Review: Hot Piroski Records have been on something of a hiatus for the last year or so but now make a welcome return with a new EP series. This collaborative affair is the result of an epic journey in an old Mercedes from London to Gunjur and finds label head Robin 12Tree working with The Gambia and Bongo Koi as Gambian Disco Express. 'Enlightenment is Now' marks their first release on Hot Piroski Records and it comes with vocals from Gambian mystic Rev. Joseph N'Gole, recorded on the banks of the River Gambia. This one has already been hammered by Psychemagik, Pete Herbert, and Severino from Horse Meat Disco so it comes quality assured.
Review: 49ers were the fivesome of Gianfranco Bortolotti, Luca Cittadini, Diego Leoni and Pieradis Rossini and vocalist Ann-Marie Smith and 1989's 'Touch Me' came as their second ever single after 'Die Walkure', which did comparatively less well in the charts. Ingenious of the association now often made between Italo house/disco and lewd sexuality, this was an early experiment in the style and came without vocals from Smith. Instead, it sampled Aretha Franklin's 'Rock-A-Lott' and Alisha Warren's 'Touch Me', producing a nebulously sexual sound, in which the samples songstresses are made to sound much... tenderer. For the more squeamish among us, there is of course an instrumental B-side.
Review: Three standout tracks from Dave Lee's 2023 album Metamorphosis - which he dropped under his AC Soul Symphony alias - now get pulled apart and reworked by the one and only Dub-disco king Ray Mang. First comes 'It's Got To Be Love' with its super funky and bubbly bass and lush string elegance, then he flips 'Tradewinds' into a deeper, still lush and lavish instrumental disco gem that is seductive and warm for the winter months. Last but not least, 'K-Jee' brings an infectious groove to the dance floor with a little more percussive energy and upbeat bounce - but again swooning strings are the icing on the cake. All three of these are classy and sophisticated reworks from the one and only Mang.
Review: You always know what you are going to get from Johannes Albert and that is well-crafted house music with a traditional undercurrent but nothing overly slavish to the history. 'Uhh I Like Your Style' is a nice crosier with a melodic bassline and smooth chords that effortlessly sweep you up. 'The Crust Song' is more laidback and dubby, 'Upstanding' then brings some party vibes with the swirling pads and fist-pumping analogue kicks and 'Maintain The Vibe' shuts down with some US garage flair and nice choppy vocal stabs.
Review: With Australia's dance music scene booming, it's no surprise that one of its hottest talents lands in the Running Back universe. Sam Alfred's debut on Misfit Melodies blends the old with the new and builds on his reputation as both a mesmerising DJ and an enchanting studio talent. This new outing highlights his versatility from speed house to retro rave. It showcases his ability to merge past influences with forward-thinking melodies on standout tracks like 'While My Heart' and 'Back To' echo UKG vibes, while 'Drift' and 'Fortune' exemplify his production prowess. The title track, inspired by a Dekmantel visit, nods to 90s proggy bounce.
Review: Naarm-based producer Sam Alfred shows no signs of slowing down as we continue to be impressed by the material coming out of Australia right now. After releasing the energetic 'Suzuka' EP, completing a sold-out headline tour and playing a packed set at MODE Festival, he's now back with more full flavour beats. This one disk off with a real house anthem inspired by 90s club music with punchy piano, airy synths, and a driving cowbell rhythm. 'Care 4 U' has carefree garage house vibes a la salute, 'Keep It' brings some euro dance and trance energy and 'Distance' is a peak-time acid-laced pumper. Brilliant stuff.
Review: Mega-exclusive, exquisite house, funk and disco editry from Almacks, who follow up two just-as-delightful introductions to the series with a welcome third. This furtive operation is almost entirely mediated by retailers like us, and is billed as a purveyor of 'tried and tested sure-shots' in very limited runs, whose coveted lipid discs help bolster "community in secret places". Of course, what would be a sense of community without a sense of exclusivity to match? The crux of the art of the five tracks here, though all largely instrumental, is indeed penetrable; all the numbers here home in on the glisteny downtime moments heard on many a classic disco and funk tune, in which time seems to stop, nerves grow tender, and high strings and ghostly vocals take flight. Keep an eye on this series; it reminds us of a funkier-intoned Ghost Phone; 'Track 4' is the real odd highlight.
