Back catalogue: All genres

Review: After taking a hiatus to focus on side projects, DJENA returns with a new solo EP that artfully collides house and breakbeat while showing off his passion for eclecticism. The title track, 'In Motion,' is a hypnotic breakbeat piece with deep pads and tribal vocals that stir up raw emotion. Frenchman DJ W!LD's remix transforms it into a dancefloor anthem with a house-driven groove. On the B-side, 'Thrust' builds deep, tech house rhythms into an intense, peak-time surge and the closing track 'Veer' offers a sublime after-hours vibe with bouncy bass and haunting vocals. Welcome back DJENA.

Review: Ira James continues the fine curation of his excellent Vessel Recordings label here with a pair of legends taking care of a new three-track EP. Doc Martin and Joeski are long-time house royalty and they open up here with 'Join Hands' which is low-slung tech with rolling drums and some majestic piano chords that light up things with real emotion next to a passionate vocal. 'It's Time' pairs things back and allows a nice live-sounding and funky bassline to shine under percussive drums and 'Roots' has more swing to it as organic sound effects and crunchy snares all add detail.

Review: After the critically acclaimed Avoude (5 stars & 'Top of the World' on Songlines, Bandcamp top pick, Le Monde, BBC Radio, Pop Matters), Sol Power Sound proudly presents a scorching remix EP from West African psychedelic powerhouse Dogo du Togo & the Alagaa Beat Band. Rooted in Togo's deep cultural and Vodun traditions, Dogo's sound is reimagined here by a heavyweight lineup of producers. Captain Planet kicks things off with a percussive African house groove, while Sol Power All-Stars ask, What if Prince joined Dogo in 1983? The result? A synth-laced funk HIIT workout. Detroit icons John Beltran and Blair French bring Afro-Brazilian and deep house flavors, before Glenn Echo closes with a mind-bending 12/8 dub trip.

Review: Berlin's Oliver Dollar has spent over a decade refining his groove, carving out a lane where classic house meets raw, rolling funk. The third instalment of his Contemporary series is another sharp statement of intent, linking him up with an enviable cast of collaborators while keeping his signature bounce fully intact. 'Cosmic Weapon' leads the charge, a deep, hypnotic house workout built with Melbourne duo Ben Silver and Boogs, whose Revolver Upstairs residency credentials shine through in the track's elastic bass and tripped-out vocal chops. 'What Cha' Gonna Do?' shifts gears, pulling in Apropos and Boog Brown for a soulful call-and-response that channels golden-era Detroit funk, with Oliver Dollar's crisp percussion keeping the groove locked tight. Closing out the release, 'Ought To Be' is the most immediate of the lotiBilly Love's gospel-drenched vocal soaring over warm chords and a bassline that practically glows. House music built for sweat-drenched dancefloors, this is Oliver Dollar in his element: curating, collaborating and delivering club weapons with unmistakable swing.

Review: Myor Massiv operates as a furtive extremity of the larger Dutch publishing house MYOR, owned and operated by none other than Coco Bryce. Though Bryce needs no introduction as an unstoppable force in the modern day breaks sequencing game, we nonetheless must restate the special intent of the sublabel: these are relatively experimental "massives", swapping out functional flathead beats for heavier, pozi-driven drillings. That watery, pitch-warped breaksy mid-90s jungle era is given a full audit on this new 13th addition to the label, and things gets increasingly weird, wet and wild: 'Trouble Yu' especially sounds like a bong-hitter from another universe, its impact unsuspectingly poking through a wacky, radiophonic, space dubbed texture.

Review: American label Communique Records is the parent of the iconic sublabel Country Western which it has now revived for a series of cultured reissues. This one comes from Brian Douglas whose Singularity EP from 1996 has been re-sourced directly from the original DAT tapes and carefully remastered. For those who have dug deep enough, this one has long been a favourite that brims with hi-tek machine soul. 'Torn Apart' is a hurried deep techno cut marbled with squiggling electronic sounds and smeared pads, while 'Rising Sun' is more manic thanks to the unhinged acid line that busies about the mix. 'Magic' is a raw, hard-edged stomper and 'First Time' brings some tripped-out and pixel-thin synth whispers next to chords that could well have inspired Omar S.

