Review: Rebirth kicks off its 2024 with a remix EP that serves as "a tribute to the Brescian music scene in its many facets and declinations." The full original project is a complete 12-track album that brings together many different sounds, scenes and generations, with the best bits now assembled on this new 12". The revered deep house master Fred P opens up with some texture spiritual synth depths, K-Lone brings some nice house swing to his version of 'Paline' and edit maestro Rahsaan also keeps it paired back and late night on his soulful take on 'Scent Of An Old Life'. A great reimagining of some moving musical adventures, then.
Review: Melodiesinfonie, Bluestaeb and S. Fidelity join forces to form a powerful trio, unveiling a rich nonnet of tracks destined for the universal chillout space. Taking shape in a picturesque studio in the South of France - and then completed in centres from Zurich to Berlin - the likes of '365 P', 'Summertime In '92' and 'Just Give Me The Aux' carry on the sparse and material-sonic tradition that has in recent decades inflected the neo-soul and jazz-electronica worlds. Every track here sounds to have been made with what sounds to the most apparently humble means available; rimshot clicks, wooden hits, impassioned hums and coos, Rhodes chords here and there. Loyal to one rule and one rule only - "we need to stay in the room together to make this a record that feels exciting to us" - the result is an evenhanded five-track flirtation with soul-bearing passion, toeing the hobline of cool and hot.
Review: Be Strong Be Free debuts a new series here, Mellow Magic Worldwide, which will offer up a series of DJ weapons that have been produced by "worldwide studio buds." The first one opens with some superb tackle from Gold Suite whose brilliant 'Crush' is a slow-burning 80s jam and emotive rollercoaster that has made a real impact during road testing experiments. On the flipside is the mysterious Mancunian Visions Of Eden who debuts on vinyl with a lush deep house jam 'When It Has Past that has a subtle Balearic charm. Lastly comes Murrin who heads up the Puca Sounds label and co-runs Berlin party Fandango. His 'Maybe Tonight' is a late-night cosmic delight.
Review: Belgian DJ and producer Gratts have joined forces with London-based vocalist Mr. Beale to follow up on to success of their well-received 'Sun Circles' release last year. Here, on the sublime 'Submerge Me', they are in fine form once more with a brooding sound that features the uniquely mesmerising mantras of Beale and plenty of raw, compelling and percussive grooves that full lock you in and get you going. Versatile Records' own Gilb'r then steps up on the flip and manages to take things even deeper with some fine liquid dub excursions to complete a top 7"
Nuit De Fievre (Pellegrino Nottata Stellata remix) (5:08)
Review: Be Strong Be Free's 7" series is on fire this year and now comes back with a third instalment. It is 'Nuit De Fievre' and it comes from label owner Gratts, aka the "Belgian down under," who revisits disco's golden era by assembling a stellar studio team starring the Moody Mae band in the company of Reinhard Vanbergen on violin and Jaj from Paris on vocals. What they cook up in return is elegant boogie and disco that will chime well with fans of Dimitri From Paris. The B-side features Pellegrino's jazz-funk rendition, adding Mediterranean flair straight from Vesuvius. Both sides promise deliciously uplifting grooves for any disco enthusiast.
Inland Knights - "Figure It Out" (remastered) (5:13)
Inland Knights - "Figure It Out" (Mark Farina's Mushroom Jazz edit) (4:10)
Review: The Frosted label is back with more brilliance from Inland Knights in the form of this newly remastered version of the classic 'Figure It Out.' It was first put out back in 2013 as the first release on the label and remains a vital tune from the British pair. On the flip, Mark Farina is one of those hallowed producers who always has his own unique sonic signature, most famously under his Mushroom Jazz alias. His edit brings plenty of depth and broken beat lushness with noodling guitar riffs and spoken words making it a backroom gem.
A Reference To E2-E4 By Manuel Gottsching (Mad Professor Qantas Crazy remix) (11:52)
Review: 'E2-E4' is of course a legendary bit of music written by a legendary composer. Here, Alex Kassian serves up his own extension version of it and takes us on a 12-minute electronic trip that will be perfect for the more adventurous DJs and dancers out there - not least in Ibiza this summer. Next to the escapist original is a flipside remix from the one and Mad Professor. He heads out on his own with plenty of mind-melting effects, dubby undercurrents and mesmeric leads that encourage minds to wander. A real pearler for the hotter months and beyond.
