Review: It would be fair to say that Roy Davis Jr and Peven Everett's "Gabriel" (originally written "Gabrielle" on early pressings) has become a timeless dance music classic - a track that both soulful house and UK garage DJs reach for in times of trouble. Should it not be in your collection already (and it should be), Large Music has decided to re-master and re-press the original 1996 12". It does, of course, contain the now ubiquitous "Live Garage" version - the groovy two-step, trumpet-laden mix that became popular with early UK garage DJs - plus a trio of lesser-known remixes. The Tambourine Dub, in particular, is something of a tough, warehouse-friendly deep house treat.
Review: Given her runaway success in recent years, it was almost inevitable that Peggy Gou would launch her own record label sooner or later. Wisely, she's chosen to kickstart said imprint - the freshly minted Gudu Records - with her first EP of fresh material for over 12 months. A-side "Starry Night" is an unashamedly positive and life-affirming affair, with Gou placing bouncy piano riffs, sultry South Korean and English vocals and Boyd Jarvis/Paul Simpson style synth-bass atop a snappy, late '80s style house rhythm. There's a similarly retro-futurist feel to the equally loved-up "Han Pan", where Gou's attractive vocals once again catch the ear alongside heavy analogue bass, chiming synth lines and Kwaito influenced drums.
Review: Theo Parrish lays down a marker for a long overdue fifth album, apparently due out later this year, with the sublime Footwork 12". Named in reference to the dance as opposed to the breakneck offshoot of Ghetto House, "Footwork" is a sublime slab of Theo with many of his trademark production touches. Think lightly brushed percussion, meandering bassline that juts out with an odd funk, and subtle yet sumptuous musical touches, all topped off by a gruff "let me see your footwork baby" croon. Those Theo fans out there that like the man to get a bit rugged will be all over "Tympanic Warfare" too, where off the grid polyrhythms cannon around the channels, augmented by an ugly bassline and dexterous keys.
Review: It would be fair to say that Mr Fingers 2016 is something of an event release, at least for those who love deep house. While Larry Heard has kept busy - largely with remixes and reissues - this marks the first 12" release under his most famous moniker for over a decade. He begins in contemplative mood, fusing tumbling music box melodies, creepy electronics and nagging 303 lines on "Outar Acid", before laying down some typically blissful, atmospheric deep house on the wondrous "Qwazars". Flip for "Nodyahead", an effortless mixture of heavy dub-house bottom end, African-influenced percussion and moody late night refrains, and the ultra-deep, piano-laden bliss of "Aether".
Review: Sound Signature's latest release is an all-star crew affair, with an impressive cast list of vocalists, musicians and producers joining main man Theo Parrish in the studio. He's at the controls on the sublime A-side mix, a jazzy affair where layered twinkling electric piano motifs, spacey chords, jazz-funk riffs and sumptuous deep house grooves combine on a fearlessly loose and organic dancefloor workout. On the flipside friend of the family Dego offers his interpretation, adding even more warmth and some tasty additional hand percussion parts whilst wisely utilizing most of the original version's intricate musical elements.
Review: Three is the long-awaited twelfth studio album by electronica titan Four Tet, following a long extended 'wildcard era' characterised by legal battles (well, one) and unlikely, curveball stints with fellow juggernauts Skrillex and Fred Again. But despite this judgment, Three hears Kieran Hebden return to his earliest forms, with the semi-eponymous 'Three Drums' recalling his earliest outcroppings emergent from his Fridge days, via slow, crisp breaks and serene string pads. 'Loved', similarly, evokes a 90s hip-hop, dare say Britcore fascination, melded with warmingly serene analogue pulsations, underlaid.
Review: Theo Parrish's masterful Sound Sculptures Vol 1 on triple LP format gets a timely repressing!! In total here there are 9 of the 27 tracks from the full double CD version but these still run the gamut of Theo's inimitable talents, from rough and tumble disco edits to saccharine soul, raw beatdown and leftfield esoterica. Be sure to check the Omar S- featuring "Synthetic Flemm" and long time Juno favourite "Flotation Device". If ever there was a selection of tracks that fully showcased the incredible breadth of production talent this man has, this is it. Not to be missed!
Review: Theo Parrish has green-lit a couple of back catalogue reissues from his Sound Signature label this month and this one originally came back in 2010 and found him on production duties and Bilal Love on the vocals. The Melloghettomental EP is an archetype Parrish offering - dusty, lo-fi beatdown and house fusions with muted but meaningful chords and aching vocal hooks. You get all that on blissed-out opener 'Can't Keep Running Away', superbly soulful live bass work on 'U Bring Me Up' and heavier, more griding grooves but still sublime vocals on 'Why Wait'. The title cut is an off-grid mix of sci-fi melodies and diffuse chords, shimmering drums and low slub bass. Sublime.
Review: The latest 12" from long-running Sahko offshoot Keys Of Life is the first of two split 'Balearic' releases from Sex Tags man DJ Sotofett and SUED co-founder SVN.. Sotofett's "Current 82" is a thing of rare beauty; an ambient house inspired chunk of lucid, mid-tempo dreaminess full of fluid chords, subtle, loved-up melodies and early Italian deep house bottom end. SVN continue the deep theme whilst doffing a cap to techno on flipside "Dark Plan 5". Their chords and pads are every bit as life-affirming as Sotofett's - even if they are a touch on the bittersweet side - but the accompanying up-tempo rhythm has a more ready-made dancefloor feel. Either way, both tracks are superb.
Review: REPRESS ALERT: What hasn't been said about this timeless classic that hasn't been already? We'd be preaching to the choir but for what it's worth: Pal Joey's 1990 released, Chic sampling classic "Dance" is one of those tracks that never gets old and always sets the dancefloor alight. In all these years it has been thrown down by NYC house legends and Detroit techno's finest alike. Likewise, your record collection isn't complete without it! Features the energetic original version on the A side, as well as the dub with that nice bass solo section that comes in. Finally, on the flip is the wicked bonus beats version that was favoured by techno DJs and sampled by everyone from Jeff Mills to Jerome Sydenham. Reissued on Joey's own Cabaret Records.
Review: Andres, or DJ Dez, is a beat-maker extraordinaire. His Cuban heritage and background as a hip-hop DJ for Slum Village mean that he comes at house music from a slightly different perspective than most. Couple that with a vast record collection and next-level ear for samples and he rarely turns out a dud tune. Enter Address V, his latest album on Moodymann's Mahogany label and another masterful one that straddles moods and grooves with effortless ease and rare style. There are crisp house kickers like 'Cybermate,' heavyweight funk beatdowns like 'Funky 2Step' and slouchy and low-slung joints like 'Detoxfromtheworld' amongst dirty hip-hop jams and so much more. Another timeless album from a Motor City great.
Review: Coming off a successful transatlantic exchange, Brian Kage and his Michigander label keep the momentum, and the collaborative spirit, moving with an EP that hits closer to home. For any Detroit artist, working with Delano Smith would be on the bucket list, as one of the city's original, more influential DJs - before the D developed any of its "waves" - who would come into his own as a producer later to, once again, help mold the Techno City's sound. Make no mistakes about it, this tastemaker had a ripple effect back before techno even had a name, when it was just "progressive" music and mixing. The thing is, the feeling of admiration and respect here is mutual, from the moment Smith first stumbled across one of Kage's records and had to know who was making these sounds. This meeting of the minds happened organically and timely, with Keep 'em Movin' as the result.
Review: 'Moonlight Music & You' was the second-ever release on Theo Parrish's now legendary Sound Signature label. This welcome reissue makes it available for all once more and reminds us of the early quality of Parrish's work back in 1997. 'Music' has swirling and humid pads, curious melodies and dusty, stripped-back deep house drums. It's a beautiful place to get lost. 'Moonlite' then picks up the pace but keeps the grainy, lo-fi feel with eerie chords and subtle vocal musings adding to the atmosphere.
Review: JKriv's classic Bukom Mashie Rework gets a deluxe revival in a delectable 7-inch package having long been hard to find if not out of print entirely. And now what's more it also features a fresh acid dub. The original eight minute opus has been expertly trimmed for a streamlined A-side stomper, while the B-side showcases a brand-new version with a reimagined arrangement. This edition is embellished with vibrant 303 acid lines and live flute by the talented Domenica from Underground System all of which ensure that it is sure to become a big summer anthem once more in 2024.
Let It (Give Me Back My Love) (feat AbbieLee) (5:55)
Another Dawn (vocal mix) (5:07)
The Bassline (Kerri Dark mix) (7:09)
The Breeze (7:57)
Review: New Jersey house don Kerri Chandler is rightfully lauded as a hero of the scene. He continues to pour his heart and soul into every record and imbue his music with real-world emotions that elevate his tunes. He is of course a master of a deep but driving sound that borrows from soul, funk and jazz in ignitible ways. The third volume of his Lost & Found EP series on his own label Kaoz Theory is packed with more gold, from the slinky depths of 'Let It (Give Me Back My Love)' to the soul staring vocal work of 'Another Dawn' via more paired back sounds on 'The Bassline' (Kerri Dark mix) and the percussive energy of 'The Breeze.' Yet another essential Kerri 12" for your collection.
Review: 'Couldn't Love You More' is one of the most iconic songs from one of the most iconic soul singers of her generation. It is such a sweet tune that it is perfect for reworking into a lovely deep house framework. And that is exactly what we have here as some mysterious artist who for obvious reasons wants to be unnamed reworks it three different ways. Mix 1 keeps the lush, lazy chords in place and sprinkles in some deft percussion. Mix 2 is a subtle tweak that has a little more drive and edge to it and Mix 3 completes the package with another deft touch that is sure to get floors all loved up.
Review: British-Nigerian singer-songwriter Sade is rightly celebrated for her sultry voice and timeless hits like 'Smooth Operator' and 'No Ordinary Love.' Her music blends soul, jazz and r&b with its sensual melodies and poetic lyrics and so is a great fit for deep house reworks, A bunch of them have all dropped with us and this one licks off with 'Like A Tattoo', an airy cut with some gorgeous keys and plenty of loved up vibes. Meanwhile on the flip is a new version of the most iconic of them all - 'Smooth Operator' (remix) still has the erotic sax notes and great vocals, but more upbeat drums to get cosy parties moving.
Review: The Mountain 45 label has been giving us some unique music that cross genres since its inception just a few years ago. Like previous editions, Double A contributes 'Super Badman Riddim' which is both catchy and clever. Featuring James Brown samples thrown in the mix takes this dub related track to the limit of fun. For the B-side, James Nasty's 'Fan Dem Off' with a peak time party song that should take the dancefloor to another level. These attention getters are ideal for being addictively fun and different. It's hard to categorise music like this, which is a sign of its originality.
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: B2 Recordings keeps it deep once more with a new 12" of cuddly and cosy house grooves from Those Guys From Athens. 'Be What You Wanna Be' is a perfectly humid and balmy opener for a summer's evening dance under a fading sun, then 'That's What I've Got To Do' picks up the pace with some floored melodies and disco swing. There is a familiar lazy funk bassline to 'Wish You Were Here With Me' as well as a well-treated classic vocal sample from Bill Withers to make this one a real heart melter. 'Feelin' is a more hefty and heavy house sound that will enliven any warm-up.
Space Cowboy (Michael Gray's Good Vibe Zone extended) (6:23)
Space Cowboy (Michael Gray's Good Vibe Zone dub) (5:50)
Review: Jamiroquai always had a unique sound that sat somewhere between pop, house, disco, funk and cosmic delight. His great singles were always ripe for remixing and few do it better than house man Michael Gray. Here he tackles the evergreen 'Space Cowboy' with a Good Vibe Zone - extended mix that layers in some nice funky, soulful drums and lavish cosmic melodies that make it perfect for cultured clubs. On the flip of this new 12" from Sultra is a dub mix that is a little more playful and party starting. Both tunes are sure to raise the roof.
