Back catalogue: All genres

Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Cruise Music marks its tenth EP by serving up what it says are "secret funky house weapons" and there isn't much wrong with their description. Danny Cruz kicks off with 'Shoulda Been You' which rides on smooth grooves and has gentle synth waves breaking over the beats as heartfelt vocal sounds rise out of the mix. Mark Funk's 'True Lies' brings a classic 90s vocal sample to a non-stop soul beat and the B-side has got Dirty Disco Stars going big and funky and glorious on 'Look Up' then Mirko & Meex Re-touch 'Young Hearts' .

Review: Groove Culture enlist Italy's Da Lukas for a stinging string-disco propeller, 'Doin' Me Wrong', backed up on the B by 'Good Man'. Massive pressure-house feels coincide with the trilling afterglow of disco, as rock-bottom breakdowns prefigure high-as-a-kite apexes, word-painting the A track's lyrical focus on manic depressive push-pull relationships ("you tell me don't do this, you tell me don't do that"). The B-side track is weightier by comparison, deploying waterier wahs and an echo of Motown in its otherwise relentless garagey swing.

Review: Get ready for a rush-inducing dose of proper soulful vocal house from the mighty Dames Brown. On this record for Defected, Detroit's foremost trio of Athena Johnson, Lisa Cunningham and Teresa Marbury linked up with the mighty Amp Fiddler and Andres for a rip through house music as real as it gets. The original 12" mix of 'What Would You Do?' is hard to beat for raw, heavy-hitting groove and production, but there are some choice remixes included here for those who have different needs, whether it's the bouncy jazz funk of Two Soul Fusion's version or the smoother sound of Folamour creating a sleek disco house variation for the peak time crowd.

Review: Although best known for the soaring anthem 'Cathedrals' - a 1976 gem that has been reissued many times - there's much more disco gold in the D.C Larue catalogue to find and play. It's ripe for remixing, too, as this fine EP proves. Opolopo steps up first to deliver a suitably grandiose, Tom Moulton style rearrangement of 1978 cut 'Do You Want The Real Thing' that smartly alternates between Clavinet-sporting groove sections and more overblown, hands-in-the-air instrumental sections. Over on the flip, Dr Packer gets his disco-funk on (minus the house beats he often employs) on a celebratory revision of 'Let Them Dance', before the Knutsens reach for star-fall electronics, throbbing arpeggio-driven bass and righteous orchestration on a delightfully full-throttle revision of 'Indiscreet'.

Review: Basile de Suresnes offers a seamless blend of nostalgic disco energy and modern house rhythms. The opening track brims with soulful samples and an irresistible groove, a nod to late-night dancefloor euphoria. Following this, a bassline-driven funk-infused cut keeps the energy rolling, blending deep rhythmic elements with playful textures. Closing the release, a high-energy finale showcases soaring strings and a pulsating beat, delivering a vibrant crescendo. This is a confident statement of intent for selectors seeking to bridge classic influences with a contemporary twist.

Review: Kevin Dennis Pierre has been making high-grade house music as Demuir since the dawn of the Millennium, in the process notching up releases on such imprints as Robsoul Recordings, Stickman, Nite Grooves, Farris Wheel, Heist, Kaoz Theory and Hot Creations. Here the Toronto-based producer brings his brand of club-ready deep house to France's Frappe Recordings, flitting between driving, mind-bending peak-time hedonism ('The Music In Space'), jazzy and sample-rich goodness ('Enter The House of My Lord') and revivalist Chicago 'boompty' (the early 2000s Classic Music Company style 'First Look In San Diego'). Pierre's old pal DJ Sneak rounds things off with a deliciously sleazy, weighty and sub-heavy interpretation of 'The Music In Space' with added low-end sax stabs.

Review: Devilish edit duo Duane Harriott and Sean Marquand are Devin Dare and now they return with fresh flips to get the Razr N Tape year going. 'Dancemuzak' transforms a classic NYC disco groove into a hypnotic, driving force while 'Itsdiscotime' masterfully loops rare, mind-blowing source material into a jam for the ages. On the flip side, 'Lookin Good' delivers cheeky uptempo soul perfect for a Theo Parrish set, while '1heater4sasha' slows things down with Clavinet-driven funk. Devin Dare are surely among the best editors in the game.

Review: Looks like we have another Digwah white label in this week. The label first appeared on our radar several years ago with its second release 'Something Else' by an anonymous artist who threw down a sublime vocal by Cuba Gooding over a pumping acid tech house groove. Fast forward to DIGWAH 07, the formula remains the same and is still rather effective. In this case, the vocals are taken from a rather legendary early '90s pop collaboration over a hypnotic, bass-driven minimal house groove aimed squarely at the afterhours dancefloor.

