Review: The Avidya label arrives with a bold new concept that sees it push itself to "step out of comfort zones to release a series of EPs of broad, challenging and deep music." The first affair is a fine one from four artists, the first of which is Lyon based procure A Strange Wedding from the Worst label. His slow trance locks you in and then Gothenburg trio Datasal come through with a prog rock and post funk and dance fusion. 84PC's contribution is peak time gold and Barcelona's Iro Aka arrive with another debut to round out this fine offering.
Ivano Fossati - "Night Of The Wolf (Tema Del Lupo)" (4:00)
Review: Measured Mile records puts two classy soul tracks onto the same 7". Originally released in 1974, Act 1 - 'It's The Same Old Story' is often looked over classic of the era. Act 1 hailed from Detroit and featured Raeford Gerald, Roger Terry, Reggie Ross and George Barker. The band had two minor hits but often people recall 'It's The Same Old Story' as their favorite of their only full album. Ivano Fossati's 'Night Of The Wolf' is found on the B-side. A jam song that verges slightly into Latin music, asks for quite a sum of money for its original copy. Both tracks add up to a real gem of a 7".
Review: Fourth part of the compilation celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Milanese record shop. This collection is entirely composed of previously unreleased music, exclusively produced for the occasion by many artists of great relevance in the worldwide music scene, who supported the store over the last ten years.
This EP features Ellen Allien, Kreggo, Timeslip89, Itinerant Dubs and Heith.
Review: This third volume of instrumentals continues the faultless Isle of Jura label's deep dive into dub versions and beyond. Side one takes in references from UK street soul and reggae and features two late-'80s tracks by Howard Hill with machine-led rhythms, rudeboy reggae skank and soulful pads. Protek's 'I Love to Dance With You' is a proto-house gem featured in a Jura Soundsystem mix and here it gets a loving re-edit by The Nightlark. Side B includes an instrumental-driven track with spacey FX from The Cool Notes' and Ilija Rudman's 'Dub 4 Love' which is a knowing nod to acid house's golden era.
Review: Rosebay Music presents 'Darker Flowers', a fresh V/A project showcasing four hotly-tipped new school producers, all of whom represent a hauntingly soulful drum & bass sound with class and elegance. Romanian wunderkind Azotix has been making moves recently with his ultra-clean future bangers, but here he demonstrates another side of his sound with the beautiful 'Hurt'. Styke and label boss Submorphics, meanwhile, link up in The Hague for a unique collab, 'Lonely Dub', channeling dub techno and moody film noir D&B. LO! represents Chicago with the interstitial banger 'Transition', bringing an early 2000s sound into 2024, while Imo-Lu finishes things off with the gorgeous, ye deadly bassbin rattler 'Inhibition'. Epic soundsystem music straight out of Glasgow.
Young Pulse & Fleur De Mur - "Smooth Sweet Talker" (6:53)
Review: Get yourself geared up for festival season with some fierce party starters certified with the Glitterbox stamp. Melvo Baptiste leads the charge with 'Sweat', a sizzling disco house stomper with Dames Brown giving the biggest diva energy on her show-stopping vocal. Lovebirds bring unbridled joy on the Philly string swoon and slinky b-line funk of 'Burn It Down', while Art Of Tones & Inaya Day keep it peak time on the sassy strutter 'Give My Love'. Young Pulse & Fleur De Mur complete the set with 'Smooth Sweet Talker', another bright and bold vocal cut par excellence.
Review: A repress of Innershades & Betonkust's 2018 new beat sensation 'Forever In Boccaccio!' has long been requested by hardcore record collectors. And now it has become available and has been fully remastered and housed in a new sleeve design, limited to just 300 copies. It was first made, according to the two being it, in January 2017 "under grey Belgian skies," when they had been consuming lots of acid and new beat, which of course shows. The title cut is brilliantly dark and gothic but is backlit by haunting vocal harmonies and underpinned by a menacing bassline. The three other cuts explore similar moods and grooves with great authenticity.
Review: Third part of the compilation celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Milanese record shop. This collection is entirely composed of previously unreleased music, exclusively produced for the occasion by many artists of great relevance in the worldwide music scene, who supported the store over the last ten years. The artists who produced the music for this compilation are Egyptian Lover, Ellen Allien, Thomas Brinkmann, Neil Landstrumm, JD Twitch, Matias Aguayo, San Proper, Tolouse Low Trax, Jay Glass Dubs, Dj Marcelle, Jorge Velez, Tamburi Neri, Fabrizio Mammarella, Heith, Itinerant Dubs, Timeslip89, Kreggo and Intersezioni Ensemble. The entire work is composed of 4 x 12", plus a bonus EP.
