Lee Wilson Vs Rudi'Kastic - "I Refuse" (DJ Spinna Galactic Soul remix) (6:33)
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: Figi and Luca dell'Orso are Dutch electronic talents who offer up a heartfelt tribute to the vocoder here, long after it has become the iconic voice of electro disco. Across the three well-designed tracks, the duo blends sharp production with lush textures and bittersweet robotic vocals that add an unmistakably retro-future feel. The title track kicks off with rumbling bass and crisp percussion driving it along as vocodered lyrics glide over the shimmering keys. 'Fire with Fire' leans into Luca dell'Orso's more emotive side and balances bold synths with a melancholic undertone. Figi closes with 'Moonlight (Vocoder Version),' a syrupy disco tale of love told through vocoded whispers. It's a timeless celebration of the fusion between man and machine.
Review: Chicago's Tied label rolls out a 17th release as good as all the previous ones, this time with a four-track various artists EP that showcases emerging talents from deep, spacey electronic realms. Just_Me's 'Laser Brane' launches the journey with electro-funk propulsion, while Lumieux's 'In Your Space... It's Me In Space' drifts into cosmic grooves and ambient textures. On the B-side, Constratti's meticulously crafted 'Bind' delivers intricate synth delays and solid rhythms that capture the feeling of interstellar motion. Label head Max Jacobson and 97 Till close with 'Orion,' a break-infused and celestial house cut built for late-night floors.
Review: Rushing from the starting blocks as though life depended on it, Kahler opens the scoring with the perfectly balanced and fine-tuned 'Mosaic', a driving, percussive techno workout that's direct and peak time yet also minimal and patient, poised even. Grillac follows suit, keeping things ghostly with plenty of energy coming from the top ends, while using a vocal hook to add a little rave bounce. By now, it's probably clear R 0 01 is a strong collection of belters, and the remainder do nothing to quash that belief. Lorenzo Mancino and Exos arguably unleash the most fury - tracks that feel like stepping into a warehouse party in 1999 with a nose full of whizz and stomach full of pills - while BENKHLIFA keeps it more heads down and Berlin.
Review: MessenJAH Movement is on a roll after its first three outings and this fourth is just as momentous as it explores conscious dub. The A-side showcases the unmistakable voice of King Lorenzo on 'Down Ya Inna Babylon', which is a heartfelt collaboration years in the making. It's backed by a militant yet soulful MessenJAH Movement riddim and a heavy dub version mixed in-house with stepping rhythms and shiny digital leads. On the flip, Black Swan marks a long-anticipated link-up between Locks MessenJAH and EverestDub, who has been a key figure in Bristol's dub scene since 2008. The track pays tribute to the roots and legacy of Bristol dub and is named after the iconic venue that shaped UK sound system culture.
Review: Kero Uno has been kicking for almost two decades, credited with reviving jazz sensibilities in hip-hop almost three decades since it, unfortunately, fell out of fashion around the turn of the century. K1 introduces city-pop and jazz-hop to two of Kdots biggest tracks, 'Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe' and 'Love', the former of which was put on SoundCloud almost a decade ago now and created nothing but buzz. K1 skyrocketed to fame, having his album crowdfunded by excited fans and catching the attention of Kendrick's own mix engineer Derek Ali. The 'Don't Kill My Vibes' mix flips the 2012 hit into a vibraphone-led synthy jazz slice of heaven, while the 'Love' flip, 'Vinyl Love', is a chill, wavey city-pop banger, with subtle brass and airtight percussion coming together in perfect matrimony.