Review: JKriv & Co. at Razor N Tape serve up possibly their biggest release yet, if this one is anything to go by. The first edition in the label's brand spanking new Family Affair series features the pairing of legends Dimitri From Paris & DJ Rocca on 'Days Of A Better Paradise' kicking off the A side, before Saucy Lady's late night boogie-down biz on 'Passport To My Love'. Flip over and you're treated to a seriously lo-slung cosmic disco dub on Misiu's 'Love Me Do' and finally Clive From Accounts tells it straight up on the acid jazz joint 'It's Not That I Don't Care'.

Review: Come Get My Lovin' by Dionne is one of those stone-cold house classic that no matter how hard modern producers try to emulate, they cannot. It has all the sauce needed to get any floor popping, from the cool-as-you-like drum breaks to the retro-future chord stabs, angelic backing vocals and emotive lead. The eight-minute version has been remastered for extra heft here and is sure to be as popular now as it was during the second summer of love back in 1989. An EZ mix is included, and so is the raw, analogue workout that is 'The Second Coming.'

Review: The third installment from long serving house institution King Street Sounds offers up a stellar selection of deep house gems that shine on vinyl. Side-1 opens with Danell Dixon's 'Dance Dance' in DJ Pierre's Wild Pitch mix. Its sweeping melody and piano-driven elegance embody the quintessential house vibe, setting a high standard. Following this, Big Moses delivers 'Brighter Days' featuring Kenny Bobien. This extended mix pairs a Sylvester-inspired vocal with a mellow yet uplifting groove, carrying a timeless house message of joy and positivity. Flipping to side two, DJ Pierre's 'Dancin'' takes center stage with a filtered anthem that shows his signature Wild Pitch flair, igniting the dancefloor with energy and style. Blaze's 'Shine' closes things out in the Shelter vocal extended mix. Blending melodic piano, gospel influences and jazzy undertones, it's a laid-back yet upbeat track that exudes warmth and soul. A great taster of this label's undisputed ongoing mastery of the house genre.

Review: Rebirth is thrilled to announce the release of three bonus parts of the 'Ciao Italia. Generazioni Underground' album in 2023, available on limited edition vinyl. 'Ciao Italia' Bonus Quattro, Cinque and Sei continue to connect two generations - the trailblazers of the early 90s and those continuing the legacy today, with a futuristic perspective and renewed energy. Bonus Sei includes classic tracks from legends like Doni & Leo Young, Pastaboys, G.P.M., Steve Mantovani, Dan-E-Mc, Daniele Mad, along with unreleased material from newer Italian artists such as Hiver and Feel Fly.

Review: For the latest instalment of the label's occasional seven-inch series, Groove Culture has decided to offer up fresh takes on classic Italian house hits. On side A, the legendary Dimitri From Paris gets his mitts on Double Dee's 1990 number 'Found Love', re-imagining it as a colourful blend of rubbery nu-disco and hands-in-the-air piano house that rightly places Dany's recognisable lead vocal front and centre. Flip for label chiefs' Micky More and Andy Tee's take on Jestofunk's 1993 classic 'Say It Again'. Like much of their work, the Italian duo's translation blurs the boundaries between funk-fuelled house and revivalist disco, with flanged, occasionally bluesy guitars, strung-out synth solos and energy-packed sax lines catching the ear.

Review: Amy Douglas is the latest addition to the Razor-N-Tape talent ranks and serves up a mighty fine rough 'n' tumble New York disco double A-side 7" to open her account. The opener is 'Freak At Night' with stiff synth stabs and strident drums that get the party pumping while the belting vocal brings the soulful hook. Absolute dynamite. Things are a little more loose on the flip with 'Bit-O-Honey' having more jangling drums and guitar riffs underpinned by a funky bass riff. The vocal is more florid and expressive making this a different but equally impactful sound.

Review: Next up on the Fool's Paradise vinyl sampler is a four-tracker of glitzy and emphatic proportions. Vol. 3 opens with Dr. Packer and Elektrik Disko's 'My Lovin', which vexes us of our infidelities in the promise of being lent "all our love tonight", a vocal motif that swirls endlessly around its discoic mix. Mattei and Omich follow up with exactly the same theme, though it would seem that the former promise has been foreclosed upon, since the central vox is now asking the listener to "just give me your love", with an added dash of urgency to boot, and not the other way round. The B-side, not purely coincidentally, we think, dominated by the producer known as Re-tide, moves much more profligately, abandoning much of the A-side's glamour for the more immediate appetites that drive, but do not temper, disco's soul.