Review: Two techno knights in shining armour, Joseph Capriati and Indira Paganotto, rise to a collaborative challenge on their latest split vinyl single. Brought to their resident Artcore Records, 'Ananda' and 'Mantra' are spiritually intoned yet no less hard psy-tech towerers. Paganotto is said to have laid down the exotic vocal chops on 'Ananda' directly and the final product hears these laced through a blossoming, emu-synth rising action and a stuttering pre-drop. Perfect fits for the larger club or festival stage, these twin tracks work the careful balance of grave and utopian sound.
Review: When Toronto-based and ever versatile label Do Right! released 'Required Listening' - a raw, diverse and stunning compilation of sounds by artists from Toronto
- critics and music lovers around the globe took notice. 'Required Listening Volume 2' promises to keep up that standard of quality by featuring fresh tracks from
the West Coast, to the East Coast, with some stops in between. Vancouver's Cobblestone Jazz, a band comprised of world-renowned techno producer Mathew
Johnson, programmer Tyger Dhula and keyboardist Danuel Dante who are known for their hype live shows and their jazzy, minimal techno sound heard on the
track 'Creator'. Johnson's own tracks have received critical acclaim and have been caned by Laurent Garnier, Richie Hawtin and Tiga. Cobblestone Jazz have
been steadily creating a buzz around Europe, and were recently featured on Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio 1. Also representing the West Coast is 8-member band
1 Luv along with vocalists Amaila Townsend, Deanna Teeple and Dawn Pemberton. Their groovy, soulful, jazzy house track 'Starz' explains why this band was
discovered by uber-crew Jazzanova and was featured on their 'Secret Love 2 Folk' compilation and how their music has been finding its way into the crates of
people like Phil Asher, Osunlade and Benji B. 'Starz' is taken from 1 Luv's debut album 'Neophilia' on Sonar Kollektiv.
Review: Euphonics, an EP released via Restless Planet, is three artists coming together to create a strong look at minimal music today. Adam Collins' 'Drexel' sets the tone with its quirky, minimal grooves and a captivating blend of the strange and the familiar. Christine Benz's 'GB3' offers a melodic respite, showcasing her prowess in tech house. The final track, 'Effluxion' by Intensive Purposes, emerges as the standout piece for us, transporting listeners to an idyllic island paradise with its tribal house rhythms. Together, these three tracks showcase the diversity and innovation within the electronic music scene.
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Drop Music marks a marvellous quarter of a century of releases with this new slab of vinyl featuring some gems from disco funksters Crazy P and the house mainstays Inland Knights. Crazy P go first with 'Disc Odyssey' which is perfectly indicative of their much beloved sound with its low slung kicks and funky bassline. Inland Knights then offer a trio of in demand & unreleased tracks. 'Overnight' is a bumming deep house joint, 'Walk On' has an icy late night vibe and balmy pads and 'Do It Again is a more playful closer, with some killer b-line action. All four, needless to say, are timeless gems, and the fact the last two are appearing on vinyl first the first time makes it an even more desirable cop.
Crown Prince Of Waterford - "Getting Fingered On The Waltzers" (13:19)
Island Times - "Together" (5:47)
Umberto Lumber - "Between Those Sheets" (4:54)
Review: Chubby Irish groove hounds Fatty Fatty return with another sublime funk-stacked V/A three tracker. Local lad Crown Prince Of Waterford (not to be confused with the legendary blues singer) lays down a furiously funky jam about having fun at the fairground while fellow Emerald Isle strutter Island Times returns Fatty Fatty with a loose-limbed falsetto-loaded twanger. Finally, we fly off into the Italian sunset with a stunning slow jam from Umberto Lumber. A twinkling slo-mo chugger with serious cosmic tendencies, what a way to finish an EP.
