by
Juno Daily
on 27.06.2025 at 17:06pm.
Last edited: 27.06.2025 at 17:28pm.
‘Rare…’ treats
‘The Rare Groove Project’ does what it says on tin, for sure, with newly recreated versions of classic and hard to find gems from the disco archives. It was conceived by Cosmocities label boss Matt Soulie and US prouducer Erik Rico – who’s worked with Ron Trent, Tu-Pac and J Dilla among others – with a clutch of top remix names also drafted in to add their magic.
Here, Matt and Erik (pictured, above) tell us more, and share the EP’s opening tune ‘Straight Forward’, exclusive to Juno Daily’s readers. You lucky, lucky people.
Hi thanks for your time…. First of all, can you tell us where you are right now, and what kind of day you’re having… Been anywhere already or going anywhere interesting later?
Matt : It’s my birthday, so thanks for the interview proposal!
How did the two of you meet, and how did this collaboration come about? How did you pick the tracks to cover…
Matt: We met thanks to Inskwel, as Erik made a ‘featuring’ on his album (CMSR07). We became friends. We released the ‘How It Feels To Be Loved ‘EP on digital in 2023 and last year on vinyl, with Josh Milan and Marc Mac remixes. Erik sent me also some great demo reworks (Bowie, Prince). I asked him if he would be able to make covers of rare groove tracks from my vinyl collection. There’s so many edits of rare groove tracks but few replayed with a real instrumentation. Erik purchased vintage gear for this project!
Erik: Indeed Matt and I met via my collaboration for Inkswel’s album for the song ‘Cosmic Love Affair’ and from there we’ve built a solid business relationship and a great friendship. Matt has a musical vision similar to my very own, we both love, respect and admire quality and diversity in music and have a shared mission to bring those qualities to the people, which makes us working together a natural fit.
How long have you had the original records, where did you purchase them? Any interesting stories connected to them?
Matt: I bought the records by digging on Discogs almost ten years ago. I bought one of them from Gerd (Star Lighters’ ‘Disco Funk’), he‘s a great collector too. Somebody asked me last year 1500 euros to buy it ! I said no, thank you…
Are there any other records you’d like to cover? Erik: Yes we plan to release a Rare Groove project vol.2.
You’ve chosen a few power house remixers in Gerd, Aroop Roy and DJ Nature… Why them and what do you think they add?
Matt: Naturally, I suggested to Gerd to remix one track. I’m also a big fan of DJ Nature and Milo said yes. Finally, Aroop Roy released some fantastic remixes recently. They added their touch and we have more diversity for the Rare Groove project.
What’s next for you in the short/medium/long term? What are you hearing that’s inspiring you? Any more live/DJ/release action we should know about?
Matt: The next EP is with FLAUR a band from my city (Dijon) with remixes from Art Of Tones, Faze Action and Gaettson – perfect summer vibes ! I start to work on Denshi Ongaku No Bigaku Vol3, a compilation dedicated to Japanese electronic music, and we have a techno project with Erik.
Erik: As it turns out I’m currently in the process of completing five EP projects with another four to begin production just after. The global independent landscape at the moment I feel is wide open so I want to be prolific in both my releases and a singer/songwriter, producer and musician, I absolutely love learning, expanding and pushing the envelope creatively and I’m very thankful to/for Matt and other labels/label owners that encompass this mentality, approach and mindset.
Buy ‘The Rare Groove Project’ EP on vinyl here
