Elevation (Tommy Musto Zero Hour vocal mix) (7:04)
Review: Last summer, Soul Clap Records giddily introduced their first ever singings from the UK, 2Fox, via digital-only vocal house number 'Elevation'. Nine months on, that track has finally made it onto wax, accompanied by the best remixes from the expansive digital EP. In its original extended mix form (A2), the track is a sublime slab of warm, tactile, nostalgic and gospel-tinged deep house excellence with superb lead vocals by Laville. Masters at Work man and all-round NYC great Louie Vega delivers a fantastic, lightly tooled-up soulful house take to kick off the EP, label bosses Soul Clap add tech-house style synths and attractive electronics aplenty, and New York veteran Tommy Musto leans further into 'Calling Your Name' style gospel-house joy.
Review: Rawbeats offer up yet another addition to their sub-catalogue Extrasensorial, which aims to, in their words, "soothe your soul and ignite your senses". While that might sound contradictory to the point of impossible, the label prove this to be not so. First up on the witness stand comes Stefano Adriezzi with 'Sintomas', whose centrally choppy Reese-scape both excites and incites the listener, causing vestigial reflexes to move either voluntarily or involuntarily. Then Lo-lo's 'The Last Domain' and Anna Wall's 'Mercury Retrograde' do similar, the former's mistral melodic trance and the latter's more rancorous murk-offs offering up convincing ancillary proofs to Adriezzi's initial sonic testimony. Finally, though, Dream World's 'Alice Ghost' delivers the smoking gun of Rawbeats' soothing excitement; snippy electro, whorlingly high up-down pads and sampled musings on a mystical higher power, building to a minimal but effectively purgatory sequential cascade.
Review: Basel-based experimental labels Amenthia Recordings and A Walking Contradiction join forces for their first collaborative release here in the form of the Flash Crash/Hack Crash EP. Both labels are known for pushing boundaries within their close-knit creative circles and this one features Agonis' heavy stepper and Konduku's whirlpool of low frequencies on the Amenthia side, while Lemont continues the low-end, tripped-out vibe. Varuna represents A Walking Contradiction and delivers swampy, slow-motion sounds in their signature style. This release embodies both labels' commitment to daring, unconventional electronic sounds.
Review: AkizzBeatzz and Lego Edit join forces to mutually reinforce what they both do best: making disco edits and reworks of classic funk, soul and Afrobeat, and occassionally offering up the odd original track. The 12" 'African Groove' is a downtempo and weighty meditation on what it means to hail from the continent, with Akizz' A-side 'I'm An African' playfully laying down a diasporic big beat excursion, replete with regional instrumentation and defiant political vocal samples. Lego Edit's 'Sahara Adventures', meanwhile, works a chugging beat around a central algaita line.
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: After a 14-year absence, early '90s jazz-funk and street soul label Boogie Back Records returned to action last year which a superb slab of revivalist boogie from Cheri Maree. Here the London-based imprint continues in a similar vein via a fresh two-track "45" from in-house crew BB Soul and honey-voiced vocalist Laura Jackson. A-side "Make It Out" is superb: a wholehearted musical tribute to the smooth, synth-heavy sounds of 1980s soul rich in D-Train style synth bass, wild synth squiggles, warm Rhodes chords and authentic electric guitar flourishes - all topped off with a sublime Jackson vocal. Flipside "Reach Out" is a smoother, arguably even more soulful number that sits somewhere between early '80s electrofunk, mid-80s synth-soul and simmering British street soul. It, too, is impeccably performed and produced.
Review: Rebirth kicks off its 2024 with a remix EP that serves as "a tribute to the Brescian music scene in its many facets and declinations." The full original project is a complete 12-track album that brings together many different sounds, scenes and generations, with the best bits now assembled on this new 12". The revered deep house master Fred P opens up with some texture spiritual synth depths, K-Lone brings some nice house swing to his version of 'Paline' and edit maestro Rahsaan also keeps it paired back and late night on his soulful take on 'Scent Of An Old Life'. A great reimagining of some moving musical adventures, then.
