Back catalogue: Breakbeat

Review: The basslines might be big, but Berlin collective Cheap Fast Worldwide are keeping budgets tight with their brand new vinyl concern. Already an established podcast mix series, now a fully-fledged label, this launch release lays down everything we need to know as we flip and fly between the flavours. Cats like Lou Raw lay down golden woozy UKG skippery, B is all about the lo-fi flavours and warm and warping house and Olli Oski and EE bring the EP to a wonderful psycho dub finale. What an entry EP.

Review: FOXBAM INC is back to build on the momentum of their first EP with a second one that packs a mighty punch. This one kicks off with EBY, who this year has been cooking up acid for 40 years and here offers the warped low ends and garage-techno power of 'Goldtooth'. Foxtrot vs Ma Bla then mashes up old school samples with earth-shattering bass on 'Deep Down Inside' and bRz vs Stije is a double-time hard techno stomper with warped synths and twisted bass that is inspired by and named after ISCO, a concept from Einstein's general theory of relativity that makes predictions about the dynamics of black holes.

Review: Fasme, aka Tom Ferreira, has made a couple of decisive moves over the past couple of years. First appearing alongside Maelstrom on Central Processing Unit, and then landing a release on Feel My Bicep, the man's talents in the field of emotionally charged electro and braindance is showcased structures of 'A Year'. Even at its more angular, the EP is grounded by Ferreira's strong sense of melody, giving it a proper quality on this outstanding four-tracker, from the warm, lightly acid-flecked climes of 'Launcher' to the more mechanoid structures of 'A Year'.

Review: Southern Fried Records celebrates its 500th single with the massive release of 'Role Model', marking the return of label head Fatboy Slim, causing fans worldwide to rejoice as Norman Cook steps back into the spotlight. After bonding on a South American tour, Cook invited Parisian DJ, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Chloe Caillet to remix the track. The result? A powerhouse remix that's already making waves, showcasing Caillet's flair and giving 'Role Model' a fresh, electrifying twist that's sure to ignite dancefloors.

Review: Filth Rich gets suitably filthy on this fresh outing on Zimp. His Rave EP collides many different influences from techno to electro, acid to rave, and also chucks in some classic samples to really make the tunes pop. The first is a peak-time breakbeat bruiser with slapping hits and yelping vocals, then 'Hippies Gathering' is a prog techno classic from the late 90s Castle Morten rave scene. Randolph offers his own Filthy Rave remix that gets even more wild and included along the way are some sample-tactic snippets to liven up your set no end.

Review: The classical-inclined RAWAX crew looks back to another great retro EP here and reintroduces Orlando Voorn under his FIX alias. His superb Flash 12" was originally released on KMS Records in 1992 and this new pressing of it features the original plus bonus tracks 'Face' and 'Players Anthem.' As you would expect given the heritage, these are all timeless outings. 'Flash' is the most well-known with its wonky lead hook and coarse drums and perc. 'Dope Computer' brings some zippy motifs and electro-funk-inspired drums and 'Face' then gets more smooth and seductive with a garage-tinged groove. 'Players Anthem' is a bright, visceral, off-balanced rhythm that sounds like little else before or since.

Review: The first anyone heard from Robert Fleck was an early drop on Well Street back in 2018, and it's been quiet since then. Anyone following Well Street knows it's a hot tip for upfront artists in the fractured fissures of the UK underground, and Fleck makes a welcome return to prove the point. There's a lot of different touchstones you could point to on this release, from nimble-footed broken beat and a whiff of nu jazz orchestration, not to mention a bass music sensibility and an appreciation for deeper strains of UK techno. But more than all that, Fleck merges his unique spread of influences into something fresh and unique, comfortably slipping between conventional genre markings with the kind of flair we've come to expect from Well Street.

Review: The limited edition Florence Funk sub-label returns with a ninth volume of steamy sounds, this time with a pair of rare gems pressed up to wax. 'Hey Mama' opens up with some psyched 60s guitar bringing a great lead to some raw instrumental funk beats while a guttural male vocal finishes it off up top. Flip it over and you'll find 'Gimme', a more celebratory sound with some big horn leads and plenty of percussion detailing the percolating drums. Both of these are sure to heat up any floor this winter and beyond.

Review: Svogue's third vinyl-only outing delivers a brilliantly trippy and dreamy exploration of house and breaks with a hint of characterful old-school flair. Produced and mixed by Matteo Floris, his well crafted tracks feature solid analogue drum patterns paired with energetic rave synths that are all perfect for peak-time underground clubbing but never forgo a bit of nuance for the heads. It makes this a 12" that offers a rich, immersive listening experience with colourful pads, innovative rhythmic patterns and plenty of future ideas.

Review: Rico Friebe and Rico Puestel's YKMU on Exhibition delivers two main room tracks perfect for energising the dancefloor. 'YKMU (You Keep Me Up)' is an energetic anthem with big vocals and hand-raising moments. Its epic 90s Balearic sounds and storming piano riffs create a vibrant, nostalgic atmosphere that's sure to captivate the crowd. 'My Word & Sound' keeps the momentum with a peaker track that features vocoder elements, adding a futuristic twist to the mix. The driving beats and infectious energy make it a standout for late-night sets. Friebe and Puestel's ability to craft compelling, dancefloor-ready tracks are evident here with these two real burners.

Review: Reissued from Future Sound of Melbourne's iconic Melodia EP, originally released in 1992 with two additional bonus tracks, this meticulously remastered collection promises that same dancefloor excitement. Remixed by Damian Schwartz, the EP blends techno, rave house, and breakbeat piano anthems that evoke the golden era of electronic music with a contemporary twist. Founded in 1990 by Davide Carbone, Josh Abrahams, and Steve Robbins, FSOM's legacy resonates worldwide. 'Alien' kicks off the EP with upbeat 90s techno vibes, followed by the euphoric rave anthem 'Heaven.' 'Melodia' is a breakbeat piano banger, and 'Melodia 95, a fresh take on the classic, showcases FSOM's enduring innovation.

