Hamza Rahimtula’s new album ‘Groove Guru’ will be out September 2nd via Selekta Recordings. Grab your copy here.
Purveying organically-charged deep house textures appears to be a life’s calling for New Delhi-based artist, Hamza Rahimtula. The DJ, producer, and record label head has carved out a fine reputation for purveying club-ready sonics with roots firmly planted in the authentic club sounds of the UK and US.
The country’s electronic music scene has been bubbling away for a good many years, too, but has more traditionally been associated with fast-paced sonics shifting through Goa trance, psytrance, and – more recently – the darker shades of techno and tech-house. Rahimtula, then, can be considered something of a pioneer: a fully committed artist powering against the grain to present his distinct musical vision, from India to the world.
Having lived in cities including New York, Paris, and Boston, Hamza was exposed to some of the pinnacle underground dance players during his time spent overseas. Danny Tenaglia, Terry Francis, Dave Mothersole, and DJ Heather are among those who helped inspire his onward journey, igniting within him a fiercely burning flame fuelled by the deepest funk-flecked and tribal-leaning dance sounds. Coupled with this, his long-standing fascination with indigenous global rhythms have come to exemplify his sound, and the Wind Horse label he runs has firmly established itself as a benchmark supplier of fusion dance grooves. Garnering heavyweight support from the likes of Richie Hawtin, Dubfire, Peter Kruder, Tom Findlay and Quentin Harris, the label’s prolific output is supremely polished and routinely excellent.
Effortlessly combining his symbiotic passions for world music and electronic production, his ongoing ‘Banjara’ series of albums has allowed Hamza to join forces with icons of international folk to collaborate and exchange – re-imagining mystical melodies and eternal rhythms for today’s clubs, bars, and beachsides.
While the bulk of his work arrives under the Wind Horse, his unique sound has caught the ears of A&R departments at some of the world’s best-known house imprints, and he’s released music on timeless labels including Kompakt, King Street Sounds, Nitegrooves, and Monique Speciale.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given his life’s trajectory, Hamza is a particularly accomplished DJ and selector, too, having performed refined and genre-spanning sets across continents. His stage shows have recently evolved to incorporate live improvisations and guest performances from talented musicians, including breathtaking sundown sessions with jazz vocalist, Mr Bista.
01. 4 Time – Clive From Accounts – Dirt Crew Recordings
02. Pass it on – Inland Knights – Raise Recordings
03. Abana – Sativa Jazz (Detlef Remix) – Bassa Bassa Records
04. Kelly G – “Feels Good” (Yeah!) (Kelly G. Little Louie Party Mix) – T’s Crates
05. Hold Me Tight – Jon Nick – Henry Street Music
06. Soul Monopoly – Hamza Rahimtula – Good For You Records
07. I Know How You Feel – Hamza Rahimtula – Selekta Recordings
08. The City (Extended Mix) – Harry Romero – Nu Grooves
09. Jaas Func Haus (Art Of Tones Remix) – Kapote – Tony Tonics
10. Gonna Get (Dub) – Traumer – Get Traum
