Review: What's that, a new year means a new label from Burnski? We'd expect nothing else. The man has more imprints than a beach has grains of sand, but importantly they all serve a purpose and all kick out killer jams. Mikasa starts with this lush and lithe prog house EP from Abdul Raeva. Stylish opener 'Cream' is a bouncy, feel-good and sleek electronic house sound for peak time fun. 'Helico' is laced with acid and 'Tex Mex' has psyched-out lines rising through the uplifting drums while 'Vanguard' shuts down with a percussive edge and a killer bassline.
Review: US house and techno maverick Amir Alexander has long been operating in his own unique lane. His take on those genres is based in superlative drum programming and raw emotion and this new outing on French label Phonogramme comes n coloured vinyl so looks as good as it sounds. 'Feel Me' kicks off with signature drums setting a mid-tempo groove while a classic vocal belts out to bring emotional release. 'Clear My Friend' is low slung dub house with an eerie vibe, and there is also a dub version of 'Feel Me'. 'Sunk Coast Fallacy' might be the highlight - a sparse, moody deep house cut with dusty drums and intriguing melodies that rolls for days.
Review: Formerly run by both Michael Wollenhaupt and Conrad Protzmann, the Ancient Methods project is now run solo by the former producer, an artist who is clearly intending to keep the sound of the project going strong. This EP, however, launches the new Parsephonic Sirens label, and the sounds are very much grounded in something altogether more surreal. The opening "Remember Me" is a chilly, frost-bitten ambient affair, whereas "Born Of Ashes launches with a mean, fiery techno blow that sounds like the inside of a jet engine. On the flip, "I Am Blazing Sound" rolls out its deafening techno punch with melodies reminiscent of something Middle-Eastern, leaving "Now Come Closer" to offer a more traditional 4/4 stance in the most poignant of German fashions.
Review: Montreal producer and keyboard maestro Anomalie offers a full-MOT servicing of funk-jazz on 'Velours', a choice track that presaged his 2018 EP 'Metropole'. Born of a chilled bedroom jam, the first iteration of this track was uploaded to YouTube in 2017, and utilised stacks of Yamaha pianos as well as sleek, sexily designed sample pads. Anomalie provides a rich, honeyed set of chordophonal can-cans over nothing but a swung backbeat, bringing seemingly boundless phonic fruition from little nutrient. Now the song hears a full reproduction and repackaging in vinyl form via Devins 7s.
Review: As well as being one of electronica's most distinctive, recognisable and long serving warriors, Richard James is a man of many surprises. From his massive Soundcloud dump in 2015-6, to this unexpected 2023 EP - which was his first fully released material for around five years and appeared without warning - he likes to stay several giant leaps ahead of his public. Across its four tracks, it showcases his unmistakable, queasily melodic touch while revisiting the roots of his drill 'n' bass sound with a modern twist. Opening with 'Blackbox Life Recorder 21f', the EP sets a reflective tone, its light breakbeat and melancholy melody underscored by 80s-inspired drum textures, evoking a wistful yet futuristic atmosphere. This track encapsulates the beauty of his signature style, fusing emotion with intricate production. 'Zin2 Test5' shifts the mood slightly darker, with crisp production and an optimistic undercurrent woven through its melodies. It feels like a contemplative counterpart to the opener, balancing light and shadow with finesse. The second side dives deeper into experimental territory. In 'A Room7 F760' is a fast-paced, broken-beat journey through eerie soundscapes and sinister rave melodies, teetering on the edge of chaos while retaining a hypnotic allure. Closing with 'Blackbox Life Recorder 22 (Parallax mix)', the EP ventures into dubstep territory with a deeper, growling bass and ominous undertones. a dubbier reinterpretation that offers a more textured, shadowy perspective. Black (box) ops indeed - as ever.