Review: Misty Lane is vocalist Elaine Desjardins, and she worked with producers Michel Bibeau and Ralph Mashats in the mid-80s. Two tunes from that time, 'Energy' and 'Controle', brim with charm and analogue warmth all these years later as they get served up in all their quirky synth-pop style with unmistakable Quebecois flair via Dark Entries. The opener pulses with snappy Roland TR-808 beats and proto-house vibes carried by Desjardins' refreshingly unpolished vocals, while 'Controle' slows things down into a tropical mid-tempo groove that echoes the atmosphere of Junior Byron's 'Dance to the Music.' This reissue is a delight for lovers of Italo, Canadian disco and eccentric synth pop.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Rise Up (extended) (7:36)
Rise Up (Vandalism remix) (6:33)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
A timely reminder of the enduring power of classic house music. Originally released in 1991, 'Rise Up' is a certified anthem, its infectious energy and uplifting piano chords transporting listeners back to the golden age of house music. This reissue features the original mix on the A-side, a timeless piece of dancefloor history that continues to inspire and uplift. But the real treat lies on the flip, where Vandalism delivers a remix that injects a contemporary twist via a driving bassline and fruity synths. A guaranteed mood booster and a reminder of the timelessness of classic house music.
Review: Definitive Recordings throws it back to 1994 for 'Do It' a house classic by Las Americas, which is a legendary project by David Alvarado. Newly remastered for 2024, this edition includes the original version as well as a refreshed Chuck Phulasole remix and two dynamic new takes from Italian producer St. David, who brings his vintage-inspired style in all its glory. He delivers a playful 'Big Tool Mix' with vocal flips and infectious grooves alongside a funkier 'Drum-Tool Dub' packed with sharp guitar licks. The original's hypnotic basslines and soulful vocal hook still shine, while Phulasole's deeper remix adds rich keys and Moog warmth. Lovely stuff.
Review: Jacopo Latini returns to Altered Circuits with a four-track EP that sharpens his minimalist approach while maintaining his signature melodic touch. Focused squarely on groove, each track explores subtle yet impactful progression and opener 'Sharp' sets the tone with eerie atmospheres, vocoded vocals and fluid 303 squelches. 'Impulse' rides a hypnotic FM bass and sharp percussion for a dramatic yet refined journey. 'Bright Sound' balances modulated leads and deadpan vocals with euphoric touches and closing track 'Rave Harvey' bursts with '90s trance energy which marks a bold shift toward high-intensity club euphoria and minimal design with maximal impact.
Review: Unsettled Scores Records presents the long-overdue release of the soundtrack to The New York Graffiti Experience 1976, a seminal documentary by Fenton Lawless. One of the earliest films to document NYC's graffiti culture, the project began in 1974-75 as a slideshow created by Lawless and producer Justine DiIanni and featured original photos as well as the track 'French Fry 97.' That song, along with other recordings from 1974 by Lawless and his band, now appear on this official soundtrack, which is previously unreleased. The music captures the raw thrill and creativity of a pivotal moment in underground culture so this is a vital piece of NYC history.
Review: There are not many tracks that you could call timeless gems in the progressive house and trance worlds - but this track definitely can. Originally released in 1993 on Braniak Records, this track quickly garnered underground acclaim, becoming a go-to weapon for progressive and trance DJs. When Hooj Choons picked it up, 'Sacred Cycles' transcended the underground, solidifying its status as a trance classic. The track's hypnotic blend of ethereal melodies, pulsing basslines and spiritual samples continues to resonate with fans of the genre. The new Fort Romeau dub on Side-2 gives a new perspective to the iconic track. By honing in on the rhythm, Fort Romeau crafts a remix that innovates the track in different ways. The rework strips the original down to its core elements, emphasising groove and atmosphere while giving a contemporary edge that aligns perfectly with today's dancefloors. This release is a smart move by Hooj Choons, bridging the gap between classic trance euphoria and modern electronic sensibilities.
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.
Put Your Hands Up For Detroit (DJ Delicious & Till West remix) (6:28)
Put Your Hands Up For Detroit (dub) (6:34)
Put Your Hands Up For Detroit (TV Rock & dirty South Melbourne Militia remix) (6:47)
Review: Fedde le Grand's 'Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit' shocked the world on first release, notably sampling Matthew Dear and Disco D's 1999 classic track 'Hands Up For Detroit'. The Netherlands electro-house cut is a worthy enticement for any floor-hardened modern listener; Flamingo Recordings oversaw its peak at number 4 before gaining traction across Europe. The official lyrics, as confirmed by le Grand, are "put your hands up for Detroit, our lovely city"; and a futuristic music video, directed by Marcus Adams, was filmed in a former Safeway HQ in Hillingdon, London, depicting a dystopian lab where androids are tested for human responses, ending in a system-wide shutdown after one discovers his own artificial identity. There's plenty of visual cultural material to psychoanalyse here, but we've no time; all we can say for now is that this one's a speedy sonic electroshock and a maximal noughts dance record, doing similar vibe mileage as Freestylers, Foreign Beggars or Benny Benassi.