Review: The world of dark disco tech is vast and so covers plenty of niches and nuances with artists all over the world adding their voice to the conversation. Spanish label Waste Editions offers up four more to the mix here with another well-assembled VA. Dark Vektor's 'Amb La Mirada Ens Menjarem' begins with some synth sounds that evoke a horror scene over snappy drums and sleazy guitar riffs. Synth Alien's 'Replica Cosmica' gets a little more loose but still comes with evocative vocal samples and a characterful world of synth sounds, some that fart, some that gurgle, some that amuse. Imiafan's 'Stupaj (Keen K RMX)' is another prying, loopy sound brought to life with myriad effects, textures and vocal snippets and Wardum shuts down with 'Wrambling' which has grinding bass and scuttling effects topped with occult vocals.
Review: Four fresh new ones from the Molekul crew in Paris. The title 'Heavy Rotations' plays on the affective "heaviness" of toting records around the world and DJing them at raves; it's no wonder they say that where there is repetition, as in techno, there is unfinished business (in this context, the word 'rave' is no coincidence either). Needless psychoanalytic accounts of repetitive beats aside, the tools on this heavy-set, heavyweight, heavy-hitting 12" record - which merge the heavy-metallic industrial works of Beau Didier, Isaiah, and Flits - are hard, yet gut-wrenching enough to loosen even the tightest of screws. The tracks therein are speedier even than a mighty Mitre saw, by which the hardest of woods are split into two; and you can be sure that, like a saw, you'll soon see and hear these cuts on heavier rotation too.
Review: Ed Black, aka "edbl," is an increasingly prominent hip-hop and R&B artist and composer who has emerged from South London's indie music scene alongside luminaries like Jorja Smith and Jamie Isaac. His sound, a blend of lo-fi soul and hip-hop akin to Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch, garnered attention when Spotify UK featured him on their New Music Friday cover. Additionally, Music Business Worldwide Magazine nominated him as one of The Hottest Independent Artists In The World and now he backs up that potential with 'The Way Things Were,' featuring the mellifluous vocals of Isaac Waddington.
Review: Yuima Enya & Inokashira Rangers offer fresh takes on classic Sade tracks with their new release. 'Smooth Operator' transforms into a smoothed-out lounge record infused with reggae, while still retaining the soul and pop appeal of the original. On Side-2, 'Kiss of Life,' becomes a breezy jam with a subdued yet vibrant lounge band feel. Hats off to them for tackling such beloved songs and making them their own. These are great alternative versions, bringing new life to Sade's classics while respecting the originals. Perfect for fans looking to experience these timeless tracks in a new light.
Review: Drop Music marks a quarter of a century of reliable and ever-on-point sounds with a special series of EPs that embodies what it's always been about, offering up both classics and never-before-released tunes. This one kicks off with 'Make A Move' which is chunky low-slung tech. It unfolds at a relatively slow tempo but that gives the fat acid gurgles time to really hit. Inland Knights then serves up the next three cuts, starting with the bass bin bothering sounds of 'Push It', the more silky tech loops of 'Long Time' and the vocal-laced acid-tech swagger of 'Same Talk.' Here's to the next 25 years.
Review: The endlessly fertile scenes that are minimal and tech house yield more essential DJ goodness here as Bread & Butter assembles a selection of talents for this ninth various artists' release. Alex Font & Aron open up with 'Walking On Clouds' which is not as airy and dreamy as it might sound, but does lay down a nice deft minimal groove. Beiger has a more sunny outlook with the mellifluous synth clouds of his 'Audible Illusions' and Mihai Pol then brings ouse late night jazz house cool to his 'Bip Bip.' Iuly B completes a varied package with the heady loops and wispy cosmic synth motifs of 'Bouncing Lights.'
Review: The cultured ESHU label has pulled other some more tasteful talents for this four track 'Conrexture' EP. It opens up with Julien Fuentes's 'Jah Justice' (Klaridub Ambient mix) which is a nice atmospheric opener with some conscious dub mutterings and sci-fi pads. Jocelyn & Yasin Engwer then kick on with some watery, sub-aquatic minimal dub tech bliss in the form of 'Sticks & Stones', Voal gets even more dark and dirty with some grubby dub basslines on 'Eight Ball' and Ivano Tetelepta/Christine Benz layer up watery droplets, melodic whistles, static electricity and rubbery rhythms to mind-melting perfection on 'Supreme.'