Review: Re:discovery has got a superbly illusive reissue eon its hands here with 1993's Clouds Over Europe EP from Aquarian Atmosphere, 39626 and Unit 2. It is a cosmic deep tendon voyage that tingles all of your sense as you ride on the gloriously serene synths of opener 'White Clouds'. It is one of the three tunes from Aquarian Atmosphere, the others being 'Floating On Boyne' a dreamy downtempo number that leaves you gazing at the stars and also 'Rhiannon', a thinking melodic masterpiece. 39626' 'Elixir Of Life' is an intense mix of synth modulations and minimal rhythm and Unit 21s' 'Clubtraxx' (Movement 1 - unreleased version) is pure Detroit techno goodness.
Review: It's another touchdown for Running Back, who've here reissued the disco-rock artist Aric's 'I Love Your Love'. A beloved track that first featured on the later psychologist's 1980 single 'Oh What A Night', 'I Love Your Love' was not intended to stick out in the minds of disco fanatics as a forgotten favourite. A careful reselection job has gone into this one, then, with the initial A-sider now appearing as B-side, and three new mixes surfacing from Gerd Janson, Elado and Pete. The vibe of the new record is almost as uniquely ecstatic and summit-mounting as the producer and singer's exquisite performance was back in 1980; Elado's production is quantic enough to motorise the original's best romantic excesses, while Pete's is more of a sensuous extra slice and Janson's version takes up womp-disco with a fearless weight.
Art Fact - "Rain In The South" (Francesco Farfa & Hamsa remix) (7:17)
Hamsa & Luca Piermattei - "Mystic Perc" (6:05)
Roberto Manolio - "Blue Yes" (6:40)
Review: Musek return for another V/A release, flaunting their artists' variegated hitmaking capacities. Fronting the release is a wonderful rework of Stockholm trio Art Fact's 'Rain In The South' from 1989, to which Francesco Farfa and Hamsa bring extra electronic-bodyweight to an originally dripping synth tune. A mystical mood is continually proferred across 'Mystic Perc' through to 'Blue Yes' by Roberto Manolio, traversing chime tinglings, acid breaks and dreamy vocals: "pretty blue eyes... you're mesmerised... don't look to hard... you may never come back from that..."
Review: This Vincent Arthur album is a tribute to his daughter Vivian and was crafted by talented musicians from Africa, the Caribbean and Germany. Once obscure for 30 years, its standout track, 'Travel With The Music' became an anthem after making a high-profile appearance in a Dekmantel set where its euphoric afro-disco sound really made a lasting mark. Online sleuths uncovered its origin which has reignited interest in this hidden gem, which has been remastered by Frank at The Carvery. It revives three key tracks in 'Travel With The Music' which shines with afro, disco, and gospel-like euphoria. 'Afro Disco' brings playful energy while 'Jubilation' closes the night with deep, celebratory vibes.
Nathan Haines - "U See That" (feat Vanessa Freeman & Marcus Begg - Atjazz Love Soul mix) (5:12)
The Realm x Atjazz x Kelli Sae - "On The Road" (vocal mix) (7:58)
Review: Back ion 2021, the relaunched Foliage Records imprint offered up a killer mix from NYC house legends Mood II Swing, the must-check Deep Rooted. Soon, the revitalised label will release a sequel, with long-serving British deep house don Atjazz at the helm. This sampler EP boasts six of the highlights from that set - all remixed and reworked by Atjazz himself. There's much to enjoy throughout, from the tense, slowly building deep-tech shuffle of Halo''s 'Glorty (Atjazz Galaxy Art Remix)'and the sun-splashed 6am bounce of Atjazz's remix of Dominique Fils-Aime's gorgeous 'Sun Rise', to the dreamy dancefloor wooziness of Ralf GUM's 'AWA' (re-imagined by Atjazz as an Osunlade-esque spiritual house workout) and the jazzy, bass-guitar-propelled broken house excellence of 'On The Road (Vocal Mix)', a three-way collab between Atjazz, Kelli Sae and The Realm.
