Back catalogue: All genres

Review: Back ion 2021, the relaunched Foliage Records imprint offered up a killer mix from NYC house legends Mood II Swing, the must-check Deep Rooted. Soon, the revitalised label will release a sequel, with long-serving British deep house don Atjazz at the helm. This sampler EP boasts six of the highlights from that set - all remixed and reworked by Atjazz himself. There's much to enjoy throughout, from the tense, slowly building deep-tech shuffle of Halo''s 'Glorty (Atjazz Galaxy Art Remix)'and the sun-splashed 6am bounce of Atjazz's remix of Dominique Fils-Aime's gorgeous 'Sun Rise', to the dreamy dancefloor wooziness of Ralf GUM's 'AWA' (re-imagined by Atjazz as an Osunlade-esque spiritual house workout) and the jazzy, bass-guitar-propelled broken house excellence of 'On The Road (Vocal Mix)', a three-way collab between Atjazz, Kelli Sae and The Realm.

Review: On Demuja's label Blueprint comes an milestone six-track EP made up of breezy, ultraviolet house tunes, celebrating the imprint's tenth anniversary in the form of a bite-sized sampler referencing a wider compliation LP. With both familiar and fresh faces in tow, we're gripped by the selection on offer: Hall's synthetic glam-funk jam opens proceedings with whistly synths, while Makez' 'Train To Saturn' accelerates towards ever-faster ends, and Basic Soul Unit's 'Souljourn' takes the B's cake with knocky, tactile *perpetuum mobile*.

Review: A record that explores deep, hypnotic rhythms with a strong tribal and mystical undercurrent, the latest Siamese Twins records pushes the boundaries of what is possibly in eastern influences underground techno. Side-1 opens with 'The Golden Triangle', an atmospheric introduction that feels cinematic, setting the stage with ambient textures before giving way to movement. 'Lens of Time' follows, locking into a deep, primal groove where rolling percussion and rich low-end create an entrancing effect. On Side-2 'Mekong' leans into tribal mysticism, blending ancient rhythmic patterns with a modern pulse. The production is detailed yet raw, drawing from rich percussive layers. 'Ruak' closes the EP with pulsating bass and deep, rolling rhythms, channeling Eastern influences into a hypnotic techno flow. A powerful release from Siamese Twins Records, driven by Sunju Hargun's distinct vision.

Review: Celebrating a fifteen-year journey, this Berlin label - founded by a producer, DJ and live act Bloody Mary - has become a cornerstone for the acid techno community, revolving around its founder's deep connection to the sound which, while born in the 80s, continued to shape techno in the 1990s. As a Tresor resident and advocate of the scene's roots, her influence has brought together a few of the most iconic artists in the sound to help create a compelling acid-driven compilation. Opening the release is 'Days Off Buzz' from Mainz-based Thomas P Heckmann - best known for his 'Amphetamine' anthem - which proves to be a powerhouse track brimming with intensity and dark energy, the driving acid lines and thumping rhythm definitely echoing to his legendary role in shaping the genre. Next, the founder herself delivers 'Fractal Waves', a perfect blend of breakbeat textures and reverberating 303s, capturing a classic acid vibe with a fresh twist. On Side-2, E-Bony's '303 Elements' taps into mid-90s rave nostalgia with swirling acid layers and hypnotic momentum, nodding to early pioneers while carving its own path. Hardfloor close the compilation with 'I'll Never Own A Helicopter', where their signature intertwined 303s create a dazzling interplay of rhythm and melody, embodying their status as acid legends. Rooted in history yet pushing boundaries, this collection exemplifies why the label remains essential to the techno landscape.

Review: The people behind Ba Dum Tish say they spent months calling, texting and emailing people trying to track down the Hoodrats, but in the end, they did and it was all worth it because it means we now get this reissue of their superb 00s EP 'Tha Whack Messiah'. The title cut is all dusty drums and skipping hi-hats with quiet vocal musings stitched in and swirling pads adding depth and scale. 'So UR The Traitor' on the flip has a more cosmic outlook with smeared synths and tin-pot percussion combing into a sweet tech house roller that oozes early authenticity.

Review: Ah, Hot Creations, home to the hippest house music that cites disco and 25 year-old club anthems as its inspirations. Here, label head honchos Jamie Jones and Lee Foss revived their Hot Natured project for a sweet stroll through smiley vocal house territory in the company of one-time electrofunk revivalist Ali Love. "Benediction" is good for what it is - a vaguely deep, pleasant Hot Creations record - but the real killer here is the remix of former single "Forward Motion" by crusty old US garage head Mark "MK" Kinchen. He recalls those glory days of tough but groovy MK dubs with a rework straight out of 1993.

Review: The mighty Dusty Donuts return to Queensbridge where they encounter a 'Lost Girl' featured on a legendary mixtape by one of QB's finest. This bouncy, choppy Marc Hype & Jim Dunloop Late Night Remix is sure to ignite any gathering. On the flipside, the vibes shift from Queensbridge to Staten Island and bring a special sound to work the crowd - this heavy soul classic arrives in true Shaolin style with choppy, dark soul chords and classic hip-hop beats. It's a track that commands attention with the drums but also locks in head and heart.

Review: Homeboy Sandman's return with Rich II is a worthy one as the hip-hop favourite offers up an exploration of life's complexities, with production taken care of by Mono En Stereo. The album blends introspective lyrics with innovative beats in many different forms and in doing so pushes beyond conventional hip-hop. Following the release of the first part of this album series, the boy Sandman explores themes of resilience, gratitude and growth as tracks like 'Leave Me Alone' tackle external pressures, while 'The Place I Want to Be' and 'Need A Woman' reflect on past mindsets leading to love and substance over superficiality in relationships. 'Every Day' outlines his guiding principles, and 'Mayor Koch' showcases his talent for crafting anthems. The vinyl edition includes a bonus track, 'Thank You (Remix)' which makes this even more vital.