Review: After a leapfrogging debut on Juan Forte way back in 2021, London dubsteppers Leftlow return with another well-wrought 12", again front cover artworked by in-house cartoonist Chas, 'Ones & Twos'. Snakes and frogs battle it out in spectacular antipathy, as a thick-rimmed double bill of heavyweight contemporary dubstep drillers prove difficult to flub. Juan Forte has been threading sound system culture through vinyl, visuals, and low-frequency gatherings since 2016; Beavs, Brizz, Dott, Fonz, Jaya, and Underhill hear loop-ins from resident illustrator Chas, building a growing family of producers; this latest pair of slammers is but one of at least six new ones to top up the exquisitors' outlet, whose remit spans everything from riso zines to CD-R style listening sessions.
Review: Emerging from Glasgow's ever-thriving underground, Lifeforms make a strong debut here and offer up a fierce fusion of gritty acid and synth-fuelled electro. Crafted entirely with raw hardware, these tracks overflow with DIY spirit and machine soul. Each cut channels the intensity of basement sessions and industrial textures, all grounded in pure analogue energy and mastered by Dutch West Coast legend Alden Tyrell. 'Mindtrip is one of our favourites with its gritty low end, distorted bass and rasping synth patterns all so tactile you feel like you could reach out and grab them.
Review: Eliot Lipp's latest is a classy melange of breakbeats, shimmering guitar samples and his signature Korg MS-20 synth work. First cut 'Kona' opens with a punchy but dubby rhythm before easing into a breezy, sun-soaked groove that evokes the vibe of a sunset drive or a chilled beach session. Lipp masterfully blends retro analog warmth with clean, modern production as he twists knobs and filters the Korn leads into cosmic rays that feel both nostalgic and fresh. 'Silver Bass' is perfect for summer soundtracking-whether you're coasting down the highway or dancing under the open sky, it's a deeply feel-good jam built for golden hour moments.
Review: Tuff Cut / Late Nite Tuff Guy (Carmelo Bianchetti) has so far done well to dig out for himself a rather outre oeuvre, the Australian steadily supplying such head-turning edits as this since as far back as 2013. The seventh volume in this new iteration of the series comes in two parts, and brings two further soft disco inflammations: 'Fooled', a pre-coffee, rheumy Sister Sledge disco edit, and 'So Much Love', an unknown cut whose lyrics return plenty of red herrings on the 'ole search bar.
Review: UK-born, Spain-based house head Marlon Lopez faces off with downtempo king Nightmare son Wax here for a pair of dubbed-out cuts packed with soul and classic samples. 'Cancel Dat' rides a choppy groove with bleeping synth sequences and the tightest of pinging kicks, and as it unfolds, you get ever more hypnotised. 'Patang' has a dry, retro-future sound with chilly synth modulations and snappy hits, while a snaking, dubby bassline adds the weight. Two great sounds for back rooms and basements full of real heads only.
Review: Lo U returns with four club ready cuts that fuse the best of UK garage, breakbeats and deep electronic textures into contemporary killers. The EP opens with 'Transitus' where crisp UKG rhythms collide with a dark, neurofunk-inspired bassline then 'The Green Planet' follows with classic 2-step swing and a warped, heady breakdown. On the flip, Lo U revisits a label staple with a refined take on 'Platus Karma', injecting fresh style into the original while keeping its soul. Closing track 'Eresia' ventures into expansive, cinematic territory/. It was recorded live and sculpted in the studio so has a fresh feeling that blends broken beats with immersive soundscapes. All in all, a versatile release from a producer in peak form.