A Soft Mist Production - "Upside Down Rainbows" (5:01)
Dr Sud - "Zaffiro" (Jazz cut) (3:59)
DatSIM - "Influx" (4:40)
The Rabbit Hole - "Tail Groove" (4:27)
Review: No matter your particular preference in the deep house world, this various artists' outing from Q1E2 Recordings is sure to have something for you. Mike Riveria & Marco Ohboy, for example, tap into an early sound on 'Euphoria' with its big, brash piano stabs and whistles, while A Soft Mist Production keeps it all cuddly and deep with languid chords draped over gentle drums on 'Upside Down Rainbows.' DatSIM brings in some space-tech vibes for a deft rhythm and neon infused sound on 'Influx' and The Rabbit Hole's 'Tail Groove' has a mad double bass sound jumping about beneath frantic jungle breaks.
Review: Belpaese Edits hits a 12th release with more mash-up and reworked takes on classics from across the disco, funk and Italo spectrum. 'Ancora Noi' is first here and is a lively jam with raw drums and expressive Italian vocals over tight, funky guitar riffs. 'Profumo Di Mar' keeps up the energy levels with some big horns rising high out of a tight and funky disco groove. These are timeless and charming sounds designed to blow up mature dancefloors.
Review: The latest from Swedish techno legend is a full-throttle techno assault, pushing Drumcode's legacy forward with relentless energy. The title track is a peak-time juggernaut, built on heavy chords, pounding kicks and a futuristic intensity that commands the dancefloor. With its driving momentum and anthemic hooks, it's a high-octane statement from two producers at the top of their game. On Side-2, 'Living In The Moment' ventures into atmospheric territory, teetering on the edge of trance with sci-fi textures and sweeping builds. Its long, tension-heavy progression culminates in devastating drops, overloading the senses with a euphoric yet punishing crescendo. With Drumcode nearing its 30th year, this release proves there's no slowing downithe label continues to deliver high-impact techno designed for maximum effect. Beyer and Brown's collaboration is a successful dose of tension, release and unrelenting intensity.
Review: Fresh off the heels of their fiery 'African Dubplate 12"', Disco Dub 45 returns with another scorching selection of rare and unheard disco gems. Compiled and re-edited by Black Disco Demo Club, this limited-edition release is a treasure trove for disco aficionados and DJs alike. It's a four-track journey through the diverse sounds of disco, with each cut offering a unique flavour and infectious energy. From the soulful vocals and soaring strings of 'Track 1' to the pulsating rhythms and funky basslines of 'Track 3', this compilation is a masterclass in dancefloor ecstasy. Don't miss out on this opportunity to add a piece of disco history to your collection.
Review: Across four elegantly crafted tracks, Italian producer Bottone blends rich melodies with smooth, intricate production, creating a collection that feels effortless and deeply refined. Side -1 opens with 'On Hilly Earth', a laid-back yet deep cut where light, jazzy chords float over a deep, groovy foundationiperfect for early evening unwinding. 'Teach Me The Way You Walk' steps up the tempo slightly, embracing a warm, melodic house feel with a sunset-kissed glow, its uplifting vibe tailor-made for golden-hour dancefloors. The title track, 'Beggin' For Love', leads Side-2 with gentle, beachy rhythms and keyboard work that exudes warmth and relaxation. Finally, 'It's A Heart Feeling' closes the EP with a deep, emotive grooveiits soulful touch and flowing melodies making it an ideal end-of-the-night moment. With 'Beggin' For Love', Bottone crafts a great balance of sophistication and ease, showing he is a name to watch for in the future.
Review: We love to hear from Byron the Aquarius. The US producer is a magician on the keys and also knows how to lay down deep, smoky house beats that brim with soul. His latest comes on Frequencies Rhythm Life out of Italy and opens with the nice and loose drum grooves of 'House Is Black' then 'Is She Here' cooks up a late night vibe with jazzy motifs and swaying claps. 'Atlanta (dub)' strips things down to bare-bones essentials and 'KEMET' brings a more direct sound but is marbled with brilliant percussion and wispy melodies. 'Bamboo Bong' is a nice trippy end to another accomplished outing.
