Review: Fuse is one of those labels and parties that has a very distinctive sound and hardcore following for it. Spearheaded by Enzo Siracusa and now a real institution of the underground, here it looks to Admnti for three fresh new sounds. 'Vibrations' is kinetic future music that twists together wiry synths and tight tech drums into something irresistible. 'Infinite Function' is another brilliantly infectious mix of tech and dub that makes for high-speed groove-thrills and 'Original Sin' then takes a more spaced-out approach with warped acid lines. Malin Genie remixes the opener with a cool sense of deep house smoothness.
Review: We are real fans of the PIV label out of the Netherlands for the way they have bright plenty of new thinking to house and tech. Their Limited label off-shoot is even more forward-thinking and this time welcomes ADR for some of their signature sounds. 'Daft Excluder' gets underway with flappy snares and a nice nebulous ecosystem of neon synth details and snappy drums. The Casey Spillman remix gets more punch with wet clicks and a garage tinge to the drums. 'Professor Magnet' sinks you into a bulbous bass line that is warped and fluid under snappy claps and 'Infinity808' brings nice and trippy electro vibes and a kinetic rhythm to close. It might be the best of the lot.
Review: Skylax has never cared for trends of fads and has always dealt in classically inclined house music from artists old and new. The French imprint now looks to Nicolas Aftalion for the second volume of his Spirit of House EP. He captures just that expertly with the opener 'Cruise In Paradise' riding a nice mid-tempo groove with heartfelt vocal hooks. 'A Message To Mad Mike' ups the energy a little with more prominent pads and 'Paris Is Burning' taps into a sense and soulful groove with lush, lazy drums. 'Soulful In Paris' has a nice 90s feel the way the chords and drums sit with one another and is sure to bring the good times.
Review: Ron Morelli's long-running and always forward-thinking L.I.E.S label looks to prolific producer Orion Agassi who hails from Spain and has proven himself as a real house mainstay. He backs up that reputation with six cuts of "straight up beat tracks for the club." They are inspired by the legacy of early WBMX mix shows and come with a hint of Latin flavour, with hammers percussion, snappy drum patterns and fiery vocals all making for a nice and wonky workout across a range of inviting tempos. A very useful album that has something for a wide spread of dance floor moments.
Living On My Memories (feat Giulia La Rosa) (4:12)
Serenade (4:35)
Review: Ahead of his second upcoming album For Today, Etnean artist Agosta presents two unreleased tracks on a new 7" featuring Giulia La Rosa's poetic vocals. These gems blend chill-out electronics with Balearic vibes that are perfect for the brighter days ahead. 'Serenade' offers a sophisticated mix of elegant dance and relaxed atmospheres with inspiration taken from artists like Felipe Gordon and Nutty Nys. Its fluid groove, gentle percussion and dreamy synths create an immersive intimate vibe and both of these tracks evoke sunset serenity with real warmth in the vocals.
Review: London-based Italian David Agrella is the man behind the Agrellomatica Records label and now for its fifth release, he has tapped up some undeniably quality names to remix the title tune from his debut Modulo EP back in 2007. Baby Ford kicks off with a deliciously deep and dubbed-out minimal house roller that is detailed with wispy chords and eerie vocalisations. Agrella himself then flips it into a rubbery 909 workout with pops and bubbles next to the leggy drums. GNMR goes for a gritty, heads down and back room techno roller and to close, NDR brings a retro techno sound with molten acid lines. All in all a very useful outing.
Review: David Agrella returns to his Agrellomatica Records with the spacey house sounds of 'Flowing', featuring remixes from Ben Hauke & Mr Barcode. Hot on the heels of his recent 'Freedom Unfolding' release, praised by Raresh, Sasha, Laurent Garnier, Vladimir Ivkovic and Dorian Paic, Italian-born tastemaker David Agrella is back on his Agrellomatica imprint with more intergalactic fire. This time, the London-based selector serves up four groove-laden cuts across 'Flowing', including remixes from Woop Records' Ben Hauke and Into The Wizards' Sleeve Mr Barcode.
