I’ve been following the mostly great output of Inner Tribe Records for quite some time and their new offering is a really special one. Inkswel is of course no stranger to the scene, a chameleon somehow-simply because you don’t know what to expect from him as he my deliver Reggae, Broken Beat, Hip Hop, House, Dub or maybe any other genre. There seems to be a certain affinity towards a good beat (well that’s nothing bad at all) and this is what we can see on his new EP titled ‘Resonance’ as well. Blending deep house textures, disco-infused grooves, and cosmic dance-floor energy, this one definitely points a mark towards international dance floors.
At the heart of the release is the club anthem “Play With Fire,” a propulsive and uplifting track featuring rising Melbourne vocalist Tyla Moonchild of Dakini Cuddle. Known for her celestial tone and emotionally rich lyricism, Tyla delivers a commanding performance that transforms the track into an instant dance-floor standout. Her presence brings a fierce spiritual depth, honoring the roots of soulful house while pushing boldly into the future.
The journey continues with “Dreamin,” a shimmering disco house workout that showcases the radiant vocals of Adelaide singer and activist LENI. Celebrated for his empowering message and community-driven artistry, LENI adds warmth, hope, and effortless groove to the track. His soulful delivery glides beautifully over Inkswel’s production, creating an irresistible moment of dance-floor uplift.
A particularly meaningful inclusion on the EP is a rare, previously unreleased collaboration with the late, great ERIK RICO, a visionary whose contributions to futuristic soul, broken beat, and underground R&B have inspired artists around the world. Erik Rico was known for his work with luminaries such as Jurassic 5, Planet Asia, 4th Avenue Jones, Ladybug Mecca, Bugz in the Attic, Tupac Shakur, and many others, and his recent passing left a deep impact on the global music community. His appearance here serves as a touching testament to his enduring creative brilliance. The track captures Rico’s unmistakable emotional depth, delivering a moment of beauty preserved from the vaults.
To further elevate the project, it features three stellar remixes from house music heavyweights. Sean McCabe delivers a warm, soulful reinterpretation crafted for peak-time dance floors, balancing emotional richness with rhythmic power. Meanwhile, Anton Zap contributes a spacious, atmospheric rework full of subtlety and late-night sophistication, expanding the EP’s sonic universe into deeper and more meditative territories. Lastly a digital only rework from another Moscow legend Lay-Far (also a chameleon as he has come up with D&B and Rave lately) keeps things in the pocket. For my personal taste, Sean McCabe delivers the stunner here-his remix is one of the best outings I`ve heard in the new year so far.
MANNIX 4/5