japan.
Performing his headline show at the iconic ZERO TOKYO in the heart of Shinjuku, Kabukicho, crowds of both locals and foreigners rushed to catch a glimpse of Ken Ishii doing what he does best. Rinsing out world-class tunes such as “Extra” and his newest edition “Neonride” with Dosem, attendees could not be contained as the energy was truly one a kind. With smiles on their faces and bass-induced frequencies taking over, Ken Ishii is a legend who we could never predict what he will play next. Taking fans on a euphoric, yet energetic journey through the realms of techno music, the Japanese producer’s ever-evolving sound shined bright alongside vibrant visuals. An experience like no other, Ken Ishii is the one to keep all eyes and ears on as he continues to push his signature experimental sound forward. Whether he is playing a festival or club event, Ken Ishii potrays his live shows with a fusion of both futuristic and industrial. To keep you sane until Ken Ishii’s next show at ZERO TOKYO on March 23 and Texas Eclipse Festival on April 7, be sure to listen to his latest tune out now via HOUSTRIKE label.

Bleu Clair – “Underwater”
With ‘Shake What You Mama,’ already released in 2024, Bleu Clair is wasting no time getting his movement going full steam ahead. 2023 was chalked full of massive achievement across multiple areas, including a Tomorrowland 2023 performance, millions of streams, and now more tour dates ahead of him 2024 including, Miami, Texas, and California. Bleu Clair has been at the tip of the spear when it comes to the culture of modern tech house, having a natural gift to craft songs consistently that touch the pulse of what the fans are both expecting and demanding. The phenomenon has allowed him to gain the support of names like Skrillex, DJ Snake, and Diplo, sign to labels like Musical Freedom, STMPD, and Insomniac Records, and become a household name globally in the space of electronic dance music.
Now, “Underwater” serves as the next chapter in the Bleu Clair legacy – this time, the young solo talent taking a more simple and rudimental approach to his production. The design and creative direction of the song allows the club-inclined vocal sample to stand out while the basslines and exotic percussion work to hypnotize the senses and hold your attention from start to finish. Simple, clean, and straight to the point – “Underwater” is a natural fit to the Bleu Clair catalog.

Sherm & Halil Sensei – “Toxic“
Chicago’s most buzzworthy house artist Sherm is on a meteoric trajectory, recently capping off 2023 with features in Forbes along with a direct support slot for Zedd’s NYE party at Navy Pier. The momentum isn’t slowing down, as Sherm is excited to reveal that not only will he be performing at Chicago’s esteemed North Coast Festival for his fifth year in a row, but he also is teaming up with Halil Sensei for their thumping tech house anthem, “Toxic,” out via Hood Politics Records.
“Toxic” epitomizes Sherm and Halil Sensei’s expertise with sound design and vocal sampling within the electronic music spectrum. The track is marked by a pulsating bass line, compelling vocals, rumbling beats and swaying synths, overall creating an enchanting experience. “Toxic” establishes undeniable energy that positions it as a peak-time track guaranteed to ignite any crowd.

Titus1 – “Fear”
With a strong 20 year track record, Titus1’s latest release, ’Fear’, is a glassy melodic house record with piercing vocals out on the label Andrew Rayel worked closely with Armin Van Buuren and Armada to start Find Your Harmony. Titus1 shares on his progressive melodic house peacemaker:
“I made an interesting melody for a background track and then submitted it to a list of vocalists who I really like for style. It came together in pieces and was made to capture the concept of fear and personification of that fear as an animated person or object that comes in a variety of ways and contributes to many things like anxiety, depression, etc. So, fighting fear as the root cause of many things and triumphing in moments as we walk in life with that fear behind us.”
Titus1’s music has surfaced in sets by leaders in his realm, Tritonal, Hardwell and Ferry Corsten to name a few with continuous releases on Showtek’s Dutch imprint, SKINK among other suiting labels such as Enhanced Progressive, and bass music for the soul with Simplify Recordings. The Canadian will play for the moment, creating atmosphere and has warmed up the crowd while playing alongside big-hitting producers such as Nicky Romero, Chris Lake, Andrew Beyer and Wax Motif to name a few. The Disciple of Synthesizer Witchcrafts will be controlling the gaskets of sounds that provide the perfect progressive layer to transcend any set.

Lavelle Dupree & Freshcobar – “House Shakin“
While Lavelle Dupree is still riding the wave of ’See You’, a collaboration with Scotty Boy that is peaking as one of the Groove Cruise Miami 2024 Top Tunes, he drops ‘House Shakin’ with NOS Recording’s label head, Freshcobar. Completing the EP is San Diego’s Erick Diaz’ remake. Talking with no nonsense funk vocals weaved together with sky-high tech house rhythms, peaking synths and rolling bass, ‘House Shakin’’ is a track to be felt. The crisp production reflects Lavelle and Freshcobar’s chemistry from years of studio time together and going B2B, releasing records on Enormous Tunes or performing alongside the likes of Sam Divine.
If you are heading to Miami Music Week you can catch Lavelle Dupree joining Gene Farris and Max Styler for Groove Cruise’s Incorrect showcase on March 20th. Sample his set by tuning into the latest edition of No One’s Safe Radio 013 featuring a spectrum of new house music, from funk and tech to minimal and bass. Freshcobar is coming off a well-received organic deep house EP titled ‘Gemini’ and a dance floor weapon ‘Dance Now’ with Erick Diaz. In the coming weeks, Freshcobar will be offering his skills and one winner to BPG Music Groups music producer contest. Producers can visit BPG Music group to learn more. The highly called upon DJ, Erick Diaz celebrated the release of ‘House Shakin’ with a performance opening for Sam Feldt at Parq Nightclub and will continue the vibes with a NOS Miami record next month. Get to know more of his collection starting with ‘Closer to Love’ that hit #10 on the Beatport Top 100 House Releases.

Feint – “Farcall“
Over a decade in the game, Feint never stops pushing the vision forward and keeping the movement going. This time, he’s taking his next release “Farcall,” in a different direction and going fully independent with it – the 2nd time ever he’s chosen this path. Epic, introspective, and true to his roots, “Farcall,” traverses deep into the space of drum and bass, providing a silky smooth experience regarding the rhythm and arrangement while utilizing highly-detailed technicality to bring out the originality of the experience.
Well-known and well-versed in the realm of drum and bass culture, but not exclusively pigeon-holed to it when it comes to his productions, Feint is unequivocally in his element with “Farcall,” his strengths and skills coming out full-bloom in this release. It is this factor , in part, that plays a role as to why this musical journey is so quaintly gripping and intoxicating. “Farcall,” goes beyond expectations and proves this time-testing talent hasn’t wavered in his abilities in the slightest.
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