Back catalogue: Deep House

Review: Founded in 2023, Category 1 Music (C1M) builds on deep roots in house music, focusing on soulful house vocal productions on a fine international scale. Beyond digital releases, they're now diving into vinyl with a series of exclusive drops; the first is a Category 1 Music Sampler, a 12" of four standouts by Terry Dexter, Michael Gray, Dr Packer, Richard Earnshaw, and DJ Spinna. Organic but still well cooked Ibiza house predominates the set menu, whether by way of the ultrasoul wateriness of Terry Dexter's 'You Saved Me' or the tighter but still dreamy entreaties of Shawn Christopher's 'He's Got It', both translated in exquisite mashup form by the likes of Gray and Packer.

Review: What would it take to universalise disco so that every brain sandwiched between two ears could hear and take to the sound like glue? Eddie C and Keita Sano continue a protracted research study in the pursuit of an answer, bringing three new dream-heaters to contrast to their original two in the series' debut, 'Disko Universal' and 'Joy Joy Joy'. Here, 'Not This Time' stands out among a trifecta of well-doused house rousers, steeped in the attenuated, bubblier deep end of a soulful disco-garage-house tradition.

Review: EEE keeps it simple, with the artist, label and EPs all given that simple naming convention. It means there is nothing to focus on but the music. Which is fine by us as this 18th such outing is another doozy that should slip into your record bag post-haste. 'Track 1' has 90s organ chords and a deep, rolling bassline working together to soon get you moving while sustained pads and dry per add detail as a tempting vocal lures you in. On the flip, things are a little less pared back with some widescreen synths adding cosmic scale to the potent tech house drums. Tidy tools.

Review: Though now almost at 20 releases deep, the EEE label and production outfit remain a mystery to us. What we do know is that since debuting in 2017 they have served up a steady stream of playful, charming, accessible edits and mash-ups across the house and minimal spectrum. 'Dubs 4 Clubs' takes a classic vocal that keeps pushing on with thudding kicks, a rolling bassline and enough synth detail to make it a standout in plenty of Ibiza sets this summer.

Review: Leipzig-based Eira Haul takes his tech house sound forward with a fine outing on genre-specialists RAND Muzik here. 'Pocari Sweat' manages to combine the stuff, compelling drums of tech with more balmy and silky synths that bring great dynamics to the groove. It's spaced out and pacey then 'Tectona' kicks on with some bouncing bass and kick combos, sci-fi motifs and smart vocals worked in to bring the soul. 'Root Synergy' zips along with a sense of cosmic space travel that can easily get you locked in and zoned out and then 'Beach Haze' shuts down with a more heady, deep vibe, tropical synth details and a steamy atmosphere for late-night back rooms.

Review: Mysticisms imprint strides purposefully into 2025 via a multi-artist extravaganza that touches on many of the label's regular musical themes. To kick things off, Utopia Records main man Alex Bradley offers up his take on Elements of Life's 1996 jam 'Are You With Me Love', reimagining it as a deep and spacey roller rich in languid trumpet motifs, metronomic synth bass and intergalactic pads, before Norwegian veteran Oyvind Morken asks 'How Bleep Is Your Love' via sprightly analogue synth sounds and jacking, sweat-soaked machine drums. Over on side B, Eirwud Mudwasser and Romansoff join forces on the deep, dubby, steel pan-sampling early morning tribalism of 'Cherrie', while N-Gynn treats us to a spot of deliciously deep acid house ('Es V edra TB Deluxe').

Review: Stockholm trio Ella Guru return with their second release, expanding on the deep house and Balearic palette of their 2023 debut. Now a three-piece with the addition of bassist Hakan Engstrom, their sound leans heavier into dancefloor territory, funkier, looser, more tactile. 'Cowcat' leads with clipped guitars and bubbling Afro-funk bass, while 'Good Vibes Only' folds disco percussion into a joyous, sun-soaked strut. On the flip, Vastertorp producer Funky Loffe reshapes 'Cowcat' into a tougher, filter-swept peak-time tool. The record lands somewhere between early Prins Thomas and modern Scandi-house heat playful but precise and built for good systems.