Review: The third edition in Ten Lovers' Coin series hears Marcello Cassanelli, Caruso and Helen McCormack fuse churnout disco, chicken pickin' guitar and Rhodes solos, in an extravaganza of fresh, sartorial dance music. Never pressing too hard, Cassenelli's 'Starlight' and 'Tropical Breeze' go easy on the master channel, with unhurried pan flutes, roiling strings and twizzling G-synths stuck loosely to a soft but firm electro-tropical backbeat. 'Dream Horizon' is a brilliant outerlude on which to close the side. On the flip, Caruso & Helen McCormack allude equally to the Manchester Street Soul scene of the late 80s with 'Have & Hold', whose razor-edge r&b vocals and low-slung progression lend the record a surprise twist. Their 'Love You More', meanwhile is lushness personified, before Caruso's 'Central' chugs magnficently towards the run out groove with oozing synths and glitterball glamour.
Ice Cream Dream Boy (Functional Gelato mix) (6:38)
Ice Cream Dream Boy (Soft & Swirly acappella) (4:17)
Review: A feature of Shanti Celeste's sets for the best part of a year, 'Ice Cream Dream Boy' is arguably the Peach Discs founder's most accessible, joyous and impactful single to date - a genuine anthem in the making with serious crossover potential. In its original mix form (track one), it's a bouncy, lightly acid-flecked slab of colourful deep house pop topped off with a hybrid sung and spoken vocal delivered by the British-Chilean artist (who, we shouldn't forget, appeared as a vocalist on several records before making her production debut). She provides a trio of alternate takes herself: the rolling, punchy and enjoyable 'Sorbet Dub', the tougher, darker and more percussive 'Functional Gelato Mix', and the self-explanatory 'Soft & Swirly Acapella'.
Review: Kerri Chandler's 'Bar A Thym' is one of those tracks that seems to contain everything great house music aspires to beia groove so undeniable it feels perpetual, melodies that loop and evolve as though they've always existed. This reissue, spanning Chandler's original extended mix, Foremost Poets' vocal edit, and THEMBA's reimagined version, charts not only the track's history but its continuing relevance. The Foremost Poets edit imbues the already hypnotic motif with an enigmatic narrative, its vocal fragments both anchoring and reframing the mood. THEMBA's remix, on the other hand, nudges the groove toward Afro house, subtly opening up the track's spatial dynamics while preserving its magnetic pull. Chandler's work never feels datediit shifts and reshapes to meet each new moment, and 'Bar A Thym' remains as arresting today as it was when it first found its way onto the dancefloor.
Review: Cheeba's Latin brothers are back with yet another Havanan shuffle, extensively vacationing in Cuba to soak in very best of the nation's ripest stylistic amassments. Taking cues from cut and paste funk to Latin boogaloo, 'Cuban Shuffle' and 'Pablo's Theme' urge us formerly to "keep it going, now" before latterly dropping us into a fuzz-scat vat of hazy brass and stomping, found percussion. Most notably, the A-side's vinyl scratches sate a pruritic itch, and a careful dosage of reverb marks out a roomy but expansive atmosphere, one difficult to recreate lest you actually were there in 1970s Cuba.
Chris Coco - "Yawa Ze Asfos" (instrumental) (4:02)
Jake Slazenger - "168B" (3:47)
Global Goon - "Untitled" (4:39)
Ruckus (4:47)
Jodey Kendrik - "Thanx" (5:56)
Gavin Masih - "Unknown Track 1" (6:55)
Monika Subrtova - "Alata" (7:08)
Review: Furthur Electronix's first two Furthur Journeys Into compilations tune plenty of heads and shift plenty of copies. The third one keeps the quality levels high with more explorations around the periphery of underground electronics. Chris Coco opens with a soothing synth sound before Jake Slazenger brings crystalline synths and abstract modulations to the mid-tempo '168B.' There is more pace and twisted acid energy to Global Goon's untitled contribution and then old school jungle comes to the fore on the super stylish and atmospheric Gavin Masih cut. Monika Subrtova's 'Alata' is a serene and widescreen ambient synthscape that brings things to a suitably poignant close.