Daryl System & Mr Fantasy - "Sequential Love" (4:37)
Review: Barcelona-based Italian label Dance Conmigo makes a bold debut with a four-track release that is fully aimed at igniting dance floors. The opener from Lukinsky sets the tone with a dreamy, nostalgic journey you won't want to let go of while Elgo Blanco raises the tempo, perfectly bridging day-to-night vibes. On the B-side, Flavio Folco's signature style shines on a track featuring a dynamic live bassline and energetic arrangement. Last but not least, the EP closes with a collaboration from Daryl System & Mr. Fantasy that delivers a warm 80s-inspired groove and cosmic harmonies that transport you to another dimension.
Review: Maahrt is the debut self titled EP from a mysterious producer about whom we know nothing.His new 12" opens up with an eerie bit of slow motion and cosmic techno with tortured pads. 'Clag' is another twisted mix of sinewy electronics and broken beats for dark back rooms, while 'Noma' then picks up the pace with a more weighted bottom end dragging its heels through an industrial wasteland. 'Noma' (A Strange Wedding remix) is more ready for club deployment thanks to its chugging groove and a final Odopt remix layer sin more melody, rickety drums and cosmic energy.
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.
Review: To celebrate its tenth anniversary, Archeo Recordings breaks tradition with the release of a new series of exquisite EPs honoring past masters. This collection features reimagined tracks from the label's cherished catalog, showcasing the talents of contemporary artists. Among these, Pepe Maina's 'The Infinite', enhanced by Manu's tribal percussion and electronics, transforms a classic into a celestial slow dance. Roberto Aglieri's 'Danza N. 1' receives a vibrant reinterpretation from Daniele Tomassini, merging proto-techno rhythms with psychedelic flute melodies, perfect for day raves and moonlit gatherings. The EP also revisits Radio Band's Italo-boogie classic 'Radio Rap', given a contemporary twist by the enigmatic Radiomarc. Finally, Mushrooms Project breathes new life into Futuro Antico's 'Pan Tuning', creating a transcendent dance journey that blends ancient sounds with modern beats. This collection not only honors the label's history but also promises exciting future endeavors, making it a great time to reflect on the past.
Review: Said to be two decades in the making, this record features two tracks by Makode Linde, the visual artist and musician who has long been a friend and frequent cover designer for Sweden's most eccentric dance label, Studio Barnhus. 'Never Getting Over Me' features Makode's poignant vocals on a quirky, sun-drenched rhythm while 'Professional Help' delivers bossa nova brilliance with a graceful, flute-driven backdrop which reflects the protagonist's lament over his old flame's aversion to therapy. With exquisite songwriting and charming lo-fi appeal, these songs are brilliant dance-pop fusions with a great message and plenty of irresistible grooves.
Review: Wolf Music Recordings is one of the UK's real independent label treasures and it shines again here with a new offering from the classy mind of Manuel Darquart. There is real art in his craft and that shows from the off when 'Jerry's Song' is lit up with celebratory synths and beautiful chords that radiant subtle joy. 'Del Sol' is a deep hose beat with a Balearic feel and new age melodies that suit sundown dancing on the beach, and the Space Ghost remix of the same tune is a more club-ready house workout though still one with an air of fantasy. 'The Vibe' shuts down with a jazzy deep house vibe full of love.
Review: Mar De Novo is a mainstay of the Vinyl Only label which is now almost up to release number 20. As always these are magnificent beats that blend great invention with a healthy respect for disco days gone by and they are all made in what must be a studio jam-packed with analogue gear from all across the ages. 'Instant Humidity' has plenty of characterful synth details that are freaky and playful, 'Call Me' pairs stepping disco beats with super sweet vocals and 'Paraggi' is a blissed-out seaside gem. 'Progression' heady back to the club with strobe-lit disco arps, 'Get A Way' pairs plunging basslines with cosmic keys and another great vocal and 'Quiet Down' rounds out with another horizontal downbeat disco gem.
