Back catalogue: Deep House

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: Secret Echoes, the Mexican trio of Estefani Brolo, Diego Cevallos and Marco Balcazar, are back with 'Particles', a release that builds on their promising 'Bring My Beat Back' debut with Crosstown Rebels. The first track is a deep, groovy journey, led by Brolo's ethereal vocals which blend seamlessly with wonky synths and a rolling rhythm. It's a track that effortlessly flows from introspective moments to dancefloor-ready energy. On the B-side, Greek DJ and producer Angelos gives the track a fresh spin. Known for his Grammy-winning work with Black Coffee, his remix brings a new level of drive and emotion, layering pulsating beats with rich melodies, making it perfect for the late-night crowd. Particles is a great follow-up, offering a glimpse into the trio's upcoming LP. With their unique sound and growing presence, Secret Echoes are showing they're ones to watch in the electronic scene.

Review: Mexican supergroup Secret Echoes make a strong debut on Crosstown Rebels with their single 'Bring My Beat Back'. Comprising the talents of Estefani Brolo, Diego Cevallos and Marco Balcazar, this trio blend their diverse musical backgrounds into a unique fusion of sound that promises to resonate with electronic music fans globally. The main track is a compelling mix of house music foundations, elevated by Brolo's mesmerising vocals, shimmering synths and polished percussion grooves. The result is a silky production that balances classic house elements with modern, dancefloor ready touches. The origins of Secret Echoes trace back to the pandemic, where Cevallos and Balcazar began working on a long-envisioned album. After Brolo joined, the project flourished, leading to the creation of 11 tracks, with 'Bring My Beat Back' catching the eye of Crosstown Rebels founder Damian Lazarus. Adding to the release, Zombies In Miami deliver a remix that infuses the track with neon-lit synths and hazy tones, perfect for late-night sets. An exciting preview of what's to come from Secret Echoes for sure.

Review: Damian Lazarus's Crosstown Rebels continues to serve up top tech tools for jobbing DJs with a new one from Ben Sterling. It's very nearly the label's 300th release and one that does damage from the off: 'Don't Truss' (feat Caitlyn Scarlett) may or may not be referring to one of the shortest-ever prime ministerial chapters in this country's rich history, but what it does do is lock you into the steamy and sweaty drum funk and melt your heart with its superbly angelic vocal. On the flip is 'Bring Me To The Surface' which is a more wonky workout with whirring machines, beeps and squeaks over a punchy tech beat.