Review: Whether or not Almacks is named after the word that was given to several social clubs in London between the 18th and 20th centuries or not we do not know, but people in those clubs might well have enjoyed getting down to the artist's beats. These new five cuts are all unnamed but all perfect blends of funk, soul, deep house and great samples. Those vocal chops lend lots of r&b loveliness and romance to the dusty, low-slung beats, hip-hop-inspired beats and middle grooves. There is also a bit of broken beat and Afro influencer later on. A heartwarming EP.
Review: Nail is one of UK house music's most vital contributors. His raw sound pioneered a new style of tech house in the 90s and here he reappears under a different alias, AM Vibe. 'Vibe With Me' kicks off with nice loose drums and perc and jazzy keys adding the warmth and soul. 'I'm So High' brings some loopy and filtered fun and phased vocals for a sleazy feel, then 'Dried Fruit' gets more upbeat with lush synth swirls and effortlessly cool drums and rich r&b vocal samples. 'Powder' closes out with some thumping kicks and more tender vocal stabs. As always, this is brilliantly heartfelt and effective tackle from Nail.
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Dimitri From Paris club mix) (6:14)
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Dimitri From Paris dub) (7:16)
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Masters At Work Clap Yo Hands dub) (7:25)
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Moplen remix) (5:03)
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Mousse T Fantastic Shizzle mix) (6:00)
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Blackchild remix) (6:00)
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Two Soul Fusion remix) (12:05)
Review: Anane's soulful vocal delivery takes centre stage on her reimagining of this evergreen disco cut - originally crafted by Love Symphony Orchestra in 1978 - rebooted here through a series of new mixes from some massive house names. Dimitri From Paris delivers two irresistible cuts, his club mix a vibrant and energetic journey through classic house sounds, while his dub strips things back to a hypnotic groove. Masters At Work's 'Clap Yo Hands Dub' injects a dose of infectious energy, while Moplen's remix takes a more atmospheric approach, its swirling synths and hypnotic rhythms creating a mesmerising soundscape. Mousse T's 'Fantastic Shizzle Mix' adds a touch of soulful bounce, while Blackchild's remix delves into deeper, more tribal-infused territories. Two Soul Fusion's remix closes out the collection with a smooth and uplifting vibe, its soulful melodies and infectious groove leaving a lasting impression. A true classic reimagined through the lens of a host of diverse, talented producers.
Review: Apparel Wax on Apparel Music records has recently started a 7" series of which this is the third instalment of. These 45 DJ friendly records are sure to be hits with house music DJs and fans both. The music does the talking as the tracks are simply called 'Track 1' and 'Track 2'. The first blends jazz, funk into a house instrumental frenzy that has all the makings of a classic late night success. The second one is quite unusual and unique, adding a broken almost jungle beat that goes great with the piano. This gives us some real early 90s UK rave flashbacks! This versatile 7" should go over great with those who hear it!
Review: After the roaring success of his last outing here, the '3 Woman EP,' Art Of Tones is back on GAMM with a 12" that brings male ovals to the fore. They are all very different in style but all highly effective. 'International Truth' opens with strident and funky disco drums and noodling guitar lines with soulful tones lighting up the beats. 'Don's Expensive Afro' is a rework of a rare Afro-disco track with more expressive vocals instructing the floor to move. Last of all is a stunning reimagining of an overlooked Stevie Wonder gem, 'Stevland's Run', which is off-balance and unusual funk madness laden with psyched-out guitar work.