Coflo, Steve Howerton & Niya Wells - "Ecru" (9:51)
Review: A San Francisco house producer who is taking jazz influenced house music to another level is Coflo aka Cody Ferreira 'Syncopatience' is a stunning deep house release that highlights his signature blend of soulful rhythms, intricate grooves, and rich musicality. Each track brims with personality, that blend clever and creative vocals and lyrics to a deeper level than just for the dancefloor. Side-1 starts off with 'Get Down, Show Love', a collaboration with Fenyan that exudes a hip, jazzy charm. Playful yet refined, it features catchy vocal work and a high-level jazz flair, effortlessly blending house with improvisational energy. Next, Coflo's remix of 'Cee.Side's Elektrify' brings atmospheric depth, wrapping Latin influences around a funky, sultry groove that's as hypnotic as it is danceable. Side-2 delivers Ecru, where Coflo, Steve Howerton, and Niya Wells craft a deeper, tech-tinged house cut with sharp, clever lyricism. Its polished production and layered instrumentation elevate it to a higher plane of jazzy house, demonstrating Coflo's versatility and artistry. 'Syncopatience' has the solution on how merge soulful textures with dancefloor energy in a unique way.
Review: On Synchrophone Records comes Conforce for with second edition in the Commuting series, bringing stygian control room techno to already chapped ears. Sometimes, to feel good on the floor, warmth isn't what you need; and these further four fan-greasers are perfect complements for said latter kind of mood, the cold and unattached unjamming of inner vibes. With coolly bureaucratic track titles like 'Recuperation' , 'Self Assessment' and 'Stable Velocity', Conforce's series has succeeded in portraying the secret joys of humanity's greyer modern face; the tracks here of course continue to fit us in sleek uniform, now deploying such neo-futuristic cyphered titles as 'SCC-ML' and 'RTM-Zuid', the meanings of whose acronyms you'll just have to deduce from the zapping, emissive sound design yourself.
Review: Synchrophone proudly present the latest Gerard Hanson aka. Convextion release; a head-turner moment, since the last proper EP by the 2845 artist was over seven years ago, with Vectorvision for the EP 'Zy Clone'. Since then, Convextion has been hard at work, eschewing all concavities for a purely thermal, fluid sonic exercise. 'Torc' and 'Andas' are unsettling, looming techno visions, confecting a hypothetical world in which the hard sciences have taken total precedent over the human, resulting in a rapid dissipation of heat. The only energy that remains is that which is fed through the machine, as further evidenced on the sinister murk-movements on ERP's version, its two-tone Reese stab suggesting utter indefatigability when begged for mercy.
Review: A limited edition, green vinyl edition follows in the Midas footsteps of Chicago DJ and producer Cratebug, whose recent Bandcamp movements have seen a fresh frothing-forth of free digital downloads. Two of said most recent USB-rhythm-stick fillers are heard selected for choice molten PVC compressing here. 'BOSTICH PT1' trails aureate rushes of voice and industrious percussion behind it, with both title and soundscape alluding to the stapler-heavy delights of micro-label mail order business operations. Meanwhile, 'Optimo', on the B, reissues an earlier edit by the Chicago fortunate of fellow techno titans Optimo's 'Liquid Liquid', empurpling the mix with crowded, busty percs and a manic hustler's rap on top.
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: Conceived for maximum floor-lift, Daje Funk is the namesake of both artist and label; here the elusive but fun-loving moniker brings another four whopper disco edit-remixes to vinyl, further charging the collective body with a haul of kitsch spirituals. Three out of four tracks here are "lovely edited" - intentional or not, we can't resisting stealing such brilliant turns of phrase - by longtime Roman disco purveyor Les Inferno, with the support of a cracking cadre made up of fellow producers and engineers Max Pottini, Emiliano Patrick Legato and Dom Scuteri. Stefano Fusco also handles the B1; and though we don't know the original IDs of any of the tracks here, the vibe is consistently spirited, and the artists only carefully betray their access to the original stems (made eventually obvious by faint vocal delays, extra-thwacking kick EQs, etc.).
