Sol Selectas continues to bring the heat after the success of its annual Summer Sol compilation in 2022, as the label is back with a rather impressive release by ARKADYAN.
ARKADYAN are a trio of artists that featured on Sol Selectas last year when they collaborated with Derun and this time they make their return with a solo original called ‘Tulila’.
There is only one original track, but that is accompanied by two remixes. One of the remixes is by French artist Safar (FR) who returns to Sol Selectas after making a recent debut on the imprint with a track on their aforementioned Summer Sol VII compilation.
Manoo is another French artist and he provides the second remix. The most established of the people that feature on this release, Manoo has soulful house roots and has features on other record labels including Dixon and Âme’s Innervisions.
Those who are familiar with the Sol Selectas style will be pleased to know that this release ticks all their boxes, as it’s got tribal percussion and ethnic instruments from Moroccan culture. Blending sounds both organic and electronic, it’s an organic house release with Afro grooves and immersive atmosphere.
The original mix unfolds as a storytelling piece of music that has contrasting sections. It has a suspense building vocal loop that opens up into a full lyrical section during the first break, then introduces a stabbing piano and dramatic bird sounds. The extended breakdown lets the vocal become the main focus before closing out with moody pads and dramatic percussion.
Safar (FR)’s remix simplifies the percussion into a conga loop that flows throughout the track to give the track more of a clubby vibe. Manoo’s remix is all about the percussion and the addition of a bass synth that adds a distinctive feel to his version.