Miguel Migs: Best New Music

Although it’s absolutely true, to call Northern California DJ/producer Miguel Migs a “deep house” DJ would be a bit of an oversimplification, as his sound is a cool amalgam of downtempo dubby lounge, bossnova, and soulful house one would associate with labels like Om or Naked Music. This in no small part because it’s a sound he absolutely helped define. After hundreds of remixes and a bunch of releases on various labels, in 2005 Migs started his own label Salted Music (which has released music by Lisa Shaw and Kaskade, to name a few.)

On his brand new release, Outside the Skyline, Migs taps some of his Salted talent (Lisa Shaw,) but also has guest vocals from Meshell Ndegeocello, Aya, Bebel Gilberto, reggae legend Half Pint, and even disco-diva Evelyn “Champagne” King.

Tonight feat. Meshell Ndegeocello by OmRecords

The album as whole highlights not only Migs’ ear for a catchy melodic rhythm, but his gift for layering sounds. For example, on “Tonight” (which features Ms. Ndegeocello on vocals) the stunning production and arrangement of shimmering accents alone would be worth a listen alone, that is, if the song didn’t have a slow, honey-sticky groove that is just irresistible. With a chorus that repeats, “Don’t try to find me, Tonight, I’m lost until the sun comes up…” this is the kind of jam that is going to inspire many a game of cat & mouse in the club. Proceed with caution, but do indeed proceed. Find her. Find the record.

–Mario Cotto