Back catalogue: UK Garage

Review: Peaky Beats is a great name for a label that serves up such irresistible house and garage jams as it has so far over its first eight EPs. This ninth outing is no less desirable, coming from the in house production team in collaboration with Breakfake. 'Life In Stereo' hits a perfect note between kinetic drums and soulful, jazzy chords deigned to melt the heart. 'Rat City' is more filthy - a warped bassline screws about beneath more sleazy broken beats. 'Chapel Town' brings low end dubstep wobble to the party and 'Dub The Acid' is another filthy dirty skanker with echoing hits and mutant bass.

Review: It's been a long time since we heard from Pangaea, one of the three famous faces who made up the original Leeds label come ubiquitous DJ's DJ's DJ imprint - Hessle Audio. Though perhaps less appreciated than his contemporaries Ben UFO and Pearson Sound, now's his time to shine again: Changing Channels is his second ever album, following up 2016's In Drum Play (which for all its quality, rough, juddering techno experiments, will always line the shelves of many a budding selector). Like its predecessor, oddball bassy techno is here Pangaea's preferred mode, whether reflected in the sassy femme vocal cutups of 'Installation' or the spitting basses of 'Squid'. This is one of two vinyl 12"s over which the album is spread; an effort to enhance its playability for DJs.

Review: Pangaea's latest album Changing Channels comes a notable seven years after his debut, In Drum Play, and again hears the Hessle brain lay down a whopping demo in dance histrionics. Made in a period of oscillation - between international DJ sets and holidays of downtime and r&r - we get the impression of a remarkably clear-headed album, with the production crisp, and the choice and placement of samples neat. On this 12", we hear the LP's first part, with the no-fuss garagey 'Hole Away' and the stabby 'Changing Channels' piquing particular interest.

Review: Pangaea and Leonce's collaboration feels like a natural evolution of their respective sounds. 'Dusted' takes the more energetic route, drawing from UKG's signature drum patterns and crisp, chopped-up vocals. There's a weightlessness to it that feels characteristic of Pangaea's style, with the track riding that fine line between chaos and precision. It's rapid but controlled, capturing the essence of the UKG sound without resorting to tired cliches. On the other hand, 'Stuck' leans into a more understated vibe, pulling from the foundation of 90s US club music. It's relaxed, more patient in its progression, with a warm, spacious quality that contrasts nicely with the jitteriness of 'Dusted.' The contrast between the two tracks showcases the range of both artists: while they're clearly rooted in different scenes, they've found a way to merge their influences in a way that feels both fresh and familiar.

Review: New Portuguese label Pimento kicks off with a various artists showcase to give a good overview of the sort of sounds it will be working with, although the artists providing the music remain uncredited. 'PMT001 A1' is a nice speedy house cut with r&b vocals smeared into the quick and funky mix for some classy peak-time fun. 'PMT001 A2' has its head up amongst the stars thanks to a pixelated cosmic lead. 'PMT001 B1' is perfectly funky drum programming mixed with glitchy claps and sanded and some wonky pads and 'PMT001 B2' is a grubbier cut for more twisted afterparties.

Review: Time Is Now has done a sterling job of driving the garage sound of now forward. Obviously thinking they have spotted another niche, they recently started a white label off shoot that is presumably devised so as to help them navigate any difficulties that may come with using some of the samples we suspect have been used here. Whatever, the are all buying, full flavour garage tunes with bulbous bass and glitchy percussive patterns that will cut up the dance floor. The smart vocal flourishes bring heart and soul and ensure maximum impact.

Review: The Practical Rhythm crew are back with a third vital new release here. It's another trip back to the old school days of 90s garage but with a sufficiently stylish modern update. Sky Joose & DJ Perception are two of the scene's finest players and both come through here with a new single each. Sky Joose's 'Skin Teeth' is a dry, stripped back and minimal cut with darkened bass that becomes even more naughty with the Interplanetary Criminal SPZL remix. Perception then brings some light to the EP with his 'Oh Yes', a soulful cut with a magic lead and loose, tumbling drums. DJ Jason then flips it with some smeared, reversed bass and skeletal perc.