Review: Sundries' Disco Goodies series, which rounds up the best of the label's digital releases and presents them on multi-artist EPs, reaches its fourth instalment. It hits home hard from the start, where Berobreo's 'Soul Driven Dynamics' provides an attractive mix of 1970s orchestral soul samples and rubbery deep house beats. Experienced re-editor Oldchap brings the goods with a lightly tooled-up and beefed-up rework of an orchestra-sporting disco gem ('Coloridos'), before X Gets The Crest delivers a percussive, hot-stepping and filter-smothered re-wire of a much-loved Cymande classic ('Still Come Home'). Over on side B, Alexny's heavy disco-funk re-edit ('People Says') is joined by a hazy and horn-heavy revision courtesy of Sould Out ('City Gal') and the pitched-up disco loop-funk of 'Since You Came' by Workerz.
Review: The latest from Burnski's Vivid label is a three way split, six track affair with Oldboy, Xander and Longeez each dispatching a pair of tunes in the label's trademark roughneck breakbeat style. - Oldboy kicks off proceedings with the speedy junglisms of 'Blackbird' before the chunkier, funkier and a little more traditionally paced breaks heft of 'Walrus Party'. Xander's 'If I Tell EM' and 'Get To The Point' both plays off two step rhythmic twists and menacing bass against dreamy synths and more breakbeaty flourishes, before Longeez closes proceedings with the slightly sparser 'Evermore' - super sharp hi hats and echoing rasta dialogue - and the appropriately spinback-peppered 'Wheel Up'.
Review: Sweet Harmony is back with a compilation bursting with colourful shapes, textures and fresh techno rhythms. Anatole Serre's 'Hyperdulia' is a fast-paced fusion of drums, breakbeats and subtle allure that is followed by Xiaolin's 'Breath of Water,' a more ethereal yet still-driving percussive trip. On the B-side, Feenicks' 'All Fairies Tell Tall Tales' delivers an uplifting blend of trance and new wave that has a dreamlike energy and the closer from Alfred Czital is a fast, progressive wonder.
Review: The Peoples Potential Unlimited quest to unearth the Atlantic boogie that time forgot continues unabated - this time reviving a1983 gem from Detroit's The X Man. Wrapped in an excellently presented sleeve, the somewhat mysterious X-Man supposedly had what should have been a fruitful musical career cut short by a 30 year stint in a Motor City psychiatric hospital. This was no obstacle for PPU however, who were granted the master tapes to press up "That Body" and "Fired Up" at 45rpm on a nice fat twelve! There's an undeniable funk swagger to "That Body" which sounds like Jimmy Edgar if he was a child of the 70s - in a word, killer. The B Side proto hip-hop bump of "Fire It Up" proves to be just as infectious, driven by some loose limbed synth flourishes.
Review: Peoples Potential Unlimited or PPU, is one of the freshest funk labels out there, whether serving up new funk sounds that sound old, or reissuing classic funk sounds that seem bang up to date. Often lo-fi in design but high in emotion, they make for party-starting gems with real swagger. This latest limited 7" is a reissue of a classic from The X-Man, who has apparently been locked away in the Detroit Psychiatric Hospital for the last 30 years. His aggressive funk style pairs driving drums and taught synths with libidinous vocal delivers and plenty of great guitar riffs. Here we have the driving 'That Body' paired with the more deep and bumping 'Fire Up'. Both bang.
Review: X-Press 2 signed a deal with Acid Jazz that not only means all their back cat is now more widely available, but also that the legendary house outfit will release new music with them. However in the midst of that and a superb new album comes this, a reissue of a 1992 classic for Record Store Day 2024. It features two bold and anthemic treks that tap into their signature style which is raw, stripped back, driving and hypnotic with subtle but smart samples adding just enough detail to really keep you laced in for the ride.
Review: Fresh off the back of X-Ray Ted's debut album Moving On comes this instrumental/scratch tool version of 'Get Loose', one of the record's best-loved non single tracks. Prior to the full album's making and eventual completion, The Bristol-based DJ and producer had spent years honing his craft and refining his signature sound, which drew heavily on soul, funk, hip-hop and breaks; all of which were styles heavily indebted to the street battle breaks culture found in 90s New York and other major cities. 'Get Loose', the seventh track on the record, features British rappers Dr. Syntax and Elemental and is a fiery exploration of what it means to loosen oneself; the track features here in full original form, alongside its locked groove and acapella versions, the former of which samples an oldskool comedy set characteristic of the kinds of sources battle DJs would sift theirs from.