The Future Sound Of London - "Stolen Documents" (Jazz dub) (5:17)
Smart Systems - "Zip Code" (Stress Ball mix) (5:15)
The Future Sound Of London - "Innate" (W O W mix) (4:42)
Indo Tribe - "I've Become What You Were" (Insider mix) (4:21)
Review: The influential 90s IDM and techno act Future Sound of London continues to delve into their early career with the reissue of The Pulse EP Vol 2, originally released in 1991. This EP exemplifies the early techno sound, blending rave elements with the more intelligent and linear side of electronic dance music. Side-1 kicks off with 'Stolen Documents' (Jazz dub) by The Future Sound of London, a track that perfectly melds jazzy undertones with dub influences, creating a sophisticated and immersive experience. Following this is Smart Systems' 'Zip Code' (Stress Ball mix), a piece that balances high-energy beats with a stress-relieving ambiance. Side-2 begins with 'Innate' (W O W mix) by The Future Sound of London, a track that delves into deeper, more atmospheric realms, showcasing the group's innovative approach to soundscaping. Indo Tribe's 'I've Become What You Were' (Insider mix) closes the EP, with a pulsating techno rhythm that encapsulates the essence of the early '90s rave scene. Before their signature chill out sound was made, FSOL his some of their highest notes here with these early EPs.
Review: A historical pairing of hip-hop and soul that celebrates the connection between the iconic rap track and its sampled origin. Side-1 features 'Mind Playing Tricks On Me' by the Geto Boys', a landmark 1991 hit, widely regarded as the first Southern hip-hop classic. Scarface, Willie D and Bushwick Bill deliver deeply introspective verses exploring paranoia, mental health and street life, setting a precedent for emotional storytelling in rap. The track's haunting atmosphere and raw vulnerability put Houston's 5th Ward on the map, cementing the group's legacy in the genre. On Side-2, Isaac Hayes' 'Hung Up on My Baby' takes center stage, the soulful 1974 instrumental that inspired the Geto Boys' masterpiece. With its funky guitar licks and cinematic grooves, the track embodies Hayes' genius and underscores the lineage between soul and hip-hop.
Review: Shout out to Greek powerhouse Kinesthetik Recordings for making it all the way to a half a century of releases there. They celebrate in the best way they know - with more tranced-out sounds from artists in their orbit. Giorgio & Andreas open things up with 'Nice One' and its thudding tech drums and cosmic synth lines. Diskinesia gets much more raw and moody with the edgy drums of 'Back & Forth' and Interphase then drops a pair of industrial tech thumpers. Giorgio & Andreas reappear with a raw, roughshod and deep groove and Marcelino Sanchez's 'Motive One' offers dub techno to close.
Groove Armada - "Get Down" (feat Stush & Red Rat - Mark Knight extended mix) (6:15)
Illyus & Barrientos - "When You Gonna" (extended mix) (5:41)
David Penn & Offiah - "Satisfied" (5:18)
Ben Remember - "Waiting 4 You" (extended mix) (5:16)
Review: Mark Knight's epic Toolroom label returns with a four-track sampler featuring plenty more big-room house excursions. First up, the boss himself offers up an extended mix of Groove Armada's legendary 'Get Down' which is full of rave stabs and big vocals. Illyus & Barrientos offer the synth laced and peak time sounds of 'When You Gonna' and David Penn & Offiah combine for the supersized piano house rollercoaster that is 'Satisfied' complete with big hooky vocals. Last of all comes Ben Remember's 'Waiting 4 You' (extended mix) which ducks and dices with some smart filters, chopped-up vocal stabs and raw percussive house energy.
Review: Will Hofbauer and Igaxx collaboratively expand the all-too-easily received palettes of electro, techno, garage all in between, and even more yonder, proving to us that the boundary edges of each genre may be blurred without worry. Sharing three groove-bays each on this latest 12", Hofbauer indulges an across-the-pond sojourn, guesting on Japan's Ladybug label, which is managed by the also eminent Igaxx, who occupies the B with equal grip. Hofbauer's 'Cricket', 'Clod' and 'Cocodrilo' bring three endocrine C's to a singly sanguine side, echoing a Hessle Audio-esque experimental dance sensibility while secreting all manner of vital sonic fluids from his ears unto ours; the last track is especially alarming; cursedly toothy, its growly lead zombifying the elsewise rapid mix by way of an enthralled grunt. Igaxx's contributions are relatively supportive and yet mad, moving from the squelches and pipey ascensions of '4 5 SL Trip' to the parabreaks flows of 'Liquefy' and the sloshing cosmo-funk astro-vista that is 'Ray In Space'.