Review: The Vinyl Only label rolls on towards its 20th release here with Mar De Novo serving up the irresistible Apericena EP. 'Quantity Check' is a low-slung funker with noodling baselines and nice loose percussive rhythms under some exotic vocals. 'Blue Eyes Clear' is a more lavish and downtempo number of chilling by the Med come sundown and then comes Ryu's Rub of 'Quantity Check' which is more funky and fat-bottomed. 'Nao Fazer Nado' rounds out an escapist EP with some dreamy melodic chill-out sounds that will have you gazing off to the stars.
Review: Music producers do tend to be rare breeds, so it's not a surprise to hear of a label series exploring the theme. 'Uncommon Species II' is the second installment of the series from the Swiss label Phantom Island, bringing together various artists for five curios centring on oddball future disco, nu-disco, and re-edits. Highlights include the dream-pop-Balearic Kejeblos Remix of Moreeats' 'Forever Fun' - in which a rogue male vocal seductively implores us to light his fire - and CCO's 'Cyanea' - a standout acid disco number. Frankly, though, all the tracks here are unusual bangers, packed with extra additions that only a rare breed of artist could add.
Lost On A Path To Nowhere (Jazxing Pathfinder remix) (7:54)
No Way Home (6:18)
Space Crumbs Trail (5:13)
Review: Marius Circus is well known and loved for a signature analogue sound and once again that is laid out for us all to enjoy here on a new EP that comes with a remix from men of the moment Jazxing. First up is the deep, unhurried and dubbed out 'Lost On A Path To Nowhere,' a subtle late-night sound with wispy synths and a muted bassline that grows ever more prominent. The Jazxing Pathfinder remix is more tropical and steamy, and on the flip 'No Way Home' douses you in more blissed-out chords before the downbeat boogie of 'Space Crumbs Trail'. This is yet more essential summer goodness from Is It Balearic.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Open Up (4:35)
Open Up (version) (4:33)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
James Massiah and Lord Tusk team up for the fine Accidental Meetings label it this is actually their first official release together after years of collaboration in various forms. This highly anticipated project showcases their chemistry and creative synergy across one fresh new cut. 'Open Up' is a dense sound with dubby low ends but raw metallic drums and swirling pads next to the stream of conscious vocals. The record is mastered by Beau at Ten Eight Seven Mastering, ensuring a polished, high-quality sound and it comes in limited pressings with a more cavernous and melon-twisting version on the flip.
Review: James Massiah and Lord Tusk team up for the fine Accidental Meetings label it this is actually their first official release together after years of collaboration in various forms. This highly anticipated project showcases their chemistry and creative synergy across one fresh new cut. 'Open Up' is a dense sound with dubby low ends but raw metallic drums and swirling pads next to the stream of conscious vocals. The record is mastered by Beau at Ten Eight Seven Mastering, ensuring a polished, high-quality sound and it comes in limited pressings with a more cavernous and melon-twisting version on the flip.
Review: Emotional Rescue is at it again with another fully licensed and remastered offering, this time bringing to wax Mataya's Golddigger with a previously digital-only 'tape Mix.' Zimbabwe-born and later London-based Mataya "Clifford" Chewaluza was a core part of the vibrant West London music scene, using his songwriting, production and multi-instrumentalist skills on albums for RCA and Virgin. He also dropped a few 12"s and this one was released in 1988. It's a cult curio with crashing 80s production, disco-tinged grooves and plenty of subtle African rhythm which includes a standout dub mix from Jura Soundsystem.
Review: Created via a partnership between Parisian stalwarts Yoyaku and a local art gallery, Chapelle XIV Music has served up a sensational - if sporadic - range of releases since launching in 2021. This EP, from organic nu-disco specialist Mattrogg, is another genuine gem. He first serves up two takes on 'Fe Mwen', an ear-catching fusion of jammed out synth solos, chiming melodies, Nile Rodgers style guitar licks and nagging dub-disco bass. The first version, the 'Tee Mix', is the more musically expansive and immediately impactful, though the dub disco adjacent 'Roggtrax Mix' is every bit as alluring. Over on the flip, he cannily combines dub disco with nods to Afro-disco and Afro-boogie on 'Nwa Marimba', while 'Jame Anko' is a slow, heady, low-slung dub workout smothered in elongated electric piano solos.
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.