Title track 'Flowing' is a cosmic voyage peppered with glossy pads, eerie synths and sharp percussion, before Agrella's own 'Sabotage Mix' throws in deep, driving tones, subtle robotic vocals, and interstellar keys. On the flip, Ben Hauke delivers a dubbed-out reshape, harnessing fluttering echoes, emotive harmonies and deep basslines. To close, Mr Barcode provides a punchy electro remix, as warped samples and driving low-ends get down in this slice of dancefloor mania.
Review: Brixton-based David Agrella returns after the success of his Baby Ford-remixed 'Modulo 02', with two tracks and a nifty remix of each to boot. 'I Felt It Coming' is a heady peak time track, with Underground Resistance-style drum machine handclaps and an addictive synth hook and all the suspense and drama of a Stephen King horror tale. Domenico Rosa's remix turns that frown upside down, converting it into a perky, cheeky and altogether lighter workout that nevertheless will keep feet on the dancefloor. 'Reflexion Nocturna' (Priori remix) kicks off the B-side with fizzling dub techno stealth, subtly embellished with a smidgeon of 'Funky Drummer' breakbeat, while Agrella's original closes proceedings with head down, echo-set Leftfield-style prog house skank. Not for nothing is this chap known as one of the techno scene's fastest rising new names.
Review: After spending the majority of his 20-plus-year career flitting between the Kompakt and Coneme labels, Matias Aguayo makes a rare outing on another label - a delayed debut for Matt 'Radio Slave' Edwards' REKIDS imprint. In its' original form (side A), 'El Internet' is a typically off-kilter affair in which his own poetic, spoken word vocals (in Chilean, of course) and fuzzy, elongated synth sounds ride a beefy but wonky bassline and the long-serving producer's usual South American-tinged, hand percussion-enhanced hybrid house/techno grooves. It comes accompanied by a vocal-free instrumental mix, where the full breadth and depth of Aguayo's production can be heard, and a useful acapella DJ tool.
Review: Religion, and specifically gospel music, always played a key part in shaping the sounds and emotions of easy house music. It is clearly going to have just as much impact on this new label God Iz Enough which debuts with an EP of the same name from Tomi Ahmedeus. His style on the opener is to lay down raw and dusty beats with an early Windy City feel and infuse them with evocative, guttural gospel vocals that really bring them to life and make them inescapably emotive. 'The Rise Of The Guttersnipe' strips things back a little and brings a shuffling tech vibe with some glistening melodies while 'Ms Ludus' is a gorgeous ambient closer.
Review: Many Hands is a fresh label helmed by Jona Jefferies and Kava that here kicks out an eclectic EP with four tracks from various members of its musical family. Dan Aikido opens with '0800 TXT4 Herb,' a smooth fusion piece that builds a laid-back groove, blending fretless bass, jazzy keys and soulful vocals all reminiscent of Rare Silk's 'Storm.' Ernie Ruso's 'Stroke It' offers slow, sensual r&b infused with P-funky wah-wah effects while DJ Nomad's 'African Boy' brings upbeat pop house next to funky organ and a female reggae MC.Jefferies' closer 'A Change Will Come' samples Dr. Martin Luther King Jr with a rave-inspired beat and soulful piano. Cracking stuff.
Review: Damian Lazarus's Crosstown Rebels kicks on with more useful house fuel here, this time from the fast-rising Airrica whose playful sounds have begun to make a mark in the same way as have her DJ sets across some of the UK's most notable events. There is a garage vibe to 'Hi Speed Lover' with its dusty drums and old school melodies, while Nick Morgan remixes it into a deep-cut house groove for late nights. With 'Cherries', Airrica layers up floating beats and pads with sensual vocals to make for something that will encourage dance floors to zone out. A Kinahau reworks it into even more dreamy territory.