Review: He's as consistent as he is prolific so it's no surprise that Omar-S is back yet again with yet another EP well worth copping. This latest 12" direct from the Motor City features two different versions of the same tune and what a tune it is: first up is 'Can't Get' (vocal mix) which is signature stuff from Smith - dusty beats from an old analogue machine, slowly evolving synth leads that convey plenty of emotion and raw hi-hats. The mood is late night and sultry with a hint of menace and a gorgeous vocal hook is the icing on the cake. Flip it over and you'll get the Sub Mix with more stark synths and melodic edginess.
Review: These days, vinyl releases from Sean McCabe's admirable Good Vibrations Music imprint are few and far between, though what they do put out is excellent. For proof, check out this belated sequel to their first multi-artist EP, which landed in 2021. To kick things off, Glenn Underground serves up a gently Latin-tinged take on Harold Matthews Jr's 'This Place' - all soulful vocals, fluid bass guitar, bouncy beats, and infectious electric piano licks - before McCabe joins forces with Black Sonix on the jazzy, jaunty and bass-heavy jazz-funk/Latin house fusion of 'Modulate'. Deep soulful house and nods to Atjazz are the order of the day on Madeeha, McCabe and Dj Mixjah's 'Still Standing Here', while the Underground Project rework of 'You Don't Know' by David Bailey and MissFly is a tech-tinged slab of deep, soulful house.
Review: West London label Slip 'N' Slide continues to refresh the classics, as Seth Troxler and Franck Roger deliver remixes of the 1997 Blaze favourite 'Lovelee Dae'. An artist who needs little introduction, Seth Troxler's name is synonymous with American house and techno of the last two decades, with his formative years in Detroit shaping his sound before moving to the techno capital of the world Berlin. His ventures as a label boss, and club owner of Night Tales, further cemented the talent as an underground hero, and he now joins the likes of Carl Craig, Roman Flugel, and Isolee in giving 'Lovelee Dae' an expertly crafted remix, building from minimal grooves to a grand and immersive wash of sound. Also stepping up on remix duties comes Parisian producer, crate digger and label boss of Real Tone Records, Franck Roger, adding his signature beat focussed approach to the iconic track.
Review: After a superb debut release, Forgotten Coordinates is back with a follow-up from the eponymous artists behind the label and once again this is a tasteful excursion into the realms of minimalism and tech. 'Be Good To Me' pairs a snappy tech house drum and clap combo with some spaced out and intergalactic pads and a stone code classic vocal that will cause dance floor carnage. Things get punchy for 'Let's Get This' with its warped low ends and amped-up beats all seven to get you on your toes and vibing. Two classy and effective tunes for sure.
Music Is My Life (Masters At Work remix dub) (4:44)
Review: Louie Vega continues to offer up fresh remixes of tracks from his epic 2023 album Expansions In The NYC. The latest cut to get the rework treatment is Unlimited Touch hook-up 'Music Is My Life', a joyous and gently soulful fusion of disco instrumentation and house nous. There are two mixes from Vega and long-time studio partner Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez as Masters at Work: an A-side full-vocal remix that gently beefs up the house elements and adds some tasty Rhodes licks, and an EP-closing dub in which the storied duo reach for spacey synth sounds, rolling grooves and selected vocal snippets. To complete a strong package, British veteran Dave Lee doffs a cap to his popular 'Remixed with Love' series and re-imagines the track as a punchy disco-funk workout.
Unity Vibe - "I Got Your Luv" (feat Tyquasia - club mix)
Deep Inside - "Today" (K Chandler mix)
Groove City - "Soaking Wet" (remix)
Pequena Habana - "Slammin" (Cappella Grossa mix)
Review: Renowned for his extensive record collection and deep knowledge of house and garage, Jeremy Underground brings his passion to Vol. 3 of Z Records's 90's House & Garage compilation series. It features tracks that are either unreleased or newly digitised from original DAT tapes and vinyl. This edition comes on double vinyl with four sides of glorious grooves, each one of them carefully selected and professionally treated to reflect the golden era of house, taking in rare gems and remixes from Kerri Chandler, Murk, 95 North, and more. Vital stuff.
Review: Parisian producer Franck Roger lands on Nu Groove with 'Cosmic Tree' EP, a four-track outing of deep house perfectly at home on the legendary NYC label. Still going strong almost 35 years after its inception, it's nice to see the label is still welcoming fresh talent: Roger delivers a sultry, sauna-dunked steam on 'Part Of My Soul', one of the most contented-sounding house tracks we've heard in a while, thanks in part to the vocal stylings of Rimarkable; then there's the more repetitious ardour of 'Radik'Hall', 'Cosmic Funk' and 'The Music', all of which revel in the purely seductive potentialities of deep house production. "The music just turns me on!"
Review: Deeper States Volume 2 is another installment of fresh sounds from producers who have come through a competition that set them to making proper deep hose with a specified sample library. Across four sides of wax, there are some mighty fine cuts here such as the deep garage inflections of Enrico Dragoni, some Motor City vibes from Scott Andrews, the deepest of dub techno workouts from Montreal courtesy of Dealin', soul-drenched late-night cruisers from Khalid Ali on 'Elevate' and some nice bubbly vocal vibes from Dublin don Oscide with his 'Free Your Mind.' This is another hugely effective and stylish EP from the Interweaved community.
Wan Poku Moro (One Tune More) (Riva Starr remix) (6:12)
Review: 2000 And One is one of many artistic alter-egos of Dylan Hermelyn, the Netherlands producer whose credits stretch as far back as 1990. A staple of the Amsterdam techno scene and a prominent fixture of Dutch House generators 100% Pure and later Delsin, Hermelyn's contributions at the very least verge on timeless and closing track 'Wan Poku Moro' from 2009's full-length album, Heritage, is among the top contenders for this crown. The track is a bongo-laden bustler full of the lively implied sounds of city life and clocks in at eight minutes in its attempt to reach the awesome heights of the house music sublime; here, however, comes Radio Slave and Riva Starr on this Rekids reinterpretation, both of whom pare the track back to its bassiest and pulsiest constituent parts, albeit to their own ends.
Movin' 2 The Sound (DJ Absolutely Shit remix) (5:40)
Review: From the artwork to the vocal stamps to the beats themselves, this is a brilliantly retro-tactic release that brings plenty of nostalgia to the dance floor. Ursula 100 serves up the goods with 'Movin' 2 The Sound' - a dense and intense cut with vocals musing on drum beats and rocking the house, electro-tinged bass and lashings of acid with plenty of analogue percussive sounds. The Acid Jerks Refix strips away some of the noise to focus on the 303 and loopy vocal fragments and Fort Knox 5 up the acid-electro vibes on their rework. Last of all, the DJ Absolutely Shit remix brings some big jungle breakbeats and lively sax. A fun and destructive EP for sure.
Where Is The Clubbing? (Franck Roger remix) (5:48)
Smooth Jazz (7:01)
Don´t Fool Me (7:03)
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Spanish label Mate welcomes a couple of heavyweights in Rafa Santos and Franck Roger for a new deep house EP that shows the kids how it's done. It is Santos who serves up the originals starting with 'Where Is The Clubbing?' which has depth but also drive - rich pads swirl about over the supple kicks and clipped vocals bring the soulful little hooks. French maestro Franck Roger remixes with a little more swing and a stripped-back, late-night feel that is sprinkled with cosmic dust. On the flip, 'Smooth Jazz' is just that over cuddly beats as star-gazing piano tinkles and sombre sax notes bring real class. 'Don't Fool Me' shuts down with plenty of Chez Damier-style weight in the kicks and steaminess in the female vocals.
Review: T RWK's 'Listen' EP brings a dynamic blend of soulful and New York house with two standout tracks that capture the spirit of the dancefloor. The title track, 'Listen'. is a funky, infectious number with a quirky rhythm and vocal hooks that make it an undeniable crowd-pleaseriits energy and groove are pure dancefloor magic. On the flip side, 'Hi Fi' shifts into a chugging Latin-inspired groove, blending tribal rhythms with a soulful touch that gives it a warm, resonant feel. Together, these tracks showcase T RWK's ability to create deep, rhythmic house with an irresistible vibe.
Big Moses - "For You" (feat Ja'Nel - Sfere Of Life mix)
Trance Form - "I Will Be Strong" (feat Geno - NYC Vibe)
95 North - "Unbelievable" (Moncef Unbelievably Raw mix)
Back To The Rythym - "What Can You Do For Me" (feat Alva McGill - vocal mix)
Review: Jeremy Underground loves a compilation project. He has done them for his own My Love Is Underground label as well as the superb Beauty: A Journey Through Jeremy Underground's Collection which came back in 2017 for Favourite Recordings. Now he reverts to his roots once more and digs deep for 90s garage and house, often from the US. His tastefully selected sounds come on Z Records as part of this multi-part 90's House & Garage series with plenty of key names from the genre's golden era all present and correct. This is a fine collection that will up your own house credentials no end.
Love Is Stronger Than Pride (B Boys Basement mix) (5:50)
Love Is Stronger Than Pride (Mouse T club mix) (5:33)
Love Is Stronger Than Pride (Master & Pupil mix) (5:24)
Review: Sade is one of those artists that people just cannot resist remixing. Her voice is silky smooth and sultry so is well suited to seductive deep house reworks. And that is just what we get here with four different takes on 'Love Is Stronger Than Pride'. The GT Hot remix opens with deft pads and airy beats, the B-Boys Basement mix gets more physical and jacked up with raw percussion and the Mouse T club mix brings some old-school house feels. Last of all is the most smoky and rich as the Master & Pupil mix layers in sustained chords and dynamic depth.
Review: Shockingly, it's been almost three years since we last heard new material from Chaos in the CBD aka London-based Kiwi brothers Ben and Louis Helliker-Hales. This two-tracker is not only well overdue, but also as quietly impressive as you'd expect. Title track and A-side 'Sirena Deep' lives up to its name, offering a subtly summery shuffle through lightly dubbed-out, organ-rich deep house goodness complete with an expressive and tasteful flute solo from fellow New Zealander Nathan Haines. Those looking for a more driving, sub-heavy and late-night focused workout will love flip side 'Outdoor Limit', where creepy, ghostly chords and textures ride tough house beats and a deep, dubby bassline.
Review: The Plastik People label is a great repository for deep house that is timeless but never tired. Katermurr is next up to prove that point with an EP that transcends the ages. It opens with a lovely throwback Chicago vocal over fresh modern drums. After 'Wanna Be With You' gets you going, 'Let's Dance' brings the party vibes with some busy lead melodies that will get hands in the air old school style. 'Donny' then keeps it deep with some languid grooves and a nice smoky soulful vocal drifting above. Last of all is the more bumping and dusty drums of 'Show Some Love' to close out a classic EP.
Review: Newcomers Shadow Pressings lift the lid on their vinyl releasing schedule with a debutante's bang, welcoming a first four-track EP release crafted by none other than an artist taking the label's name. Taking after Chicago and garage house, A-siders 'The Messiah' and 'It Started In Chicago' impress with their full-bodied reveries and beeping repetitions, but neither match the transcendent stringwork, chord progressive poignancies and vocal samply ingenuity of the B1 'How Does It Feel', sure, by our word, to become a modern classic. 'Changes' closes on an indeterminate progressive mood, bridging the gap between styles in a way we don't think we've heard before.