Review: Dutch duo Dam Swindle are masters of updating traditional house sounds with a subtle contemporary twist. That is exactly what they have long been doing on their own superb Heist Recordings label and now they make the step over to Jimpster's equally vital Freerange with a fresh new EP. 'Unfinished Business' kicks off with sustained chords that bring a classic touch next to some steamy vocals and warm chords. 'Under The Spell' is more loose limbed and soul drenched, then a Crue remix brings some real heft to 'Unfinished Business.' Last but not least is 'Woman', a laid back vibe with swirling chords for loved up floors.
Review: Two underground artists with many years in the scene behind them in Darwin Chamber and DJ Spun come together for the second in their Episode series on Rong Music. Once again they dig into the sounds of their formative years while also looking to the future as they blend dub, trance and techno into lithe new forms. 'The Revolution' is a mid-tempo and atmospheric roller with hypnotic vocals, while 'The Playa' is a deft bit of electronic minimalism with a deep space feel and ticking 808 sounds. Things get more loose with the warped synths and dusty tech beats of 'Dysfunction' while 'Acid Tounge' closes with trippy designs, a skeletal rhythm and a sense of late-night melodic and afterparty mischief.
Review: Deetroit plunges us into the depths of motor city techno with an immersive EP. 'One Chord One Love' sets the stage, its hypnotic simplicity drawing the listener into a world of pulsating rhythms and subterranean grooves. But Deetroit doesn't shy away from experimentation, as evidenced by the darker, more abstract textures of tracks like '999' and 'Wally Dorf'. These cuts showcase a producer who's not afraid to push boundaries and explore the outer limits of techno's sonic palette. The B-side continues the journey, with 'Basic Communique' offering a stripped-back, hypnotic groove that locks the listener into a trance-like state. 'What Did You Do?' and 'Deep Discoveries' delve deeper into the subterranean realms, their atmospheric textures and dub-infused echoes creating a sense of spaciousness and intrigue. This EP is a testament to Deetroit's mastery of the genre, a captivating exploration of Detroit techno's hypnotic power and sonic depth.
Review: Electronic soul music in all its glory. A new 12" from this legendary UK techno artist fuses deep house, acid house and electro techno, the four tracks boasting some fantastic melodic gems that are as soulful as they are groovy with expertly crafted rhythms. Side-1 features 'Seven Minutes Of Funk', an atmospheric, acid-laden deep house journey that borders on techno. It's a lesson in proper acid usage, delivering a hypnotic ride with depth and clarity. The title track 'Elate' follows, balancing lush, deep acid lines with soulful deep house elements. The piano work here is exceptionalirich, emotive and perfectly woven into the groove. Side-2 opens with 'Five Minutes Of Dub', a dubby reinterpretation of the A1 track. It dives deep into echo and delay territory, with a groove-laden acid line that keeps things both emotional and raw. The EP closes with 'Lost', a track that leans into atmospheric beauty, offering a softer, reflective end to the record, a strong reminder of the Cyphon label's prowess in delivering soul and acid-infused excellence.
Review: Devilish edit duo Duane Harriott and Sean Marquand are Devin Dare and now they return with fresh flips to get the Razr N Tape year going. 'Dancemuzak' transforms a classic NYC disco groove into a hypnotic, driving force while 'Itsdiscotime' masterfully loops rare, mind-blowing source material into a jam for the ages. On the flip side, 'Lookin Good' delivers cheeky uptempo soul perfect for a Theo Parrish set, while '1heater4sasha' slows things down with Clavinet-driven funk. Devin Dare are surely among the best editors in the game.