Review: Los Angeles-based ASHRR are back on 2020 Vision ahead of a new album and this time serve up their own superb version of The Romantics's 1983 hit 'Talking in Your Sleep.' In their hands, it becomes a club-ready sound with a vocal you may recognise as it featured in the Mad Max episode of Stranger Things. Add in some DFA-inspired punk funk vibes and with all the instruments reapplied while new layers of bass and synth are added and you have one fantastic new version. Balearic don Fernando steps up for two remixes, first stripping things back to a deep house sound and then bringing some dub disco vibes to the fore.
Review: This compilation captures the essence of the Balearic sound, offering a sun-drenched journey through diverse electronic styles. 'Stay Cool (& Less Horny)' sets the tone with its laid-back groove and infectious melodies, while 'Ketkeys' adds a touch of psychedelic flair with its swirling synths and hypnotic rhythms. On the flipside, 'Chug Love' delivers a dose of feel-good energy, its pulsating bassline and uplifting chords guaranteed to get bodies moving. 'Tiny Nancer' closes out the compilation with a dreamy atmosphere, its ethereal textures and Balearic-infused melodies creating a sense of blissful escapism. This is a must-have for those seeking a sonic escape to sun-kissed shores and blissed-out vibes.
Review: Nu Groove's ongoing edits series turns its attention to one of the legendary NYC's most iconic early release, Bas Noir's 1988 garage-house classic 'My Love Is Magic' - a piano-powered vocal number fronted by two female singers from New Jersey and produced by the Burrell Brothers. Their original club mix is featured (A2), alongside a trio of fresh re-edits. Bushwacka kicks things off with a deeper, more sonically detailed and marginally punchier rework that makes much of the Burrell brothers' percussion and piano stabs, before Mark Broom takes over on side two. His 'dub retouch' fittingly sounds like a piano solo-sporting NYC house dub of the late 1980s - no bad thing in our book - while his more revolutionary 'A12 mix' re-casts the track as a harder, heavier peak-time loop jam.
Don't Make Me Fall In Love (Timmy Regisford vocal mix) (9:16)
Don't Make Me Fall In Love (Timmy Regisford instrumental mix) (5:46)
Don't Make Me Fall In Love (Timmy Regisford Gerd Janson Bass Beat edit) (4:16)
Review: Timmy Regisford's remix of Basic Black's 'Don't Make Me Fall In Love' squarely pegs the former's vision in dance music: a fusion of uptempo soul with clear lyrical locutions and sharp grooves. As vice president and A&R at Motown, Regisford played a crucial role in the success of Basic Black's 1990 debut album, a hallmark of the new jack swing era. In his rework, the iconic DJ and co-founder of Club Shelter reimagines the track through an unmistakable New York dance lens, preserving it in the oral traditions of soul and bassy, ballroom house. Formerly a rare white label, this remix was originally exclusive to New York's DJing elite, and never officially released as a single until now. Restored from a DAT tape in Tony Humphries' archive, this rewrap includes a never-before-heard instrumental version and a bass-and-beats-only edit, cryopreserving Regisford's jackin', frosty touch.
Ricochet (Dr Packer & Michael Gray dubstrumental) (5:00)
Review: During the early-to-mid 1980s, the BB&Q band dropped a slew of killer electrofunk jams, most of which combined infectious synth basslines, group vocals and colourful lead lines with beats variously inspired by boogie, 80s soul and freestyle. Alongside 'Dreamer', which was mixed by the legendary Shep Pettibone, 'Ricochet' was one of their biggest dancefloor hits. High Fashion has decided to give it a 21st century disco makeover, pairing one of their in-house remixers, Michael Gray, with Glitterbox favourite Dr Packer. Their 12"-leading full vocal naturally bumps up the beats to suit house dancefloors and adds a few authentic-sounding synth lines, but otherwise makes the most of the BB&Q band's original music and vocals. The flip-side 'Dubstramental' is very good, too, paying tribute to the various effects and production tricks used in 1980s dancefloor dubs while also utilising 21st century beats.