Review: Following his acclaimed collaboration with Sw., Dreamlogicc is back on Kimochi, this time having his work remixed by some tasteful producers from across the electric spectrum. K-rAd is first up with a sharp, punchy rework of 'Fleetingly Jazzis' which then also gets reworked by Brendon Moeller & Todd Gys with their Eho Kates project. It's a gritty, stomping house cut and on the flip, Merix (formerly Midnight Circuitry) delivers a deconstructed breaks interpretation, while Shielding crafts a hypnotic re-edit of 'I'll Hausen You'. Shine Grooves wraps up with a slinky dub house remix which is perfect for early evening warm ups or late night wig outs.

Review: Romanian psych-house outfit DRG Series follows heartily in the tradition of dropping vowels and rendering titles in all-caps, helping us to vascularly administer a heavy dose of DRGs. Four disinhibitors - we mean it, as these tracks are incredibly loose in feel - 'Track 1' and 'Track 2' pump and sway through unholy garage house swings and vintage hauled, shoop-a-doop sample oddities; it's only at the point of the B-side when we reach a whistling version of Ciara's '1, 2 Step' set to clinching electro, and 'Track 4' befuddles further with tense, materially informed exercise in soulful bruk. A real eclectic release from an even kookier label, well worth the spin.

Review: Detroit Assembly Line kicks off with a powerful statement of intent, delivering four tracks of raw, intense techno from two key figures in the Detroit underground scene. A-side, Drivetrain opens with 'People!'ia relentless track that drives forward with uncompromising energy, followed by 'Notech,' which layers intricate rhythms with a futuristic edge. Over on the B-side, Antwon Faulkner brings the deep, dubby feel of 'The Dub,' before turning up the heat with 'Cyber War,' a hard-hitting track that packs all the urgency of Detroit's signature sound. This is the first release in the Detroit Assembly Line seriesia collection built to showcase the unfiltered, authentic noise of Detroit's techno legacy. It's a no-nonsense manifesto, made to remind the world of the city's continuing influence on the global underground.

Review: Formerly known as AI Robot, Calin Dumitrescu refound his human side under his own surname as alias, having found residence in local labels Atipic, Particular and Unutrei since 2020. His debut for Myriad Records finds the third EP in the UK label’s catalogue, with the headshaking chords and feverish acids of ‘Acid E’ helping synthesise a pharmaceutical drug we didn’t know could or should exist, while ‘Lucid Dream Gone Fucked Up’ implies the necessary disturbance of a dream we’d never want to wake up from, by the intrusion of mechanic breaks, spy-vs-spy basses and creepazoid pads. The final two, ending on the perc-heavy ‘Play Pause’, contrast the A with a celebratory mood.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Record slightly warped***


Dynamic Forces are indeed on show in this slamming new slab from Arts. There is a real sense of control to the opener 'Lyra' despite its forward motion and punchy kicks, while 'Vaulting' gets much wilder and looser with its manic synth lead and raw onset of percussive pressure. Switching up things once more, 'Parallel' is a dubby techno tool and 'Shimmer' reverts to the careful tweaking of a deft lead synth over incendiary beats. 'Radiant' and 'Meraki' bring more raved-up and bouncy peak-time techno fun. This is a very useful and varied 12".

Review: Exxtra Beats Records backs up its commitment to pushing things on with a new four-tracker of minimal and tech cuts. Edo Ecker's 'Extraluxxo' has warped synth lines that encourage introspection while the snappy beats make you move physically. Leff's 'Future Problems' has hazy and positive arpeggios that toot away over sustained chords and move at a nice inviting pace. Little Sea offers the snappy drums and gurgling acid lines of 'How I Wanna Feel' while Andrea Bertoli & DJ Bogdan's 'Extremely On Line' is a snappy and upbeat cosmic tech cut with wonky lines adding the charm.

