Review: Amulanga, operating out of Thailand, emphasise beauteous atmospheric progressive house, pairing each compilation with exquisite, extra-worldly sci-fi themes. Their latest, sixth vinyl V/A hears additions from Dulus, Acrobat, Ilias Katalenos & Plecta, Taleman and Shri & Alej, each track a seamless infusion of living, writhing organic sound. More than just music, the aim is to imply a narrative, shuttling and transforming listeners over and beyond centrifugal, interplanetary orbits - not just dancefloors.
Alex Kassian x Spooky - "Orange Coloured Liquid" (part I) (6:25)
Alex Kassian x Spooky - "Orange Coloured Liquid" (part II) (5:54)
Alex Kassian x Spooky - "Orange Coloured Liquid" (Placid Angles remix) (7:08)
Spooky - "Orange Coloured Liquid" (5:02)
Review: After last year's standout 'E2-E4' rework, in-form producer Alex Kassian returns to Test Pressing Records with the next instalment in the series i this time turning his attention to Spooky's 'Orange Coloured Liquid', taken from their 1993 debut album Gargantuam. Alongside acts like Underworld and Leftfield, UK duo Charlie May and Duncan Forbes helped shape the early 90s progressive house sound under their Spooky moniker. Now, decades later, Kassian delivers two versions designed to serve dancefloor and sunset respectively, with the rolling breaks of Part I beautifully complemented by the ambient swells of Part II. John Beltran dons his Placid Angles alias for a sumptuous remix pitched somewhere between the two, while the still-fresh original rounds out an essential EP i no surprise, given the calibre of those involved.
Eyes Like Cinnamon (Adrian M Nation & Horatio Luna) (5:13)
When I'm With You (feat Natalie Slade) (5:00)
Kinda Strut (Adrian M Nation) (4:02)
Review: Analog Recital's new album fantastically collides the worlds of lo-fi house and jazz-synth sounds on Inner Tribe Records. Clearly drawing inspiration from early jazz-house production but adding new ideas to that, the record combines dynamic dancefloor rhythms with crusty drums reminiscent of classic hip-hop and live horns as well as traditional African drums. It features Adrian M Nation from Antigua and Barbuda and Millicent from South Africa on vocals, while Aussie Horatio Luna is on bass to make this a truly pan-global and richly musical affair. By merging live instrumentation with late-night club vibes in this way, Analog Recital really impresses.
Review: A bumper package of six - count 'em - reworkings of disco grooves by Scruscru, offering a myriad of new takes on classic sounds. Beno, Bernardo Campos's 'Space Gruv' opens proceedings with a luxurious, soulful edge, while Tree Threes' 'Sunshine Miss' coasts along gracefully with more of a beefed up jazz house vibe. Manuel Kane's 'Disco Visions' throws more beautifully jazzy chord shapes and adds a devastating diva vocal for a proper peak time feel, Immersif's 'La Tournee Des Phares' employs more of a broken beat shuffle and 'Rebecca's Mystery Mood' by Punky Wash revolves around Latin beats and lilting guitar lines. Finally comes arguably the EP's jazziest moment of all, Justnique's 'Elevator Music', with some mighty impressive tinkling of the ivories. Authentic, gorgeous sounds overlaid on some sturdy 4/4 templates - pure DJ heaven.
Review: Seba & Paradox reunite on Metalheadz with their first joint release for the label in over five years, reaffirming the synergy of two of drum & bass's most distinct voices. Known alike for their brooding musicalities and breakbeat precision, the pair unite styles once more on 'Cypher' and 'Orlean', resulting in a razor-sharp two-tracker through surgical drum edits and cleaving depths; the kinds of immersions both artists are celebrated for. Their return feels both timely and timeless, reminding listeners of the subtle power in expertly crafted, uncompromising d&b.