Review: Continuing their mission to retrouve genres across the spectrums of Latin funk and cumbia, Original Gravity welcome back founding favourites Luchito and Nestor Alvarez with yet another sonic vitamin D pill, presaging the warmer days to soon come. Both sides tap into that rich 60s and 70s Afro-Carib crossover sound, with, at least on the face of it, no studio trickery in earshot (though careful listens reveal the method behind the majesty). Anyone with a weakness for brass-led Latin burner will melt on contact with this one.
Review: DJ Nobu's avant-garde Bitta label looks to fellow Japanese great in Osaka-based Erik Luebs for its next trick. As always with this fine imprint, the sounds are about balancing transcendental synths with deep tech rhythms. They are masterclasses in economical arrangement and on the surface don't do much, but when you tune in properly, they are mind-melting trips, starting with the mystery of 'Granite Monolith'. 'Irradiated Body' has loopy synth sequences unfolding at great pace with pristine accuracy and 'Coming Up For Air' gets a little more extroverted with dubby kicks and the sound of overloaded AI machines getting ever more frenzied. 'Facing The Horizon' is a flickering, optimistic and mildly euphoric sound for dropping when the sun peaks through the blinds and you celebrate getting through another night of darkness.
Review: Amsterdam's Berg Audio label returns with their seventh limited compilation with their a brilliant snapshot of the label's spirited minimal and tech house sensibility. Side-A opens with M-High's 'Soulseeker', a classy, classic-sounding cut that dips into Euro house influences but feels much deeper and smoother, full of rich, timeless vibes. Janeret's 'Scape' follows with an upbeat, slickly produced tech house tune, its crisp drums and shimmering textures making it instantly infectious and ready for peak-time movement. On Side-B, Luna Ludmila's 'Vibe Thang' brings a heavy, rolling bassline paired with a bouncy, irresistibly fun beat. It strikes a sweet balance between groove and drive, offering something both DJs and dancers will love. Rounding out the record, Lola Palmer's 'Stranger' leans into a more nocturnal, late-night atmosphere, seamlessly blending elements of house and techno into a deep, hypnotic flow. Throughout the release, Berg Audio proves their ability to keep things lively and high-quality, while subtly shifting styles within their distinct framework. Each track feels perfect for home listeners and the floor.
Review: As you can tell from the title of this ongoing series, System Error likes to serve up only 100% party bombs. The third volume lives up to that once more with Parchi Pubblici kicking off with the acid-laced bumps of 'Perfect Vacuum2Disco' complete with zippy synths and snappy percussion. Lanzieri's 'Twisted Tango' hits just as hard with an electro-techno fusion that rides on psychedelic synth loops with jacked-up drums. Raku's 'Valle Dei Templi' has a more pared-back sound with a menacing and rubbery low end and creeping synths that keep you on edge. Phill Prince's 'Indigo' shuts down with something tripped out and retro with 90s techno vibes colouring the drums.
Prospect Park - "I Got This Feelin'" (feat Taka Boom - Micky More & Andy Tee Disco mix) (6:33)
Lou Casablanca - "Gimmie Your Love" (feat Angela Johnson - Groove Assassin mix) (6:00)
Da Funk Junkies & DiscoGalactiX - "Holding On" (6:46)
Massimo Berardi - "Who I Am" (feat Sheree Hicks) (6:49)
Review: Last year, Groove Culture Music established the Groove Is In The Heart series as a vehicle for showcasing on vinyl some of the various gems from the label's digital-only releases. In effect, what we get is the cream of the crop - guaranteeing high quality throughout. Certainly, the second EP is packed full of tried-and-tested treats. To kick things off, label chiefs Micky More and Andy Tee rework Prospect Park's 'I Got This Feeling', where the legendary Taka Boom sings soulfully atop and jaunty and celebratory disco-house groove, before Groove Assassin re-imagines Lou Casablanca's 'Gimme Your Love' as an organ and bongo-rich soulful house gem. Over on side B, Da Funk Junkies and Discogalactix's deliver the sweet disco-house rush of 'Holding On', before Massimo Beradi lays down the piano-powered soulful house delight that is 'Who I Am'.
