Back catalogue: Funky/Club House

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!

Review: This split artist dance record combines two timeless house anthems, offering a captivating fusion of funky and club house vibes. On side A, Soulsearcher's Feelin' Love' captivates with its high-energy Detroit house sound, while the Soulsearcher club mix exudes a disco-infused charm. Side-B features Urban Blues Project's 'Your Heaven (I Can Feel It)' in two distinct versions. The Micky More & Andy Tee remix evokes classic 90s house with its soaring vocals and infectious groove, while the original version delivers a powerful alternative experience. This record is a nostalgic journey for house music enthusiasts, seamlessly blending soulful melodies and energetic rhythms to create an unforgettable listening experience.

Review: The Looking In EP marks the return of Brooklyn-based quintet Underground System to local imprint Razor-N-Tape, with a stunning five track release of originals and remixes. It offers a fresh and unique blend of Balearic grooves, left-field funk and up-tempo backbeats that respectfully showcase the US sound. The tracks are complete with the band's signature use of flute and synth soundscapes, driving percussion and catchy vocal hooks that are sure to get you moving. On the B-side of the record, RNT mainstays Nenor and Clive From Accounts deliver two club-ready remixes that take the tracks into even more dancefloor-friendly territory.

Review: A new year always brings with it a wealth of new labels and 2024 is proving no different. The latest to fall in our laps is Unknown Musik from Spain, and the production credits on this inaugural EP also go to Unknown Musik, although the two edits are actually by Sadkiel. They first tackle 'Latin Flute' which has some nice fresh tech beats run through with Balearic guitars and soul samples that really bring it to life. On the flip is the more minimal styling of 'September' with its pulling low ends and raw percussion as well as some edgy stabs to keep things from being all too sweet.

Review: Terry Usher takes things deep on a new outing for Saint Wax that has spiritual overtones and Afro vibes exuding from every beat. '8 Hours' opens up with the sort of spine-tingling vocals and pensive pads that take any floor higher. 'Never Leave You' is a percussive groove with an infectious sense of skip and 'M' Pon' then picks things up with chanting vocals and warrior leads next to rousing horns full of soul. 'O' Wey' closes out with steel-plated drums and soft shakers bringing plenty of late-night magic.

Review: Utah Saints, the debut album from the British electronic duo, was originally released in the U.S., followed by a UK release in 1993. This album played a pivotal role in establishing the band as household names in the burgeoning techno scene, reaching number ten on the UK Albums Chart. The singles 'Something Good', 'I Want You' and 'What Can You Do for Me' showed the band's crossover appeal, with 'Something Good becoming a staple on college radio in America. A standout on the album, 'Something Good', prominently samples Kate Bush's 'Cloudbusting', lending it a nostalgic yet fresh vibe. Released as a single in May 1992, it soared to number four on the UK Singles Chart and captured attention on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart as well. The song also gained prominence during the BBC's coverage of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. The album is full of great techno and dance music. This vinyl reissue features striking new artwork that beautifully balances modern aesthetics with a classic feel, ensuring it appeals to both new listeners and longtime fans. Utah Saints remains a defining work of its time, reflecting the innovative spirit of early 90s electronic music.