Various . Intercity Relations Guide Vol 1. New Release

April 2025 - Brooklyn, NY - Broad Channel proudly announces its fourth release: a literally wide-ranging Intercity Relations Guide - Volume 1 that marks a meaningful milestone for the label, its first release featuring music by other producers. This special 4-track vinyl only compilation gathers friends, mentors, and collaborators from across the globe, bringing to light the vibrant and interwoven underground scenes of NYC, Chicago, Detroit, and Japan.

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Born out of a moment of inspiration in the fall of 2024 after returning from Japan, label founder Derek Russo envisioned this release as a bridge - linking the warm relationships built abroad that were nurtured over years of DJing, producing, and hosting underground parties like Xoloft in Brooklyn. What followed was a natural convergence of sound, spirit, and community.

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The EP flows across a chugging tempo range, between 113 and 120 BPM, inviting listeners to sink into grooves that stretch from hypnotic house to raw jams that work both day and night. It’s a reflection of the label’s core ethos and catalog to date: genre-blurring and always rooted in the dancefloor.

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The A1 track “Hot Stew”, a collaboration featuring NYC underground legend now Japan-based DJ Monchan (Cedar Room, A1 Records) and Japan-based producer Aota. Based in Kagawa, Monchan continues to cultivate his deep musical roots through his new party Cedar House. Sizzling drum programming over funk oozed keys and guitar riffs on this certified party jam.

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“Zodiac Travel” by Derek Russo & Thomas Xu is a heady, stripped back groove born from a Sunday afternoon jam session with cohort Jack Pompe, his keyboard work the basis for an off-kilter looped riff. Serious bassline business underneath from the Broad Channel boss in Russo, and Xu who has released on Sound Signature among other notable labels.

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On the flip side, hailing from Detroit and owner of the Black Music label, Deon Jamar delivers a standout track in “Room 303” that’s equal parts smooth and gritty. A persistent deep pad swell carries the energy while percussion dances around it.

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Capping off the EP, Chicago legend Mark Grusane drops a raw spacey house jam. “Astro House” is dripping with classic Midwest soul. Soaring chords, a dark rubbery bassline, no nonsense drums. This one has been club tested here in the U.S. and abroad for a few years now and we are honored to give this an official release. Disctechno is Mark’s label launched in 2022, and is establishing itself is a fertile ground for top quality underground, Midwest dance music.

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This EP is more than just a record, it's a snapshot of what’s happening right now in the connected underground currents flowing through some of the world’s most musically rich cities. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for Broad Channel, and the first of a series dedicated to shining light on this global community.

Hailing from the Washington, D.C. area, Russo now resides in Brooklyn after a long stint in Colorado. Nearly 2 decades of DJing has fed into his productions starting to take shape and form in recent years. In 2020 Russo launched BROAD CHANNEL as an outlet to release his own music and perhaps others...