Review: Dreamer G's original on Madhouse Records was the kind of underground gem that defined a momentia track that slotted itself into the DNA of deep house in the 90s. Now, it's back, reimagined by Demuir with a fresh remix that injects a whole new energy without losing the original's soulful core. Demuir handles it with finesse, keeping things punchy yet faithful, delivering a rework that feels both modern and timeless. Kerri Chandler, the man behind it all, steps in with his own re-edit, reminding everyone why this track became such a sought-after piece of vinyl gold. His re-edit is all about refinementihe doesn't strip it down; he polishes it, making it gleam just that little bit brighter. For those still holding on to their original copy, this re-release is as much a nod to the track's legacy as it is an opportunity to hear it in a way that's never sounded better. Then there's the deep mix, which has been meticulously remastered by Chandler himself. It's not just a token touch-up; it's a love letter to a track that's stood the test of time. With the sound quality elevated to new heights, the deep mix captures the essence of Dreamer G's original vision, while making sure it feels right at home on today's systems. Ultimately, this rework package doesn't just revive Dreamer G; it affirms its place in house music's enduring historyiproof that great tracks don't fade, they just evolve.

Review: Brand new this week, 'double trouble dub business' that's been burning up club systems all over the world. For a time only a select few DJs had this in their record bags, but these much anticipated bangers are now getting a full vinyl release. On the first side is a rip roaring edit of one of the greatest hits by the Queen Of Pop that's optimised for modern dancefloors. Over on the flip, things move into the after hours in minimal/tech house fashion with 'You Don't Dub Me' which samples a certain funky house anthem from the turn of the millennium.

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: Rocksteady Disco welcomes Dennis Liber & Lex for a standout debut here. Their four-tracker captures the magic of musical nights spent down in Mexican hotspot Tulum with organic and airy grooves aplenty. 'Una Sera D'Estate' (feat Max Giovara) exodus late-night warmth and loved-up vibes with its melodic bassline and disco-tinged house drums. 'End Of The Line' is more lively but is no less direct with its big drums and pointed bass phrasings. Liber then goes solo for the dreamy, Italo-tinged yet tropical 'Playa Eden' and wonderfully escapist closer 'Hidden Island' complete with Balearic beats and the sound of singing dolphins.

Review: There is an immediately loveable vibe to the carefree and breezy house music that the Italian label Groove Culture deals in. This is the 15th such offering - a third volume of its Jam series - and again the good times flow from the off. 'Devoted' is a four-way collab between Micky More, Andy Tee, Reverendos Of Soul and Anduze that layers up the soulful drums and disco percussion with buttery smooth soul vocals. Serge Funk's 'Can't Get Enough' is all swirling strings and sunny trumpet motifs over funk house beats and then Micky More & Andy Tee appear to remix 'All I Want' into another future Body & Soul classic. The duo's own 'Philly Sensation" is a disco-tinged, string-heavy house dream to close.

Review: This deep, jazzy and lo-fi house 12" is perfect for escaping at this time of year as the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and the general weight of modern life can get all too much. It comes from an array of standout producers from around the world including Darone Sassounian, Jamma D and Jarren from Los Angeles, Roche from Portland and Morris Mobley from Nancy, France. Between them, they offer the cuddly, cloudy depths of 'Drippin'' (Sauce dub), humid and jazzy heat of the sumptuous 'Don't Wanna Leave The Couch Today', playful rhythms of 'House Shuffle Boogie' and more besides.

Review: Sultry purist disco house moods from Groove Culture Italy, welcoming four standalone originals to the first edition of their 'Groove Is In The Heart' series, three out of four of which are remixes of tunes that have already been released on the label. True to their form, this record welds the ways of classic disco and disco-house, opening with the melismatic vocal tones of 'Ease My Mind' by Fleur De Mur before moving into the slightly slower chic-funk of Derrick McKenzie and Angela Johnson's 'On My Way Out'. Things turn housier - as the outdoor shindig moves indoors at first sign of the crepuscular tide - with 'My Prayer', while House Freakers' 'Tease Me' rounds things off on a well-sidechained womper.

Review: Stand by for a big reissue of a classic 1990 single from a couple of bona fide legends here: Junior Sanchez and Dajae combined to beautiful effect on 'Be With U' for the Club Sweat label and now offer a new 2.0 take. It's got the sort of huge diva vocal that you just don't get so often the days with simple but effective house production bolstering the good time feels. The original is included and next to version 2.0 sounds of its time, but then Yolanda Be Cool goes for the main room with more twisted synth work and sweaty, tech tinged drums. The final Dance System remix is pure fun.

Review: Californian pair KG Superstar & B.Valentine join forces to bring plenty of island influences to some steamy and funky house music here. 'Get Up' features KG's expressive Jamaican style vocals with lots of B.Valentine ad libs which are designed to get those asses shaking and hands in the air. It's a perfect party time cut that comes in the form of FRZVL's Massive main mix and then a more clipped and funky dubstyle version. DJ Spinna then shows his class with his Galactic dub Vox which is all percussive energy and broken beat loops.