LUVLESS レコード& CD

Review: SlothBoogie, the London-based record label are back with their fifth instalment in their edit series. These lo-slung disco jams are exactly the sort of business you can expect their DJ crew to be throwing down at their much loved party series. First up we have Carlo with the super sexy and looped-up guitar licks of "Jumba Jooki" followed by Melbourne's Cassettes For Kids with the late night deepness of "No More Faith". On the flip, Luvless from Leipzig gets that Robsoul sound happening on "The First Aid Manual" and Bondi Bondi (from Buenos Aires, actually!) gets that neon-lit boogie down vibe in full effect on the soulful "Dinner 4-2".

Review: Leipzig's Luvless has been surprisingly quiet of late, though he has made the odd contribution to compilation style EPs for labels including Groovence, Ourselves and Razor 'N' Tape Reserve. This, though, is his first EP for going on two years. There's much to enjoy throughout, from the poignant, melodious deep house melancholy of opener "Misunderstood", to the swirling, disco-fired warmth of closer "Easy & Fun", which sounds like the sort of track you'd expect to hear from Session Victim. In between, you'll find two jaunty, up-beat dancefloor workouts, of which the hip-house inspired bump of "Slightly Different" is probably our pick. In truth, though, all four tracks are worthy of club rotations.

Review: When it comes to a certain strand of deep house, Tsuba is unstoppable at the moment. The label has just revealed they've secured an EP from the much-loved Galcher Lustwerk, but before that they're debuting Luvless with the Luv Machine EP. Fans of Mic Newman's music on Tsuba will warm to this with tracks like "Down With You Baby" sharing that same laid-back vibe heard in some of the Australian's earlier productions, while its soft vocals are similar to fellow Melbourne producer The Tortoise. "Be Mine" is driven by a strong sustained lead with sprinklings of disco drums and basslines with some classic filtering, while the title-track is a deep, yet light, euphoric house jam.

Review: Super Tuff brings the feel-good house hit to keep you warm this Autumn, drawing on a range of artists who know how to lay down steadfast club tackle. Luvless bring an unabashed 90s flavour, all sweet piano chords and stiff drum machine rhythms, while Long Island Sound take things deeper with the dreamy "I Chose You Because". Tommy Vicari Jnr spices things up with "Pacific Stri", firing off a wealth of African percussion while keeping a firm grip on the melodic warmth inherent on the rest of the record. Mara Lakour round the EP out with the classic, tracky tones of "Akoa".

Review: It's time for the third and final instalment of Tsuba's ten year anniversary, and we have to say that they have been rather impressive up to now. While the label has undeservedly been attached to the tech-house blueprint, it has always been much more than that to us and, in fact, a tune like "Nude Runner" by Midnight Special" goes way beyond any simple kick-hat format. The same can be said for the ringing, bleeping sounds and drum breakdowns of "Eh Oh Um" by Peace Division, and this is certainly also true of the little Chicago-style bombshell that is "Fettluke" by M.Ono and Luvless. Tighter than a drum!

Review: Earlier this year the Kolour Ltd label issued the (rather indecisively titled) It's House Not House EP which featured DJ Sprinkles, Rick Wade and Bicep; understandably it was quite well received by the house (not house) vinyl buying public and sensing they are onto a winning formula Kolour now issue a second volume. It's an equally international affair too with the UK represented by the ubiquitous Waze & Oddysey and the like minded Zoo Look whilst Leipzig and South African are represented in the shape of M.ono & Luvless and Terrence Pearce respectively. W&O demonstrate a slightly more contemplative mood melodically speaking amidst the swooping vocal hooks and club ready beats on "Playin Musique" whilst "Auckland Joggers" showcases the inherent musicality of M.ono & Luvless. On the flip Zoo Look come through with a deeply layered slab of contemporary UK house whilst "The Fantastic" from Mr Pearce lives up to it's name and then some.