Review: After the success of Lextended, the mysterious Lex Wolf is back with a second volume of sweet edits of classic dance tracks. Highlights include the clean edit of Smokin' Gang's hip-house classic 'Just Rock', a Latin house remix of the classic 'Conceicao' and a huge mix of the legendary banger 'House Music' at Eddie Amador. All these edits succeed in focusing in on the grooves while keeping the soul and energy of the original. True and proper edits, primed to reign on the dancefloor.
I Don't Remember The Last Time I Saw Stars (11:11)
Review: Following their acclaimed debut album Sugar Honey Iced Tea!, NYC duo Musclecars aka Craig Handfield and Brandon Weems are back with a double pack of alternate versions and remixes featuring house legends Louie Vega and Maurice Fulton. Vega reworks 'Tonight' with orchestral flair and festival-ready dub versions including the NV South Jersey Mix and his Bronx Dub. Maurice Fulton's remix of 'Hello?' blends his signature live bass and punchy percussion to add a whimsical touch to the introspective original. The pack also includes stripped-down versions of 'Ha Ya! (Eternal Life)' and 'Water' plus a full side of Musclecars' 'I Don't Remember The Last Time I Saw Stars.'
Review: While nowhere near as celebrated as some of his NYC contemporaries, Tommy Musto made some incredible music at the turn of the 90s, flitting between breakbeat-driven, techno-tinged heaviness and heady, sample-rich house. The Lost Dubs Volume 1 takes us back to that period via a quartet of contemporaneous cuts recently unearthed in the producer's vaults. There's much to admire throughout, from the driving, bass-heavy hedonism of 'Holdin' On', a track propelled forwards by insatiable organ riffs and breathless beats, and the extra-percussive early morning headiness of 'Baby's Right' - all delay-laden Rhodes licks, funky bass guitar, mazy synth solos and Masters At Work style house beats - to the Victor Simonelli style saucer-eyed warmth of 'Love Is Needed' and the sleazy, Kenny Dope style heaviness of 'Keep It Movin'. Genuine buried treasure!
The Afro-American Conundrum (Where Does That Leave Us?) (3:56)
Dream Boy (5:53)
Tonight (feat Kamaal) (4:03)
Every Party Must Come To An End (feat Kamaal) (3:59)
Running Out Of Time (3:16)
Ha Ya! (Eternal Life) (7:30)
I Don’t Remember The Last Time I Saw Stars (11:11)
Carlos Sanchez Interlude (1:25)
Hello? (feat Aden) (5:06)
Circles I (Prelude) (1:37)
Circles II (feat Toribio) (6:08)
There's Space For Us All (9:33)
Water (feat New Past) (8:47)
Review: Sugar Honey Iced Tea! is the highly anticipated debut album from Musclecars, comprised of Brandon Weems and Craig Handfield, delving deep into the Afro-American experience. With 13 tracks that span themes of joy, loss, intimacy, perseverance and more, Musclecars craft a profound narrative that captures the nuances of daily life in native New York. From the exploration of Afro-dystopia to moments of self-discovery and self-preservation, the album offers a rich blend of sound that resonates with authenticity, emotion, and rhythm. It's a musical adventure to throw yourself in and get lost in the essence of the urban experience, crafted with intentionality, depth and a touch of magic.
Review: Toolroom head honcho Mark Knight has pulled out all the stops here and joined forces with some of house music's biggest names. His ow-slung new tune 'The Greatest Thing Alive' is a collab with the one and only Chicago don Green velvet plus James Hurr and it has already made an impact on global dancefloors since its digital release in October last year. Between these talents they all dig deep and cook up something perfectly chunky and detailed with fresh percussion. It's the sort of tune that will blow up in Miami and has the addition of Green Velvet's take on the classic 'Mannish Boy' from Muddy Waters.
Review: Nail Tolliday aka Nail is a house music don who rose to prominence back in the 90s with the cult DiY collective out of Nottingham, but also worked as one half of downtempo pair Bent. He disappeared for a while but then return a decade or so ago and since then has been turning out the jams on a regular basis for several different and respected labels. Now he takes matters into his own hands by launching his own imprint In The Dance. Four effective, stylish cuts mark its debut, from the raw, stripped-back sound of 'Grumble' to the more light and airy drums of 'Highly', the punchy kicks and balmy chords of 'No Windows' and on to closer 'Pretty Thing' with its mix of hefty grooves and more whimsical pads. A super 12".
Review: Fresh UK street soul purveyors Edit UK unearth a now criminally undersung classic from New York r&b duo Groove Theory, 'Tell Me', this time flipped and rerubbed by bass aficionado DJ Double A. With its bass amped and gridlines marked, this version from A is a minimal but subtle edit, thoroughly primed for club play. We're comparatively caught off guard by stellar his work on the B, once more bolstering the effectiveness of the neo-soul via drum & bass formula.
Review: Well, well, well, we didn't expect this one: Radio Slave in piano house mode. The man who has made a career off dark, rolling, wall-rattling and proudly linear techno releases on his mighty Rekids label shows a totally different but equally essential side here. 'Strobe Queen' is a slow burning, slow-release pleasure built on low-slung mid-tempo drums and overlaid with glorious piano chords that speak of joy and happiness. Eric Kupper removes a little of the polish, ups the dust and adds his own vocal mutterings over the top for something more zoned out.
Danny Tenaglia presents George Vidal - "Out From Obscurity" (6:11)
Danny Tenaglia & Cevin Fisher - "Move That Body" (Antranig remix) (6:32)
Review: The legend that is Danny Tenaglia seems to have been creatively re-energised in recent times, with last year's 'The Brooklyn Gypsy' delivering a gorgeous and celebratory blend of good-time house grooves, mazy solos and life-affirming dancefloor energy. 'Tonight', his latest missive, is another gem, presented in 'beats (intro)' and 'no beats (intro)' variations. Both takes feature many of his aural trademarks - think impeccably programmed beats, a mesmerising bassline and incredible sound design - alongside waves of awesome electric piano solos, dreamy pads and eyes-closed female vocal snippets. Over on side B, he doffs a cap to his days as Twilo resident with a deep, dark and deliciously percussive workout ('Out From Obscurity'), before ANTRANIG delivers a similarly heavy, druggy and mind-mangling take on Cevin Fisher collaboration 'Move Your Body'.
Black Rascals - "So In Love" (feat Cassio Ware - Atjazz remix) (6:40)
Wonderland (feat Alexander Hope - Jimpster remix) (6:38)
How Deep Is Your Love (feat Alexander Hope - DJ Spinna remix) (8:50)
Breathe (Natasha Diggs remix) (5:53)
Review: Given that they've been operative since the dawn on garage-house in the mid 1980s, there's plenty of material in the Blaze vaults to remix. Re-activated British label Slip 'N' Slide agrees, hence this EP featuring a quartet of revisions of catalogue cuts. To kick things off, Atjazz delivers a smooth, effortlessly soulful and lightly tech-tinged take on Black Rascals cut 'So In Love', before fellow British deep house star Jimpster drops a tactile, musically detailed and impressively soulful take on 'Wonderland'. Over on side B, DJ Spinna's version of 'How Deep Is Your Love' is a superbly summery soulful house wonder, while Natasha Diggs' version of all-time-classic 'Breathe' sounds like Earth, Wind and Fire jamming with a Latin house band in Blaze's New Jersey studio. Undeniably ace!
Byron The Aquarius - "When The Freaks Come Out" (feat Computer Jay) (4:40)
Review: Multi-artist EPs have all been all the rage of late, though few can boast quite as strong a line-up of artists as this one from dependable French deep house label Phongramme. It begins with a gorgeous chunk of detail-heavy, sun-splashed electronic deep house brilliance courtesy of Abacus (an artist whose discography also contains outings on Prescription, Innermood and NDATL Muzik) and ends with a vibraphone-solo sporting shuffler from the effervescent Byron The Aquarius and Computer Jay ('When The Freaks Come Out'). Sandwiched in between you'll find two more must-have workouts: the bumpin', brilliant and spiritually uplifting 'States of Motion' by Fred P, and a typically dusty, jazzy and warming number by Colombian hero Felipe Gordon ('The Gordon Way').
Review: LOCKLEAD's Kemickal Affairs EP delivers four tracks designed to ignite dancefloors with an electrifying blend of house vibes. Side-1 kicks off with 'Zero's Delight,' a spirited and slightly jackin' house anthem that sets a fun and sexy tone. Following up is 'State Of Peace,' delving into a more techy and minimal groove, perfect for those seeking a deeper, more introspective vibe. Flipping to Side-2, the title track 'Kemickal Affairs' takes the listener on a journey through a deeper groove, reminiscent of 90s era house sounds but infused with a contemporary energy. Closing out the EP is 'Morning Krew,' characterized by its pumping bassline and seamless fusion of house and tech elements. With its dynamic range and infectious rhythms, Kemickal Affairs is destined to work well on any club floor.
Review: For his latest release, Tommy Musto delves into his venerated DAT vaults to unearth a treasure trove of mid-'90s NYC gems that are sure to excite house heads. These four tracks capture the essence of the legendary likes of Red Zone, Club Zanzibar, Twilo, and Sound Factory scenes and do a fine job of evoking the vibes that legends like Frankie Knuckles, Tony Humphries, Roger Sanchez, Tommy Simonelli, Masters at Work, and David Morales were all spinning back in the halcyon days of house. Now, you can own a piece of that iconic era with these deep cuts sure to bring back that classic house sound in some style.
Review: Tuccillo is an Ibiza-based groove maestro who turns out functional house that is never lacking in charm. And that's exactly what he does here on the great Koas label headed up by Kerri Chandler. 'Sundown' is pure vibes with its warm waves of rising chord loveliness and subtle sense of Balearic magic. 'Holding On' has a more choppy, garage-inspired groove with some nice muted horn leads and splashy finger clicks. It's a luxuriant sound that leads into the equally blissed out and smooth 'Whatever' before 'Velvet City' closes down with a super sweet bassline and more heartfelt house vibes.
Review: (Emotional) Especial looks to the emergent producer that is Chez De Milo for a new EP that collides the energy of Glastonbury, historic echoes of the free party scene and the psychedelic electronics of Bristol and the West Country into four fresh new cuts here. 'Et Al' is a mystic late-night house cut with crisp hits and spooky synths keeping you on edge, while 'Gieser' is dark and paranoid as the churning beats and snaking leads tempt you into the shadows. 'Kremer' keeps you locked in a synth-heavy and transcendental suspense at the heart of the dancefloor with Egyptian folk samples and ethnic grooves and 'Thus One' is a razor-sharp electro closer.
Review: New Year, same old Omar S - turning out the top quality tunes on a regular basis, all with his own unique sonic imprint but always with a fresh twist each time. This first outing of 2024 on his own FXHE opens up with 'Life Force' which pairs Smith's unique drum sounds - brushed metal, scruffy, raw - with his super sweet synths that always bring the warmth and soul. 'All The Little Hand's Around' is another metallic sound tech house cut with celebratory chord loops up top and well-treated samples, then 'Evil J' shuts down with rasping basslines and glistening 80s keys. Another fine 12" from the Detroit don.