Review: Japanese stars Akiko and Yukihiro Fukutomi came together to cover SADE's anthem several years ago but it now makes its way back to fresh wax courtesy of Record Store Day 2024. They infused it with dark, mysterious jazz and contemporary influences and Akiko's enigmatic vocals intertwine flawlessly with the minimalist arrangement. On the B-side, their original 'let GO' offers a spiritual journey through dub-techno realms where the synergy between Akiko's emotive delivery and Fukutomi's masterful production creates a captivating sound. This release epitomises the pair's creative chemistry and innovative approach to blending diverse musical elements into a seamless, immersive new realm.
Review: AkizzBeatzz and Lego Edit join forces to mutually reinforce what they both do best: making disco edits and reworks of classic funk, soul and Afrobeat, and occassionally offering up the odd original track. The 12" 'African Groove' is a downtempo and weighty meditation on what it means to hail from the continent, with Akizz' A-side 'I'm An African' playfully laying down a diasporic big beat excursion, replete with regional instrumentation and defiant political vocal samples. Lego Edit's 'Sahara Adventures', meanwhile, works a chugging beat around a central algaita line.
Review: Following up the first release quickly with Detroit native Paul Alan, who now resides on the sunny west coast. Paul Alan aka DTCHPLNES, delivers the smooth latin driven car cruiser "Provider" and the sun blissed slow skate vibes of "Charlevoix", which also sounds great on 45. The two track 7 inch is wrapped in a treasure map jacket with a compass foil stamp and includes a postcard.
Review: Jay Albert's 'Sticky Traxx EP' is trip through deep house and tech grooves, perfect for any discerning DJ's arsenal. On Side-1 'Waterfloor 4AM' sets the tone with its warm, dancefloor-friendly vibe, weaving a hypnotic sonic tapestry. On the flip side, 'Overcome' and 'Undermine' showcase Albert's skill in creating tracks that seamlessly blend deep house and tech elements, making them ideal for glueing a DJ set together. These tracks aren't about big drops but about maintaining a consistent groove that keeps the crowd moving.With its sticky beats, rich chords, and resonant basslines, 'Sticky Traxx' delivers a soulful, groove-filled experience.
Review: You always know what you are going to get from Johannes Albert and that is well-crafted house music with a traditional undercurrent but nothing overly slavish to the history. 'Uhh I Like Your Style' is a nice crosier with a melodic bassline and smooth chords that effortlessly sweep you up. 'The Crust Song' is more laidback and dubby, 'Upstanding' then brings some party vibes with the swirling pads and fist-pumping analogue kicks and 'Maintain The Vibe' shuts down with some US garage flair and nice choppy vocal stabs.
Review: The Analogue Attic microverse is defined by a unified commitment to the deepest ideas of where house music can head, and no one embodies that spirit better than Alex Albrecht. On this latest 12" he's heading into the velvet folds of low tempo chugger 'The Blacksmith' and downtempo dream state 'Coles Ridge' with elegiac piano sparkling atop fathoms-deep pads and the softest of percussion. This is house music as a vessel for pure relaxation and sentimental meditation, and across six tracks Albrecht offers up balm after balm to soundtrack oceanic realms of calm - a much needed tonic for the frenetic pace of modern life.
Review: Kai Alce on FXHE is a real coming together of two US powerhouses, and so it proved when this EP first landed back in 2010. It finds the Atlanta house mainstay in fine form on 'Dirty South Dirt'. It's a humid, stripped-back, dusty house cut with supple synth daubs adding warmth and soul. All these years on the track has lost none of its magic, and on the flipside is an 'Anticipation dub' which layers in some sensors vital whispers to the dubby, cuddly and deep house drums. These are two classy cuts.
Undergound & Black (Leonce NDATL vocal dub) (5:30)
Undergound & Black (Leonce beats) (4:59)
Review: Underground and Black is the name of Detroit via Atlanta artist Ash Lauryn's well regarded blog, as well as being the title of her breakout 2023 tune alongside Kai Alce via his much hyped limited NDATL Special Edition. It has been played by tons of DJs all summer long and it arrives back on vinyl with mixes and remixes from another Atlanta native in the form of Leonce. The dubbed out and dusty deep house original, which shouts out all of Lauryn's influences, appeared first, and here comes a smooth dub before the percussive and lively Leonce Vocal Remix and a fleshy vocal dub. A super package - house doesn't get more authentic.