Review: Shadow Child mints his new label TBC with a rave-ready release that taps into playful jungle influences with driving club rhythms that are likely to go down a storm over summer and beyond. Early support from heavyweights like Scuba, Horse Meat Disco and Gerd Janson mean you may have already heard some of these jams and also hint at the EP's broad appeal. Standout tracks are, well, all of them. 'The Street' is a nimble stepper with pruning basslines, 'In My Dreams' is a percussive fenny with another brilliantly old school low end, and an untitled gem brings rave-ready pianos and old school energy. 'Bubble' flips the script with a rugged bass-driven house workout.
Review: Dusky techno disco tools on this fifth new one from Shadow Pressings, a UK outfit who've here nonetheless titularly alluded to the Chicago house scene. Of course, not all of us can afford to fly out to Illinois on a whim, and many of us prefer instead to let the city's long-release intoxicant effect run its course on the collective ear from a distance. The label-artist here proffers the gruffer stuff, from the grunting percs of 'Tears' through to the smoother high piquancies of 'Lost In The Dance', both of which nail that irreverent, not-too-much mood innate to all the best dance music.
Review: Boston pair Soul Clap land on UK staple Crosstown rebels and bring their signature E-funk sound across a quarter of tunes that also draw on garage and deep house. 'Gone Stumblin' is effortlessly breezy with swirling, aloof vocals up top, a knotted bassline and dusty drums and percussion making a nice late-night vibe. The dub version is bigger, with twisted stabs and frazzled leads rewiring the energy and 'Unifying Force' is a swirling, gooey sound with an old school FM bassline and classic vocal sample bringing the heat. 'Gone Stumblin (bonus version)' is a second take on the original with some fun drum patterns and big raw snares to amp up the vibes.
Spectrums Data Forces - "Form 900" (Umwelt remix) (5:32)
C-System - "Mind Restore" (5:48)
7H3F4M1LY - "7053M4R14" (6:20)
Review: "Emergency protocol activated. Evacuate your homes and immediately go to the bunker for your safety. The invasion has begun!" Spectrum Data Forces makes a blistering return to New Flesh, fifteen years after first touching down on the label with Exodus and Reencarnacion. 'Trinity' hears Jose Maria Moreno Vega reshuffle his arsenal, securing salted-earth electro and mecha-funk fallows across four tracks and one remix. 'form900' launches the A in full arpeggiated mode, its high-velocity synth lines and crunching drums lensed through SDF's retrofuturist sound-and-vision. Umwelt tears into the remix with typical ferocity, twerking analogue gnarls into a thumping, break-laced payload. On the flip, Moreno dons his C-System alias for 'Mind Restore', a pummelling techno cut streaked with eerie pads and flecks of IDM. '7H3 F4M1LY', finally, under the 7053M4R14 moniker, hears the whole crew round things off in wiry, off-grid style.
Review: Known as the Detroit Spinners in the UK, The Spinners recorded with Motown's V.I.P. label from 1964 to 1971 and in that time managed to leave a lasting mark on the Northern Soul scene. Their track 'I'll Always Love You,' which was written by Hunter and Stevenson in 1965, became a Northern Soul favourite with original UK Tamla Motown pressings often selling for over L500. 'What More Could A Boy Ask For'' is a 1966 gem by Bristol and Fuqua, which remained unreleased until its inclusion as a bonus track on the 2012 Yours Truly CD. Now, it receives its first official 7" vinyl release on the B-side of this one from Outta Sight.
Celeda - "The Underground" (St David Dark Swing mix) (7:31)
Patrice Rushen - "Haven't You Heard" (St David Gentle Re-Touch) (4:19)
Armando - "100% Disin' Of You" (St David club Re-Diss) (5:58)
Salsoul Orchestra - "Sun After The Rain" (St David Groovylizer Magic dub) (6:05)
Review: Tribute To House Masters launches its homage to talented producers from the foundational days of house and disco with a first volume featuring some real heavyweights. Each of the originals has been remixed by St David who begins with swinging and delightful deep house depths on 'The Underground.' His Gentle Re-Touch of Patrice Rushen leads to some chunky and full flavour disco house fun, the Club Re-Diss of Armando is jacked up and peak time house with a retro flair and lastly Groovylizer Magic dub brings some silky and soulful flourishes to a Salsoul Orchestra classic.