Love & Hate In A Different Time (X-Press 2 Love & Honesty remix) (7:34)
Love & Hate In A Different Time (X-Press 2 Love & Honesty Hypno dub remix) (7:11)
Love & Hate In A Different Time (Kerri Chandler vocal mix) (7:25)
Love & Hate In A Different Time (Kerri Chandler 623 Again mix) (5:52)
Review: Soul and Gospel group Gabriels and their 'Love & Hate In A Different Time' gets some proper remix attention with house legends Kerri Chandler and X-Press. Each remixer gets a side each to themselves on this jam-packed future classic. X-Press takes side 1 and includes a more vocal mix and then an alternate dub version. Both versions are up-tempo and perfect for the dancefloor just depends on the time of night which one you might go to. For the B-side, Kerri Chandler takes a similar approach. The vocal mix being a bit more soulful while the '623 Again' version goes deeper. These remixers are like a match made in heaven for turning these into house gems. This guaranteed to be in many DJs crates and many best of lists.
Review: B2 Recordings rolls out more of its quality-assured deep house here with Label head Bengoa stepping up next for a new three-tracker that comes with featured guests Kristina Berger and Brothers' Vibe. 'Idyot' kicks off with deep and pulsing synths and clacking hits that bring an early Chicago vibe next to the libidinous and erotic vocals which really tease. 'Meet Me Halfway' sinks into a super silky groove that is deep as you like and driven by stylish drum hits under a muttered vocal. 'Come On Now' then sinks into a more acid-laced atmosphere with sustained chords keeping you on edge next to loose and jumbled percussion. It's a stylistically diverse EP, this one.
Review: Those two little letters GU are always enough to get us excited. They are of course an alias of Glenn Underground, the masterful Chicago house producer, musician and DJ who still has a much lower profile than his talents deserve. Here he adds a Mix Mashup to Bobpstar's 'Mayday/Captured Restless Soul Mixes' and the result is a bubbly, mellifluous deep house cut with warm and liquid synths, chopped-up vocal fragments and a gooey sense of romance. It is another crucial offering from the Windy City mainstay, even if it is a one-sided 12".
Review: Single-sided white label business from Moxy Edits, who ignite the dancefloor once more with a slick yet somewhat surreal Cypress Hill flip. A hugely wompy kick is heard teasing, highpassing and re-dropping its bass, as the unmistakable proto-Danny Brown register of the group's founding member and rapper B-Real are heard in characteristic nasal fashion over this hip-garage rendition of 'Insane In The Brain'. Be warned: there's simply no let-up with this one. Move as quick as its 4x4s do.
Review: GLBDOM sub-label GLBDOM Classic is dedicated to nostalgic house sounds inspired by the great styles of Chicago, Detroit and New York vibes, with hints of Italo-Dream house and even the Balearics. We get all that here on this new split EP from French house producer Sunny Galaxy and Englishman Dan T. Sunny opens up with some happy, piano-laced party starters, well-swung garage-house grooves and steamy basement jams, then Dan T offers a B-side trio headed up by the gloriously vocal laced 'Wrong Time.' 'My Desire' cuts up the groove with some nice raw percussion and 'Want To Love You' is a sultry and jazz-tinged number for lovers.
Review: Carl Finlow has been turning out killer electro since forever and is the man behind the revered Random Factor alias. He started it back in 1994 and since he's brought us four full lengths on 20/20 Vision, with a new one dropping very soon. In the meantime, here's a reissue of one of his most in demand classic EPs that's back on wax after initially making waves way back in 2000. The cuts draw on electro-pop and lithe future disco a la Metro Area, from the sparkly 80s-vibed opener 'Old News', 'Richochet' - imagine dub techno rerouted through guitar-led funk - to the more heads down, deep and moody dancefloor delight 'Update' and the indelible melodies of closer 'Swing'. Timeless machine funk from one of its latter day masters.
Review: First released by Snuff Trax in 2015, but potentially recorded much earlier, 'U Won't C Me' is one of Mystic Bill's most potent cuts - an analogue-rich hybrid Chicago deep house/acid house cut which sounds like Larry Heard jamming with Adonis circa 'No Way Back'. This Nu Groove reissue naturally features the long-serving producer's original mix, the original bonus track 'Like a Dream In The Night' (a moody, low-slung chunk of warehouse-ready, late 80s style Chicago deep house) and two reworks of the title track. Stefan Bratz ups the acid house factor, reaching for driving drums and mind-mangling TB-303 bass, while Jake Savage's 'Acid Re-Rub' is a jacking, sweat-soaked affair smothered in red-raw acid lines, cut-up spoken word snippets and a ghostly melodic motif.
Review: Discotecas keep it catchy with another firey missive that delves deep into disco, funk and Afro. 'Heavy Dub' opens up with loose-limbed grooves that come with horn stabs and plenty of percussion, then 'LFA' gets a little deeper. Here the drums stay low and the mood is more menacing. The groove is detailed with just as many hots and toms, with diffuse chord stabs adding some warming soul and hints of Moodymann cool. As the grover unfolds it gets ever more funky and party starting with some great spoken words finishing it in style.
Review: The faultless Razor-N-Tape label has long been one to keep an eye on for fans of all forms of house, disco and plenty in between. This new one from Balearic man Max Essa with slow-motion maestro Eddie C is perfectly timed to arrive as days are getting longer and the sun is out more. It features four lush tunes that roll deep with languid chords, deft little funky guitar riffs and laidback vibes that douse you in all the feels. 'We Live In The Hills' is the standout for us with its fleshy synth work and a sprinkling of tropical percussion.
Review: Joe Babylon's cultured US label Roundabout Sounds has never rushed music out but when it does serve up new material it is always timeless and top quality. This latest EP is the first installment in the new All Hands series and it features some real house heavyweights. Frits Wentink kicks off with the mystic and lo-fi depths of 'Jellyfish, then DJ Aakmael layers up his soft edge chords and cuddly kicks drums with some muted horn motifs that bring the romance. The label head brings some upright drums and spoken word lyrics for a beautifully warm sound and last of all Detroit royalty Rick Wilhite links with Jon Easley for a final blissed-out and breezy deep house day dream.
Review: If you have been dancing recently you might well have already been enamoured by the charms of some of the tunes on this new one from the superb Razor N Tape label by Magic Words, a new project from NY-based producers Eli Cohen and Peter Hargarten. Centred on an emotive and dreamy loop, the title tune epitomises Balearica with its Spanish guitar and melancholic harmonies. Toronto's Jex Opolis delivers a massive remix that retains the original's delicate texture, overlaying it with a pulsing, club-ready drum foundation that is sure to make it a real summer staple.
Jordan Fields - "It's An Interesting Thought" (5:19)
Black Eyes - "Get Down For The Hydro" (5:54)
New Digital Fidelity - "Needs" (5:56)
Boo Williams - "The Place To Go" (6:29)
Mosaik Kollektif - "Plankton" (7:10)
Miguel Herrnandez - "Sea Roots" (6:13)
Frankie M - "Operating In The Red" (6:36)
Delano Smith - "Trapped Inside" (6:21)
Review: The third volume in the Unity series from Norm Talley's label Upstairs Asylum is another one packed with big hitters, many of who are US house mainstays. Jordan Fields opens up with 'It's An Interesting Thought', a heady number with cosmic pads twinkling up high. Black Eyes brings some rawness with the astral sounds of 'Get Down For The Hydro' and Chicago master Boo Williams offers more techno-leaning sounds than usual on 'The Place To Go.' The loop expert that is Delano Smith shows off those skills once more with his swirling and hypnotic 'Trapped Inside'. Miguel Herrnandez also stands out with his string-laced delight, 'Sea Roots'. An essential and authentic collection once again.
Review: The third and final EP from the ten year anniversary series by French label D3 Elements is another one that offers a wide range of excellent grooves. To kick off, Jason Hogans takes us into woozy late night territory with muffled leads and lazy breaks, then Zopelar heads for the cosmos on his radiant synth laced house offering 'Resolution.' Malik Hendricks keeps it low key and slow with his intimate basement sounds on 'Green Mango' then Meftah rebuilds on a dusty Theo Parrish tip with 'Maha Shatki.' Damar Davis offers pure cosmic deep house lushness on closer 'Kiss In The Dark.'
Review: The already well-cultured Selections label keeps it classy with this 13th outing. Manooz is at the buttons and taps into a timeless deep house sound from the off. 'Welcome Haruka' pairs widescreen chords with warming, glowing bell harmonies and dreamy vocals. 'JV2080 Infinity' (My Pitch mix) brings more swift tempos and smeared synth work that channels early Detroit. There is a playful skip and some sultry sax lines to 'Essential Sax' which recalls great artists like Jovonn and 'Take One (JX08)' rounds out this most effective and emotive house EP with some soulful Glenn Underground style grooves.
Review: Two house music institutions come together here as DJ Steaw lands on the Kaoz Theory label run by Kerri Chandler. He brings his usual stylish sounds to four cuts that cover all forms of house. First up it's a deep US garage vibe with jazzy chord work on 'Get Back To The Fonk' then 'Don't Stop' brings more punch low ends but no lack of emotion. 'In My Body's House' throws it back to the 90s with its muted sax stabs and organ basslines complete with wailing diva vocals and the blame and future facing cosmic house of 'Grey Matter' closes out a nicely varied EP.
Review: East End Dubs's Eastenderz label has carved out its own sonic niche in a world where dub, garage, tech and hose all collide. The label has always found superb artists who tap into that and now it is Dennis Quin who offers up his own take on the template. After ounce opener 'Check The Message' comes the sweat inducing 'Done To Me' then dubbed out and low slung 'Power Surge' which is playful and packed with irresistible vocals and drum bumps. 'Thru With You' shuts down with cheeky garage vibes and naughty bass.
Horny (Radio Slave & Thomas Gandey Just 17 mix) (7:57)
Horny (Riva Starr remix Perc-apella) (4:36)
Review: Mousse T's 'Horny' is one of those ever-green crossover dance music classics that cannot fail to get any party popping. For that reason it has been remixed by some fresh names to adda more modern twist to the iconic hooks and sleazy vocals. Riva Starr's vision kicks off with bigger drums, and after the extended mix comes a double-pronged rework from Radio Slave and Thomas Gandey. It's a synth laced version with more subdued beats and a trippy lead synth. east of all is the useful tool that is the Riva Starr RMX Perc-cappella.
Review: The third vinyl release of the year from Blur Records sees three distinguished producers - ColorJaxx, T.Markakis and Manuel Kane - sharing duties, each delivering a track each but with the distinctive, music-centred 'deep house fusion' flavour of the Blur label very much at their heart. ColorJaxx's 'I Know You' kicks off proceedings in upbeat mood, goaded along by a skippy garage beat, some beautiful piano work and arresting male vocals. 'Ain't Like That' by T.Markakis rolls slower and deeper, clouds of warm synth giving it a reassuring, dub feel, while Manuel Kane's 'Funk' boasts a cheery, end-of-evening sparkle with its hypnotic vocal samples and gentle sirens. Quality without pretention whichever way you turn.
Turned Your Back (Atjazz extended remix instrumental) (5:03)
Review: J Axel and Eva Essa find magical harmony on this new collaboration on the Do It Now Recordings Vinylized label. 'Turned Your Back' is a perfectly heart-melting, life-affirming bit of soul-drenched and intimate deep house with gorgeous vocals and super smooth drums all healing you to your core as the gentle rhythms wash over you time and time again. It's a faultless original but one that is also ripe for remixing and who better than Atjazz who slightly ups the tempo but keeps the deep, wavy rhythmic vibes and adds a little cosmic magic in the synths. A sublime package indeed.