DJ Jazzy Jeff & Kaidi Tatham - "Doin' The Most" (7:32)
Matthew Law - "Dilla's Disco" (4:10)
Review: The Private Stock label is back with more of their irresistible house magic with a limited translucent red splattered 12" featuring some pretty big names. Terry Hunter kicks off with the sort of guitar-laced roller that you imagine would have been massive at Paradise Garage with 'Go Back Jack' then Ian Wallace brings big and sunny house stomps with his 'From Beginning To End.' DJ Jazzy Jeff & Kaidi Tatham then team up for the irresistibly feel-good disco, soul and house fusion that is 'Doin' The Most' and Matthew Law lays down dusty MPC drums with grinning bass and lo-fi atmospheres on the perfectly entitled 'Dilla's Disco.'
Space Invaders Are Smoking Grass (XL remix) (9:14)
Space Invaders Are Smoking Grass (instrumental remix) (6:39)
Pong's Run (with Intergalactic Gary) (4:06)
Review: It's been 22 years since the release of I-F's razor-sharp Dutch electro anthem, "Space Invaders Are Smoking Grass". Given the upsurge in interest in electro of late, it's little surprise to see the man himself offering up this reissue, which is focused around two previously digital-only revisions that first landed back in 2010. Stretched out across the A-side is the brilliant - and undeniably mind-altering - "XL Remix", a nine-minute revision that gives greater prominence to the producer's twisted electronic riffs, industrial strength melodies and dusty drum machine percussion. This time round, it comes accompanied by both a vocoder-free Instrumental take and "Pong's Run", a lesser-known collaboration with Intergalactic Gary that's slow, spacey, out-there and thoroughly intoxicating.
Review: Released just days after their Reflections tour, I Jordan and Sherelle link with club institution Fabric and their new label Fabric Originals. Both artists currently working on inspiring stratospheric levels, their energy is captured here across the two unique tracks. I Jordan rinse us up and down the highways and byways of the UK with their high impact 'M1 / M3' while Sherelle goes full-on techno with 'Getoutofmymind'. Intoxicating stuff!
Review: Original Gravity strides into 2025 with this electrifying debut release from I Ragazzi. The limited 45 rpm has been crafted by the talented Neil Anderson and the title cut 'Terremoto' on the A-side bursts with funky, soulful energy that promises to keep floors moving and grooving all night long. It has big drums, crashing hits and driving Hammond organ stabs that never let up. On the flip, things get a little more laid back with 'Via Appia' which is led by more great organs, this time with swirling horn sounds and an inviting rhythm.
Review: This is the thirrd release by the amazing Italian producer Ivan Iacobucci for the Perlon label. The previous two were so well received, this next one was destined to come out sooner than later. Perlon fans know what to expect from their label of choice and Ivan delivers the goods. Those addictively quirky and fonky jackin' minimal techno jams. The title track is that and then some! We especially like the sexy jam 'Waiting For My Love'. Expect the unexpected when you flip over the record as 'Close the Door' is a full-on acid banger that combines high energy techno into what sounds like a video game soundtrack theme song! Closing things out is the wild sounding 'Fear & Madness in the Desert'. We are smiling at the thought of someone playing out these corkers to audience. Expect to see WTF typefaces everywhere!
Now Eh! (Sascha Muller & Baze.djunkiii Mental Inertia remix) (4:47)
Review: Heavyweight global fusion... This vinyl only release began on a South African label (Sneja), was composed by a Colombian artist (IAM JDP) and is now being remixed by two respected German producers Sascha Muller and baze.djunkiii. That's before we even get to the actual sonic melting pot. Spacious and intoxicating, doffing its cap to Jamaican soundsystem, US footwork sounds, Latin Baile and South African gqom elements in the percussion and fat dollops of Bristolian bass; Sascha and baze have cooked up something super special here. Limited and unifying.
Review: French label Boogie Butt gets us moving and grooving once more with a tasty new EP in the form of The Boogievison EP. It features a lead single from Ian Ash & Ella May, 'I Want To Thank You,' which pairs some jazzy chord work with a low-slung and warm house groove. The bass is funky and the vocals are seductive. It comes as an instrumental as well as a more direct and harder-edged Mr Doris & D-Funk remix. On the flip is Jessie Wagner & Fostin meet Ian Ash with 'Try Again,' a lovely soulful house groove with sublime and emotive vocals over another lush bass guitar. All very sweet tunes, these.