Mood II Swing - "Closer" (feat Carole Sylvan - King Street Moody club mix) (6:17)
Ananda Project - "Cascades Of Colour" (feat Gaelle - Wamdue Black extended mix) (6:46)
Review: Earlier this year, legendary NY house label King Street Sounds was acquired by Armada Music. The Dutch imprint plans to reissue many of the well-known - and lesser-celebrated - gems from the King Street vaults in the months and years ahead. To kick things off, they've delivered this vinyl sampler featuring some of the stable's most admired cuts of all time. So, we get Dennis Ferrer's iconic remix of Blaze and Barbara Tucker's gospel-powered soulful house anthem, 'Most Precious Love', the 'King Street Mix' of Jovonn's legendary deep, bumpin' tribute to New Jersey's Club Zanzibar, 'Back To Zanzibar', Mood II Swing's hot and heavy 'moody club mix' of their own Carole Sylvan collaboration 'Closer' and the all-time deep house classic that is the Wamdue Black extended rework of 'Cascades of Colour' by Ananda Project. Simply essential!
Review: The latest from Bossibility and Look Perry on their Split Series is a precise, layered exploration of minimal and tech house that never quite settles in one place. Bossibility's contributions are subtle yet compelling, balancing clean rhythms with restrained complexity, particularly in 'Morphoder,' where the tension between the bassline and atmospheric layers steadily builds, leaving just enough space for the track to breathe. Look Perry's side offers a contrasting dynamicihis deep percussion on 'Way to the Dance' grounds the track, while 'International Beats' surges with a forward momentum that feels unpredictable, yet right on target. It's an unassuming yet compelling exchange of ideas and proof that simple elements, when handled with care, can pack a real punch.
Lavery & Bow Street Runner - "Punani Mania" (5:08)
Lavery - "One Tune" (4:43)
Review: .The opening jam on this new EP from Sub Code has got it all - the driving breakbeats, the proper lush chords and the heart-aching r&b vocal sample, pitched up just enough. Bow Street Runner ensures they all coalesce into a standout tune that tugs at the emotions while also demanding you move your body. No wonder it's called 'Sex Tune 3.' Lavery & Bow Street Runner's 'Punani Mania' is just as super sweet with another brillaint vocal sample, tenderness in the piano chords and drive in the jungle rhythms. After that collaboration between Lavery & Bow Street Runner comes a Lavery solo 'One Tune', which is more naughty with air raid sirens, some mad mic work and warped bass filth.
Bruise - "When Pianos Attack" (The Reflex Revision) (8:09)
Lou Hayter - "Time Out Of Mind" (The Reflex dubavision) (6:01)
Lou Hayter - "Time Out Of Mind" (The Reflex Revision) (6:17)
Review: Discolidays kicks off its third release with this spicy little joint from The Reflex, the remixer par excellence who is given two juicy tracks to get busy with. On the A-side it's Bruise's 2022 track 'When Pianos Attack' which is being tweaked and pumped for maximum impact, while on the flip Lou Hayter gets the executive treatment via some seriously sophisticated disco house flexing from an expert in the field. With dub and full-fat versions to sink your teeth into, there's plenty of potency in this record to keep your party primed.
Review: Red Laser Records continue their stellar form with another knockout release, blending Manctalo fire from old hands and fresh faces alike. Frank Butters opens the EP with The Call Of The Wild, a dazzling blast of crystalline synths, thunderous bass, and cosmic effects that showcase his forward-thinking production skills. Bob Swans delivers 'Bodyform4U', a dreamy arpeggiated groove that builds an uplifting, futuristic atmosphere, perfect for igniting the dancefloor. Lone Saxon switches things up with 'Hypersleep' a breakbeat-infused piano gem that oozes nostalgic charm, before Franz Scala and Il Bosco finish strong with Webo, a late-night, tension-filled Manctalo banger.
Review: The Deeptrax series has so far turned out many delightfully head techno sounds for those who like to have their brains as busy as their heels when in the club. This one Deep Series 1.3, kicks off with Caim's impossibly smooth and cool electro-tinged trip 'Straight No Chaser' with its mellifluous pads and deft drums. Mathijs Smit offers a more physical but still warm sound with 'Abducted' and then Joey Anderson shows his class with a grimy and dubby roller, 'All Around Us.' Rich P/Lee's 'Clown Inc' (vocal mix) brings a little playful funk and Pim's 'Somethings On My Mind' is another breezy and cathartic cut.