Review: Stefan Braatz's latest EP, Outlaw, on Nu Groove, showcases his timeless sound and genre-defying approach. With a career spanning three decades, Braatz is celebrated for his diverse expertise, blending old-school reverence with contemporary techniques. The title track, featuring vocals from Chicago house pioneer Harry Dennis, kicks off the EP with Braatz's signature synth energy complemented by Dennis's effortless flow. The following solo tracks further exemplify Braatz's defiance of genre constraints: 'Conversation' engages in a euphoric dialogue between synth strings and piano loops, while 'Dingy Thoughts' and 'One More Dream' delve into darker club territories with intense, pulsating rhythms.
I Love Talking To You, Even Though I've Nothing To Say (6:04)
Beyond Content (11:07)
Review: Fast-rising French label Phonogramme has released some genuinely brilliant music of late, and this three-tracker - a collaboration between long-serving Ukrainian producer Vakula and fellow Eastern European artist Logich AKA L.G - is another must-check EP. The pair hit the ground running with 'FD', a deliciously mind-altering, 13-minute concoction in which bubbly acid lines, spacey electronics and dubbed-out synth sounds rise and fall atop a jacking, 116 BPM deep house beat. Elsewhere, 'I Love Talking To You, Even Though I've Got Nothing To Say' is a deep, dusty, low-slung and analogue-rich slab of lo-fi deep house excellence, while 'Beyond Content' is an ultra-spacey exercise in tease-and-release dancefloor hypnotism that runs to 11 mesmerising minutes. If you like your house deep, you need this in your life.
Hand Made (feat Brutha Basil - Peacey remix) (5:30)
Hand Made (feat Brutha Basil - Rocco Rodamaal Raw mix) (4:46)
Hand Made (feat Brutha Basil - South Beach Recycling remix) (6:16)
Review: Steve Butler's most recent full-length excursion as Abel, Cosmic Law, rightly received plenty of plaudits on its release last year. 'Hand Made', a spacey, tech-tinged deep house featuring evocative spoken word vocals by American wordsmith Brother Basil, was one of that set's stand out cuts. This single release naturally features Butler's original mix, plus three new reworks. Rising star Peacey kicks things off with a spacey, bouncy, breakbeat-sporting revision, before Rocco Radamaal delivers an analogue bass-propelled, keyboard stab-sporting 'Raw Dub' that sounds like it was tailor made for dark, strobe-lit peak-time dancefloors. To round things off, sometime nu-disco sorts South Beach Recycling re-imagine the track as an intergalactic, ultra-deep slab of house hypnotism wrapped in spacey electronics.
Review: It's seven up for the young but already crucial Treasure Series label and this new 12" from FR is another one packed with smart samples and playful, catchy grooves. The timeless vocal work of Jamiroquai is sampled on the opener to bring some funk to deep beats. The same cut 'Canny Hot' then gets dubbed out, stripped back and made into more of a seductive late night roller before 'Delicate' stars the flipside off with horizontal house grooves, mystic synth leads and some steamy vocals. 'Daddy's Face' is another late-night roller with dreamy George Michael vocals drifting in and out to rousing effect.
Review: A two-track 12" with fresh artwork and a nice heavyweight pressing, with one side taken by each artist. Sy Sez kicks off 'Change The System' with dub-wise vocals which then make way for a tight, taught, bouncing house groove with fat bass. Things are utterly different on the flip with Leeds legend and sometime Nightmares on Wax collaborator offering the deep house delights of 'Knights' with its soulful vocal whispers, intimate late night chords and warm, candle-lit vibes.
Review: Greenhouse Recordings label head and long-time master of deep house Andrew Macari steps up to his own imprint with a bunch of fine originals. The opener is a deep tech cut with steely drums that are tight and compelling and offset by smooth chords. Manuel Sahagun then steps up to remix and brings a touch of jazz to his chords which swirl around over heavyweight bass rumbles. 'U Got Me' is then a house sound that harks back to the DIY heyday of Nottingham with its bumping drums and lush chord work and 'When I Want' closes out with more fresh synths and an alluring female vocal.
Review: Ornate Music has been serving up quality deepness since 2008 but it's been a while since we heard from them. Edinburgh based producer, Rai Scott, returns to Ornate Music, previously releasing on the imprint back in 2014. This long overdue followup to her Innershift EP brings ethereal atmospherics and hypnotising percussion. The opener is a dreamy and celestial vibe with gently rolling beats, while Version 2 is more defined by the smeared chords which spiral to the heavens. 'As Honest As She Lived' is another electric lullaby with well-crafted ambient pads and 'Nina' ends with layers of bells, glistening keys and shimmering melody that soothes the soul.
Review: Max van Dijk and Oliver Hiam together make up both Tessellate and The Trip, the latter of whose latest record 'Uncovered' is here brought to the former record label. A retromodern take on acid trance and breaks for the present proto-cyborgish condition, 'Uncovered' propounds a stark rediscovery of elated breaks and pinging highs; A-sider 'Love Struck' likens the experience of love on the dancefloor to that of an airhorning, crowd-screaming, hoop-earringed, fringed, tube-socked, Adidas tracksuit-sporting dream; the track is an inevitable boon for any DJ hoping to quickly raise the pace. Speeking of pace, the B sports 'I Need (Speed)', which, eschewing any reference to psychotropic drugs for a sec, fuses nebulaic soul vocal echoics with lurching speed garage come pure piano house bliss. Never slow down!
Review: Louie Vega's Expansions In The NYC album remains a classic of the house master's vast ouvre. It was an all-star affair from the Masters at Work icon which same him pay homage to New York disco, boogie and house with fantastic musicianship, arrangements and vocals from a superb cast which includes Peech Boys main man Bernard Fowler, Honey Dijon, Cindy Mazelle, Moodymann, Kerri Chandler and his son Nico. Two of the cuts from it now make their way onto this 12" on Nervous in the form of the soulful delights of the sooth a-side 'Another Day In My Life' and the jazzy, piano laced dancer that is 'Deep Burnt' (feat Axel Tosca) on the B-side. Life affirming stuff.
Review: German mainstay Cinthie offers up three varied and vital house weapons to relaunch her label after a two and a half year hiatus. Riffing off her primary footing in the scene as a DJ, Cinthie is one such artist whose recorded music splashes have to be just that - splashes - in order to really convince the world of her narrative and selective decks-bound prowess. A three-tracker of thumping, swelling, visceral proportions, 'You Know How' kicks proceedings off on a note of functionality, before plunging us into translucent, pane-cracked vats of ultra-processed, ready-to-imbibe liquid piano house bliss. After the inaugural ingestion, we're met with the fluid wordless poetry of 'Mellifluous' before ending on the excessively percussive square-root-of-zero, 'Can You?'. Perhaps a question best left unanswered, much better danced to.
Review: Nu Groove's ongoing edits series turns its attention to one of the legendary NYC's most iconic early release, Bas Noir's 1988 garage-house classic 'My Love Is Magic' - a piano-powered vocal number fronted by two female singers from New Jersey and produced by the Burrell Brothers. Their original club mix is featured (A2), alongside a trio of fresh re-edits. Bushwacka kicks things off with a deeper, more sonically detailed and marginally punchier rework that makes much of the Burrell brothers' percussion and piano stabs, before Mark Broom takes over on side two. His 'dub retouch' fittingly sounds like a piano solo-sporting NYC house dub of the late 1980s - no bad thing in our book - while his more revolutionary 'A12 mix' re-casts the track as a harder, heavier peak-time loop jam.
Review: Some serious house action going on here with the legendary deep house pioneer Kerri Chandler linking up with Dennis Quin and Troy Denari for their own unique take on the 1998 house classic 'You're In My System'. The original has been a key part of many of the best DJs' record bags for decades and now it gets a contemporary twist. Chandler brings his signature soulful keys and pounding kick drums - all using the same hardware that was used on the original, we're told, while singer-songwriter Troy Denari adds his new vocals to the track. On the flip is a paired back and warm, deep, driving DQ dub, all pressed up on nice blue vinyl.
Review: Over the summer Skepta was teasing hints of a forthcoming track which looks set to take his superstar status even further. Amy Winehouse's influence is still felt massively across the music world - the tragedy of her story collides with her natural talent to carry a huge amount of power and that's what Skepta's drawn on sampling 'Tears Dry On Their Own' from Winehouse's classic 2006 LP Back To Black. Strapping a vocal lick from the track to an anthemic deep house production, it's a focused club workout for the UK rapper, pressed up on yellow vinyl and billed as 'A Tribute To Amy'.
Review: Don Carlos should by now be known to most house music crate-ologists as Carlo Troja from Verase, Italy -not Euvin Spencer from Kingston town. Alas, confusion still runs rampant over the ambiguity surrounding the Don Carlos name; if only they'd heard just how great this new EP from the former North Italian nuff-sayer truly was, they'd never forget the difference, of course! 'Italian Paradise' is a fresh, still dripping-wet house EP out via Groove Culture; its lightweight organ triplets, electric piano smears, and lens-fogged sunglass strings are what makes it *it*: a more than suitable release for hammock skygazing and/or wooly garment shedding.
Review: Tiger Stripes makes his debut on Matt Edwards' Rekids label with the I Heard It Through The Bassline EP, a two-track release that highlights his refined production skills. The title song has a deeply infectious bassline that drives the rhythm, blending seamlessly with tight house grooves and sophisticated gospel vocals. This track sets a compelling tone with its irresistible energy. On the flip side, 'Everybody's Doing It' offers a more subdued vibe, characterised by its stylish, low-slung groove. The track evokes the atmosphere of a dim-lit club or a contemplative late-night drive through the city, making it perfect for those introspective moments on the dancefloor. As the founder of the Strange Idols label, Tiger Stripes has been a significant force in the underground music scene since the early 2000s. With collaborations alongside artists like Kerri Chandler and Jerome Sydenham, and releases on labels like Hot Creations and Get Physical, his latest EP on Rekids further shows his talents.
Review: Fresh & Low started out as a production partnership between Calum Walker, David Robertson and Julian Dembinski, three deep house heads in the UK with something to say. It's telling they ended up synonymous with Guidance and that wave of dreamy, gritty groovers from the likes of Callisto and Dana Kelley, but their first record Little I arrived on West Side in 1997. The sound was already fully formed, hitting a seductive, nocturnal mood perfectly captured on the dubby sensuality of 'No Going Back'. Dirty drums, subtle swing and synth hooks you could just melt into - this is surely some of the best deep house ever made, reissued by Rawax and sounding better than ever.
Review: London based Sosure Records releases their next house music 12". The 'Sweet Talk' EP by Physical Education carries four prime cuts of deep house business on one sweet piece of wax. Fans of Chicago house that are on the jazzy tip are sure to like the title track and 'Work On That Soon' for their ability to move people yet still be deep enough for the discerning house music heads. Our favourite of the lot just might be the ender 'Dreamsville' for its super cool bassline and catchy piano use. This is a strong four tracker that can do some dancefloor damage. A great find.
Review: Chicago house legend and self-professed gangster DJ Sneak must have been busy recently because he has a couple of great EPs arriving this summer. This one takes him to the long-running East Yorkshire label Hudd Traxx and given the title, For The Soul Vol 1, could be the start of a series. That would not be a bad thing cause these are more than useful jams starting with 'We All Need Love' which pairs his raw, loopy, groovy style with disco-infused samples. 'For The Soul' is another silky and hypnotic house sound with hooky tones and lovely snares, while on the flip 'From Da House' gets more joyous with its streaming chords and last but not least, 'En Route' brings a more raucous percussive edge for peak time deployment.
Review: If there is a more hyped artist in the world right now than Fred... again we aren't sure who it might be. The lad who grew up close to Brian Eno and has since worked with him in the studio is a global star who has also collaborated with Four Tet and Skrillex, played all over the world, won various awards and dropped several albums now presses up his acclaimed USB to gatefold double vinyl. It is a collection of his early singles that captures his lo-fi, lived-in, diaristic sounds across a range of experimental electronic styles.
