Back catalogue: Deep House

Review: Following the warm reception for the most recent Vokabularium release, label boss Denis Horvat once again joins forces with talented vocalist Lilli Ellen on the EP ‘Two Makes Everything’, a murkily earnest progressive house record building on indie pop and blues. The title track moves snakily, through watery grain-echoed synth plucks and brimming background pads, as Ellen pleas for understanding despite a newfound sense of determination in who she is. ‘Gone’, meanwhile, prefers a more plodding abstraction, held together firmly by a three-note stab.

Review: The second offering from Ascension on Wax sees label co-founder Lavan dropping four tracks of gently uplifting house that will seduce and tempt you on the dancefloor rather than batter you into submission. 'For The Love' featuring Manpaintinghouse is hazy and lightly jazzy, a skippy beat nailing it down, before the chunkier four to the floor of 'Folk Song' paves the way for more luxurious instrumentation and some sassy spoken word. Flip it over for the teasing, swirling 'Daamn' and a Black Eyes remix of 'For The Love', which slows things down a notch and takes sonic scissors to the vocal narrative. All four are great and, despite being on the mellower side, or tailor made for DJ use. Top notch all round.

Review: DFA presents a special 12" release from New York's no wave pioneers, Liquid Liquid, paying tribute to the band's profound influence on the label. This double A-side features revitalized versions of their iconic tracks. The first side offers a dynamic rendition of 'Bellhead,' recorded by James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy in 2004. It's an intense percussive journey, overflowing with marimba, drums, and an array of bells, transforming the original's laid-back groove into a vibrant, energetic workout. On the flip side, we have an unreleased version of 'Optimo,' re-recorded by Liquid Liquid in 2008 and then remixed by Glasgow's Optimo (Espacio), the duo named in homage to the track.

Review: Eight further sonic spirits are conjured on the seventh edition in Damian Lazarus' annual compilation series. Emphasising deep house and techno grooves with a hypnotic flavour, the procurement here is exemplarily brooding; Dino Lenny's 'I Have Sampled Father' marks a sure turn away from the openers' cleaner-cut mesmerisms with a smoky, funk-inflected haze, bringing rhythm guitar and paternal murmurations to a surreal montage. The monologuing mood continues on the equal highlight that is Upercent's 'Where Are You', whilst Enamour's 'Jackpot' rounds out the show with the record's only brightly-lit minimal triller. The record is marked by sensuous, distant, familiar voices throughout.

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: Juuz Records box up, package and release the fifth edition in their vinyl only series. Silat Beksi, Soyro, RWN and Zlatnichi are the latest artists to be spotlit, and all of them deliver a seamless minimal techno experience, teeming with tics and fidgets, the four-piece sonic equivalent of a gut microbiome. Usually, we like to home in on the oddest tunes and we'll certainly indulge the impulse here; Silat Beksi and Soyro's 'Shout In 30 Seconds' makes impressive use of gurgly, subharmonic dream-voices, swabbed across the otherwise sticklike mix, like glue holding a skeleton together. Equal technical and ambisonic itches are scratched on Fedo's closing 'Lena Told', whose transitional vocal scramblings play back like furtive rumours spread through a fragile transmission chain.

Review: Daniela La Luz returns with her third album, System Reset, on her own label Dimension Of Being Human. Created after her long illness and her father's death, it parallels the planet's delicate state and the duality of joy and mortality in life. Written in Berlin and Munich, the artist connects past, present, and future as she sings in English, Polish, and Arabic. The AI-generated artwork complements her music's blend of light and darkness in a record that stylishly spans jazz, house, techno, pop, wave, electro, ambient, and dub while offering both dance-friendly tracks and beatless interludes. It's a poignant and personal work.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Small scratches and surface marks on records; label defect on disc 1, side B***


Vick Lavender presents a captivating journey through soulful house music with 'The Time Traveler'. This double LP is a testament to Lavender's deep understanding of the genre, seamlessly blending classic influences with a contemporary edge. From the infectious grooves of '4-11' and 'A Space Love Affair' to the hypnotic rhythms of 'Acid Outpost' and 'Archive 80', the album is a masterclass in soulful house production. Lavender's collaborations with Ammawhat and Angel-A add further depth and dimension, while tracks like 'Misty' and '1981' showcase his ability to craft emotive and atmospheric soundscapes. The extended mixes on Side 3 and 4 provide extended journeys into Lavender's sonic world, highlighting his skills as a DJ and remixer. This is a must-have for any house music enthusiast, a timeless collection that will transport you to the dancefloor and beyond.

Review: Damian Lazarus's fifth studio album is another left-of-centre exploration of house and tech, often with a spiritual twist and hints of voodoo magic. It is heavy on collaborations and finds the Crosstown Rebels boss hooking up with the likes of Hem Cooke for the spine-tingling downtempo opener 'Searchin' while 'R U Dreaming? (feat Mathew Jonson)' is a more deep and bubbly late-night tech sound. 'La Hija De Juan Simon (feat Mestiza)' is laden with percussion and warped bass, and 'Sunrise Generation (feat Fink)' is a deft and progressive melodic roller that is sure to be huge this summer and beyond.