Review: Z Records returns with a Hustle-tastic 12" to light up both your life and DJ sets. It's the boss himself Dave Lee who kicks off with his extended rework of a bonafide Brit Funk classic in the shape of Hi Tension's 'British Hustle'. Featuring David Josephs's signature vocals over the chugging Caribbean rhythm track, it's a song that's never received an extended club mix from the tapes since its first release in 1978. His second cut is a Re-Wriggle of a Funky Worm volume pumping classic that becomes a fat-bottomed house jam with stomping brass, ear-worm vocal hooks and Latin inspired keys. "On the flip' (as they say) is Foreal People's 'Tango Hustle' - a driving clav heavy, jazz funk workout complete with chanting dance instructions over various solos. Add in an acapella and some 'Hustle Beats' and you have a very muscular package.

Review: Big Love's popular compilation-style A Touch Of Love series returns for a sixth instalment, with boss man Seamus Haji once again showcasing a quartet of tried-and-tested treats. Fittingly, he kicks things off with 'Serious', a kind of hbrid heavy garage-house/disco house affair featuring organ solos aplenty and vocals from Chicago legend Mike Dunn, before Moon Boots joins the dots between sweet 80s soul and nu-disco on the synth-powered vocal number 'In My Life'. Heavy, French Touch-inspired disco-house vibes are provided by DJ Fudge ('Escapade'), before Dutch rising star Danou P - with a little help from pal Jamie 3:26 on vocals - delivers the organ rich deep house/garage-house fusion of 'Fly'.

Review: Fierce electronic mavericks LNS & DJ Sotofett deliver a thrilling two-tracker that's built for serious warehouse action. The A-side is a teeth-clenching, bassline-driven beast that is raw, gritty and euphoric with static rhythms, stabbing synths and a halftime arpeggio breakdown that erupts into dreamy pads. On the flip, DJ Sotofett's 'Buzzy Breaker' starts minimal with just kicks, stabs and dubs, then morphs into a breakbeat monster with polyrhythmic tension and soaring pads underpinned with jungle-inflected drops. Both tracks harness deep, hypnotic repetition while sounding bold and system-ready so make for techno with real weight but also edge and purpose that results in high class DJ and dancer tackle.

Review: Groovin Italy are the foremost label in our ranks to set their sights upon digging up and refining the very best sonic gemstones out there. Said blood diamond seam is the mythical yet plentiful vein known as deep house; here our local artisanal miners revitalise the precious contribs that especially once made splendid the faded gods of Italo house. From Italian DJ and producer Massimino Lippoli, a key figure in Italy's early house and progressive scene, to MCJ & Sima, Italian house duo, and Sima, who doubled up as vocalist and productive powerhouse, every track here is unerathed in mostly pre-polished, with the end jewellers over at Groovin needing very little work to do. David Syon's 'Swinground' closes things on a naive, part misshapen maccle, with what sound like hand-programmed brasses and pogo-synths played in above a twitchy but happy groove.

Review: Coorreente Belgium delivers a compelling slice of modern techno with 'Interlink', a four-track compilation that dives deep into rhythmic exploration and sci-fi atmospheres. Each cut offers a unique perspective, yet together they create an excellent and cohesive experience. Orbe's 'Jaxa' kicks things off with a spacey, melodic groove. The track's sci-fi techno aesthetic is underscored by rhythmic intricacies, creating a sense of forward momentum through the cosmos. It sets the tone with a blend of dreamlike melodies and pulsing beats. 'Refraction' by PTTRNRCRRNT follows, venturing into tribal territory with creative, off-kilter rhythms. Alien-esque warning sounds weave through the mix, adding a sense of unease and mystery that keeps listeners on edge. On Side-2, Deluka's 'Axis' plunges into subterranean techno with a deep, hypnotic vibe. Elements of trance filter through crisp production, guiding the listener on a spacey, introspective journey that feels both grounded and ethereal. Jorge Flukso's 'Synaptic' closes the EP with a nod to classic underground techno. Its dynamic, brooding build recalls the raw energy of Surgeon's warehouse bangers. The track's evolving layers and relentless drive create a late-night atmosphere perfect for dark, crowded dance floors. 'Interlink' is a well-curated snapshot of techno's diverse spectrum, balancing the cerebral and the physical with finesse. If you are one that thinks techno has been over-saturated the last decade and that there is no good techno coming out anymore then I would check this EP out.