When You Look At Me (feat Javonntte - An Abacus Story) (7:05)
When You Look At Me (feat Javonntte - Late Night dub) (6:16)
Run The Numbers (6:17)
Review: Ascension on Wax tap Toronto Hustle & Sean Roman for their third release, a slick four-tracker pulling heavy influence from *that*argent 90s US-East Coast deep house sound. 'The Unity' lands with some pedigree, where recent drops on Wolf, Local Talk and Freerange have mounted this pairing firmly in the frame. Javonntte lends his unmistakable Detroit flow to the A1, which also gets a shimmering rerub from longtime Prescription associate Abacus. Flip for a late-night dub version that leans into tougher territory, before closing out with a heads-down deep house cut built for sloppily recalled nights.
Review: Recorded live at Copenhagen's Jazzhus Montmartre in 1963, Sahib Shihab's performance captures the moment when the saxophonist and flautist fully embraced both his roots in bop and his growing affinity for the avant-garde. Joined by an impressive cast of musicians, including flugelhornist Allan Botchinsky, guitarist Ole Molin, drummer Alex Riel, and the prodigious 17-year-old bassist Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen, the set unfolds with elegance and innovation. The opening '4070 Blues' is an exuberant, hard-bop driven piece, setting the tone with its intricate brass and rhythm section interplay. 'Charade' slows things down, bringing a contemplative, balladic feel, allowing Shihab's sax to shine. On side two, the ambitious 'Conversations' suite spans three parts, each delving into the complexities of improvisationirhythmic shifts and interplay between the musicians give the track a live energy that feels spontaneous yet controlled. This reissue, with audiophile-grade pressing, offers a fresh perspective on a key jazz moment.
Review: When she started her career just over a decade ago, Cleopatra Nikolic AKA Cleo Sol was considered a singer-for-hire within the international deep house community. Now, with the assistance of beat-maker Inflo, she's decided to strike out on her own via a quietly impressive solo debut that re-casts her as a genuinely fresh and exciting soul talent. Beginning with the layered acapella vocals and deep, jazzy grooves of stunning opener "One Love", the album sees her brilliantly deliver heartfelt and thoughtful lyrics over hazy backing tracks that brilliantly join the dots between jazz, neo-soul and R&B. While she's undoubtedly the star of the show, Inflo's stripped-back, partially acoustic and largely soft-focus production is also worthy of high praise.
Review: We Carry Eden is an album so deep you can plunge right into it and forget the real world entirely. It comes from Son Of Chi, the latest project by Dutch ambient pioneer Hanyo van Oosterom, and it melds drones, field recordings, dub, jazz and fourth world influences across a two-part composition that features storytelling by West African vocalist Omar Ka. A founding member of CHI and Chi Factory, van Oosterom crafts textured soundscapes rooted in meditative grooves and spiritual depth and is inspired by Patmos and Hopi wisdom. He also weaves nature, myth and memory into a unified sonic journey with fine artwork by Michael Willis underlining the message of harmony.
Review: Originally released in 2008, Manifesto captured Canada's The Souljazz Orchestra in full stride i locked into deep Afrobeat, but stretching further into spiritual jazz, militant funk and raw soul. It's one of their most focused records, recorded live with no overdubs, and it still hits hard. Tracks like 'Parasite' and 'People, People' feel especially relevant now, tackling inequality, media spin and class struggle with sharp lyrics and a driving sense of purpose. There's fire in the horns, urgency in the rhythm, but also a feeling of hope and collective strength. The band has offered plenty of highlights since, but Manifesto remains a standout i lean, direct and full of intent.
Review: Ron and Russell Mael's 28th album as Sparks finds the eccentric, iconic sibling duo in typically fun and forthright form. Ironically titled MAD! - a label that has been used plenty of times to describe their self-contained sound world - the set sees them offer up frequently lightly satirical songs inspired by such subjects as branded packpacks (the gloriously silly 'JanSport Backpack'), performative devotion, toxic banter and online influencer culture - all soundtracked by the brothers' unique musical blend of fuzzy guitars, new wave synth-pop sounds, over-the-top operatic references and oddball electronic noises. Basically, it's a Sparks album - and an excellent one at that.