The Light (Jesse Bru's Sea Of Change remix) (5:00)
Touch Me (4:14)
Review: Yann Polewka is the man in charge of the GLBDOM label's fifth outing and a fine one it is too. He brings plenty of timeless house vibes to the opener 'Keep On' with its Kerri Chandler style bumping kicks and feel-good piano chords next to subtle vocal chops packed with soul. 'Oblivion' is another upbeat, uplifting house cut with a classic underbelly and rich chords to get those hands in the air. 'The Light' once again layers up well-crafted chords, irresistible drum funk and nice analogue percussion. Last of all, Jesse Bru's Sea Of Change remix of the same tune brings a more deep and late night feel to close out a top EP.
Mike (Agent X) Clark - "Where You Get Your Funk From?" (5:13)
Sillygirlcarmen - "Good Times" (4:41)
Review: House of eFunk is back with another home to the legends of Detroit with Efunk Detroit Volume III. It is the one and only DJ Minx who kicks off with the stripped-back and low-slung dusty house depths and drive of 'Sweet'. Marcellus Pittman then offers another of his brilliantly raw, spare cuts in '888 In The Groove' with its swirling pads and raw hi-hats, then Mike (Agent X) Clark asks 'Where You Get Your Funk From?' by layering up smudgy pad swirls and prickly analogue beats under chopped up vocals. Sillygirlcarmen's 'Good Times' shuts down with a more steamy and sensuous sound topped with emotive vocals.
Review: Boo Williams is in good company appearing here on Sushitech's sub label Pariter where he joins the illustrious likes of Delano Smith and Norm Talley in its ranks. You wait for a Boo Williams record and then, of course, two come along, 'Day Rise' being accompanied by the simultaneously released 'Night Fall', each with their own corresponding vibe. 'Day Rise' is definitely more upbeat of the two but it's a subtle distinction - it's certainly not full of 4AM bangers designed to keep you awake until the busses start running again. 'Talley Up' is a very straight forward affair, circling around a two note synth riff and gradually building percussion. 'The Take Over' is similarly spritely, another builder with crashing cymbals, jazzy chords and drum machine tumbles steadily building an insurmountable wall of funkiness. Breezy, bumping closer 'Teleport' completes the set, meaning three ultra-handy, raw but sophisticated tunes that house and techno DJs alike will find slipping into their sets with a natural ease.
Review: He may have been at it for more than 30 years, but New Jersey hero Kerri Chandler is still capable of delivering fine, life-affirming music with soul. 'Caged Bird', featuring vocals from South African rising star Nae, is one of the legendary artist's most ear-catching and soul-enriching efforts for some time. For proof, check his 'Full Vocal Media Mix', where Nae's pretty, picturesque vocals, bittersweet piano refrains and sultry strings rise above a crunchy, unfussy, hot-stepping deep house beats. The accompanying remix package is predictably strong too. Italian producer Moplen steps up first, opting for bouncier, NJ-influenced beats, squelchy synth bass and some rather lovely electric piano chords. Atjazz handles the B-side, delivering vocal and instrumental takes that up the tempo, showcase tech-tinged deep house sounds and cannily loop up Chandler's simmering strings.
Review: The Phonogramme label is a real stamp of house quality, whether serving up deep, French or garage-tinged. This new 12" from Lucas Monet does a bit of all that and more. 'Low Gravity' (feat Dusty Fingers - Deeper dub is a classic New Jersey sound with neon chords and Kerri Chandler kicks. 'Losing You' (Paradise mix) has a more optimistic and upbeat feel with organ stabs and finger clicks and 'Deep In The Blue' (937 club mix) has a little more jack and swing to it. 'Music' (UKG Private mix) shuts down with an irresistible old school groove full of love.
Review: Frits Wentink continues his long-running relationship with Wolf Music, a partnership that is now entering its eleventh year. 'Club Land', the title track from the Dutch producer's first EP of 2024, is a nostalgic and glassy eyed affair, whose sparkling piano riffs, bumpin' house beats, mazy synth solos and rubbery bassline sit somewhere between the Frankie Knuckles and MK productions of the mid 1990s. The A-side also boasts a slightly jazzier and more US garage-influenced 'Alternate Mix' that also boasts some rather addictive organ stabs. Over on side B, he opts for a deep, dubby and trippy sound on 'Crowd Contriol', before doffing a cap once more to vintage NYC and NJ deep house on superb closing cut 'Run Run Slow'. One of his best for a while and that's saying something!
Review: Those of a certain age will recognise Inland Knights; during the 1990s and 2000s they headed up the UK deep house wave associated with the Smokescreen and DIY free party crews. Although the duo (Andy Riley and Laurence Richie) have continued to DJ, their releases have been few and far between in recent years. In fact, the aptly named Revive EP marks their first outing on vinyl since 2017. Opener 'Slummin' It' is loopy and trippy, with excellent use of cut-up r&b vocal samples, while 'The Game' is a chunky, bass-heavy and jazz-flecked workout of the sort they ysed to turn out for fun at the turn of the millennium. On side B, we get two versions of 'Deep In': their pleasingly sleazy, druggy and analogue-rich original mix (a proper five-in-the-morning workout), and a more musically expansive (but no less trippy) Jake Childs remix.
Review: Two years ago, Make a Dance's M.A.D Records delivered their first compilation style EP - a fine five-tracker containing cuts from a mix of rising stars (Tom Carruthers, Asa Tate) and old heads (Andy Ash, Hard Drive Library). On this belated sequel, they've chosen to chowcase cuts from newcomers - with pleasingly strong results. Babyrollen impress with opener 'Whatuwant', a post-punk-sampling slab of acid house bounciness that sounds like an underground anthem in waiting, before we're treated to two slabs of jacking house-meets-deep house excellence: George Plant's'Music Begins' and the proto-house-tinged wonder that is 'Extasis' by Dim City. Over on the flip, 'Mambo' by Marma is deep, tactile and loved-up with lots of delay-laden drum hits, while Bobby Metronome's 'Body Free' is a colourful slab of pitched-up deep house/nu-disco fusion.
Review: Pariter has lined up a trio of classic house reissues for your enjoyment this Spring. They come from Smooth & Simmonds who are famous for managing to smooth out the differences between house, garage and techno and are firm favourites of deep-digging heads for that reason. All of these cuts - which like the other two EPs have been freshly remastered for the occasion - are some 30-odd years old and are textbook examples of timeless grooves. 'Climax' has tight, kinetic drums that punch out an irresistible pattern as swirling pads fishing them off up top in some style.
Squaremode - "The Wheel" (original Piano reprise) (3:50)
Review: REBIRTH 10 came back in 2016 as a limited double CD to mark the tenth anniversary of the label founded by visionary Daniele 'Shield' Contrini. It was curated by the deep house don Mr Fingers aka Larry Heard, and took listeners on a journey through the evolution of the label. Now it lands on vinyl for the first time ever and is still as relevant as ever with iconic releases like NUfrequency feat. Ben Onono's 'Fallen Hero' (Motor City Drum Ensemble Remix), Yotam Avni's 'Pentimento' (Joe Claussell Remix), Butch & C.Vogt's 'The Infamous' (Robytek Vs Shield Re-Edit) and original music and remixes from Larry Heard himself.
Review: Native Soul Recordings made a great start with release 001 and the follow-up is easily as good. It's a collaborative offering from two venerated veterans in Roman Nunez and JT Donaldson that taps into both men's signature sounds. The result is 'Feelin' Real Good' which will indeed make you feel real good such is the irresistibly warm nature of its bump 'n' slide house groove and twinkling late night melodies all topped off with a smart male vocal. JT Donaldson also offers a more trippy out and tech-y dub and synth laden remix. This is timeless and summery house music that oozes class and sophistication.
Review: Fresh from delivering the excellent El U Vee EP, Make a Dance welcome North-East titan Geoff Kirkwood AKA Man Power to M.A.D Records for the first time. This time round, Kirkwood has company: Kenyan singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rapasa Nyatrapasa. The pair set their stall out on opener 'Lou Land', where Nyatrapasa's Kenyan vocals and percussion slowly rise above a deep, drowsy and trippy deep house groove, before opting for an Amapiano-influenced Afro-tech-meets-Afro-House vibe on the more electronic 'Battle Hill'. Make a Dance deliver two takes on the latter on side B: a proto-house style vocal 'Remix' rich in vintage synth sounds, undulating acid bass, drum machine fills and echo-laden drum hits and a 'Dub Mix' that re-invents the track as a hazy, immersive slab of dub house/deep house fusion.
Review: UK house mainstay Nail has some long roots that go all the way back to the Nottingham scene of the mid-nineties as part of the DiY crew, while he also explored more downtempo sounds as one half of Bent. He is still very much kicking out the jams all these decades on, always with a nice sharp groove and crisp hi hats. That is the case again here with his Mercy EP on Kick-n-Dance which ones with the striped back and infectious 'Broccoli', gets more deep and vibes with 'Lettuce' and comes doused in soul in the case of the flipside opener 'Whas Happenin' which channels Marvin Gaye. 'Spring Greens' is another smart tech house closer that does everything right.
Review: Australian producer Inkswel is back on the Cosmocities label in France with more of his superbly soulful sounds, this time with none other than Chicago legend Robert Owens. The lush 'Space Love' is a playful deep house jam with the sort of cosmic synths that recall early Fingers Inc and Owens's smoky tones only heighten that feeling. Steve Spacek provides a mix that rides on broken beats with elastic bass but just as much cosmic energy and a Fluterumental gets all loose-limbed and seductive. On the flip side are two Yoruba Soul mixes that bring extra rich soul vibes and shimmering pad work. A classy and timeless EP for sure.
Review: Alton Miller's previous appearance on Rawax's Motor City Edition series, 2019's Amazed, was a genuine treat, so a follow-up is well overdue. What's on offer appears to be a mixture of sought-after cuts from his archives and previously unreleased material. In the former category you'll find 'Love Inside (Detroit Dub)', a soul-soaked chunk of warming and spacey Motor City deep house from 2002 and the subtly Latin-tinged, Ron Trent-style melodious warmth of 2009 cut 'Higher'. Elsewhere, 'Chari' is a gorgeous chunk of summery, sun-soaked deep house positivity rich in colourful chords and kaleidoscopic lead lines, while 'Mocasays' offers a near perfect blend of raw, tech-tinged grooves, sustained chords and sparkling piano riffs.
Review: Pampa is a label that operates in its own unique niche, left of centre and rich in defence to house, pop, minimal and hip-hop. Dave DK is a similarly inventive and singular producer so they are a match made in heaven. This new EP opens with the humid house sounds of 'Herzen Auf' which is run through with diffuse chords and dreamy vocal sounds full of soul. 'Ross 308' then gets more percussive and tribal with a jumbled groove that is marbled with psyched-out vocals. The best of the lot is deep house closer 'Don't Eat The Homies' with its wispy pads and elegant, feelgood chords.
Review: Detroit house maverick and FXHE boss man Omar S is back with a new EP named seemingly in honour of himself. And why not? Few house producers can touch him even 20-plus years into his career. The title cut 'O Maarr' is dry, paired back but immediately catchy with a loved-up vocal loop and knackered kicks that bump along nicely. The second track 'Glass' is for lovers of lo-fi sounds of the sort that this man has made his signature. Searching synths circle the dusty analogue drums and coarse claps add some raw texture. 'Bug Off' is another archetypal Omar S cut - pensive chords that are whimsical and inwardly reflective over chunky beats and bass with brighter chords bursting out of the mix to bring a hint of optimism.