Review: A compelling compilation that delves deep into the cosmos of techno, offering four tracks that each explore different atmospheric dimensions. On Side-1, Charlou's 'Hidefaces' sets a dark, spooky tone with its stomping beats, blending elements of techno, industrial and 90s rave sounds. It's a haunting journey that captures the raw, visceral energy of underground techno. Mar C follows with 'Wentron', a spacey breakbeat track characterised by its crisp production, which elevates the atmosphere with a futuristic edge. Side-2 opens with Lanzieri's 'Vogue', a track that brings a touch of goa-trance influence, combining ethereal melodies with powerful basslines, making it feel like a cosmic flight through sound. Kvrk's 'Haunted Illusions' closes the EP with a progressive house touch, providing a deep, entrancing groove that muystifies. Each track offers a unique exploration of techno's darker, more experimental side.
Review: Fearsome techni-techno through the Swiss futurists ENMODA, whose modus operandi is to actively promote and advocate for the local Swiss scene. With chilling textures and an ear for material, sonic grit, a cloister of ten producers are heard going full Eski-mode here, for the first instalment in their yearly compilation, Alpine Express Volume 1. Aptly described as a set of "dancefloor hurters", this is a record that proves the mid-European enclave still have their ears to the ground: pree the classic trance-techno of Marcism's 'Echo' or Ermatik's 'Funk Alt Delight', The Chronics' restlessly fight-or-flight revenant, 'Sonic Memory', and/or TIS' closing jit-tech piano weapon 'I Don't Mind'.
The Mechanical Man - "Uncle Swing" (feat Bob Vito) (4:31)
DJ Rocca - "The Box Above" (6:03)
Lex & Locke - "Soul Escape" (6:56)
Review: Musica Solida sampler 1 marks a thrilling celebration of 40 years of Flexi, the venerable record emporium that has stood the test of time in the ever-evolving music industry landscape. As the label weathered storms and celebrated triumphs, it has remained a beacon for vinyl enthusiasts, and this compilation embodies its enduring spirit. Curated by Flexi Cuts, Musica Solida promises a series of carefully selected singles spread across multiple 12-inch samplers, showcasing the talents of cherished Flexi-affiliated artists and producers. With a vision to cultivate a movement of sublime tunes, the compilation aims to uphold the commitment to quality that Flexi has exemplified within the Italian music scene and beyond. Musica Solida sampler one sets the stage with an eclectic lineup of artists, each bringing their unique flair to the table. DJ Rocca stands as a stalwart of the clubbing scene, while Club Soda delivers live electronic ensembles brimming with house-flavored jams. Lex & Locke bring a touch of Greek sophistication to the mix, showcasing their groovy sound destined for future acclaim. Hiroyuki Kato emerges as a Japan-based multi-instrumentalist with a punchy debut track, and The Mechanical Man (feat. Bob Vito) adds a raw, gritty energy to the compilation. For those that are adventurous in finding unique music, you will want to check out this great release.
Review: Colossio and Luke Garcia combine on this new EP for Microcastle and offer up a mix of solo and collaborative cuts. Musically, techno is the foundation sound here but is explored far and wide. Colossio gets things underway with 'Amen' which is all fizzing pads and buzzy synths over tough drums. Luke Garcia's 'Ryen' is then an explosive mix of strobe lit and peak time tackle with writing lines and freeform energy. Then the pair combine for 'Situation' which is more white knuckle techno and finally 'My Body' which is a dark industrial cut for tense moments.
Lord Kitchener - "Manchester Football Double" (3:15)
Review: Edric Connor's 'Manchester United Calypso' is a timeless masterpiece that captures the spirit and joy of football. Originally released 70 years ago, its legacy continues to resonate with fans, heard echoing through the terraces of Old Trafford and beyond. This reissue, featuring Lord Kitchener's 'Manchester Football Double' on the B-Side, is a delightful treat for fans of vintage calypso and Manchester United alike. The 7" vinyl format, coupled with Stan Chow's stunning artwork, makes it a real treat. With its soulful and uplifting vibes, 'Manchester United Calypso' is not just a song; it's a celebration of football and the enduring spirit of one of the world's most iconic clubs.