Review: B2 Recordings keeps it classy with another new deep house offering from label head Bengoa. It comes hot on the heels of his last outing here in December but this time all three tracks are straight-up solo cuts with no featured guests. 'Hustler's Convention' is an emotionally intense humid, steamy cut even though the grooves are warm and hypnotic. 'Apollo' has more raw percussion and scratchy drum textures overlaid with trippy vocals and last of all is 'Fanatic,' which pairs leggy bass and drums with more swirling vocal samples and interesting broken beat patterns. Another fine outing from Bengoa then.
Review: Sundries' Disco Goodies series, which rounds up the best of the label's digital releases and presents them on multi-artist EPs, reaches its fourth instalment. It hits home hard from the start, where Berobreo's 'Soul Driven Dynamics' provides an attractive mix of 1970s orchestral soul samples and rubbery deep house beats. Experienced re-editor Oldchap brings the goods with a lightly tooled-up and beefed-up rework of an orchestra-sporting disco gem ('Coloridos'), before X Gets The Crest delivers a percussive, hot-stepping and filter-smothered re-wire of a much-loved Cymande classic ('Still Come Home'). Over on side B, Alexny's heavy disco-funk re-edit ('People Says') is joined by a hazy and horn-heavy revision courtesy of Sould Out ('City Gal') and the pitched-up disco loop-funk of 'Since You Came' by Workerz.
Dancing & Grooving (feat Alfreda Gerald - Dave Lee edit) (7:35)
Ain't Nothing Going On (feat Anduze - Micky More & Andy Tee remix) (6:09)
Friday Night (feat MO - Micky More & Andy Tee remix) (7:48)
Lately (feat Karmina Dai - Emmaculate remix) (5:46)
Review: Legendary Italian producer Gianni Bini makes his debut on Groove Culture with 'The House Of Glass' LP, a vibrant disco-house record that takes listeners back to the genre's roots. With over a thousand production credits under various aliases like Bini & Martini and Fathers Of Sound, Gianni has long been a defining force in disco-house. Now, he delivers a fresh project packed with live instrumentationidrums, bass, guitars, stringsiand infectious vocals that evoke the energy of classic discotheques. Side-1 opens with 'Dancing & Grooving' featuring Alfreda Gerald in a high-energy disco anthem. The Dave Lee edit shines with vibrant horns and an unstoppable groove. 'Ain't Nothing Going On', featuring Anduze and remixed by Micky More & Andy Tee, brings lush strings and an irresistible guitar riff, perfect for an all-night dance session. On Side-2, 'Friday Night', with MO's epic vocals and smooth delivery, is another Micky More & Andy Tee remix that exudes timeless disco elegance. 'Lately', featuring Karmina Dai and remixed by Emmaculate, wraps up the album with a soulful disco blend that feels tailor-made for late-night revelry. With The House Of Glass, Gianni Bini proves once again why he's a master of the genre, blending timeless grooves with modern flair.
Don't You Want My Love (vocal extended mix) (7:39)
Don't You Want My Love (dub mix) (7:31)
Don't You Want My Love (The Coney Island Rhythm Band remix) (6:45)
Don't You Want My Love (Jerk Boy remix) (7:18)
Review: Tinted Records offer up the latest new single by LA-based funky pop house producer Birdee. A resident of the likes of Groove Culture and Body Heat among many other hot label names, Birdee delivers big newness on this stratospheric uplifter, replete with surrounded fingerclick claps and a serious vocal line. Three new mixes also feature, with a new dub mix on the A2, as well as a nighttime caban-bound flip by The Coney Island Rhythm Band on the B-side, as well as a closing piano weapon version by Jerk Boy.
Review: Dutch DJ, digger and re-editor Pete Blaker returns to Hot Biscuit Recordings - possibly the most on-point re-edit imprint of the last few years - with a second batch of tried and tested revisions. Lead cut 'Harry's Little Vocoder' is, we think, a fine re-edit of a grandiose, horn-heavy, orchestrated European disco of the sort most associated with German artist Harry Thumann. On the B-side he returns to 'Neverending' - which in its original re-edited form appeared on his previous Hot Biscuit 12-inch - and delivers a fresh 'cosmic version' alongside Dionisis. Effectively a fresh cover, it's a deep, dreamy, drum machine-driven chunk of intergalactic cosmic disco that should suit nu-disco DJs and disco purists alike.