Review: Encee serves up a superb debut here on the nascent but already impressive Only Cuts Records. It's lush, funky vibes all the way here with 'Carlito' tapping into a classic soulful sound and drenched in loved-up vocals. 'Zhanet' has fizzy, sugary synths darting through the mix as warm drums bounce in neat patterns and 'Hov' then brings some blissful summer synth work and cut up stabs that energise the party without ever starting from deep and rich musicality. 'Meshell' is a perfect vocal cut for summer deployment with wispy chords, r&b vocal chops and colourful bass.

Review: Diagonal Records gives itself over to Australian rising star Jonus Eric, who is sure to have a big year if this is anything to go by. His new EP follows on from a fine recent outing on Gerd Janson's Running Back and once again it finds him serving up six tracks of sample-rich, psychedelic house music with a loveably rase aesthetic. it; shard not to hear the sounds of Theo Parrish echoing through the mechanical house sounds of opener 'Darkwhirl' then the funk-driven 'Crimewave' cuts more loose, the gnarly 'Shapeshift' contorts body and mind and 'Polarity' is a 90s IDM-infused finale. What a trip!

Review: Something ineluctable about the year 1999 haunts music. It's as though the cusp of the millennium wrought a flurry of pre-terror romance, that last slice of postwar epochal gold reaching an ecstatic, elliptical peak before the crossing of a limp, millenarian threshold. Ernesto's second EP for French label Sour leaves us as loosened and open as any such nostalgic rendezvous could, assuming you were born before the fated date. Over brilliants like 'Morning Sweat' and 'Hardware Boogie', the producer joins the likes of Moop Jr. and Lekind in crafting timbral and sophisticated tactiles, chunked analogue basses and filter-designed keys, deepening and advancing our taste in Gay Paree sensuality.

Review: Fratii ro Brazil finally serves up a fourth chapter, some two-plus years since we last heard from them. This one welcomes Ertmi, who appeared on the lashes seance VA back in 2022. His 'Vom Vom Vom' has got minimal classic potential: the synthetic drums and rubbery and funky with crisp hits defining their contours as muted, muffled, mutating synths marbled the groove, and a muttered vocal hook plays out of its own accord. It's playful after-party perfection to unite the whole floor. Two remixes rework it for different moments - Paul K brings a ghoulish energy, and Alex Font & Beckhauser rework it with more housey drums.

Review: For its tenth release, the label showcases Chilean producer Existencia Pasajera, an artist steadily rising in the electronic music scene. This release features five diverse tracks that highlight his signature style, blending deep textures with dynamic rhythms. A standout is the co-production with Dismal, adding a compelling layer to the project. Together, the tracks offer a well-rounded glimpse into Existencia Pasajera's evolving sound, balancing experimentation with dancefloor appeal. This release not only marks a milestone for the label but also solidifies Existencia Pasajera's position as a promising talent to watch.

Review: 'Fix The Pitches On Your Old Turntables To Improve Quality Of Life' on Mud Trax Russia delivers a dynamic and immersive experience in the world of minimal and tech house. The first side opens with Kirill Matveev and Wiklauri's 'Ioli (Kirill Version)', a track that offers a strong, late-night tech house vibe, filled with a driving techno sound. Ataneus' 'Napolitaner' follows, a deeper, chord-based piece with an atmospheric quality and fast-paced tech house elements, designed to energize the dancefloor. On the flip side, Genning's 'Red Lights' brings a fusion of dub techno with flighty, melodic techno sounds, building energy through airy, atmospheric layers. Etzu Mahkayah's 'Cs-13' closes the compilation with a melodic tech house track that introduces trance-like elements, offering a spacey, progressive soundscape. Each track expertly balances depth with dancefloor energy, creating an album that is both atmospheric and immersive, perfect for fans of techy minimal beats and progressive grooves.