Review: The Fruit Medley series has been hella juicy so far so we're glad another edition is ripe and ready for picking to kick off the label's 2025 season. This one features all newcomers starting with Cromie's 'Timereite', a chubby and clubby tech pumper with full throttle rhythms. Wilba's 'New Recipes' has lush synth smears over grinding low ends that echo early West Coast tech, and Darren Roach then gets a little deeper on the percolating 'Brettski Colectski'. Lazer Man's 'Time Of Ghosts' closes down with a mid-tempo, off-kilter house cut with steely drums and distant alien activity.
Review: Mule Musiq continues to refine its reputation for sophisticated electronic music with a release that radiates warmth, groove and effortless elegance. The opening track, 'Midnight Piano', with its addictive groove and shimmering melodies, delivers a soothing yet danceable experience. It sets the tone for 'Slow Ride', a Balearic-infused journey with laid-back rhythms and breezy horns, evoking images of sun-drenched coastlines and late-afternoon lounging. On the flip side, 'No Flamingos In Salinas' embraces an ambient house aesthetic, channeling a vintage '90s feel with dreamy synth work while maintaining a subtle techy edge that keeps it dancefloor-ready. The closer, 'Dream On', is a smooth, melodic builder that gradually unfolds, carrying the listener into a hypnotic state with its rich textures and serene energy. These two Italian producers join forces to produce one fantastic EP, a record which embodies the aura of summer with its lush soundscapes and masterful deep house craftsmanship.
Review: Marvin Dash and Lowtec combine to serve up some house grooves here that perfectly embody the Workshop sound. They are lovably loose-limbed, dusty and ramshackle, and almost feel as if they may fall apart at any given moment, but that is the joy of them. Instead, they keep you locked amongst rickety drums, frayed pads and imperfect little vocal hooks that bring the soul. 'Track 1' does that with a hazy feel, 'Track 2' is more one out with a dubby undercurrent and sustained keys and 'Track 3' brings little more prickle and drive, like a super raw Omar-S track. 'Track 4' is all about the prying, bulbous bassline that unfurls with a mind of its own beneath DIY percussive sounds.
Review: White Fetish X, the latest release by enigmatic collaboration between Dataintrang and Luke Eargoggle on the Italian label Pareidolia Recordings, is a hypnotic and eerie exploration of the dark side of electronica. The album's six tracks veritably pulsate with a sinister energy, blending elements of EBM, electro clash, and sci-fi to create a truly unique and unsettling soundscape. 'Starting Shift' sets the tone with its menacing EBM stomp and early techno sound, while 'Mann Gegen Mann' ups the ante with its sinister electroclash beats. The title track is a hypnotic and eerie soundscape, with its sci-fi synths and demented, horror-like atmosphere. 'Radiowelt' is a heavy electro track with a pulsing body funk rhythm, while 'Audio Warrior' closes the album out with its dark and evil-sounding but funky bassline. Overall, White Fetish X is a challenging and rewarding listen for fans of dark electronica. Its sinister soundscapes and hypnotic rhythms create a truly unique and unsettling experience that will stay with you long after the final track has faded out.
Len Lewis - "Illicit" (Grant Dell Up Yer Strasse dub)
Grant Dell - "Fari A Come"
Review: The Repeat label is doing a great service to the culture of real tech house, nodding to that late 90s sound and carrying work from the likes of Jay Tripwire, Eddie Richards and now Grant Dell. The Dis Chronicles series hits part two with some further obscurities from back in the day which sound as relevant now as they were futuristic back then. 'Disco Hit' was a collaborative effort from Dell and Richie Littler, and it's utterly addictive thanks to those cheeky DX7 organ licks, while Dell's 'Up Yer Strasse Dub' of Len Lewis' 'Illicit' is chunky and dubby in equal measure. Dell's own 'Fari A Come' completes the set with a more overt drop into dub territory, sampling a true Jamaican legend and showing how the tech house sound could transplant onto backroom, head-nodding gear in style.