Review: The third installment from long serving house institution King Street Sounds offers up a stellar selection of deep house gems that shine on vinyl. Side-1 opens with Danell Dixon's 'Dance Dance' in DJ Pierre's Wild Pitch mix. Its sweeping melody and piano-driven elegance embody the quintessential house vibe, setting a high standard. Following this, Big Moses delivers 'Brighter Days' featuring Kenny Bobien. This extended mix pairs a Sylvester-inspired vocal with a mellow yet uplifting groove, carrying a timeless house message of joy and positivity. Flipping to side two, DJ Pierre's 'Dancin'' takes center stage with a filtered anthem that shows his signature Wild Pitch flair, igniting the dancefloor with energy and style. Blaze's 'Shine' closes things out in the Shelter vocal extended mix. Blending melodic piano, gospel influences and jazzy undertones, it's a laid-back yet upbeat track that exudes warmth and soul. A great taster of this label's undisputed ongoing mastery of the house genre.
Review: Living life in permanent reload, Flashback's 95 classics 'Gun' and 'Triple Six' are some of the crispest, sharpest, most spacious and far out examples of junglised beat-slicing of their time. Still sounding as disarming and militant as they did 30 years ago, both hit hard with clarity. Those who love a rich warm rootsical sample in the thick of the choppy choppy should head for 'Gun' while those who love swimming neck deep in fractures will fall in love with 'Triple Six'. A stunning reissue from the Vinyl Fanatiks crew.
Review: Feelgood garage house with a touch of synth clavichord from DJ Fudge and Ralph Session, teaming up with singer Chinua Hawk for a rousing, string-dousing new single through Groove Culture. Here we're assured of the carat value of life, and Fudge and Sessions' appraisal is as generous as you'd hope any antiques dealer would be about your grandfather's wedding ring, with lustrous strings and belting vocals suggesting confident self-determination and regality (the NYC dub, by comparison, is much loopier, riffing on the French house feel nascent in the A).
Review: We live a bit of DJ Perception here at Juno H. He is an original garage great who keeps on cooking up the goods. This latest missive comes on the small but well-formed South London Pressings and features off the classic 'Future (feat Russ).' It's a soul drenched sound with acoustic guitar licks flailing above breezy breakbeats that will be perfect for once the sun comes out, not least with the most Balearic top lines that break out midway through. The Benny Ill Heavenly remix is a more shuffling garage cut but still one packed with real heat.
Review: An eagerly awaited repress of DJ Shepdog's 2006 mashup of Damian Marley's 'Welcome To Jamrock' with Dead Prez's 'It's Bigger Than Hip Hop', effortlessly juxtaposing one of contemporary dancehall's most iconic vocals with undeniably one of the fattest basslines ever laid. This iconic pairing is flanked by ultra fun cut 'Sleng Hop' uniting the original Dead Prez acapella with another of the world's most famous basslines- Prince Jammy's Casiotone MT-40 'rock & roll' rhythm... You do the math!
Review: DJ Sommer honours the dancefloor with the committal statement 'House Music Forever', embodying a stripped-down surrender to the genre that made him, and which he makes. From hardware jammed geneses to peaktime, edited finessings, 'Make Me Groove' and 'Loose Style' bring ample jazz flurries and plodding kick chunks to an overall mood of walloping conviviality. 'Groove On' and 'Calling You' break out the Selmer Paris and Steinway respectively, as the implied goal of ascendancy proves increasingly euphoric.
Review: To celebrate Rutilance Recordings' 30th release, DJ Steaw returns after a three-year hiatus, presenting four tracks that capture his trademark French house grooves. True to form, the release features a standout collaboration with Mona Lee, delivering a soulful texture, and a remix of 'Feed Your Spirit' from long-time collaborator Gunnter, adding a deeper edge. Each cut reflects DJ Steaw's dedication to dancefloor energy, blending classic French house sensibilities with a fresh intensity that aligns perfectly with Rutilance's enduring style. This milestone release underscores the label's continued evolution and commitment to quality house music.
