Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Founded in 2023, Category 1 Music (C1M) builds on deep roots in house music, focusing on soulful house vocal productions on a fine international scale. Beyond digital releases, they're now diving into vinyl with a series of exclusive drops; the first is a Category 1 Music Sampler, a 12" of four standouts by Terry Dexter, Michael Gray, Dr Packer, Richard Earnshaw, and DJ Spinna. Organic but still well cooked Ibiza house predominates the set menu, whether by way of the ultrasoul wateriness of Terry Dexter's 'You Saved Me' or the tighter but still dreamy entreaties of Shawn Christopher's 'He's Got It', both translated in exquisite mashup form by the likes of Gray and Packer.

Review: What would it take to universalise disco so that every brain sandwiched between two ears could hear and take to the sound like glue? Eddie C and Keita Sano continue a protracted research study in the pursuit of an answer, bringing three new dream-heaters to contrast to their original two in the series' debut, 'Disko Universal' and 'Joy Joy Joy'. Here, 'Not This Time' stands out among a trifecta of well-doused house rousers, steeped in the attenuated, bubblier deep end of a soulful disco-garage-house tradition.

Review: EEE keeps it simple, with the artist, label and EPs all given that simple naming convention. It means there is nothing to focus on but the music. Which is fine by us as this 18th such outing is another doozy that should slip into your record bag post-haste. 'Track 1' has 90s organ chords and a deep, rolling bassline working together to soon get you moving while sustained pads and dry per add detail as a tempting vocal lures you in. On the flip, things are a little less pared back with some widescreen synths adding cosmic scale to the potent tech house drums. Tidy tools.

Review: Stockholm trio Ella Guru return with their second release, expanding on the deep house and Balearic palette of their 2023 debut. Now a three-piece with the addition of bassist Hakan Engstrom, their sound leans heavier into dancefloor territory, funkier, looser, more tactile. 'Cowcat' leads with clipped guitars and bubbling Afro-funk bass, while 'Good Vibes Only' folds disco percussion into a joyous, sun-soaked strut. On the flip, Vastertorp producer Funky Loffe reshapes 'Cowcat' into a tougher, filter-swept peak-time tool. The record lands somewhere between early Prins Thomas and modern Scandi-house heat playful but precise and built for good systems.

Review: Encee serves up a superb debut here on the nascent but already impressive Only Cuts Records. It's lush, funky vibes all the way here with 'Carlito' tapping into a classic soulful sound and drenched in loved-up vocals. 'Zhanet' has fizzy, sugary synths darting through the mix as warm drums bounce in neat patterns and 'Hov' then brings some blissful summer synth work and cut up stabs that energise the party without ever starting from deep and rich musicality. 'Meshell' is a perfect vocal cut for summer deployment with wispy chords, r&b vocal chops and colourful bass.

Review: Fratii ro Brazil finally serves up a fourth chapter, some two-plus years since we last heard from them. This one welcomes Ertmi, who appeared on the lashes seance VA back in 2022. His 'Vom Vom Vom' has got minimal classic potential: the synthetic drums and rubbery and funky with crisp hits defining their contours as muted, muffled, mutating synths marbled the groove, and a muttered vocal hook plays out of its own accord. It's playful after-party perfection to unite the whole floor. Two remixes rework it for different moments - Paul K brings a ghoulish energy, and Alex Font & Beckhauser rework it with more housey drums.

Review: Chicago house legend and self-proclaimed house gangster DJ Sneak has been in great form of late with some raw, loopy grooves recapturing his best work. His purple patch now continues with the launch of a new label, Esconditis, which we reckon is going to be about fun edits and mash-ups for him to work into his party-starting sets. Four pop vocal cuts launch the series as massive tracks by Beyonce, Little Dragon, Timberlake and Tokischa get the Sneak makeover. They are all infused with his signature sonic touches - chunky, swung rhythms, groovy basslines and relentless, pounding kicks, but finished with standout vocals.

Review: For its tenth release, the label showcases Chilean producer Existencia Pasajera, an artist steadily rising in the electronic music scene. This release features five diverse tracks that highlight his signature style, blending deep textures with dynamic rhythms. A standout is the co-production with Dismal, adding a compelling layer to the project. Together, the tracks offer a well-rounded glimpse into Existencia Pasajera's evolving sound, balancing experimentation with dancefloor appeal. This release not only marks a milestone for the label but also solidifies Existencia Pasajera's position as a promising talent to watch.

Review: 'Devant Le Miroir' ('In Front Of The Mirror') kicks off an egoistically inclined four-track injection of glassy house music from Achse Germany. It's a wavy opening statement from the Berlin native Lcaise, whose return to vinyl releasing is a real treat, long following 2009's 'Gestosis'. Sharing two out of four grooves on the record, Lcaise commissions Silat Beksi to texturise his opening specular spectacular; Beksi convects the A1's feelin' itself with further catoptric phasings and frazzler textures. The other side is taken up by Polish newcomer Erdal Mauff, with 'Afterthought Sines' puling the best it can get from a widescreen mix made up of ultra-loud highs and vivid stabs, and Fedo producing a burblier, alien spaceship retake.

Review: Trent Voyage and Elena Moroder started working together in 2022 and here make their debut on Quirk. It speaks to a duo who have a love of classic US house but have enough skill to bring their own style to it. Elena's dynamic, sensual vocals weave through lyrics about paradise, love and fantasy, with the opener 'Jamiro' a perfect deep house hymn with timeless vibes. 'Show Them' is a more minimal and late-night sound with a twitchy synth and moody vocals bringing more edginess. 'So Good' has a jacked up groove and another magnificent original vocal that harks back to the golden era. 'Cosmic Connection' repeats the trick with a rugged drum sound, then 'Cravings' is built on an electro rhythm with future synth sparks.

Review: Drawing on influences from the global Cumbia scene that took root in Buenos Aires over a decade ago, El Buho presents a collection of tracks that blend entrancing traditional rhythms with modern electronic textures. The opener, 'La Cumbia Del Cafe Martinez,' sets a hypnotic tone, while 'Anglo-Colombian Expedition' merges lively tropical elements with intricate production. The darker 'La Cumbia De La Ansiedad' and earthy 'Porro Del Tucan' follow, offering variety while remaining grounded in Cumbia's roots. The remixes elevate the experience further. ARN4L2's atmospheric interpretation of 'La Cumbia Del Cafe Martinez' opens up the track into a spacious, reflective journey, while Auntie Flo's remix of 'Anglo-Colombian Expedition' adds a rhythmic intensity. La Jungla's energetic remix of 'La Cumbia De La Ansiedad' and Lagartijeando's hypnotic take on 'Porro Del Tucan' offer new perspectives on the original compositions too, making this a digital Cumbia milestone.