Review: Obliq Records presents its second release, a sonic journey crafted by four talented Italian artists. Desai's 'Low Noise' sets the tone, its hypnotic groove and subtle textures drawing the listener into a world of understated beauty. Leo Benassi's 'Distorted Reflection' adds a touch of psychedelic flair, its swirling melodies and warped soundscapes creating a sense of otherworldly intrigue. Gbigga's 'Retro Acid' injects a dose of old-school rave energy, its pulsating rhythms and squelchy acid lines guaranteed to get bodies moving. Avenir's 'We Are Holder Humans' closes the EP with a contemplative atmosphere, exploring deeper, more introspective soundscapes. Together, these four tracks create a great listening experience that showcases the diverse and vibrant landscape of Italy's electronic music scene.
Review: You might have caught onto German label Synq with their release of John Dimas' Rave Wave back in 2020, and now the label finally kicks back into action with a various artists release which widens the scope of the label. DJ Gus leads the way on the A-side with 'Toxic Dementor', a throbbing workout taking cues from Italo and Hi-NRG while retaining the cool demeanour of a modern day club track. Lis Sarroca throws down a dreamy electro beat on 'Solstice' and Voodoos & Taboos brings the heat to 'Press One' before Cosmic JD cleans up with the trancified wig-out 'Soft R@ve'.
Review: In a move towards soulful French electro-funk from the duo that brought us 'Caipirnha', comes the latest new single from DjeuhDjoah & Lieutenant Nicholson. The two producers here bring together a vast cast of musicians playing everything from Moog to claviers, culminating in a texturally rich afro-soul single that urges us to "hold our horses" ('Pas Si Vite') in these troubling times.
Review: DMC and Luke XL bring a unique techno experience with the second release on Reheat, with DMC's 'Loseyamind,' featuring outer space sounds and otherworldly techno, blending sci-fi elements for a stunning auditory journey. Next up is 'Il Fait Froid Dehors,' a collaboration between DMC and Luke XL, characterised by its heavy acid sound and crunchy textures, seamlessly combined with well-produced drum beats. On Side 2, 'Pharmacy' by DMC and Luke XL offers a tight, deep bassline with vocoder effects, precise drum programming, and a heavy rhythm that drives a no-nonsense groove. Luke XL's 'Mr Nice Guy' rounds out the EP with an catchy groove, evoking Kraftwerk vibes and adding a touch of classic electro to the mix. RH 002 stands out with its distinctive sounds and impeccable production, making it a 12" to check out if you're on the look out for something just a little bit different.
Doni & Leo Young - "Rebelion In The City Of Gangia" (6:03)
Pastaboys - "On & On" (Panna mix) (6:32)
Hiver - "Magic Crusade" (5:51)
GPM, Steve Mantovani, Dan-E-MC, Daniele Mad - "House In Full Effect" (9:21)
Feel Fly - "Armaduk" (6:08)
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.
Dr Packer & Elektrik Disko - "My Lovin'" (extended mix) (6:04)
Dr Packer & Elektrik Disko - "My Lovin'" (Elektrik Disko extended mix) (5:14)
Mattei & Omich & Re Tide - "Give Me Your Love" (feat Katy Alex - extended mix) (5:27)
Re Tide & Lukas Setto - "Me & You" (Dr Packer remix) (7:07)
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.
LaTrece - "I Want To Thank You" (Dr Packer edit) (6:40)
Shuya Okino - "Still In Love" (feat Navasha Daya - Dr Packer remix) (6:41)
ATFC - "Bad Habit" (feat Lisa Millett - Dr Packer remix) (6:41)
Soul Rebels - "I'll Be Good" (feat Lisa Millett - Dr Packer remix) (6:31)
Review: Defected's disco-minded Glitterbox offshoot has decided to dip a toe into the choppy waters (sorry) of the re-edit scene. The man at the control is fun-time rework specialist Dr Packer, an Australian scalpel specialist who has spent the last few years contributing tidy edits to a variety of well-regarded labels. First, he adds a little late '80s house shuffle to a soul-fired, boogie-era disco classic, before turning the equally familiar "Still in Love" into a bouncy, club-ready chunk of disco-house full of swirling strings and Chic-style guitars. On the flip the good doctor gets his hands a much-sampled electrofunk workout, retaining the drum delays while adding a touch of nu-disco swagger, before brilliantly dubbing out and tooling up the synth-heavy swagger of 1985 hit "I'll Be Good".