Mood II Swing - "Closer" (feat Carole Sylvan - King Street Moody club mix) (6:17)
Ananda Project - "Cascades Of Colour" (feat Gaelle - Wamdue Black extended mix) (6:46)
Review: Earlier this year, legendary NY house label King Street Sounds was acquired by Armada Music. The Dutch imprint plans to reissue many of the well-known - and lesser-celebrated - gems from the King Street vaults in the months and years ahead. To kick things off, they've delivered this vinyl sampler featuring some of the stable's most admired cuts of all time. So, we get Dennis Ferrer's iconic remix of Blaze and Barbara Tucker's gospel-powered soulful house anthem, 'Most Precious Love', the 'King Street Mix' of Jovonn's legendary deep, bumpin' tribute to New Jersey's Club Zanzibar, 'Back To Zanzibar', Mood II Swing's hot and heavy 'moody club mix' of their own Carole Sylvan collaboration 'Closer' and the all-time deep house classic that is the Wamdue Black extended rework of 'Cascades of Colour' by Ananda Project. Simply essential!
I'm Caught Up (In A One Night Love Affair) (John Morales M+M main mix) (8:06)
I'm Caught Up (In A One Night Love Affair) (John Morales M+M mix edit) (4:16)
I'm Caught Up (In A One Night Love Affair) (John Morales M+M Classic club) (7:59)
I'm Caught Up (In A One Night Love Affair) (John Morales M+M instrumental mix) (7:50)
Review: Inner Life's 'I'm Caught Up (In A One Night Love Affair)' released in 1979 is a quintessential disco anthem that captures the exuberance and allure of the era. Jocelyn Brown's powerful vocals deliver a story of fleeting romance, seamlessly intertwining with lush orchestrations and a driving rhythm section that still get people up and dancing all these decades on. The track's infectious groove, memorable hooks, and lavish production epitomise the magic of late-70s dancefloors which is it why it is such a staple in both nostalgic disco sets and modern dance compilations. This reissue offers up four different versions by the great remix king John Morales.
I Specialize In Love (Ben Liebrand Classic rework) (6:59)
I Specialize In Love (Ben Liebrand DJ's Delight) (5:37)
Review: Sharon Brown's iconic disco anthem 'I Specialize in Love' has been given a fresh lease on life by legendary remixer Ben Liebrand. The Classic Rework Version is an energetic and groovy reinterpretation that infuses the original with a funky disco flair. On Side 2, Liebrand's DJ Mix takes a more extended approach to the remix. While it retains the original's energy, it adds new elements and transitions to create a cohesive and captivating dancefloor experience. By skillfully blending the old and the new, Liebrand has breathed new life into this timeless classic, ensuring that it continues to resonate with dance music enthusiasts for years to come.
Review: A classic that delivers the quintessential Euro house experience with its infectious energy and irresistible dancefloor appeal. This new yellow vinyl version brings flashbacks flooding in of the era's vibrant club scene through a mix of upbeat rhythms, catchy melodies and expansive remixes. Side-1 opens with the single version of 'More & More', a track that wastes no time diving into a groove-laden beat and euphoric synth lines. The extended mix that follows stretches the vibe even further, offering DJs and dance enthusiasts a longer ride through the track's pulsating, feel-good energy. Side-2 turns up the heat with the 'Underground' remix, which injects a deeper, more nocturnal edge into the track, perfect for late-night sets. The 'Trance Mix' closes the collection with an ethereal, sweeping take on the original, merging classic Euro house elements with hypnotic trance influences. This release is a love letter to the era of extended pleasure through remixes, capturing both the mainstream appeal and underground allure of Euro house.
