Review: Yukihiro Fukutomi is perhaps the most lauded Japanese electronic artist and has been gaining plaudits since the mid 90s for his own particular brand of house music. Ewan Pearson was so moved by Fukutomi's 2009 cover version of Marshall Jefferson's "Open Our Eyes" that it featured on his heavyweight mix for Kompakt. That cover version should not be confused with "Open Your Eyes", the A Side on this classy excursion into vintage Chicago sounds from Fukutomi under his Foog alias. It's a brilliantly acid tinged retro jacker that builds and dips in all the right places, with the mid section roll of crashing hi-hats a particular delight."Grey Matters" adopts a similarly future retro sound on the B Side with KiNK-esque 808s aplenty.
Review: Omar S is not only one of the most vital house producers of the last 25 years, but he also has a fine ear for talent. This FXHE Compulation #1 EP dropped a full two decades ago and was the first appearance of now globally renowned headline DJ Seth Troxler. As Young Seth he offered the moody, minimal house gem that is 'Moment' with its dry, gated drums and subtly chord work. Elsewhere, Underground Quality founder Jus-Ed got weird with 'Am-Mix', DJ Snotburger bright raw jack with 'Snotann' and Omar S showcased his icy and futurist style on 'Groove-On'. A historic EP.
Review: The debut album from Ukrainian collective Noneside unites musicians and visual artists under the inspiring words of poet Taras Shevchenko, who said 'Make love, o dark-browed ones.' Framed by a painting from contemporary artist Iryna Maksymova, the music explores the trance and tech house that is destined to bring souls together on the dancefloor this summer and beyond. Shjva opens with fresh and mashed bass and sleek trance pads that are subtle but effective. Lostlojic layer sup deep, bubbly techno drums and bass with an angelic vocal tone and Saturated Color's 'Trancia' is a speedy, scuffed-up tech groove for late-night cruising. Peshka and Yevhenii Loi offer two more future-facing trance-techno fusions packed with feels.
Bessa Simmons - "Sii Nana" (JKriv Fit rework) (7:11)
Vincenzo - "Love Accurate" (6:54)
Ilija Rudman - "Discoteka Parmida" (5:25)
Yasmin - "Real High" (4:59)
Arnau Obiols - "Pagan Mambo" (5:04)
Review: On this sampler EP for the Razor N Tape label's latest Family Affair compilation, the Brooklyn based imprint showcases previously unheard cuts from a mixture of new artists and long-established names. In the latter camp you'll find long-serving deep house don Vincenzo, who delivers the gorgeous, tactile and loved-up deliciousness of 'Love Accurate', and Croatian nu-disco don Ilya Rudman (the acid-heavy dancefloor squelch of 'Discoteka Parmida'). Elsewhere, Yasmin impresses with the neo-soul/nu-disco fusion warmth of 'Real High', Arnau Obiols slams down the Fela-influenced Afrobeat excellence of 'Pagan Mambo', and label co-founder J Kriv turns Bessa Simons 'Si Naana' into an Afro-tinged analogue house treat
Prof Jah Pinpin 4tet - "The Final Bird (Le Temps D'une Vie)" (3:18)
Review: There is scant little information out there about Yoanson & Karamie. What we do know is that they were young artists from the French African diaspora who met with Nessim Saroussi and his label Ness Music in the late 80s and were encouraged to record the music presented here. It is their only official EP and it is a brilliant mix of Afro-tropical percussions, disco, electro and vocals that call to mind the likes of Arthur Russell. Philippe de Lacroix-Herpin is the man festered here as Prof Jah Pinpin and he brings some of his signature saxophone brilliance to flipside jaunt 'The Final Bird (Le Temps D'une Vie)'.
Review: youANDme has always been an important cog in the wheel of underground house and techno and his recent PPPPP was another fine project that has also spawned plenty of equally brilliant remixes. This is a second collection of them and it kicks off with the Polish master of perfect loop techno, Head High aka Shed. His bulky, barreling drums and big percussive loops come with plenty of bounce and raved up vocals. After that come Ian Pooley's dub, and Johannes Albert's deep house trip. Sasha, Roger Sanchez and Laurent Garnier have already been banging these so now it's your turn.
Review: The always busy Record Store Day 2024 release schedule has turned up another pearler here as Ann Young and Yuki Ohno Trio's 'Speak Low' gets a special reissue on 7" courtesy of Nippon Colombia. 'Speak Low' is a cut that showcases Young's expressive vocal style in all its glory as it implodes and explodes over 100-mile-an-hour double bass and light, airy triages, hi-hats and feathery drums. On the flip is another standout vocal jazz cut 'On Green Dolphin Street' that makes this an essential cop.
Review: Another week brings another monster new 45 from the incomparable Athens of the North. This time out it is an early 80s bit of irresistible gospel, disco and boogie from Earl Young. 'Take Them In Prayer' is pure gold thanks to its tight and funky rhythm section, the delicate thinking on the keys and the heart aching vocals of earl Young that soar up top. Flip it over and on the reverse of this one and you will find 'Let Him Be Your Everything,' a quiet love song with only melancholic keys for company. It's the complete opposite of the a-side but is just as devastating for different reasons.
Review: Disco and house deviant YSE Saint Laur'Ant is back with a dive into groove-laden sounds that have long been his signature, all while blending genres with real finesse. Side-A begins with a gospel-tinged track featuring ESG-style rhythms, raw beats and an addictive bassline. It is followed by 'Special,' where airy vocals over a laid-back groove create a dreamy atmosphere then flip it over and New York Boys delivers a spaced-out pulse with urban grit. The finale, 'Gone Fighting' is a midtempo closer that shines with its infectious Slavic sample wrapping up this EP with a reflective, groovy vibe.
Review: Since he first landed on our radar via Vivid a few years back, Yosh has dished out enough high grade garage and breakbeat gear to fuel the scene on his own. Not only a prolific producer, he's also got a razor sharp flair which edges him in front of a crowded scene, and now he's back to Vivid to show us exactly what he's about with a 12-track double-pack, his biggest release to date. In one sense you should know exactly what to expect - elevated steppers and deft rollers, but the fundamental appeal of Yosh is all those ear-snagging traits which make his tracks sparkle, and you never know what they're going to be until the needle's tracking in that groove. Now you can enjoy that sensation 12 times over - a good deal if ever we saw one.
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