Back catalogue: Deep House

Review: Released on Cinthie's 803 Crystal Grooves sub-label, Collective Cuts, Valerio Vaudano's latest offering is an exploration of house music's classic influences, filtered through a contemporary lens. Vaudano's commitment to a hardware-based production process, utilising a 90s sampler, lends a distinct warmth and texture to the four tracks.The title track, 'Lose My Mind', immediately grabs attention with its crisp, saturated drums and crunchy stabs. The track builds dynamically, layering choppy vocal hooks and bright strings to create a compelling dancefloor experience. It's a track designed to move bodies with an energy that's both infectious and sophisticated. 'Sunday Remedy' takes a different approach, incorporating bumpy breaks and a weighty kick drum. The track's core lies in its clever amalgamation of vocal samples, which intertwine seamlessly with gritty bass stabs and classic piano chords. It encapsulates the essence of house music, blending raw energy with melodic sophistication. On the flip side, 'Down The Street' delves into deeper territory. Airy chords and breathy vocal chants create an atmospheric backdrop, while bouncy bass stabs and a reduced rhythm section add raw intensity. It's a track that's both introspective and groove-driven, inviting listeners to lose themselves in its hypnotic rhythms. The EP concludes with 'Smooth As Butter', a clear nod to the Detroit house sound where shimmering keys, jazzy drums, and twinkling chime melodies create a lush and sophisticated sonic landscape. Low-pitched vocals add soulful depth, completing the track's near-five-minute journey. His skillful blending of 90s nostalgic melodies with Detroit, Chicago and Italo influences creates a sound that's both familiar and fresh - not to mention, highly playable.

Review: Southern Magic is a sub-label of Secret Society Chile, but there is nothing submissive about the sounds of this new various artists 12". Valerio Vaudano soundtracks the end of the party with a big house bouncer full of vamping chord energy and euphoric little vocal stabs that cannot fail to send people home happy. Luca Piermattei then welcomes you to the after party with scuffed up and frazzled deep house drums under mind melting synth modulations on 'Quilmes.' Flip it over for VICARI's fizzing but feel good tech house on 'Residual Bitterness' and Lootbeg's brilliantly futuristic 'Transitions,' which is alive with alien lifeforms and a crispy tech beat.