Review: The first missive from the reissue-focused Throwdown imprint takes a deep dive into the bulging back catalogue of West Coast hip-hop legend Ice Cube. Side A offers us another chance to own 1992 hit "It Was A Good Day" a languid, sun-kissed Golden Era jam crafted from elements of a familiar slab of laidback jazz-funk. Over on side B you'll find 1999's "You Can Do It", another once high-profile single featuring additional verses and vocal contributions from Mack 10 and Ms Toi. For those who've forgotten it, the track is a punchier and heavy club cut that utilizes all three rappers' distinctive flows to ratchet up the intensity throughout.
Review: Throwdown Records throw down a fresh reissue of Ice Cube's stone cold classic 'You Know How We Do It', first released as a single from his fourth studio album Lethal Injection (1996). Emblematic of Cube's signature West Coast G-funk, this one's replete with the glissando'd whistles and smokey funk motifs we all know and love from the frozen rap hexahedron, who confidently assures us of us already knowing how he does it. There's no messing with Cube; the track appears alongside the original B flip '2 N The Morning', which ups the bombast to boomier, increasingly sexual nighttime ends.
Review: Ichisan is back on the dazzling disco outlet Bordello A Parigi with more soulful house blends. The Slovenian producer mixes up clean electro lines and smoky disco grooves here as bold percussion sets the stage for melodic keyboard curves and throaty basslines while cosmic elements bloom throughout this nine-minute journey. 'Rodeo Disko' features off-kilter keys that evolve into solid strings with funky bubbles and distant vocoder echoes. 'Saturnus' is a bright Italo-tinged sound with lovely arps that constantly tumble over the lively beats and 'Fujirama ' features droplets of drums built into a racing rhythm next to spiralling synths and a thick, calming bassline.
Review: Two previously unheard righteous anthems from the sweet-voiced Icho Candy. The A side, 'Get Up Natty' was cut at Channel One in the mid-eighties, with backing by the Gifted Roots Band, and features an instantly recognisable bed of squelchy FX, elastic synth leads and choppy upstrokes, while the flip is an emotive new cut featuring legends from the Firehouse and Channel One production camps on the riddim. It's great to hear Icho still in fine style, delivering a timeless anthem with a positive message. Both sides also include excellent dubwise versions. Another jewel in the constantly expanding Digikiller catalogue!
Review: This is a brand new cut by Jamaican rootsman Icho Candy, who still ploughs on strong despite first making his way in the 1970s. Characteristically for Icho, 'Pave The Way' is a ghostly bop, coming packed with antistate political quips - "you reap the system... you reap your liberty" - and a hauntingly soft and almost defeated feel. Yakka comes through on the version, which begins with a beautiful set of harmonies before launching into a huge spring-reverbed, cavernous bubbling.
Review: Ltd B's good recent run of form continues with another dive into lush deep house realms courtesy of ICTV. First off the mark is 'Hit The Floor' with its US garage-inspired drums and some old school hip-house vocals. 'Orange Mood' is a steamy one with romantic melodies soothing the soul and some smart vocals adding a tough of firey soul. 'Adrift' then picks up the pace with some high-speed jungle breakbeats and 'Dazzling' sinks back into loved-up late-night sounds with expressive vocal yelps. Last of all, 'Sunset Recall' takes things down into blissed out realms with dusty drums and wispy pads.
Review: The Jacuzzi Days EP, a collaborative effort between ICTV and DIMSUM, is a captivating exploration of house music's diverse landscape. Released on the strong French label House Puff, the EP showcases the artists' mastery of atmospheric melodies and infectious rhythms. 'Morning Dew' sets the tone with its deep house vibes, complemented by ethereal vocals and a serene atmosphere. Rama To NY' transports listeners to the golden era of New York house with its nostalgic synths and energetic beats while 'United Freedom Inc' captivates with its pulsating bassline and groovy vocals. 'Jacuzzi Days' provides a mellow conclusion that is perfect for winding down the night. With its seamless blend of classic house elements and contemporary influences, Jacuzzi Days EP offers some great dancefloor house music.