Review: A crucial piece of deep house history resurfaces with this reissue. Hi-Bias, a defining Canadian label launched way back in 1990, shaped the genre with a sound that remains just as fresh today, a label full of deep house classics with 'Get Into The Music' being one of the staples of sound they fostered. The 'Serious mix' on Side-1 celebrates a moment when house music pushed into deeper territory at the start of the decade. It keeps a soulful core while layering in hypnotic instrumentals and a trackier groove that made it a club essential. Flip to Side-2 and the 'Ambient club mix' takes things even further. Silky keys, rich low-end and addictive drum programming make this version the highlight. It's a deeper, more atmospheric take, drawing out the sensual elements that made this track a deep house milestone.
Review: Oozing with slippery sound design and euphoric exudate, Andrey Djackonda, Etzu Mahkayah, and TooRare team up for a next-gen talent demo in EP form, well and truly showing any other upstart how trancey-prog-minimal house is and should indeed be done. Said to have been designed to create a feeling of uplift and positivity - and yet in our opinion, the record touches on relatively more neutral and trancier moods, ones which could go either way - the likes of 'Que Le Jour Se Leve' and 'Sunrise In Amsterdam' are highly maximised, entelechic tech-trance progressors, highlt reflective of the verve and dedicated so far enshrined in the work of Saint Petersburg label MixCult.
Don't Touch That Dial (feat Yuuko Sings - Make A dance remix) (5:14)
Don't Touch That Dial (feat Yuuko Sings - Make A dance vinyl Only dub) (5:40)
Review: Make A Dance brings their official remix of Django Django's 'Don't Touch That Dial' to vinyl and in the process create a dancefloor bomb. Already a club-ready original, the remix transforms the original into an electrifying body-shaking anthem with Yuuko's vocals taking centre stage but nicely complemented by glitchy synths and acid elements. This version is a full-throttle, infectious banger and on the B-side you will find a vinyl-only dub mix that amplifies the electro grooves allowing Yuuko's vocals to subtly loop in the background. This is one of those records that Das of all genres will be reaching for to get things going to the next level.
Review: Mutual Rytm deals in proper techno that does the basics well and doesn't worry about modern fads. 'Surface' is the standout here - it has brilliantly bubbly synths rippling in sync with the hunched drums and bold bass notes. It works perfectly on both head and body and so does 'Blush' though with a more sleek, straight-ahead groove and minimal percussion over the echoing claps. 'Grainy' shuts down with another stylish techno bent and confirms Dold to be a vital voice in the current underground.
Review: Double B is Barry from 2-X-Treme and is surely the most famous rave producer to have come out of Portsmouth. The dance floor don wrote this one at the same time as his celebrated 2-X-Treme EP so brings back plenty of the scone pleasures of that ear. Now pressed up once more it blends breakbeats and UK hardcore across five unrelenting cuts that very much chime with the current leanings of the underground scene towards harder, faster sounds.
Soulsearcher - "Can't Get Enough!" (Dr Packer remix) (6:34)
The Shapeshifters - "Lola's Theme Recut" (Dr Packer remix) (6:35)
Johnny Corporate - "Sunday Shoutin'" (Dr Packer remix) (6:49)
Cleptomaniacs - "All I Do" (feat Bryan Chambers - Dr Packer remix) (6:49)
Review: UK disco sensation Glitterbox light the touch paper on another fizzy summer with four gossamer smooth edits of four seminal house classics. Gliding us through time to soulful house's golden era with a sassy, loose groove shine to each edit; Soulsearcher's 96 anthem "Can't Get Enough!" gets respectfully plumped, Shapeshifter's 2003 sing-along bomb "Lola's Theme" is stripped back to a stark funk groove while Johnny Corporate's 2000 hit "Sunday Shoutin'" gets flipped into slinky bassline wriggler. Finally one of the best covers Stevie Wonder has ever had gets a luxurious rub down as Cleptomaniacs' 2000 swoon-fest enjoys the full Packer treatment. Summer starts here.
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