Rhythms Of Africa (Jazzphonic instrumental) (7:20)
Review: There ain't much that Matt Early and Lee Jeffries cannot do, and they have more than proven that with the music they have dropped this month alone. There have been four or five essential 7"s on Sonic Wax In Da House and its new sister label Disco Edits and this latest one is another bomb. It finds the duo taking Afro banger 'Rhythms Of Africa' and flipping it with their own Jazzphonic mix. It takes the original into new sonic realms with jazzy, dancing keys, restless drum funk, lashings of percussion and plenty of manic flutes. The instrumental is no less busy nor effective.
The Sun Will Shine Another Day (Jeffries & Early main mix) (7:19)
On & On (Jeffries & Early main mix) (7:31)
Review: Jeffries & Early step up here to add a contemporary spin to a stone-cold classic sound. The original is a rather iconic tune that now gets a modern update: 'The Sun Will Shine Another Day' brings lung-busting vocals and colourful pops of synth colour to liven up the dusty beats. 'On & On' (Jeffries & Early main mix) then has big synth energy from the stabs and a sense of cool funk in the drums that roll on down low. The likes of Keinemusik, Black Coffee and Damian Lazarus have already been hammering this one so expect to hear it all summer long.
Review: 'Tribute To The Flowers' is one of those tunes that is often considered to be a part of the holy grail cannon. It's loved up and irresistibly catchy and now it gets a sublime new house make over with Rocky Washington on lead vocal. It is another great drop on the Sonic Wax In Da House label and comes from the great pair of Matt Early and Lee Jefferies on green marbled wax. The For Real mix is all soulful and airy grooves, there is an instrumental mix and also a more bumping club mix version.
Andrea Bertoli & DJ Bogdan - "Extremely On Line" (5:36)
Review: Exxtra Beats Records backs up its commitment to pushing things on with a new four-tracker of minimal and tech cuts. Edo Ecker's 'Extraluxxo' has warped synth lines that encourage introspection while the snappy beats make you move physically. Leff's 'Future Problems' has hazy and positive arpeggios that toot away over sustained chords and move at a nice inviting pace. Little Sea offers the snappy drums and gurgling acid lines of 'How I Wanna Feel' while Andrea Bertoli & DJ Bogdan's 'Extremely On Line' is a snappy and upbeat cosmic tech cut with wonky lines adding the charm.
Review: The Cimedirapax crew are back with another superb various artists collection that nudges at the borders of tech house and minimal. Eliaz's 'Enbaspremal' is an alien sound with abstract designs and trippy pads and Lapucci then gets deeper and darker on the menacing 'To Be On Top.' F_Phono brings some nu-disco energy and bright 80s arps to 'Sollievo' then Marco Biagioli heads into more occult worlds with the eerie and haunting 'Strange Mirror' before Equinox's 'Intergalactic Space' offers a caustic electro workout.
Review: Intriguing new reissue from Ernie & The Family McKone on the acclaimed Boogie Back, just one of many labels to focus on obscure street soul, freestyle and R&B since the early 90s. One side is a freestylectro remix of an absolute classic, while the B's 'Make A Move On Me' is much sultrier, replete with digital organs and soft strings against a steady-sexy house backing.
Review: There's a certain brand of 4x4 deep house that utterly slapssss. And that's exactly the business Toolroom Records are in - they're simultaneous experts at throwing us back to the sprawling garage paradises, while still lending modern, buildup-drop flairs to their productions. This V/A 12" sampler from a wider comp shows off choice buts from label mainstays, Essel, Guz, Qubiko, et al., showing off the best of what Italy's poppy deep house scene has to offer.
Farayen & Liam Parkins - "Where Do We Go" (Jamie Unknown remix) (5:04)
Dan Newman - "Movin'" (5:05)
Dean & Di After - "Wicked Dreams" (5:06)
Shade Guevara - "Ted Or Dead" (4:07)
Review: Warehouse Tools takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through the vibrant world of UK house music, showcasing the iconic sounds of Hooj Choons. Opening with Farayen & Liam Parkins' 'Where Do We Go (Jamie Unknown Remix)', the track blends high-energy euro house with New York-style house rhythms, offering a dynamic trip back to the early 90s. Dan Newman's 'Movin'' follows with a melodic Balearic progressive house gem, featuring heavenly piano moments paired with a serious beat that creates a dynamic vibe. On the flip side, Dean & Di After's 'Wicked Dreams' brings retro energy to the forefront, evoking the essence of house music's early days while offering a fresh perspective. Finally, Shade Guevara's 'Ted or Dead' delivers a piano-driven breakbeat, showcasing a vintage sound that encapsulates the roots of house music. This compilation is a well-crafted tribute to the genre, perfectly balancing nostalgia with contemporary energy.