Review: Miami native Idana is still a fresh face, but their sonic aesthetic is more than well-defined. 'Swing No. 2' is, counter-intuitively, the first four-track EP to be released under the name, and spans lively vistas of both deep and shallow sound, intensely packing sci-fi and sacred-geometric FX into its chillout mixes. Each tune is like shooting down an organic waterslide; squelch, wibble, bubble and bloop all make themselves known within the minimal house playbook.
Review: Santiago-based Drumma label is back in full swing with its first release in a couple of years. Before the pandemic they had releases from scene heavy hitters such as Luciano, (iO) Mulen, Barac and Livio & Roby. For this one they've chosen Miami-based up-and-comer Idana who presents the immersive and multi-layered minimal techno experience of 'Cantan Los Pajaros Modulares' featuring an array of atonal blips and bleeps underpinned by clipped and hypnotic polyrhythms. Over on the flip, the mesmerising energy continues on the wonky breakbeat-driven roller 'Telepatic'.
Review: Mariko Ide delivers a creative rendition of DeBarge's classic 'I Like It' with her 'Lovers Reggae Mix' on this 7" single. Known for her emotional and transparent voice, Ide transforms the original into a delightful blend of Lovers rock and bossa nova, creating a fresh and breezy vibe that feels both nostalgic and innovative. The 'Lovers Reggae Mix' offers a laid-back, summery groove, while Side-2 retains the essence of the original track with a gentle, soulful twist. Taken from the Cafe Music compilation album, this single is a creative, unique, and brilliantly fun cover that showcases Ide's ability to reimagine familiar tunes in a way that's both respectful and refreshingly original.
A Place In The Sun (Kaoru Inoue remix 45 edit) (3:47)
A Place In The Sun (dub) (4:27)
Review: Yasushi Ide has a storied career reaching back into the 80s club scene in Japan, and he's worked with many a legend in his time. He originally released 'A Place In The Sun' as a Japan-only track on his 2012 LP Late Night Blues, and now the track has been revived by NYC label Love Injection. The track which led to this release was in fact a limited dubplate mix of 'A Place In The Sun' by Kaoru Inoue, which the Love Injection founders Barbie Bertisch and Paul Raffaele found while on tour in Japan. In this remixed form on the A-side, or the dub version of the original on the flip, it's a resplendent slice of downtempo bathed in exquisite musicianship, not least Nobuyuki Nakajima's gorgeous Rhodes and Jamaican legend Ernest Ranglin's unmistakable guitar lines.
Review: 'Ain't No Sunshine' is one of the great soul songs. Originally recorded by Bill Withers, a legendary vocalist who simply walked away from the scene once he had said all he had to say, it has been covered many times. Here it is Yasushi Ide who steps up with a new version that comes featuring Ken Booth & U-Roy on this new 7" from Grand Gallery out of Japan. In original form, it's dubbed out to the max with oodles of echo and dark pads next to some original vocal toasting. 'Border Town' is then a more acoustic sound with gentle guitar strums and slow, persuasive rhythms.
Review: The iconic North London dance music duo Idjut Boys are famed for their nostalgia fueled offerings of dub, disco and house and join forces again for this 4 track single featuring 4 completely different takes on the track 'Speedball'. The 'Full Whip' version is an 80s powersynth with powerful kicks and synth perfection, an authentic use of a commodified sound used in the past couple of years. 'Severe Itching' takes the party downstairs into an acid techno rave, the liquid bass seeping through your ear canal into your skull - an utterly extraterrestrial experience. 'Strip Off Dub' is just that: a stripped back dub version of 'Full Whip'. Focusing on the heftier synths and bass, with the rushing wind effects that compromised 'Full Whip'. 'Whizbang Mix' invites you back into the bassment for another slice of acid house pie, the meeting point between 'Full Whip' and 'Severe Itching' that feels like trying to listen to the former after the laters aforementioned liquid has blocked your eardrums. This one's for the messy afterparty.
Review: Since rebooting their long-dormant Droid imprint earlier in the year, the Idjut Boys have used it as a vehicle to release some of their most wild, heavily electronic music in years. Portion Out of Control sees Dan and Conrad continue this trend with pleasingly heavy, mind-altering results. On 'Gum Saucer', they expertly work a pulsating, throbbing groove to the max, peppering a druggy bassline with breathless drum machine fills, delay-laden electronic motifs and brain-melting noises. 'Gas On Tap' is a more stripped-back chunk of new wave/EBM insanity that once again prioritises dubbed-out, echo-laden percussion, while 'Tartine De Merde' is a deeper, woozier chunk of intergalactic machine funk. Finally, 'Quick Bowl' sees them twist a raw, arpeggio-driven groove into a multitude of nightmarish, echoing sonic shapes.