Review: The superb Emile Londonien band returns with their second album, Inwards, which is one that manages to showcase their evolution as well as deepening ties to the British jazz scene with collaborations from artists like Ashley Henry, CHERISE and Kazy Lambist. True to form, Emile Londonien brings their unique style to life here across some majestic cuts that range in mood and groove. They blend broken beat, house, jazz and r&b in a fresh, distinctive way which means that Inwards reaffirms their talent for merging genres, pushing boundaries but also retaining their signature sound.

Review: Los Hermanos' On Another Level, originally released on Submerge in 2005, gets a well-deserved remaster and re-press, reaffirming its status as a Detroit techno classic. This album stands as one of the most soulful and spiritual collections to emerge from the Motor City, blending techno with rich, emotive depth that few records can match. The new tracklisting is the real highlight, now including long-sought-after anthems like 'Birth of 3000', 'Quetzal', and 'Resurrection'. These tracks, which previously only appeared on a deleted 12", are finally available again, giving fans the full experience of Los Hermanos' finest work. However, one notable omission from this re-release is 'Lines Of Nazca', arguably the strongest track from the original pressingia loss that might sting for die-hard collectors. Still, On Another Level remains a vital piece of the Detroit techno canon. It's a testament to the staying power of the genre and its capacity for emotional resonance, even within its most mechanical frameworks. This remaster brings a renewed clarity to the album's sound, making it feel as fresh and impactful as ever. For anyone with a love for Detroit's deep, soulful techno, this reissue is not to be missed.

Review: LP Giobbi, the jazz-trained pianist and dynamic producer, continues to break boundaries with her upcoming sophomore LP, Dotr, through Ninja Tune's Counter Records. Known for her spontaneous, live collaboration and eschewing the rigid structures of electronica, Leah Chisholm aka LP Giobbi draws deep inspiration from her jazz roots. Her fresh approach and commitment to live performance make her one of the most captivating and influential DJs and producers in today's electronic music scene. Dotr promises to build on her already impressive career, showcasing her distinct fusion of genres and live improvisation.

Review: The 2013 album, Ain't Nothing But A Groove, followed in the footsteps of its predecessor back when it as first released. It found the cult favourite LTJ delve into the rich world of disco and 70s groove with his unique touch. Mixing contemporary sounds with the timeless vibe that had become his trademark, LTJ explored this musical landscape like no other and brought forth a fusion of old and new that captivated listeners then and will surely do so again now as it gets a reissue on double vinyl via IRMA.

Review: Galcher Lustwerk, the Cleveland-raised, NYC-based producer, has carved a unique lane in deep, low-key post-hip-house since his 2013 debut 100% Galcher. Through smoky, stream-of-consciousness vocals evincing an ability to both produce and locute, his work blends funk, rap and r&b into hypnotic club and after-hours four-scapes. On Information, his Ghostly International debut, Lustwerk refined his tech-noir house corner. Live drums and jazz sax added fresh texture, while Lust's trademark narrative cryptologes evoked dimly lit dives, fleeting encounters, and an all-round shadowiness. 'Cig Angel' and 'Another Story' pulse with the sonic linguals of mumble-core film and salivatory softened production, while 'I See A Dime' races forward with syncopated lyrics and daring bongos. True to an enciphered ethos, Lustwerk plays with perception: "Information doesn't equal knowledge."

Review: Eric Luttrell's Life at Full Speed via Anjunadeep, features his signature blend of indie-laced house music, characterised by uplifting melodies, intricate synths, and infectious grooves. Written over two years, the album reflects a new chapter for Luttrell, inspired by his experience of becoming a father. The album's 13 meticulously crafted tracks embody a warm and uplifting vibe. Lead single 'Make U Happy' stands out with its playful piano, signature synths, and catchy top line, delivering an irresistible summer anthem. Tracks like 'When I First Met You' and 'Go' feature Luttrell's own vocals, adding a personal touch to his productions. Collaborations also shine, with Canadian artist Molly Moonwater enhancing the euphoric tone of 'Something Right.' Previously released singles 'Sunshine,' 'Space,' and 'Sunrise Song' have already garnered acclaim, setting the tone for the album. Life at Full Speed promises to delight listeners with its melodic productions and engaging vocal moments.

Review: David Lyn's debut album, The World I Hear (Essence of Life), invites listeners to truly stop and listen to the world's music. Exploring the elements of fire, earth, water, and wind, the album focuses on love and wateriboth fluid and powerful. 'Drum Connection' is remixed by Chicago legend Elbert Phillips, a protege of Frankie Knuckles. 'Maria Juana' features Ibero-Cuban artist Arema Arega and composer-producer Andrew Nicholas, AKA Born74. Engineered by Shamrock Guitor and mastered by Andy Compton at Peng Studios, the album boasts arrangements by Dr. Bob Jones and Gee W, with vocal contributions from Vuyelwa Mgatyelwa and Elena Rogozhina. Lyn's album is an international collaboration, blending genres and influences to create music that speaks to the heart, soul, dancefloor and mind.