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
Where Is The Love (4:50)
Now I Know What Love Is (4:03)
Come With Me (3:50)
Don't Want To Leave You Now (4:11)
Sweet Is Your Love (4:18)
Fantasy (4:29)
Sweetness Of Your Love (3:52)
Anything (3:29)
Let The Flow On (3:43)
Talk Love (4:19)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
First released in 1981 on Sonia E. Pottinger's esteemed High Note Records, this album features the delicate brilliance of a one-woman band whose talents have only grown more revered with time. Overlooked on its debut, the album has since become a coveted gem among collectors and reggae enthusiasts, thanks to its heartfelt lyricism and lush arrangements. Now receiving its first official reissue on vinyl, this lover's rock masterpiece finally gets the care and recognition it deserves. Anchored by tracks like the soulful 'Let Love Flow On', immortalised on Jeremy Underground's Beauty compilation, and the dreamy 'Fantasy', Spence's voice exudes warmth and sentimentality. The ten tracks radiate tropical charm, blending soothing rhythms with romantic optimism, making the album a perfect soundtrack for sunlit afternoons. Spence's untimely passing at 54 imbues her work with added poignancy, as her lyrics carry a quiet resilience and hope. An excellent blend of soulful crossover appeal and roots reggae music.
If You Remember I Forgot How To Dream (part 1) (3:38)
Flashes From Everywhere (5:27)
Colour Television (5:30)
If You Remember I Forgot How To Dream (part 2) (2:55)
Review: Stereolab first formed back in 1990 in London. Record collector Tim Gane hooked up with French chanteuse Laetitia Sadier and they stayed together until 2009, then took a hiatus until retiring to the live arena in 2019. There have only been reissues since, but now the group returns with their first new album in 15 years. It features 13 fresh studio tracks from the avant-pop pioneers who revitalise their sounds with signature motorik grooves and adventurous new textures. Announced via a 7" single and cryptic word search sent to uber fans, it features guest appearances from Cooper Crain, Rob Frye and others, all adding rich layers. Lead single 'Aerial Troubles' signifies the playful experimentation and sly sophistication you would expect from this band, this effort feeling warmly familiar yet thrillingly new.
If You Remember I Forgot How To Dream (part 1) (3:38)
Flashes From Everywhere (5:27)
Colour Television (5:30)
If You Remember I Forgot How To Dream (part 2) (2:55)
Review: After countless reissues, Stereolab delight fans with their first new album in nearly 15 years, following 2010's Not Music. The French/British band - led by Tim Gane and Laetitia Sadie - are well known for their tendency to lean towards left field, adventurous sonic experiments, but have a wide spectrum and from time to time are not shy in indulging their love of pop with melodies that stick. Laetitia Sadie can sing the phone book - to the level of a Gruff Rhys - and on the single 'Aerial Troubles' evokes her Welsh peer. With the band's influence seemingly inextinguishable, chances are the aftermath of this album release will see Stereolab's stock rise massively as they sound like they've hit their stride and not let the long gap between new albums faze them.
Review: Imagine you're in for a long car journey and can only take one Suede album, which one do you take? Well, this is the one, really. Reissued as an expanded 3CD set, it features all their best b-sides from the hallowed first three albums (Suede (1993), Dog Man Star (1994) and Coming Up (1996), plus a further 19 B-sides and extra tracks from 1999 to 2023. It's the extra, latter day era numbers that are getting a standalone release on vinyl for Record Store Day as Sci-Fi Lullabies Vol.2, but with this CD set you get everything lumped in together as a bumper package. The tracklist is ridiculous: 'The Sadness in You, the Sadness in Me' from 2022 is a power ballad that could stir the most stoic of hearts. 'Another No One' is a slow, achingly beautiful and melancholy number and 'Europe Is Our Playground' - clearly written pre-Brexit - celebrates a golden Schengen era: "From Spain to Camber Sands/Europe is our playground."
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