Jungian Archetype - "Pursuit Of The Blue Car (RIP)" (5:28)
I-F - "Shadow Of The Clown" (7:28)
I-F - "Casablanca Sunrise" (7:39)
Jungian Archetype - "Who Are You?! (Theme From Paranoid Stranger)" (7:48)
Review: Released back in 1996, Test Pilot Vol 1 has remained a highlight of the Viewlexx label ever since and has been one of those records that command regular calls for a repress. Kudos to I-F then for finally heeding these shouts and presenting a remastered edition for the masses. For the uninitiated, this 12" features classic Hague cuts from I-F and Jungian Archetype, another alias of the Viewlexx boss, with all four perfect for introducing a sense of bedlam to the dancehall. "Who Are You...?! (Theme From Paranoid Stranger)" in particular will bend many an unprepared mind. If you don't own an original edition, grip this remastered version and hold tight for a brand new second volume of Test Pilot featuring Gesloten Cirkel and Roberto Auser!
Floating Against Time (Wata Igarashi Shimmering mix) (5:45)
Ceremony Of The Dead (Michael Mayer mix) (7:01)
Abyss II X Darkness (Philipp Stoffel Fusion mix) (4:57)
Review: Known for his meticulous sound design and trippy, psychedelic approach, the Japanese producer gets key tracks from his 2023 Agartha album remixed with contributions from Kompakt veteran Michael Mayer and rising talent Philipp Stoffel. Opening the selection, 'Agartha (Wata Igarashi Sorcery Acid Mix)' plunges into heavy analog territory, channeling old-school acid trance with pulsing basslines and swirling synth layers. It's a trip that maintains a relentless and hypnotic momentum. In contrast, 'Floating Against Time (Wata Igarashi Shimmering Mix)' leans into atmospheric techno, unfolding with a celestial, meditative quality. The track's ethereal pads and evolving textures create a sense of weightlessness, staying true to Igarashi's deep, transportive aesthetic. Michael Mayer steps in with his version of 'Ceremony of the Dead', infusing it with an upbeat vintage techno feel. His remix brims with Kompakt's signature warmth, blending ravey elements with a steady, driving groove. Closing the set, 'Abyss II X Darkness (Philipp Stoffel Fusion Mix)' picks up the pace with rolling basslines and dubby, melodic layers. Stoffel's take is fast and fluid, balancing deep, introspective elements with club-ready energy. A refined touch for floor or sofa alike.
Review: Cleopatra Records are no strangers to collectible 7"s from the archives of Iggy & The Stooges. In recent times we've had the likes of 'The Passenger', 'Scene Of The Crime' and even a live spot with David Bowie in 1977 thrown into the mix. Now comes something which feels so right tucked up tight on a 45 - a raucous live rendition of The Kingsmen's classic beat track 'Louie Louie', a song which would go on to be a lifelong staple in Iggy Pop's performance career. On the flip comes another rarity - a blistering version of The Stooges' own cut, 'Wild Love', all pressed up on purple vinyl for your listening pleasure.
I Got A Right (take #4 with Guitar Solo - Olympic Studios) (2:51)
Tight Pants (James & Scott Run Through - Trident Studios) (1:23)
Search & Destroy (alternate version - CBS Studios) (3:22)
Death Trip (Early Guide vocal version - CBS Studios) (4:47)
Gimme Danger (Early version - CBS Studios) (3:20)
Review: Not to be confused with the 12th studio album by Mary J. Blige, or any of the other records with 'London Sessions' in the title (and there will be many, many), it's now 50 years since Iggy Pop and his Stooges sat down to record the now-legendary LP, Raw Power, with sessions taking place (you guessed it), in London. Logically, this extended player collates some of the best versions that didn't make the final cut into one place, and as such is definitely a must for diehard fans and collectors.
Not that others should be put off in anyway. We'd still recommend getting a copy of the original as it was intended to be released. The players designed it that way. But this is also a well-worth owning piece of punk rock history, with unrelenting, unpolished, uncompromising and unapologetic noise sounding as infectious today as it did back then.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.