Review: Aleqs Notal shares a machinic new EP of counfounding delights for the Industrial Light label, also run by the artist and based out of Paris. Named after the artist's debut release which shared equal sides with fellow producer Modern House Quintet, here Notal changes the game, occupying a full four sides of wax. The A-siders 'City Smile' and 'True I Am' bring atmospheres of motoric rigidity, functioning as premier schema for the human navigation of comparatively less human urban environments. 'Let Me In' and 'Confused Reaction' offer similar blueprints, though there's an ever so slightly upped acidity on the B2.
Review: US house and techno maverick Amir Alexander has long been operating in his own unique lane. His take on those genres is based in superlative drum programming and raw emotion and this new outing on French label Phonogramme comes n coloured vinyl so looks as good as it sounds. 'Feel Me' kicks off with signature drums setting a mid-tempo groove while a classic vocal belts out to bring emotional release. 'Clear My Friend' is low slung dub house with an eerie vibe, and there is also a dub version of 'Feel Me'. 'Sunk Coast Fallacy' might be the highlight - a sparse, moody deep house cut with dusty drums and intriguing melodies that rolls for days.
Review: With Australia's dance music scene booming, it's no surprise that one of its hottest talents lands in the Running Back universe. Sam Alfred's debut on Misfit Melodies blends the old with the new and builds on his reputation as both a mesmerising DJ and an enchanting studio talent. This new outing highlights his versatility from speed house to retro rave. It showcases his ability to merge past influences with forward-thinking melodies on standout tracks like 'While My Heart' and 'Back To' echo UKG vibes, while 'Drift' and 'Fortune' exemplify his production prowess. The title track, inspired by a Dekmantel visit, nods to 90s proggy bounce.
Review: Naarm-based producer Sam Alfred shows no signs of slowing down as we continue to be impressed by the material coming out of Australia right now. After releasing the energetic 'Suzuka' EP, completing a sold-out headline tour and playing a packed set at MODE Festival, he's now back with more full flavour beats. This one disk off with a real house anthem inspired by 90s club music with punchy piano, airy synths, and a driving cowbell rhythm. 'Care 4 U' has carefree garage house vibes a la salute, 'Keep It' brings some euro dance and trance energy and 'Distance' is a peak-time acid-laced pumper. Brilliant stuff.
Review: It is impossible to talk about Atlanta's Kareem Ali without talking about how prolific he is. It is frankly all but impossible to keep up with the number of singles, 12"s and even albums he has put out in just a couple of years. But here he is with more of his proudly inventive house on the Healthyscratch label. 'Black Energy' is as timeless as US house gets while 'I Want You Closer' gets heartbreakingly intimate with pained melodies and muttered vocals. 'Simulation' brings the sort of Kyle Hall house party vibes that are dusty and loved up and 'Count Your Blessings' layers up more expressive synth work with perfectly programmed and scuffed-up drums. So good.
Review: Kai Alce's faultless NDATL label brings us more goodies direct from his base in Atlanta, which might be best known for its rap but also packs a punch when it comes to house music. This one is from Rasheeda Ali, a new name that might be familiar to anyone who heard Kai's 'Sheed's Move' tune from a previous EP. She has also been on stage with none other than Jeff Mills and here her flute skills come to the fore with production from Kai. 'Libra Ascending' has a snappy bounce, then 'Sheed's Rising' showcases Rasheeda's gymnastic flautist abilities. A fine debut.
Review: The Alien Edits label and in-house and eponymous production outfit serves up a pair of banging, Summer festival primed house edits. The first is a shuffle, high inapt take on a Wailer's classic with the original vocals left in for maximum bait for dancers. On the flip, it's another stone-cold gem that gets the treatment with 'Abacadabra' reworked into a big, bubbly house sound complete with vocoded Steve Miller vocals coming back from the future to infuse it with irresistibly hooky energy.