Review: Curiously, 'The Winning Streak' has nothing to do with Miami Vice the TV series - in fact, the artist was an alias of library music legend Alan Hawkshaw and the track was a piece he composed in the early 1980s that ended up being used as the theme for a long-forgotten UK drama about 'family business intrigue'. The track, presented on this Miss You reissue in extended and original forms, is however a far-sighted treat - a combination of Harold Flatermeyer style synthsesiser excellence, delay-laden drums, Martin Rushent-esque percussion, trippy melodic motifs and just the right amount of sonic intrigue. A slept-on delight for sure. To round off an excellent EP, we also get original bonus cut 'Roadrunner', a synth-heavy instrumental which was used as incidental music in the TV series.
Review: A decade has now passed since the birth of Harry 'Munir' Septiandry's Midnight Runners project, a studio outfit turned live band whose sound mines South-East Asian funk, soul and disco for inspiration. The Indonesian outfit's latest release, 'Nusantra Tropic Disco Volume 1', is arguably one of its' strongest yet. Rich in vintage 1970s synth sounds, tropical colour and live grooves that variously draw on disco, jazz-funk and library music, it feels fresh and exciting despite its nostalgic inspirations and authentic period instrumentation. Highlights include, but are no way limited to, vibrant and percussive disco opener 'Kaliuga', the spacey and warming 'Ratna and Galih' and soaring, future peak-time Indonesian disco anthem 'Kasih Bersemi'.
Review: Millsart's Powerland is a four-track journey that fuses techno with spacey jazz, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a cosmic jazz den. 'The Savvy Provocateurs Of Parallel 42' opens with a blend of jazz-infused techno, evoking the feel of a movie soundtrack with its cinematic, spacey vibe. 'The Divine Line' shifts into ambient techno, with sequencer-driven layers that offer a serene yet rhythmic experience. 'Hippie Woman Wild' stands out with its unique combination of island jazz and techno, delivering a creative and unexpected fusion that feels both laid-back and innovative. Overall, Powerland showcases Millsart's ability to meld diverse influences into a cohesive and immersive sonic landscape, perfect for those who appreciate techno with a touch of jazz-inspired creativity.
Review: The Axis Expressionist series, curated by Millsart aka Jeff Mills, is back with a second EP that features a selection of tracks making their debut on vinyl. The music is less focused on the act of dancing and more, says the ever-verbose Mills, "about reflecting on the complexity and simplification of life." The opener 'The Wise One' (Khufu mix) is all steamy and ritualistic percussive sounds and mystic synths over a rolling tribal beat that turns you inwards. 'Wind Walkers' (extended mix) is a beautifully loose-limbed jumble of percussion, off-grid hits and snaking rhythms steeped in celestial charm and 'Don't Ask Me Why' (extended mix) rounds out with another snaking groove richly embellished with ancient cosmic magic.
Review: Milord makes his long-awaited return to Periodica here and in doing so trades his signature electro mysticism for boogie funk, disco dubs and a bit of sun-drenched pop. The club mix to kick off with is a hypnotic, ever-evolving journey through psychedelic grooves with energised chants, sleek vocals and futuristic vocoder accents. The dub version brings some Afro-tribal rhythm and bass from techno with lush pianos adding a cosmic atmosphere. The radio mix blends Kraftwerk-inspired touches with bright, sunlit pop and bubbling basslines to lodge deep in your psyche next to some jangly guitar licks. Perfect genre-blurring escapism, then.
Review: Klasse Wrecks has started a new catalogue naming convention for this Boy EP from Mogwaa which suggests it might be the start of a new series. Either way it's defined by an epic, side-long title cut that is a real house and techno fusion. It has the soulful pads of house but the drive of techno drums, with pitched-up hardcore vocals over the top and a bright, screwy acid line tearing up the middle. It's a beautiful collision of party-ready sounds. After that 14-plus minute epic is a half length VIP mix that distils everything into a more potent and direct track.
Review: Monochord, which is the duo of Vienna-based musicians Bernhard Hammer and Jakob Schneidewind, diverges from their Elektro Guzzi roots with electroacoustic experiments and cinematic elements. Their music unfolds organically here, propelled by a forward momentum that distinguishes it while minimalist compositions explore electronica, ambient, shoegaze, and modern classical influences, maximising potential to logical and sometimes illogical conclusions. Introspective and filmic, Monochord's quiet, non-confrontational nature traverses various realms with a subtle pulse and evocative, droning textures that make for music which defies easy categorisation and evokes deep introspection.