Review: MELMAK's new 12" is entitled All Stars: The Rave Years which gives you an idea of what to expect. These are high-tempo, dense and rave ready sounds from the drum & bass vanguard. There is plenty of space out cosmic energy to the exploratory leads of X Termal's 'Tragnal Kozze' then 'What If' (The Doulo Klan edit) is a tightly coiled stepper. Bugger lays down a hyper speed rhythm with drilling bass and slapping hits on 'No Silence Now' and Umbra's 'The Big Dumb' is a real slow-motion churner with textural synths and alien sound designs. All four are ready to get the party going in different ways.
Review: Born on the French Island of Martinique, Louis Xavier later settled in France where he discovered the freedom of jazz, and an idea to mix his influences into a global melting pot of sound. He formed his band (Synchro Rhythmic Eclectic Language) in Paris in the early '70s, making music that was both spiritual and eclectic for its time. Both tracks are jazz in essence but with instrumental funky rhythms infused with intricate percussion and electric keys.
Review: Goettingen's long standing dub techno servant XDB takes us to Chicago At Midnight with this new 12" on Pariter. 'Fenders' is one and is a deliciously elastic rhythm with rolling kick drums setting a hypnotic groove as the bubbly synths rise up through the mix. 'Cagomi', more edgy and amped up with gritty hits and swaying bass, gets a new lease of life after first surfacing on XDB's Metrolux Music back in 2009. The same cut gets a remix from Delano Smith that's more rooted to the floor in the Detroit man's usual textbook style. A classy outing from all, then.
Review: Great deep techno with two respected artists bringing their favourite cuts on this collaborative split release. Goettingen's finest Kosta Athanassiadis aka XDB delves into the sublime sound of resonance on the hypnotising dub techno cut 'C.O.N.' on the A-side. Over on the flip, you've got Dresden's Stephan Schindler - better known as Kryptic Universe - with 'Cloud Riders' an emotive deep cut for the late night. Limited copies on blue wax.
Review: Daxwood Records, led by Doyle Wood, unearths another gem from its rich archives with the release of XXCEPTION TO THE RULEia female duo featuring Vanessia Mathis and Daniela Curry. IZIPHO SOUL proudly presents two previously unreleased tracks from 1982, now available on 7" vinyl for the first time. The A-side, 'The Sweeter the Juice', is an infectious dancer driven by a funky, 'squelchy' bassline and powerful, soaring vocals. It's a groove that feels timeless, ready to ignite any soul night in 2024. On the flip, 'Angel in Disguise' offers a supreme ballad of the era, with Vanessia's emotive voice taking centre stage. The late Eldridge McMillan's piano solo is subtle yet packed with feeling, adding an extra layer of depth to the track. This release is a must for soul collectors, showcasing Daxwood's legacy and IZIPHO SOUL's dedication to preserving these rare musical moments.
Review: More unearthed disco edits from the godfather of house music Frankie Knuckles, courtesy of the legendary Disco Queen. On the A side we have some rather deep down and dirty blaxploitation vibes (also sampled by Jamie 3:26 on "Dr F**K" several years ago) over a minimal proto-house drum track on "XXX" by XXX. On the flip, we have the powerful soul explosion of South Shore Commission's "Free Man" from their self-titled album of 1975. Now this one shows you all what a 'respectful edit' really is - listen and learn!
Review: Serbian-born, NYC-based DJ and producer X-Coast returns with a new set of high-energy tracks designed for big arenas and main stages. As shown when remixing Shygirl's '4eva 'and DJ Gigola's 'La Batteria', he blends house, techno, electro, drum & bass and trance on labels like Steel City Dance Discs, Higher Ground and Mama Told Ya. X-Coast's signature sound fuses 90s and 00s rave nostalgia with modern production here and results in the tribal-infused 'Neapolis', soaring trance of 'Desert Storm,' and diva house energy of 'Hold Me Baby'. They all make for a dynamic collection which shows off X-Coast's genre-spanning versatility.
Get Loose (feat Dr Syntax & Professor Elemental) (2:29)
Watch Me Walk (feat Carys Abigail) (3:14)
Gimme Soul (3:15)
Bap Bap (2:39)
Love Inside (3:10)
Talkin' (2:33)
Review: X-Ray Ted's debut album, Moving On, is a tremendous journey through the realms of Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, and Breaks. With meticulous attention to detail and a keen ear for hidden musical treasures, X-Ray Ted delivers a collection that seamlessly blends vintage sounds with modern flair. From the infectious guitar riffs to the irresistible beats, each track on the album exudes an infectious energy that is guaranteed to get listeners moving on the dancefloor. What truly sets Moving On apart is the stellar lineup of collaborators, including hip-hop luminaries like Afrika Baby Bam and Fullee Love, as well as the soulful vocals of Carys Abigail. Together, they create a musical tapestry that effortlessly bridges the gap between retro vibes and contemporary beats, offering listeners a timeless experience that celebrates the rich history of music while embracing the future.