Review: Alkemy's Come On EP, released on Mondo Groove from Italy, delivers a captivating blend of deep house with influences of Balearic and Italo house. Side-1 features the original version boasting a mid-tempo groove with a nostalgic 90s vibe and rich melodies. In contrast, the DJ Ralf remix injects a more upbeat and techno-infused energy, offering a futuristic twist to the original track. On Side-2, 'Cloud' presents a melodic and deeper journey into the realms of deep house, maintaining a danceable rhythm while delving into more introspective sonic territories. Meanwhile the GNMR Reworked version takes a leap into the future with its proto-techno sound and deep synth vibes, offering a refreshing and unique perspective .Alkemy's Come On EP demonstrates the artist's versatility and innovation within the deep house genre, providing listeners with four examples of quality dance music.
Review: 'Follow Me' is the name of a stone cold house classic from Aly-us that you will likely know, but it is also the title of this superb cut from Alchemy. A sure 90s gem that has been wrongly slept on, it now gets a reissue from the MBG International Records archives and sounds superb. The drums are smooth and soft around the edges, the pads ripple through the mix to soulful effect and some subtle vocals coos provide the perfect finish. On the flipside is 'The Trap' which is a breezy, blissed out house gem with nice analogue drums that again take you right back to the 90s.
Review: Donna Allen's 1988 cover of Maze classic - a glossy, synth-sporting, decidedly loved-up 80s soul affair - is perhaps not one of her most celebrated singles, but it's still a genuine gem - and a fine alternative interpretation of a much-loved song. As you'd expect, this remixed edition looks firmly towards 21st century dancefloors, with popular re-editor-turned-remixer Dr Packer upping the tempo and reaching for disco-flecked house beats in a bid for peak-time plays. The Aussie producer's A-side vocal version is tasteful and undeniably club ready, making use of most of the original instrumentation while (we think) re-playing the bassline. That bassline comes to the fore more on the stripped-back (but similarly loved up) B-side 'dubstrumental' mix.
Review: Ibiza-based Londoner Kellie Allen is making increasingly vital moves of late. She has played all over some of Europe's finest parties and dropped, or is about to drop, music on labels such as PIV Records and Boogeyman. This one on House Puff in France is a perfect indication of her sound - classically informed house music with fresh perspective. 'Back In The 80's' is a New Jersey vibe, 'I Know' has a spaced out synth feel and 'Parisian Summer' is more kinetic and future-facing with slick grooves making you move. Closer 'Funk For Peace' is another nice and breezy house cut perfect for balmy nights.
Review: Mega-exclusive, exquisite house, funk and disco editry from Almacks, who follow up two just-as-delightful introductions to the series with a welcome third. This furtive operation is almost entirely mediated by retailers like us, and is billed as a purveyor of 'tried and tested sure-shots' in very limited runs, whose coveted lipid discs help bolster "community in secret places". Of course, what would be a sense of community without a sense of exclusivity to match? The crux of the art of the five tracks here, though all largely instrumental, is indeed penetrable; all the numbers here home in on the glisteny downtime moments heard on many a classic disco and funk tune, in which time seems to stop, nerves grow tender, and high strings and ghostly vocals take flight. Keep an eye on this series; it reminds us of a funkier-intoned Ghost Phone; 'Track 4' is the real odd highlight.
Review: Whether or not Almacks is named after the word that was given to several social clubs in London between the 18th and 20th centuries or not we do not know, but people in those clubs might well have enjoyed getting down to the artist's beats. These new five cuts are all unnamed but all perfect blends of funk, soul, deep house and great samples. Those vocal chops lend lots of r&b loveliness and romance to the dusty, low-slung beats, hip-hop-inspired beats and middle grooves. There is also a bit of broken beat and Afro influencer later on. A heartwarming EP.