Review: The undeniably wonderfully named Chippy Chasers label return with a neat selection of four very playable, friendly-on-the-ear cuts from four undeniably wonderful artists. Fedo's 'Tunisian Rex' leads the chage, with a solid house shuffle liberally peppered with nicely trippy effects and bonkers vocal snippets that give it heaps of personality. Andrey Djackonda & Ovil's 'Lui Lui' is a little more stripped down and a little more soulful, with an old jazz hand muttering atmosphercially on top. Legit Trip's 'Skripi Daddy' is the most loop-laden of the quartet, but its ebbing and flowing brass samples and high frequency tweaks keep it interesting, before Firesc's 'Left Or Right' closes things down with the kind of polyrhythmic funkiness and space jazz trimmings that made Cheap Records so essential back in the day. Well worth Chasing down.
Dennis Ferrer - "How Do I Let Go" (feat TK Brooks)
Rain: A Lil Louis Painting - "Give It Up" (Masters At Work club mix)
Mood II Swing - "Sunlight In My Eyes"
Kimara Lovelace - "Misery" (Lil Louis club mix)
Review: Now under new ownership (international dance music powerhouse Armada Music, fact fans), long-serving New York house imprint King Street Sounds is doing a good job in showcasing gems from its vast archives. This second label sampler contains four more genuine must-have cuts. First up, there's a chance to admire the deep, soulful house wonder that is Dennis Ferrer's 2008 hook-up with honeyed vocalist K.T. Brooks, 'How Do I Let Go'. It's followed by Masters at Work's deliciously loose, disco-influenced deep house revision of 'Give It Up' by Lil' Louis' Rain project (first released in 2000), Mood II Swing's DIY Soundsystem favourite 'Sunlight In My Eyes' (easily one of the greatest deep house jams of all time) and Lil' Louis's swinging garage-house rub of Kimra Lovelace's 'Misery'.
Roman Flugel - "More Is Not Enough (Heaven Or Hell?)"
Lauer - "Hector"
San Laurentino - "Final Landing"
Tuff City Kids - "People Is A Crackhead" (Tuff Hamlet riddim)
Review: Established as a record label some four years ago, Live At Robert Johnson have really come to the fore as representing the best of contemporary European deep house alongside the likes of Dial and Running Back. Here, the Frankfurt institution returns to their recent triumphant Lifesaver compilation with this addendum 12" release featuring the productions from Roman Flugel, Lauer, San Laurentino and Tuff City Kids. Flugel opens proceedings with the rough and moody "More Is Not Enough" which brandishes a beat that can't help but get in your face. This is complemented by the calmer, sumptuous New Beat stylings of Lauer's "Hector" and the richly colourful "Final Landing" from San Laurentino. "People Is A Crackhead (Tuff Hamlet Riddim)" is not only the best track title in a hot minute but yet another original dancefloor slayer from Gerd Janson and Lauer's Tuff City Kids, opting for the Germanic digi dub meets tuff house route.
Review: Five years on from their debut collaborative EP 'Frisina Meets Toco', modern Brasilian dance artists Gerardo Frisina and Toco return for a second faceoff, this time with liaising artist Luzia Dvorek serving as ringmaster. Centring on samba-infused jazz and deep house with mystical and folk influences, "deixa passar" translates from Portuguese to "let it pass", though the mood is certainly not outright passive. This delectably quartered slice of carnivalesque dance music is rather rich in sonic papaya juice, charting sustained vocal contrasts between Toco and Luzia against smoky and furnaced beats. Aperient track 'Deixa Passar' leans heaviest on languid piano, whilst dozier mists emerge on the B-side in the form of 'Ile' and its rework by Gerardo Frisina, bringing pan flutes, strings, breathy vocal counterpoints, cabasa shaker, and subtle bass undercurrents.