Review: An exciting blend of minimal tech house and experimental techno only equalled by an emotionally gripping acoustic version on the second side. The track immediately grabs attention with its intricate layers of moody synths and pulsating percussion. Steffen Linck's evocative lyrics float effortlessly over the atmospheric soundscape, balancing vulnerability and groove. It's a track that speaks to deep emotions while maintaining a steady, hypnotic rhythm. On the Side-B, Monolink presents "Mesmerized (Acoustic)', a beautiful reworking that strips away the electronic elements to expose the raw heart of the song. This acoustic version is a more intimate experience, where soulful vocals and acoustic instrumentation take center stage. The result is a tender, thought-provoking reinterpretation that breathes new life into the track, further enhancing its emotional depth. This release shows off Monolink's ability to blend electronic precision with organic emotion.
Review: Forest Jams takes us further into the unknown with Mori Ra's Mantra, an EP of four cosmic edits for curious minds and forest wanderers. Osaka-based DJ Mori Ra is known for blending Balearic, cosmic and electronic disco and has graced labels like Rotating Souls and Macadam Mambo. In Mantra, he becomes a mystic guide offering sonic parables hidden in four tracks, including 'Catharsis', which launches us into a digital odyssey and 'Seinn O!' exploring communication through atmospheric chants, while the Japanese titles on the flip captures the dystopian bustle of a simulated city and brings reflection in the form of a timeless tunnel of discovery. Wonderful.
Review: Bringing melodies, percussions and textures of the sort which we never thought bringable to techno, Saudi-Irish artist Moving Still wows with his latest EP for Bordello A Parigi. This is an artist whose Pangaean taste spans a wide range, born of both musicality and maturation between nations. The distinctive hum of bedouin traditional music intermixed with notes of Irish reel and abound notably on 'Close To The Shams', where melo-maniacal motifs of each are blurred. 'Bang Of Luban' brings breaksy 4x4s and acids to longing synth reeds that bear a quick glissando, and the titular 'Zaman' of course steals the show with its happy, homegrown metallic percs, against which a cheeky mizmar melody makes do against solar blankets of emotion.
Review: First released way back in 1991, minus a title (that appeared when it was reissued the following year), Mr Monday's 'Daybreak' has long been considered a Balearic classic by those of a certain vintage. Genuinely sunset and sunrise-ready, the original mix is a warming, tactile and pitched down treat full of slow-motion acid house bass, kaleidoscopic chords, spacey synth sounds and sparkling piano motifs - all rising above a languid beat that's perfect for wearing early morning shuffling and seated early evening head-nodding. This Thank You reissues also boasts two previously unheard versions: a deliciously dubbed-out, delay and reverb-laden 'Bonus Beat' take, and a near 10-minute 'bonus dub prayer', full of whispered female vocals, stretched-out grooves and dub-flecked percussion breaks. A genuine must-have!
Review: Effortless fusions of broken beat and rabbit hole prog-acid on this latest from Speed Dial. After a slight hiatus, the imprint is back, and is here joined by a slew of underground talent, coming together as one for a combinative set of 'Rhythm Rituals'. Surprisingly for a set of rituals, the three A-siders proffer three wordless mudras (as opposed to incanted mantras), with Mtty's 'Ahhhhh!cid' laying down a two-stepping breaks dust-storm replete with bells, ufologic risers and ectoplasmic synth flatulences; and Pocket's 'Smoke Signals' imparting the ways of long-distance telegraphy by way of a deeper four-wheel drive, with indo-Australian chants sampled therein. B-side helmers DJ Relax and Local Support offer two contradistinct Balearic beats, the former track veering more chuggy and auto-suspensive, in contrast to the latter's emotive, e-organic builds and vox gates.
Review: ukuoka-based band MuchaMuchaM, known for their breakthrough debut album Qantikala, returns with a collaborative EP featuring Malaysian singer-songwriter Zee Avi. After performing together at The Creators' Co-Write stage in 2023, the two artists have crafted a unique sound that blends their distinct Asian influences. The EP features the modern acoustic track 'Day By Day', a cover of 'Sad and Unfulfilled' and the Asian dance number 'Oyasumi na Sayang', sung in Malay. The EP's cover artwork, inspired by Borneo, was designed by Fukuoka-based illustrator TOYAMEG, further enhancing its cross-cultural appeal.
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