Review: After a lengthy hiatus, Spanish label theBasement Discos returns with a collection that fuses the essence of 90s house with contemporary flair. Rekun opens with 'Party Jean', a playful track driven by infectious rhythm. DJ Merci's 'Smack That' builds momentum with its punchy bass and relentless groove. Mindchime's 'Changes' shifts into deeper territory, offering intricate layers and subtle energy. Deepmore's 'All Night Long' closes with an unyielding, hypnotic drive that'll keep feet moving long into the night. A handy blend of old and new, proving theBasement Discos' unwavering influence in today's vinyl scene.

Review: Detroit-raised, London-based Demi Riquisimo assembles a dynamic mix of label favourites and fresh talent on Love State, the 22nd release from his Semi Delicious imprint. This six-track V/A hears offerings from Demi himself alongside Clint, Swoose, Lulah Francs, Dukwa, Anastasia Zem & Asa Tate, blending club modernity with classic analogue dance influences, sampling every sonic cate from Italo to tech house. Best among the bunch has to be Swoose's 'Re/Vision' and Anastasia Zems' 'Eternal Beauty', which bring together wasted electro, Italian new beat and trance for well-measured tinctures of dreaminess.

Review: Four artists with a taste for classic deep house infused with more than a touch of house line on the Silver Walker label's sixth release. Following releases on the likes of Local Talk, Balance, Traxx Underground, Mate, Quintessentials and upcoming projects on Nervous and NDATL, Shaka opens proceedings with a flurry of Hammond and plenty of exotic percussion, lie Alan Hawkshaw riffing with Underground Resistance. Glenn Davis (Wolf, Yore Records, Deeper Groove and Selections Records) delivers a deeper house workout on the A2 house track, the jazzy keyboard chords, fluttering flute and restless synths working real magic. One of the masterminds behind the Silver Walker label, Diego aka DFRA, comes on all perky with the saxes and soloing Rhodes, on the second side's opener, 'Nitewax'. Then we close with Damien aka Keymono (founder of several labels including Monocturne Records and Funkyshirts) laying on the handclaps of classic disco strings, the snippets of funk guitar and vibes the cherry on top.

Review: Deep-headed, deeper-bodied dub house, hurtling our way from New Yorkers Dopeus and Satoshi Tomiie. Building on Tomiie's already relatively storied career, this chronological time-clock keeps track of the big smoke's early hours for us: '2AM' and '3AM' build to knifing edges, the latter track especially working from blueprints of overdriven satu-rave and chambered echoic dub techno, basking in hollowness. As we cross into the temporal impossibility of '4:60AM', 909 puff snares and naively high strings are accrued, and by the turn of 'Sunrise', an entire breakbeat has worked its way around our eyelid bags.

Review: DJ Deep and Traumer hatch their collaborative new project, Get-Rooted, merging their own labels Deeply Rooted and getitraum. Their new cross-pollination, Get-Rooted, re-conceives existing tracks in either artists' catalogues, with 'Open Your Eyes' merging into 'Close Your Eyes' hearing DJ Deep abrade raw hypnogrooves, while Traumer opts for a lush, refined production. DJ Deep's 'Insss', meanwhile, graces the B-side as a spruce revisitation of a beloved vocal sample, paired with a drum-driven progression.