Review: Don Carlos should by now be known to most house music crate-ologists as Carlo Troja from Verase, Italy -not Euvin Spencer from Kingston town. Alas, confusion still runs rampant over the ambiguity surrounding the Don Carlos name; if only they'd heard just how great this new EP from the former North Italian nuff-sayer truly was, they'd never forget the difference, of course! 'Italian Paradise' is a fresh, still dripping-wet house EP out via Groove Culture; its lightweight organ triplets, electric piano smears, and lens-fogged sunglass strings are what makes it *it*: a more than suitable release for hammock skygazing and/or wooly garment shedding.
Review: Western Australian Casual Connection has been serving up occasional seven-inch singles of edits and reworks since 2019, each pleasingly limited and packed with cuts tweaked for dancefloor pressure. This '45' is the Perth-based producer's first outing of 2024. On side A you'll find '1 Thing Feels So Good', a cannily crafted number in which the vocal from Amerie R&B classic 'One Thing' rides a backing track built out of loops and samples from a pitched-down disco-boogie classic. It's cheeky but brilliantly executed - instant party-starting guaranteed! His love of blending r&b and hip-hop vocals with classic samples and his own beats comes to the fore once more on 'Always Party on Time'. It's good, too, but lacks the instant gratification provided by the A-side.
Review: The Rangi Club EP by Chasse offers four genuine house tracks that showcase the essence side of deeper dance music. Side-1 opens with 'It's Alright,' a track that lays down a solid house groove. With its deeper vibe and strong vocal delivery, it sets the perfect mood for a night on the dancefloor. 'Purple Street' follows, bringing smooth deep house sounds and a rhythm that's instantly catchy, making it hard not to move along. On Side-2, the title track 'Rangi Club' takes inspiration from Chicago house with its distinctive drum grooves. It's a workout for the dancefloor, designed to keep the energy high. The EP closes with 'Welcome,' a piano-led builder that gradually intensifies, offering a satisfying conclusion to this well-rounded collection. The Rangi Club EP provides four strong examples of tracks that will elevate any set.
Review: It's (almost) summertime which means all bets are off, sets get more playful, DJs slacken their own usual rules and reach into a wider world of vocal, uplifting sounds to please sun burnt dancers. Enter this reissue of Michel Cleis's stone-cold Ibiza classic 'La Mezcla.' It's got a chunky groove, fluttering flutes that bring Latin flair and carnival vibes aplenty. This 12" also comes with two remixes - Paul Kalkbrenner flips it into a deeper, more loose and languid groove with tribal funk and the Charles Webster club mix is pure warm and soulful goodness.
Review: Marc Cotterell's 'Feel The Groove' EP is a vibrant, disco-infused collection that merges classic grooves with modern production. The title track, 'Feel The Groove', is a light, fun disco gem, capturing a funky 70s mood with a fresh UK garage twist and that xylophone magic touch. 'Get It Right' takes the funk further, building up to a filtered disco crescendo that's perfect for late-night floors, oozing with energy and sleek edits. On the flip side, 'My Groove' offers a deeper vibe, giving the EP a well-rounded feel with its rich bassline and smooth production. Finally, 'Work Me' is catchy and playful, bringing a polished sound that keeps the rhythm flowing. Altogether, 'Feel The Groove' is a solid pick for those craving both nostalgic and modern dancefloor moments.
Ora Che Non Ho Piu Te (Benny Benassi club mix) (5:01)
Ora Che Non Ho Piu Te (Deborah De Luca remix) (5:47)
Ora Che Non Ho Piu Te (DJ Ralf remix) (8:37)
Ora Che Non Ho Piu Te (Samuele Sartini - Nicola Zucchi remix) (4:41)
Review: Amasser of over 100 million streams in 2024, 'Ora che non ho piu te' ('Now I No Longer Have You') was one of Italy's top electropop hits of 2024. Attracting a panoply of remixers for use in their own DJ sets, Mondo Groove now commit four of the choicest of said redoings to a vinyl press, enlisting such first magnitude stars as Benny Benassi and DJ Ralf. Progressing through fine layers of burbling synth and cooing sentiment, we're most taken, however, by Samuele Sartini's closer, which the roar of crowds into descending synth beneficences, causing all heaven to break loose.