Review: Amsterdam's Bordello a Parigi's ongoing Diamonds In The Night series has not only proved to be a reliable source of new - if authentically old sounding - Italo-disco, Hi-NRG and proto-Eurodance, but also a brilliant platform for new and up-and-coming artists. Volume seven in the series is another strong offering. It begins with the tops-off, melody-driven Hi-NRG joy of Tallac's 'Chemtrail Surfers' and concludes with the vocoder-heavy early morning dark bew wavce disco of 'Disco Homicide' by Hypersensitive. Sandwiched in between you'll find the tough, throbbing, strobe-lit and sweat-soaked hedonism of Luksek's 'Tropicale' and the Bobby Orlando and early Pet Shop Boys influenced excellence of 'That Moment' by Francesco Cascella.
Donna Washington - "You Can't Hide From The Boogie" (4:04)
Linda Clifford - "Build A Fire" (5:29)
Review: Donna Washington is a US soul singer from LA who had a number of big hit including her duet with The Dramatics' LJ Reynolds, 'I'm Into You' 'You Can't Hide From The Boogie' is a disco gem that featured on the Boogie Times Presents The Great Collectors Vol. 8 compilation back in 2008 but now get its own pressing on a standalone 7". It's leggy, glossy and a real lung buster with funky drums and big horns. Linda Clifford's 'Build A Fire' is another track from the 1980s boogie and disco era that still bangs but has a more deep, stripped-back and seductive sound.
Donna Washingtons - "You Can't Hide From The Boogie" (4:06)
Linda Clifford - "Build A Fire" (5:31)
Review: Donna Washington, a legendary soul singer from LA, is known for hits like her duet with The Dramatics' LJ Reynolds, 'I'm Into You.' However, just as good is 'You Can't Hide From The Boogie' is a disco classic that got revived amongst heads after it featured on Boogie Times Presents The Great Collectors Vol. 8 in 2008. Now, it's getting its own standalone 7" pressing and is a high-energy, funky gem complete with powerful horns and driving drums, all perfect for the dancefloor. On the flip side, Linda Clifford's 'Build A Fire' delivers a more seductive, deep boogie sound, showcasing the enduring allure of 1980s disco and boogie music.
Review: French label Cairo Xpress debuts with a first-ever vinyl outing and a fine one it is too, with six stylish house outings from an array of fresh talents. Wilt's 'Beoyon' has lovely gloppy drums and bass looping under harmonic chords - it's simple but effective. Hermit gets more full-bodied with his textured 'Who Dunnit' and DOTT strips it back to bumping drum track workouts on 'Twitching Softly.' There is more irresistible bounce to Lucho's 'Mesh', Artphorm layers in some old school pianos to 'Daown' and HATT D shuts down with maybe the best of the lot, 'Contrasts In Life,' which is a broken beat, analogue sound with celestial energy.
Review: La Pambele, Bogota's salsa dura ensemble, distills the spirit of 1970s salsa while threading modern-day stories through every track. Their energetic and heartfelt music is a celebration of the culture that's so intrinsic to their city, blending bold rhythms with lyrics that hit close to home. In a city often perceived as less rhythmically charged than the coastal regions, the band defies the stereotype, delivering tracks like 'Para No Olvidar' and 'La Bella Y La Culebra' that pulse with energy and authenticity. 'Naci Mestizo', the album's title track, sees La Pambele collaborate with the seasoned Afro-Colombian folklorist Nicoyembe, adding layers of cultural depth and richness that further root the sound in Colombian heritage. The mix of piano, conga, flute, and brass on songs like 'Amargura' and 'Son Cimarron' carries a nostalgic yet forward-thinking energy, embracing the past while pushing boundaries. There's a warmth and precision in the way the orchestra weaves traditional salsa with contemporary expressions, effortlessly moving between nostalgia and modern relevance, all while telling the story of the everyday Bogotano in its boldest form.
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