Toby Tobias - "Streets of Gold" (Alphonse remix) (5:12)
Pyramids Of Space - "Quantis" (5:20)
Dance - "Amber" (4:25)
Review: Voice Notes is a new imprint run by London underground veteran Toby Tobias with Alphonse. A five track various artist EP, Voice Notes 002 is a time-honoured memorial for its sister label London Housing Trust, that they shut down a few years ago after 10 releases. Featuring tracks by label boss Tobias who delivers some emotive electro on 'Streets Of Gold', his evil twin Alphonse on the UK flava of 'Rujac', plus introducing Dance with the dub techno deconstruction of 'Amber', Rodney Bennett with the classic Stateside deep house of 'Palm Sunday' and Pyramids of Space with the downbeat IDM journey 'Quantis'.
Review: Altone, an emerging talent in dub techno, delivers the Invincible Nature EP on Denmark's Echocord Records, a label revered for over two decades. The EP showcases Altone's knack for crafting deep soundscapes. Side-1 features 'Naturally Unnatural,' presenting two distinct takes: the first is sparse and minimal, epitomizing classic dub techno, while the second version is more techy and aggressive, adding an edge to the composition. Side-2 brings remixes of 'Unnaturally Balanced.' Thomas Fehlmann, a legendary producer, lends his expertise to the 'Naturally Flowing' remix, infusing it with a fluid, dynamic quality. The 'Another Channel' version rounds out the EP with a quintessential dub treatment, staying true to the genre's roots. Invincible Nature EP is a compelling showcase of versatility in dub techno and Echocord's enduring influence in the scene.
Review: Italian disco DJ and producer Corrado Alunni shares his latest nu-disco soul nostrum, 'Make It Feel More', which, owing to the title, is an EP whose aim is to enliven the largely electronic and mechanistic bent of nu-disco with a good bit of live-recorded pizzazz. Such is heard on the title track, which moves naturally through both augmented and diminished electric piano cadences, not to mention slap basses, to be poised against the beats. Then 'Perfect Direction' brings the boughed basses and disco hits to a new layer of chill; with this, and the ensuing 'Keep Moving', it feels as if we've kept finding new rooms, in which new room contains a new type of hors d'oeuvre to try. 'The Beat Goes On' closes on a snappier and vinyl-driven vexation, perfect for the snakier kind of dancer.
Review: Nail is one of UK house music's most vital contributors. His raw sound pioneered a new style of tech house in the 90s and here he reappears under a different alias, AM Vibe. 'Vibe With Me' kicks off with nice loose drums and perc and jazzy keys adding the warmth and soul. 'I'm So High' brings some loopy and filtered fun and phased vocals for a sleazy feel, then 'Dried Fruit' gets more upbeat with lush synth swirls and effortlessly cool drums and rich r&b vocal samples. 'Powder' closes out with some thumping kicks and more tender vocal stabs. As always, this is brilliantly heartfelt and effective tackle from Nail.
Review: Phoenix man Eddie Amador is synonymous with one track more than any other artist in the game. He wrote 'House Music' in 1997 and it soon became a club anthem that has endured over the years. Now, decades on, he is back with a follow-up of sorts in the form of 'House Music Dos (Doin' It House Style.' The lyrics from the original, "not everyone understands house music, it's a spiritual thing, a body thing, a soul thing," still hold true and fragments of that tune appear here next to fresh funky drums and gritty chords. 'Househeads In Full Effect' has a darker vocal that infuses low-slung drums and a funny bassline with real menace.
Review: There's seemingly no end to the mind-blowing vaults of UK tech house titan Mark Ambrose. Even after the extensive three-volume run of reissues on Repeats, Rawax have found more of the South Coast legend's late 90s material that hasn't been reissued yet. Sharks be damned, the Cat Groove 12" is back within reach and remastered to bring the best out of the tracks. The title track is one of those artfully squashed, funk loop-riding jams that turns the heat up without any need for studio showboating - just the right ingredients. 'Floating Around' is a heady tripper crying out for the morning, while 'Hook Up' finds another soulful lick to place at the centre of a groove so crunchy it just has to come from an MPC. Hold tight for 'Warehouse Blues', which injects some nasty, pumping techno energy into the mix with a metallic bassline that comes on like Mr Fingers dipped in chrome.
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