Review: Limo Trax wind down the tinters and shoot us a knowing look through the Wayfarers, as their latest procurement in slick minimal house and techno blares out the limo stereo. This latest addition to their colours series comes in verdant green, and corrals the talents of Milion, Exonym, Dombee and Wodda, all of whom lay down a clacking sonic technic each. 'Tuin Van Bret' exposes the vibe with beeping chords and an injurious party-starting film dialogue sample, as swarthy, silly excitable funk ensues. 'Hagring' marks the A2 with a "gimme dem" sample and moody swells, while 'Brixton' pays homage to the legendary Lambeth area with a speed garage distributary, reminiscent of Serious Danger's earliest movements in the sound. 'Dark N Stormy' perfects this speedy trend, adding expulsive breaks and oozing licks between the four-by-fours.

Review: Mita Gami and EREZ unite for 'Where's My Voice?', connecting thrilling Tel Aviv, nighttime NYC and lit LA. Their debut on Damian Lazarus' Crosstown Rebels follows earlier releases on Borders of Light, and also introduces EREZ to the fold. Mainstay Gami, a fixture on the Tel Aviv scene, also here returns a lauded remix of Parallelle & Nicolas Masseyeff's recent single 'Renegade'. EREZ too reiterates his productive intricacies, rejoining after standout releases on Get Physical Music and Discotexas. 'Where's My Voice?' blends EREZ's entrances with rhythmic infections, scaffolding organic percs about a vocal formwork. Samer Soltan's remix deepens the mood, lengthening the three-word motif across a brooding extension.

Review: This special 12" sampler, part of the forthcoming compilation, taps into the timeless spirit of the Paradise Garage with two unreleased collaborations that showcase the late Frankie Knuckles' legacy. On the A-side, the final production from Knuckles, alongside Kenny Summit and Eric Kupper, delivers a soulful, uplifting remix of Lou Rawls' "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine." It's pure house brilliance that captures the essence of the Garage sound. On the flip, the trio reunites for "Loving You," a Motown-inspired anthem featuring Yasmeen's powerful vocals. These tracks, which have been staple spins for DJs like Cajmere and Sonny Fodera, form part of a larger collection that celebrates house music's rich history, with remixes of iconic tracks. The cover art, designed by Alexander Juhasz, adds an extra layer of cultural significance to this must-have release.

Review: A powerful deep house journey with standout tracks blending tech house, soulful garage and house vibes. Side-1 kicks off with 'Do You Think' by Ben Silver and Boogs, a piano-led house stomper with a deep groove that sets the tone for the collection. The second track, 'Valentino (feat. Emerson Alexander)' by Jason Hodges and Joey Coco, brings soulful vocals and crisp production, perfect for fans of vocal-driven house music. Side-2 dives into a more tracky vibe with 'Skippy Disco Track' by Elijah Something, offering a 90s-inspired house sound, ideal for late-night dancefloors. The compilation closes with 'Historia (La Decima Remix)' by Ritmiq, a tech house banger that's addictive and deep, creating a sweaty, floor-ready atmosphere. Overall, this compilation effortlessly blends soulful and techy house elements, providing a dynamic experience for deep house lovers.

Review: Sonidy and Erratic are clearly onto something special with their 'Space Drift' EP released by Yuzu Music US. This collaboration features standout tracks like 'Space Drift', 'Event Horizon', 'Polygon', and 'Constellations' that really showcase their production prowess. With tight percussion and lush synths weaving in and out, this EP grabs you from the first beat and doesn't let go. It's the kind of music that keeps you moving all night - and if you haven't checked these two rising stars yet, it's definitely time you did.

Review: Trent Voyage and Elena Moroder started working together in 2022 and here make their debut on Quirk. It speaks to a duo who have a love of classic US house but have enough skill to bring their own style to it. Elena's dynamic, sensual vocals weave through lyrics about paradise, love and fantasy, with the opener 'Jamiro' a perfect deep house hymn with timeless vibes. 'Show Them' is a more minimal and late-night sound with a twitchy synth and moody vocals bringing more edginess. 'So Good' has a jacked up groove and another magnificent original vocal that harks back to the golden era. 'Cosmic Connection' repeats the trick with a rugged drum sound, then 'Cravings' is built on an electro rhythm with future synth sparks.