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Cruise Music marks its tenth EP by serving up what it says are "secret funky house weapons" and there isn't much wrong with their description. Danny Cruz kicks off with 'Shoulda Been You' which rides on smooth grooves and has gentle synth waves breaking over the beats as heartfelt vocal sounds rise out of the mix. Mark Funk's 'True Lies' brings a classic 90s vocal sample to a non-stop soul beat and the B-side has got Dirty Disco Stars going big and funky and glorious on 'Look Up' then Mirko & Meex Re-touch 'Young Hearts' .
Tried For Love (feat Robert Owens - Terrence Parker remix) (8:12)
Walk With Me (Rick Wade remix) (5:57)
Review: Smooth house master James Curd has a bunch of his succulent sounds remixed by a heavyweight roster of remixes here. First up Art of Tones layers in freewheeling synth loops and tough disco claps to his remix of 'Sunday Queen'. 'Sublime Mind' gets the Byron The Aquarius treatment and becomes a cosmic star-gazer with zoned-out pads and sweet beats. Add in some signature soul from Terrence Parker and another perfectly tracky house tool from the always-on form Rick Wade and you have a classy EP.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Sunday Queen (Art Of Tones remix) (5:19)
Sublime Mind (Byron The Aquarius remix) (4:37)
Tried For Love (feat Robert Owens - Terrence Parker remix) (8:12)
Walk With Me (Rick Wade remix) (5:57)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Smooth house master James Curd has a bunch of his succulent sounds remixed by a heavyweight roster of remixes here. First up Art of Tones layers in freewheeling synth loops and tough disco claps to his remix of 'Sunday Queen'. 'Sublime Mind' gets the Byron The Aquarius treatment and becomes a cosmic star-gazer with zoned-out pads and sweet beats. Add in some signature soul from Terrence Parker and another perfectly tracky house tool from the always-on form Rick Wade and you have a classy EP.
Review: Groove Culture enlist Italy's Da Lukas for a stinging string-disco propeller, 'Doin' Me Wrong', backed up on the B by 'Good Man'. Massive pressure-house feels coincide with the trilling afterglow of disco, as rock-bottom breakdowns prefigure high-as-a-kite apexes, word-painting the A track's lyrical focus on manic depressive push-pull relationships ("you tell me don't do this, you tell me don't do that"). The B-side track is weightier by comparison, deploying waterier wahs and an echo of Motown in its otherwise relentless garagey swing.
Chez Damier - "Speechless" (Chez Damier Panorama Bar remix) (5:04)
Makez - "Rocket Music" (5:15)
Alkalino - "Rio" (Alkalino rework) (5:30)
Gledd - "Sere Yo" (5:31)
Review: Adeen Records returns with a superb EP that blends a classic with three new and fresh unreleased tracks. Deep house don Chez Damier's Panorama Bar Remix kicks off and is a a 2021 standout with a killer baseline and Spanish guitar that brings some sunny soul and makes for some top level house grooves. Makez then shines with 'Rocket Music' which has a chunky low end and glistening, golden piano chords making it a late night favourite. On the B-side, Adeen regular Alkalino delivers a tropical-infused edit for the peak time and Gledd closes with a classy cut 'Sere Yo' that is all about the drums. Lovely stuff.
U All Disco Lovers. F*** (Art Of Tones remix) (5:52)
U All Disco Lovers. F*** (Floorfillers remix) (6:15)
Review: Basile de Suresnes offers a seamless blend of nostalgic disco energy and modern house rhythms. The opening track brims with soulful samples and an irresistible groove, a nod to late-night dancefloor euphoria. Following this, a bassline-driven funk-infused cut keeps the energy rolling, blending deep rhythmic elements with playful textures. Closing the release, a high-energy finale showcases soaring strings and a pulsating beat, delivering a vibrant crescendo. This is a confident statement of intent for selectors seeking to bridge classic influences with a contemporary twist.