Like We Used To Do (feat I, Ced & Moniquea) (4:33)
Review: If you think you know a cooler cat and more brilliant boogie producer than XL Middleton right now then you're lying. His Tap Water very much set that reparation in motion when it arrived back in 2016 right when modern funk was making a comeback thank to Dam Funk et al. It's a hard to find original that still stands up and now it has been followed up by a second volume of brilliantly squelch analogue funk, dazzling boogie baselines, lush sci-fi chords and retro future fills, vocals and hooks.
Review: X Mal Deutschland formed in Hamburg 1980 into the post punk era. Most well known for being signed to 4AD records but are slowly being discovered and enjoyed by more fans in recent years. One of the top indie labels in recent years, Sacred Bones is an ideal home to house this early compilation of their work. This package takes all three tracks from their first two singles Schwarze Welt and Incubus Succubus plus adds two other compilation only tracks in 'Allein' and 'Kalbermarsch'. The music is raw and powerful; blending a German punk sound while sprinkling in some avante-garde electronics and atmosphere. You can hear the evolution and growth in the band in just the two years this release covers. Growing from a raw band experimenting with sound and structure to a powerful goth rock band. This version is presented on beautiful purple vinyl. If you are big fan of Minimal Wave discoveries then you will be happy to add this great sounding vinyl to your collection. Thank you Sacred Bones!
Review: English band XTC served up White Music, their debut album, in 1978 having already impressed three months earlier with their debut EP. The album had modest chart success, making number 38 i the charts, and spaced the infamous single 'Statue of Liberty' which the BBC promptly banned on account of the line 'In my fantasy I sail beneath your skirt. It sure seems tame by modern standards but it helped gain the band more notoriety for their hyperactive post-punk sounds. While one reviewer at the time said the album was "aimed at bored Yes fans" it was a fine and hard to define debut that set the band in good stead.
Review: Here it is: the long awaited second album from Mercury award winning, waif-like London trio The xx. The band have enjoyed a huge amount of success since their eponymous debut album dropped in 2009, and Coexist sees them subtly tweak their sound rather than wholly reinvent it, with their booming drums traded in for something less grandiose. There are some stunning moments on the LP (opener "Angels", "Reunion" and "Swept Away" all linger long in the memory) that will ensure it swats any "difficult second album" talk to one side; this is the sound of a band comfortable in their own skin. Caps doffed to Young Turks who present the LP on sumptuous heavyweight vinyl with included CD and booklet.
Review: Ten years on, and Coexist has lost none of its charm. The anticipation around The xx's sophomore effort was high following their widely acclaimed debut, and the band were assured enough to not just play it safe with a repeat performance but instead evolve their sound in new directions. There was space for lighter, pop-informed moments to match the more sombre approach they became best known for, and standout moments like 'Angels', 'Reunion' and 'Swept Away' have since become classics in the band's canon. This commemorative pressing comes on clear vinyl - an understated celebration of an essential album in the indie-pop sphere.
Review: Xylitol is the alias of producer and DJ Catherine Backhouse, also known as DJ Bunnhyhausen. Building on her slowly snowballing status as a co-host of the radio show Slav To The Rhythm, which focuses on vintage central and eastern European pop and electronica - as well as co-writing a book on Yugoslavian pop culture - Backhouse's debut album 'Anemonies' is the essential musical component for aiding the task of stomaching her many multifarious outings. Taking as her cue the art of illustrating molluscs, anemones, cnidaria and other aquatic creatures, Xylitol uses Anemone as an album-form outlet for the exploration of fizzing, extrambient jungle missives; tissued, papillary hardcore. The name Xylitol is an indication of what's in store for you here: impeccably reasoned intellibreaks, and piqued, pitched-up samples, both of which invoke childhood pelagic fantasy; virtual underwater verde. The whole record is an odyssean island hop, and we thoroughly recommend it.
Review: X.Y.R.'s latest offering delves into the depths of human experience, exploring themes of escapism, introspection and the search for meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and unfair. The album opens with the expansive 'Lost Horizon', setting the tone for a journey into introspective soundscapes and contemplative melodies. 'Melting Shapes' continues the exploration of inner worlds, with its shifting textures and ethereal sounds evoking a sense of fluidity and transformation. 'Despair' confronts the darker side of the human psyche, its melancholic melodies and haunting sounds reflecting the struggles of those who feel lost and disconnected. The B-side features the epic 'Invisible Lifeforms', a twenty-minute odyssey that delves into the hidden realms of consciousness. With its blend of ambient textures, tribal rhythms and meditative sounds, it creates a truly immersive experience that invites deep listening and introspection. X.Y.R.'s music is both calming and unsettling, offering a sonic reflection on the complexities of human existence.
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