Review: Following the success of Joaquin Joe Claussell's sold-out edits of Crowns of Glory's 'Lord Look at Your People' from his Praise - Gospel Music According to Joaquin Joe Claussell series comes another 12" release featuring two more of his masterful edits. Side A offers 'Jerusalem,' a rework of a gospel soul rarity by Bishop Jeff Banks and The Revival Temple from Master of The Mind. The original version is also included while over on the flip, we finally get the much-anticipated vinyl version of Claussell's edits of The Gospelaires' 'God Helps Those Who Help Themselves,' which is yet another gem in his long line of innovative gospel edits. Hallelujah.
Mass Digital - "The Need In Me" (feat Katherine Ellis) (7:20)
David Orin - "Downpour" (feat Hannah Noelle) (8:01)
Budakid - "Promised" (6:51)
Alejo Gonzalez, Barklas - "Ten Days" (7:11)
Review: All Day I Dream is a deep house lover's dream - a factory line for interesting, quirky and most importantly effective grooves from a worldwide spread of artists. They have a thing for offering up seasonal compilations of their sounds and now, though rather late, we get the Summer Sampler 2024. It's a treasure trove of sounds to get lost in and mentally escape with - rolling drums, wispy pads and airy melancholia all deftly designed and nothing to mind, body and soul. Mass Digital, Double Touch, David Orin and Raw Main are all new names to us, but they all impress.
Review: Sophisticado play host to a tropical deep house collab for the ages. Here Vick Lavender teams up with fellow stalwart Elbert Phillips for a deep, girthy pair lf under-the-palm drenchers. 'Brotherhood' privileges neither artist's preferred style, instead offering two versions of the track - one for Vick and the other for Elbert - while also rounding things off on a 'Drums Mix', closing up shop on a nonetheless still-driven percussive note. Handle this one with care, and you'll be rewarded with flair.
Review: Ruvenzori makes the move to vinyl with four artists breaking new ground in the field of organic, spiritual house music. There's a Balearic tint to these harmonious jams, which melt into each other like one extended blend for the terraza of your dreams. 'Uluwatu' features Stan Tone and Izhevski collaborating on a swirling masterpiece with the steady tick of minimal tech house as an undercurrent for ascendant chimes, fluttering guitar licks and vocal murmurations. On 'Ayomi' Talemates joins the pair as they match emotive piano chords with sampled vocal loops, capturing an endearing, eyes-closed vibe in the process.
Review: Brixton-based David Agrella returns after the success of his Baby Ford-remixed 'Modulo 02', with two tracks and a nifty remix of each to boot. 'I Felt It Coming' is a heady peak time track, with Underground Resistance-style drum machine handclaps and an addictive synth hook and all the suspense and drama of a Stephen King horror tale. Domenico Rosa's remix turns that frown upside down, converting it into a perky, cheeky and altogether lighter workout that nevertheless will keep feet on the dancefloor. 'Reflexion Nocturna' (Priori remix) kicks off the B-side with fizzling dub techno stealth, subtly embellished with a smidgeon of 'Funky Drummer' breakbeat, while Agrella's original closes proceedings with head down, echo-set Leftfield-style prog house skank. Not for nothing is this chap known as one of the techno scene's fastest rising new names.
In The House (feat Tinglefingers- Jimpster remix) (5:52)
Get Up (5:06)
Fresh Air (5:43)
Review: Shadow Pressings hits its stride with release number three, featuring Detroit's own Mike Agent X Clark. A stalwart of the Beatdown movement, Mike's contributions to the scene are legendary, and this EP only adds to his already impressive catalogue. 'In the House Club' leads the charge, a minimal yet impactful track that showcases spoken word from fellow Detroit artist Dr. Tinglefingers. The raw, unpolished feel captures the essence of true Detroit house, with a stripped-back approach that leaves space for every element to shine. Jimpster steps in on remix duties, building on the original with a subtle, yet effective touch. His rework maintains the track's integrity while injecting a deeper groove, with added Rhodes stabs and warm textures that push the energy forward. On the flip side, 'Get Up' serves as a proper homage to the stripped-back, bass-driven sounds that Ron Hardy would have spun at the Muzic Box. Its simplicity is its strength, providing a hypnotic pulse that's impossible to resist. Wrapping up the release, 'Fresh Air' stays true to the underground, offering a deep, minimal cut that speaks directly to the heads. Mike Agent X Clark proves once again why he remains a revered figure in the scene, delivering a release that's primed for both the discerning selector and the dancefloor devotee.
I Got That Feelin' (Demuir's Playboi dub edit) (7:09)
I Got That Feelin' (Deep mix - Kerri Chandler Remaster) (6:56)
I Got That Feelin' (Kerri's dub re-edit) (6:36)
Review: Dreamer G's original on Madhouse Records was the kind of underground gem that defined a momentia track that slotted itself into the DNA of deep house in the 90s. Now, it's back, reimagined by Demuir with a fresh remix that injects a whole new energy without losing the original's soulful core. Demuir handles it with finesse, keeping things punchy yet faithful, delivering a rework that feels both modern and timeless. Kerri Chandler, the man behind it all, steps in with his own re-edit, reminding everyone why this track became such a sought-after piece of vinyl gold. His re-edit is all about refinementihe doesn't strip it down; he polishes it, making it gleam just that little bit brighter. For those still holding on to their original copy, this re-release is as much a nod to the track's legacy as it is an opportunity to hear it in a way that's never sounded better. Then there's the deep mix, which has been meticulously remastered by Chandler himself. It's not just a token touch-up; it's a love letter to a track that's stood the test of time. With the sound quality elevated to new heights, the deep mix captures the essence of Dreamer G's original vision, while making sure it feels right at home on today's systems. Ultimately, this rework package doesn't just revive Dreamer G; it affirms its place in house music's enduring historyiproof that great tracks don't fade, they just evolve.
AFRO GO! (Vick's Jazz Playground extended mix) (10:25)
Ambrosia (Vamp Funk mix) (6:00)
Tonight (with Robert Owens - Vick's extended vocal remix) (9:58)
AcidOutpost (extended Mood 3 AM mix) (8:25)
Review: Sophisticado label head Vick Lavender is back with more of his effortlessly cool and timeless deep house vibrations. He kicks off this latest tasteful missive with the title track 'Afro Go' which has a call & response style, Afro-jazz influenced groover that is perfect for both head and heel. 'Ambrosia' flips the script with a bass lead groove that is a perfect foundation for the smooth undulating synths then on the flip is a previously release collaboration with Chicago vocal legend Robert Owens himself. The lush 'Tonight' his smoky tones and keys from the late D. Millz then 'Acid Outpost' shuts down with a blend of late night jazz chords and potent house depths.
Review: The summer is almost here which means this is exactly the sort of record we want to be reaching for. It's a lush and tropical work of idealised disco grooves, deepest house, Balearic, smooth jazz and Mediterranean cool that cries out to be played loud while you sip on cocktails and dream of being somewhere utterly blissful and classy. Dreamy textures define each cut with nice fresh rhythms, glistening chords and lush melodies all sprinkled with delightful percussive detail. Big up to A Vision Of Panorama for serving up a beautiful album that is sure to soundtrack the warmest months of the year for many.
Review: Jenifa Mayanja is a favourite amongst true deep house heads. Her work is smoky, jazzy, and emotive, and has come on labels like Underground Quality before now. Here she arrives on the sixth EP from fledgling but already cultured label Sole Aspect and shows off her sophisticated sound once more. 'Rise To The Top' is full of elegant harmonies and jazz melodies that dance on pulsing rhythms, 'Like A Dream' brings spiritual vocals to bold chords and dusty drums while 'Our World' has piano lines floating high over the languid drums and bass. 'Rose Colored Glasses' has fresh melodies and challenging synths that defy usual genre norms and bring all new ideas to deep house. This is music that elevates mind, body and soul.
Sho Me Ur Luv (Darren Abrams - Rodney Hightower mix) (6:39)
Flavors (Darryl Tiggs - Darren Abrams mix) (5:24)
Do Ur Thang (Darryl Tiggs mix) (4:35)
Review: Billy Lo keeps it high-class on this expansive new 12" from the French folks at Cosmocities. It is house music that is couched in the traditional US style but with plenty of his own unique embellishments. Importantly, the melodies are meaningful and fresh and add everything from bittersweetness to joy to the dusty, paired back and nicely undercooked grooves. 'Let Ur Body Werk' is the sort of steamy sound that will get close-knit backroom crowds all in a sweat and up close and personal and 'Sho Me Ur Luv' brings a little US garage skip to the analogue drums. Spoken words elevate each tune to work on mind, body and soul in equal measure.
Review: If a new talent from Detroit pops up on the radar, there's an instant magnetism due to the clout the city carries in terms of machine music. JR Disc doesn't disappoint one bit, capturing the raw energy of the city's house and techno legacy in a sincere and original way. The sort of grit you hear caked on the drums on 'Special (Instramental)' can't be faked, likewise the hard-edged soul pinging out of the metallic chords that course through 'Thrust'. This is serious gear for those who like their Motor City workouts over any other kind of house or techno, keeping the vibe tough and funky at all times.
Review: Freerange marks its 300th release in style with a collaboration between label boss Jimpster and Philippa, delivering three cuts that encapsulate the label's legacy. Philippa, a New Zealand-born Berliner, is quickly making a name for herself with releases on Slothboogie and Razor n Tape, plus a debut at Panorama Bar. Her organic, deep, and musical approach has won her admirers across the scene, from DJ Spen to Terry Farley. 'All I Wanted' opens the EP with chunky, driving drums and a bassline that hits hard, paired with MON's looped vocal, which adds a hypnotic momentum to the pulsing synths. Both producers' styles are unmistakable, creating a track that's as groovy as it is atmospheric. 'Dreaming', featuring Care, shifts gears into more ethereal territory. Chiming synths and Rhodes keys build layers of rich texture, producing a floating vibe that's both deep and refined. It works just as well on a chilled house playlist as it does in the early morning hours on a discerning dancefloor. Finally, 'Say What' brings a jazz-inflected, UK garage feel. Shuffling beats and a square wave bassline keep things moving, while bold synth chords straddle the line between retro and contemporary. It's a playful, groovy closer that ties together this milestone release, showing Freerange's enduring ability to push forward while nodding to its roots.
Review: Dutch duo Dam Swindle have spent much of the last 12 months masterminding the 10th anniversary celebrations - and numerous releases - of their popular Heist Recordings imprint. This excellent and wonderfully nostalgic four-tracker is a great way for them to return following a near 12-month gap between EPs. On opener 'Touch Me Again', they add eyes-closed, early Orbital style female vocal samples, breakbeat blasts and bubbly acid lines to a joyous, piano-powered house groove, before going deeper into chunky and dreamy house retro-futurism on the heady and life-affirming 'Hang On'. Their love of strong melodies, memorable chords and rubbery basslines comes to the fore on the joyous 'The Joy of Melancholy', while 'Forever and Ever' is an organ-rich, gospel-tinged fusion of vintage US garage sounds and colourful synth sounds.
Centric House - "Alright Alright" (Micky More & Andy Tee remix) (6:20)
Micky More & Andy Tee, Don Carlos - "The Music Of Your Mind" (feat Taka Boom) (7:36)
Review: Groove Culture taps into an effortlessly timeless house sound with this new remix 12". It sees the in house production team step up on the B-side to remix Micky More & Andy Tee, Don Carlos, Taka Boom's 'The Music Of Your Mind' and the result is a super smooth, soulful roller with passionate vocals and disco sprinkled percussion. Ahead of that, Centric House's 'Alright Alright" (Micky More & Andy Tee remix) is a piano-laced and joyous house bumper with elastic bass and hands in the air energy.