Review: Samosa Records returns with Afrikano Vol. 3 which is a lovely Afro-themed, genre-blending EP featuring four standout tracks from trusted artists. Kicking things off is Vincent Galgo's 'African Rebel,' a 125bpm fusion of horns, driving rhythms, and Afro-pop bass. Frank Virgilio follows with 'Mistress,' a jazz-infused mid-tempo groover, packed with guitar riffs, organ stabs, and hypnotic bongos. Newcomer Casper Leo delivers 'Tom Tom,' a tribal delight featuring Kora guitar and melodic Marimba. Closing the EP is Lego Edit's 'El Safari,' a sultry Afrobeat banger that grabs hold and doesn't let go.
Review: Welcome to Open Space Club Tools Volume 1, a new series of 12 inch records for DJs from the Open Space label. They pull together some low key, highly skilled DJs to cook up some jacking house beats and rugged rhythms that are proudly analogue and rough around the edges. There's an old school vibe to 'Word Problems' that takes you right back to Chicago in the late 80s. Benedek layers up the kicks, rickety rhythms and rattling cow bells into another muscular groove and elsewhere there is glistening melodic tackle from Liluzu, bristling drum work from Calvin and a weirdo collection of odd-ball sounds and samples nailed to a punchy rhythm by Glue Boy.
Review: Releases like this demonstrate the utter vanguard of British drum & bass. It's as if this were a G20 summit for some of the genre's most eminent lords, as we hear Goldie, Jubei, Submotive and Lenzman all team up for a four-way rampage. Both tunes on this lethal weapon, through well-placed Reeses and complex metallic snare rebounds, convey the mood of utter dark fantasy. The mood is that of being graced by the presence of monstrously regal higher sonic powers.
Review: The esteemed Michael Gray is back once again with his superb house sounds, this time on Sultra with 'Save Me.' An extended mix of the title cut opens up and is the sort of glorious crossover anthem that will unique any crowd with its clean and soulful vocals, pristine sax notes and swooning strings, all married to a breezy and effortlessly catchy groove. After the dub version comes 'Ivy' which is another accessible, heart-swelling and radio friendly house sound that harks back to the proper songwriting days of yore, then 'Season High' closes with a bright synth one that twists and turns next to celebratory chords and singalong vocals.
Review: Focused on artists from the great anatine peninsula that is South America, Mirror Vinyl Series reflects the techno-house multi-talents of many an artist from Argentina to Bolivia to Ecaudor to Peru to Suriname to Uruguay to Colombia to Venezuela to Brazil... there are simply no limits on locale, except for the featuring artists' ancestries themselves, and that to hail from SA is a must. Here, after a stellar set of digitals recently from Sofia Duz, Zolbaran, Atemporal and Marcos Coya to name but a small few, we're now heard hearing the Uruguayan ur-builds of Marcos Coya ('Sabes Que Si'), the chord-smeared minitech funk of Colombian boheme Donnie Cosmo, and/or the hoarse breaks, seedy acids and "what do you wanna take tonight?"s of guileful Brasiliera, Guile.
Review: Toolroom share the seventh instalment of their label Sampler series, bringing together four new ones from six artists in their roster; Martin Ikin, Raumakustik & Tony Romera, Low Steppa & Crusy, and Eden Prince. These are huge, ravey, deep techy numbers for the big-room-inclined; we're rhythmically and vocal-samply implored to oscillate at a nigh-militant frequency, though the impulse to dance doesn't come without its shuffles and wonks. Our highlight here is the beatless breakdown in 'BFG', on which that delicious chord stab truncates all expectations thereafter.
Review: Give My Love by In Dat Groove & Lee Wilson is an infectious late-night jam with soft calypso vibe to it and the DJ Spen Rework elevates with soulful house flair, adding a depth and groove that's irresistible for dancefloors. The L'Amour Disco mix rounds out the package, paying homage to classic r&b, disco and house sounds with a polished nod to the 80s. Both versions offer a unique flavour, making this release a stunning collection that caters to diverse musical tastes. Whether you're in the mood for tropical warmth, soulful beats, or nostalgic disco, 'Give My Love' delivers beautifully.
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