This week's second update is up and online now at Primalrecords.com, and we're back on track with dozens of new releases and a clutch of exclusive promo material in the Online Shop now. First and foremost, of course, are exclusive pre-release copies of the latest record to be launched from our very own PR2 Recordings stable--and this one is hot. Check the hitlist:

MR. BARCODE "Binary Is The Language Of Love" EP PR2 Recordings (Promo) [House, Tech-house, Breaks] With an earnest heart, we'd like to welcome the newest member of the Primal Records family: Everyone, please welcome Mr. Barcode! Mr. Barcode is a computer with soul. He's a hard drive with a funk chip. And together with his friend, George the Calculator, they make beautiful music together. Binary Is The Language Of Love is an EP that expresses humanity through a non-human voice: "Robot Love" takes freaked-out techy groovisms to the next level, finding itself torn between the driving b-line that propels the track and the tweaked keyboard commands that elevate its energy. On the flip, Mr. Barcode gets downright filthy with "Disgusting Base," an exercise in acid house that sounds like no other track you've heard this year--or maybe ever. (We're not kidding!) This is truly sick stuff. Wrapping up the package is the Broken Robots Mix of "Robot Love," a breakbeat interpretation that will likely garner airplay from electro and breaks enthusiasts alike. We only communicate with Mr. Barcode through e-mail (he got rid of his phone line when DSL came around), so we don't know much about him. All we know is that he was really pissed when he heard we did a record with Jay Tripwire. It almost sunk the deal, but luckily, he came around to his senses. If technology defines how we'll live in the future, Mr. Barcode defines how we'll dance.

www.primalrecords.com/pr2/index.html

LITTLE MIKE "Dirty Pusherman" (Original & DJ Sense Mxs) Phrunky (Promo) [House, Tribal, Tech-house] The Casa Del Soul crew from Denver, CO, was putting out quality tech-house records long before the genre became fashionable and members Little Mike and Ty Tek were two of the label's brightest stars. These days, the pair run the up-and-coming Phrunky label, and here, Little Mike authors its third release--another exclusive promo here. "Dirty Pusherman" is a of the fat-and-chunky variety--drums so big, it'll make your tiny DJ bar sound like Fabric; bass so deep, it'll shake your rib-cage. Absolutely outstanding. Casa principal DJ Sense comes correct on the remix for a fresh underground feel, steeped in a dark and dubby element that would work well for warming up or building up. Excellent stuff.

www.phrunky.com

CUTLAB "Alpha" EP 2x12" (Original, Go! Dimaggio, and Chatelain Mxs) Big Chief (Promo) [House, Tribal, Tech-house] You know it's a big deal for Big Chief when they're kicking out the doublepack action. Cutlab, perhaps best known for the massive Loudkissing EP, returns with "Alpha," a high-energy tribal run with a Moroder-like synth pattern that keeps its feet firmly planted in tech-house territory, but finds crossover potential written all over it. Newcomer Chatelain offers a darker tribal interpretation that should go over well with the Lawler and Stephan set, but it's UK house folks Go! Dimaggio that bring the funk with a deep and atmospheric tech-houser that recalls the classic Pagan and Eukahouse sound of the late '90s. This one's on extremely limited white label and is, as always, first-come, first-serve.

www.syntaxrecordings.com/bigchief

JAY TRIPWIRE "Heavy Handed" EP Inversus (Promo) [House, Tech-house] Everyone's favorite Vancouverite hits off his second EP for Florida's Inversus label with an ode to marmite. (Paul Louth, are you listening?!) Seriously, though, "Marmite" is one of Tripwire's most infectious tracks ever--straightforward funky house on an acid bender. "Figs & Cheese" is another one of Jay's trademark dub housers, but my pick is loyally given over to "Marmite." Throw in some extra acid DJ tools for some creative jockey action and you've got a crucial package.

www.inversusrecords.com

SWAG "I Need A Freak" (Freaks Rmx) / "Where I Belong" (Swag's Basement Dub) Version Limited [House, Tech-house, Breaks] Collectors beware! The latest remix package from the inestimable Swag crew is limited to 1000 copies only! And if you're like me, you're probably gonna want this. Freaks hand in a mindbending and groundbreaking mix; it's a deftly cut-up and sewn back together sampling frenzy with a classic Chicago vibe that recalls early Green Velvet. On the flip, Swag revisit "Where I Belong" with a tech-house breaks agenda--a no-brainer for folks like Craig Richards, James Zabiela, and Bushwacka. But once this one is gone, kiss it goodbye. Don't sleep.

www.swag-uk.net

JONENE, J-ROD & PAT NICE "Nice Rod, Nene!"EP Market House Meats [House, Tech-house] Three of the brightest producers in US house music collaborate for this fantastic 3-track EP. Former Panhandle honcho and current Safe In Sound kingpin Jonene teams up with Kansas City ones-to-watch J-Rod and Pat Nice for some deep and funky business. "Funky Bus" has got that Chicago-meets-SF swing--a tougher drum sequence gets laced with warm, jazzy keys for a balancing dancefloor effect. "White People" takes its cue from the early Panhandle sound, merging Transmat effects with Strictly Rhythm grooves, while "Can People Dance" takes my pick for the EP: Imagine Brett Johnson let loose with a Speak & Spell toy and you might get the idea.

http://www.markethousemeats.com

COCA DASILVA "The Shiva Chant" (2 Mixes) Kismet [House, Tech-house, Techno] This one is not your traditional dancefloor fare by any means, but I felt compelled to mention it because, hey, it's really really good. Underground Sound Of Lisbon mainman Rui Da Silva hooks up with Chris Mellor for a lush and dubby soundscape that will probably freak some people out at the afterparty. The atmosheric edge recalls Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works, but the main mix fuses that airy vibe with a Maurizio-styled minimalism that is truly resonating around here. Records are always jackin' or funky or pumpin', but not since King Britt's mix of Chris Coco's "Albatross" have I ever called a record beautiful. This record is just that.

http://www.kismetrecords.com

Also new this week is remix and production work from DJ Rasoul, Jay-J, DJ Sense, PC Synergy, Eddie Richards, Powerplant, James Holden, Greenskeepers, Waric Cameron, Plump DJs, Planet Funk, Satoshi Tomiie, Piliavin & Zimbardo, Bushwacka!, and much more.

New label output from G-Swing, Soundproof, Distraekt, Plank, LSF, Saw Recordings, Drenched, Release, Finger Lickin', Fade, Wally's Groove World, Shinichi, Hi-Phen, Moving Target, Airtight, and more is also in.

And don't forget: Full restocks of Kaskade's limited edition Beats and Pieces EP are back in stock now. This will probably be the final restock on this one, so don't waste any time.

Thanks again for all your support. Have an excellent weekend, and be good!

(Norman Arenas)