Review: PIV label head DJ Prunk identified Ruze as rising stars in 2023. Since then, they've soared with Beatport chart-toppers like Hardwire and Chapters EPs and their latest offering showcases their signature sound on a fine debut album. The title track introduces smooth house beats, deep yet dynamic. 'Trip' layers precise drums with soulful spoken words over vivid pads. 'Keep It Comin'' amps up the tempo with funky house vibes, while 'Mister DJ' delivers seductive late-night allure. 'Come Together' packs punchy beats and lively sax and 'Repetition,' 'FUTUR,' and 'In The Power' maintain irresistible house grooves, while 'Everybody' ends with a laid-back lounge vibe.
Review: Don Carlos is a legendary house producer behind seminal hits like the Balearic classic 'Alone'. Back in 1997 he hooked up with equally revered Londoner Gareth Cooke to deliver this fantastic double sider. It has become a much sought-after tune in the years since so it now gets a welcome reissue. The opener on the A-side is a big and hugely fun piano romp while on the flip, 'A Room Coloured' sees Carlos exploring a more earthly and lose-limbed house sound with rubbing low ends and plenty of spiritual and soulful vibes in the pads. Great tunes, for sure.
Robert Owens & Nolan - "I'll Be Your Friend" (club mix) (7:29)
Hilit Kolet - "POV Siren" (extended mix) (6:20)
Roach Motel - "The Night" (Philippa extended remix) (6:35)
Terry Farley, Wade Teo & Kameelah Waheed - "Dancing After Dark" (TDK 90 Dope mix) (6:08)
Review: A follow-up to last year's successful compilation 'Faith Presents: Ain't That A Groove', is given to us by the London-based label Faith ran by DJs Terry Farley, Stuart Patterson and Dave Jarvis. The high energy house party sound kicks off with Nolan who features the legendary house voice of Sir. Robert Owens. Hilit Kolet isn't shy with the extended remix of 'POV Siren'. This sound is synonymous with Feller and Heller DJ sets of the mid 90s. Philippa's extended remix of 'The Night' by Roach Motel backs that one up with another prime floor filler with hardly any let up. Lastly, Terry Farley, Wade Teo & Kameelah Waheed brings he deep groover "Dancing After Dark" to the party. These tracks will have you and the nightclub crowd out dancing all night.
Review: Retromigration's Cloudin is a deep house 12" that offers a great blend of fun, jazzy, and serious tracks. Sometimes, all in the same track. It opens with the title track, which is a proper deep house effort that is techy and fresh, with tribal and psychedelic elements. This is followed by 'Only Well,' which is a jazzy funk track with a nice melody. The third track, 'Just Take It,' is a catchy, slick house track with an addictive melody and hints of disco. Side 2 of the album opens with 'They Hatin',' an urban groove track with cool sound effects, an old skool jazz feel and a 70s sound. The album closes with 'You Win,' a clever, different and unique track. Overall, Cloudin is a great 12" that shows that house music can be much more than just an evolution of disco.
Review: Mental health charity label Serenity keeps it sophisticated with its sixth outing and once again donates all proceeds to charity this time Young Minds. It is underground house mainstay and DiY Discs legend Nail who steps up first with a much more breezy and balmy sound than you would expect but it sure is lush. 'Pad On' slips into his more usual and driving house sound but with swirling pads up top for summery refinement. Trixie, Connor Male & Thoma Bulwer then get deep and late night with their punchy 'Impromptune' while Trixie's solo cut 'restless sculptures' is a jacked-up and percussive number that leans into techno.
Review: Smooth & Simmonds was Chris Simmonds and Ron Wells, a pair pf producers who were active from the early to mid-90s and made just a handful of EPs that have all stood the test of time. Three of the best of them have been newly remeasured by a long-time fan at the Pariter label and are now getting served up on fresh wax. This 12" features 90s EP, The Four Seasons, with two mixes of the title cut. The first is a steamy Warehouse Mix with dusty drums, subtle rave whistles and seductive vocals stitched in, while the second is a Factory Mix that rides a little more smoothly on uplifting chord work and brighter synth energy.
Review: L.I.E.S man Tom Carruthers is back on his home label with a new double LP, Downtown Rhythms, that predictably pushes boundaries with a sound rooted in late 80s-early 90s New York House. Carruthers reimagines heavy-duty samples throughout here as he crafts tracks that echo the vibes of Todd Terry and Bones SP-1200. This 12-track collection blends funky, deep, and introspective elements and is rather suited for summer whether blasting from your car stereo or filling the club. True to old-school production, it features additional work from Risk Management's Benedek and Lipelis on some of the jams.
Somebody Already Broke My Heart (Excursions mix) (6:31)
Hang On To Your Love (De Rigueur) (7:35)
Review: Dunno about you, but we are absolute suckers for Sade mixes. Not the tasteless ones that are in no way sympathetic to the original mood - but the deep house reworks that couch Sade's heart-melting toes in soft, dreamy drums are hard to beat. And that's what we have here on another cheeky white label 12". First is a nice blissed out and late night rework of 'Somebody Already Broke My Heart' (Excursions mix) which is a pure joy, and then 'Hang On To Your Love' (De Rigueur) is a little more dancey with disco chords bringing some sparkle to Sade's irresistible tones.
Review: Clive From Accounts returns to Dirt Crew Recordings with three new tracks that showcase his versatility. After building a strong reputation with releases on Razor-N-Tape and his previous EPs, 'Cooking the Books' and 'Pearls,' Clive's fanbase has been eagerly awaiting this next instalment. The title track is a laid-back groover with smooth basslines and intricate drum work that blend seamlessly into soulful, melodic elements. It's a subtle slow-burner, perfect for early evening sets or unwinding after a long night. 'Track Two' steps things up with a more upbeat vibe, mixing bouncing percussion and a punchy bassline. There's an irresistible swing here, perfect for getting feet moving on the dancefloor. It's playful but grounded, bringing an infectious energy without being too over-the-top. The closer is a deeper affair, with lush chords and shimmering synths that give the track a warm, late-night feel. There's a sophistication in its simplicity, effortlessly balancing the organic with the electronic. Clive's latest work is a masterclass in restraint, letting the grooves do the talking without any unnecessary frills. This EP cements his place as one of the most exciting producers on the scene, and his ability to craft nuanced, soulful deep house is second to none.
Allstar MotoMusic - "Not A Place I Call Home" (feat Roger Versey) (6:32)
Alton Miller - "Italio Love" (6:09)
KemeticJust - "Taking Flight" (7:10)
Review: People Of Earth hits release number 20 with Part 2 of The Elements series again offering some super deep sounds from Patrice Scott, Allstar MotoMusic aka Dan Piu, Alton Miller & KemeticJust, which is a cut first released on the old SOCO Audio label. Scott's 'Cycles' kicks off with super deep kicks and heady pads swirling up top, 'Not My Home' (feat Roger Versey) then brings some majestic jazz keys and spiritual vocals and Miller's 'Italio Love' is a strident cut with leggy kicks and celestial pads. KemeticJust's 'Taking Flight' shuts down with more heavy beats but still romantic moods.
Anybody Out There (Mike Dunn Back On 63rd & Artesian remix) (6:24)
Anybody Out There (Mike Dunn Back On 63rd & Artesian dub) (6:22)
20 Paces From The Moon (Steve Mac remix) (6:34)
20 Paces From The Moon (Steve Mac dub) (6:33)
Review: Nu Groove proudly share 'Anybody Out There/20 Paces From The Moon', a sexy four-track package celebrating the work of Marshall Jefferson as Jungle Wonz, and featuring two fresh mixes from the esteemed Mike Dunn and Steve Mac. Jefferson's output under his own name is often sharper and sparser than this otherwise deeper and more truer-to-desire moniker known as Jungle Wonz. Opening with the searching opine for help and salvation, 'Anybody Out There' - "is there anybody out there who really gives a care?", goes the lead vox - we hear a fundamental question firmly footed against a groundwork of bobbly acid and offbeat rimshots, provided on the rerub of Jefferson by Dunn. Dunn also delivers a string-laden dub version of this A1; then Steve Mac offers a set of esoterically extra ests with '20 Paces From The Moon' and another space-loungey version of this latter track for balanced measure.
Review: Move D's latest release, Something 'Bout The D, on his own label Source Records, shows his enduring ability to produce excellent electronic music. Regardless of the genre, David Moufang is a name people trust and purchase without listening. On the A-side, 'Aspiration 2010' mesmerizes with its deep, dubby vibes, infused with low-slung acid elements and techy nuances that permeate the track. On the B-side, the title track 'Something 'Bout The D' channels Detroit-style 90s melodies with ambient undertones, creating a nostalgic yet forward-thinking atmosphere. 'Marshmellow Boots' on the same side offers a departure into deep house territory, with a light jazzy touch and ambient backgrounds that envelop the listener in a gentle, smooth embrace. Move D's ability to blend diverse influences seamlessly is on full display here, making Something 'Bout The D a must-listen for fans of ambient and deep house alike.
Review: Fresh from delivering a fine album of drone and ambient excursions on his own Private Society imprint - the inspired Message To The Universe - Fred Peterkin returns to the dancefloor via a surprise outing on Synchrophone. As usual, what's on offer brilliantly blends deep house rhythms and textures with the kind of more spacey and dubbed-out elements more often heard in Detroit techno and hypnotic tech-house. A-side 'The Sound Exchange' is particularly potent, with Peterkin wrapping a typically tough-but-tactile groove in ghostly chords, hand percussion hits and echoing synth riffs. Over on side B, 'The Sonic Tour' is a brighter and more colourful riff on a similar sonic blueprint - albeit with deeper, heavier sub-bass and sustained synth strings - while 'The Kingdom' pairs a thickset groove with sweeping strings and twinkling pianos.
Review: Back in 1990, Electribe 101 were riding high on the success of 'Talkin' With Myself', a Balearic house classic that ranks among the most saucer-eyed and loved-up songs of the era. The album that followed, Electribal Memories, was a gem, too, though has been largely overlooked - though not by those who fell in love with it at the time - ever since. Happily, it has finally been reissued on vinyl, with half-speed remastering and a deep cut to guarantee aural pleasure. With singer and creative force Billie Ray Martin providing some of her most memorable vocal performances, highlights include the early morning E-soul hypnotism of 'Inside Out' (a genius-like cover of a funk-soul classic), warm-up classic 'Heading For The Night' and the tactile deep house delight of 'Diamond Dove'.
MoFunk & Encee - "Desperado" (feat Roland Clark) (6:36)
MoFunk - "Whattup" (6:18)
Encee - "Bein' With You" (6:45)
Review: Australia's Mo'funk & Encee kick off their new label Only Cuts with a four-rack EP of swinging house grooves and bumpy garage 4×4, using familiar samples to ignite the dancefloor. 'Slick Talkin'' opens with filtered, arch vocal samples - specifically, "you need to get your ass on the dancefloor this minute" - while 'Desperado' follows with an intractable vocal sample come compelling rags-to-riches narration, evincing the fantasy of sheer gumption, bravado and wanting-it-enough in the capricious pursuit of success. 'Whattup' opens the B-side with a slower, but equally discoic and laserific lurch, while 'Bein' With You' reshapes the bodily workings of the floor again, this time by way of Brandy-esque vocal science and a dash of speed garage knock.
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