Review: The Psychic label comes on strong with its inaugural EP here from Philadelphia-based rave rebel Furtive. His Muscles Hug Your Bones EP is indeed a rugged and tough affair that opens with the searching psychedelic synths of 'Convoke', an intensely atmospheric piece that sounds like being trapped in a factory in meltdown. The title track is a strobe lit techno anthem that takes no prisoners and 'I Always Try To Be This Gentle' then slows it down, layering up grimy sounds, smeared metal pads and rickety drums. 'Intrepid Smiles (Golden)' shits down with a more hopeful vibe that takes you into a brighter future.

Review: There's a reason that Future Sound of London's 1991 debut single, 'Papua New Guinea', is periodically reissued: it's a stone-cold classic that sounds unlike anything else. In its original mix form, the track combines traits borrowed from early breakbeat hardcore (booming bass, house-tempo breakbeats) with saucer-eyed vocal samples, twinkling pianos and sounds more often found in ambient house and chill-out tunes from the period. This remastered, hand-numbered vinyl reissue boasts all of the 1992 remixes (as well as the original mix), including a suitably psychedelic, tribal-tinged Andrew Weatherall revision, the duo's own spaced-out ambient style 'Dub' mix, and a sax-sporting Manchester re-wire courtesy of 808 State's Graham Massey.

Review: It's testament to the enduring quality and far-sighted nature of Future Sound of London's iconic 1991 single 'Papua New Guinea' that it keeps being 'rediscovered' by new generations of DJs. It has been a while, though, since any new reworks dropped - hence this 'Rebooted' edition. L Major kicks things off with a suitably cosmic, psychedelic and slow-building proto-jungle style offering, before Nishiesque flits between passages of hot-stepping, synth-laden d&b and slo-mo 4/4 chug. House heroes Soul Central reach for vintage hip-house breakbeats, ambient electronics and the original version's most life-affirming elements (the bassline, twinkling synth melodies and heady vocal samples), while Dee Montero re-casts the cut as a proggy, tribal-tinged tech-house roller.

Review: The influential 90s IDM and techno act Future Sound of London continues to delve into their early career with the reissue of The Pulse EP Vol 2, originally released in 1991. This EP exemplifies the early techno sound, blending rave elements with the more intelligent and linear side of electronic dance music. Side-1 kicks off with 'Stolen Documents' (Jazz dub) by The Future Sound of London, a track that perfectly melds jazzy undertones with dub influences, creating a sophisticated and immersive experience. Following this is Smart Systems' 'Zip Code' (Stress Ball mix), a piece that balances high-energy beats with a stress-relieving ambiance. Side-2 begins with 'Innate' (W O W mix) by The Future Sound of London, a track that delves into deeper, more atmospheric realms, showcasing the group's innovative approach to soundscaping. Indo Tribe's 'I've Become What You Were' (Insider mix) closes the EP, with a pulsating techno rhythm that encapsulates the essence of the early '90s rave scene. Before their signature chill out sound was made, FSOL his some of their highest notes here with these early EPs.

Review: We loved the first PUP release so are super hyped to get this second one. It's a fine various artists' collection that explores an array of tech, acid and minimal sounds. Rat Bastard opens up and doesn't muck about with a fast-paced groove and slick electronic bass. Deezy layers in some trippy acid and lively breakbeats on 'Earnin' Bumps.' On the flipside, 'Prima' brings some fresh UK funky drum patterns and wooden hits to the light-footed tune by FRND and more Uk styles are tapped into on Mr Bizmuth's bass-driven, bulky 'Charmed, Sworn, Severed, Torn.' Woof wood, we dig!

Review: This double record - originally released in 2002 - is a deep dive into the duo's creative process, reimagining the 1991 classic through multiple sonic lenses. The London duo bring an album's worth of reinterpretations, starting with the evergreen original version's ethereal pads and hypnotic breakbeats. T2 merges the iconic melody with playful elements blending dreamy basslines and warm builds with subtle psychedelic hues. T3 extends the atmospherics and psych guitar wails in the final stretch triumphantly. T4 drifts into ambient psych-rock while T5 is a harsher more abrasive version. T6 is a slow, genre-blending piece with psychedelic undertones and emotional weight, gracefully building toward a euphoric blend of organ notes, complex drum patterns and smooth saxophone. Finally, T8 closes with lush downtempo elegance, layering sitars, sax and processed vocals from the original track for a mesmerising finale. Old skool fans will lap this up all over again.

Review: The Future Sound Of London are well-known for their intense sectioning-off of various albums into sagas. Conceived as far back as the late 1990s, the 'Environments' album series has been routinely topped up on a slow but steady basis, and has thus far manifested as a grand total of seven psychedelectronic odysseys. 'Environments Seven', which came out earlier in 2022, is testament to the duo's madcap penchant for sagaizing; indeed, this seventh instalment in the LP is split into a trilogy, and 'Environments 7.02' is the second in said trilogy.

Review: Celebrated UK producers and DJs O'Flynn and Frazer Ray (who was previously known as Soundbwoy Killah) join forces here for new collaborative album Shimmer on Ninja Tune's Technicolour label. The record pays homage to the UK dance music the pair so loves from speed garage to breaks and hardcore. As such it is a record that takes you to the heart of the dancefloor but also offers a great escape from everyday life with evocative synth soundscapes over compelling beats. As much as there is plenty of physicality here, there is also tenderness of emotion and deftness of design that brings an artful quality to their take on party sounds. Top stuff.