Review: Grammy award winners and production duo Deep Dish throw another contemporary update of their classic track 'Flashdance' into the mix. Compared to the original 2004 track - which saw to a curious but effectively fiery blues-rock come electro-dance delight - this new version elides some of the early rock rawness for a more muted yet mutable 'Guitar Redux' version, which adds a subtle tribal trance direction. There's also two new versions of 'Say Hello', one prog trance and the other full-on trance, and whose original version followed 'Flashdance' as their second collaboration with singer Anousheh Khalili in 2005.
Deepstar - "Sugar" (feat Donna Allen - Richard Earnshaw remix) (6:33)
Deepstar - "Sugar" (feat Donna Allen) (7:51)
Melba Moore - "My Heart Belongs To You" (Groove Assassin remix) (6:15)
Melba Moore - "My Heart Belongs To You" (Ron Carroll's BMC vocal Classical) (8:08)
Review: Soulfuric Recordings, a pillar of house music history founded by Brian Tappert and Marc Pomeroy, continues to deliver with the reissue of Donna Allen's 'Sugar.' Originally released in 2002, this track showcases Allen's r&b vocals alongside Pomeroy's signature groove-driven production. The package features two versions of 'Sugar,' including Richard Earnshaw extended mix, which highlights and the original version. On Side-2 remixes are complemented by two standout versions of Melba Moore's 'My Heart Belongs To You,' with a Groove Assassin extended mix and a Ron Carroll BMC vocal mix. Despite being over two decades old, 'Sugar' retains its vibrant energy and classic appeal, embodying Soulfuric's legacy of influential house music. This reissue celebrates the timeless quality of the track today.
Review: Kevin Dennis Pierre has been making high-grade house music as Demuir since the dawn of the Millennium, in the process notching up releases on such imprints as Robsoul Recordings, Stickman, Nite Grooves, Farris Wheel, Heist, Kaoz Theory and Hot Creations. Here the Toronto-based producer brings his brand of club-ready deep house to France's Frappe Recordings, flitting between driving, mind-bending peak-time hedonism ('The Music In Space'), jazzy and sample-rich goodness ('Enter The House of My Lord') and revivalist Chicago 'boompty' (the early 2000s Classic Music Company style 'First Look In San Diego'). Pierre's old pal DJ Sneak rounds things off with a deliciously sleazy, weighty and sub-heavy interpretation of 'The Music In Space' with added low-end sax stabs.
Review: Devilish edit duo Duane Harriott and Sean Marquand are Devin Dare and now they return with fresh flips to get the Razr N Tape year going. 'Dancemuzak' transforms a classic NYC disco groove into a hypnotic, driving force while 'Itsdiscotime' masterfully loops rare, mind-blowing source material into a jam for the ages. On the flip side, 'Lookin Good' delivers cheeky uptempo soul perfect for a Theo Parrish set, while '1heater4sasha' slows things down with Clavinet-driven funk. Devin Dare are surely among the best editors in the game.
Dimsum & Retromigration - "Everyday In Your Mind" (5:57)
Review: Since launching late last year, Italian imprint My Cup of Tea has treated us to a killer collaborative EP by Vithz and Emanuele Barilli, and a solid solo outing from Piero. On release number three, they've turned to Love Ensemble member Dimitri Ambrosetti AKA Dimsum, who recently delivered a great 12" on House Puff alongside ICTV. There's a great collaborative cut on this EP, too, with rising star Retromigration lending a hand on epic B-side 'Everyday in Your Mind', where spacey P-funk solos, rubbery bass guitar and bouncy synth stabs wrap around a chunky, loose-limbed house beat. Side A is all about Ambrosetti's solo workouts, with the attractive, musically detailed, bass-heavy and r&b-sampling 'Cutie' being followed by the jazzy, sunny and chunky deep house brilliance of 'Stars In Your Eyes'.
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