Ever thought of what Funk-tai-chi would be like? Let me tempt you with some 'Global Caress' with Byron The Aquarius - the water god of funky movement.
We've sung the praises of Tim Zawada (head honcho of the Star Creature label out of Chicago) many times before but he's clearly felt that there was room for a sub-label that he's called Global Caress.
Now on it's fourth release, it's hard to think of someone that fits the bill to fit a "giant 12” that underground than a giant hero of the underground – Byron The Aquarius!
If you got the the 'teaser' of a 7" 'Jamajama' that came out earliet this year that both Tim and BTA played at this years' Movement Festival in Detroit, this 12" EP expands on that killer A-side with the b-side, 'Higher' with Steven Klavier, as a digital bonus track.
If you know the name Byron The Aquarius you'll know how good this is already without even hearing it. The man originally from Birmingham (not UK) and now resident in Atlanta (Ed. is that BALT? - see ) has been on so many remixes and collaborations over many year, to pick just a couple is an injustice but there's a Manchester connection with James Kumo (see review HERE) and Mecca:83 ('Shine Through', 2014) (Ed. don't forget the remix on Brandon Markell Holmes & Toribio's 'Go Ahead' on toucan sounds - see review HERE), but BTA has been a leading light where underground house meets techno (like the humorous space funk of 'ATLiens 2 Detroit' - did you see what he did with the title there?) with spirit of soul ('Higher'), skill of jazz and hip hop (spoken rap on 'FaNtAsies' plus some dirty jazzy-house ('Bob Power At It Again (NYC)') and warped Egyptian Lover funk: like how he's used Kai Alcé's 'NDATL' moniker format on these track titles.
How did this 12" come about? We're told, "Star Creature A&R / Global Caress series curator “Kool” Hersh Singh has been friends with Byron for years, first meeting at fellow underground sound pusher Nick Hook’s NYC Birthday party where they were all sharing the decks. This has since spawned friendships and DJ nights across the US and soon to be beyond".
Well if you ever find yourself "across the US" or even in the beyond in the near future, you'll need this 12" to get you in the cosmic mood.
Artist: Byron The Aquarious
Title: Motivate Your Mind EP
Release date: 26th September, 2025
Label: Star Creature
Cat. No: SC1263
Format: 12" / Digital / Bandcamp
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