Back catalogue: Funky/Club House

Review: Sampling As An Art Records is back with a new various artists package that has been assembled from talents the label boss has met on the road - musical projects undertaken during and after gigs. This is the first in a series of such releases and it kicks off with a fresh melodic house blast from Morgan, then gets the hands in the air with an old school, percussive piano number with UC Beatz's 'Ain't Good Enough' before S3A appear with 'Layers', a loopy filter house jam with sunshine, disco and soul in equal measure. Last of all is Mika Blaster with the epic sax and humid chords of 'Buisine Ness' (S3A edit).

Review: St Petersberg's Dobro label is noted not just for the quality and playability of its funky house and disco re-edits, but also for its value for money. This, their seventh release, is another great example, with no less than six floorfillers included on one 12", each bringing their own individual mood to the table. 'Flowers Festival' from Sun Rhythms has throbbing organs and fruity keys, topped off by a gorgeous Russian vocal. DJ Merci's 'Timetable' goes for chunky rave pianos and Fairlight stabs, lending it an 80s Italo-disco feel, before Ground Plane Aerial's 'Transition SP' closes the side with slap bass and stripped down house vibe that echoes some of Roule Records' more accessible moments. Side two VIGI's 'I Am You', is the most memorable of the whole package, with its idiosyncratic female vocal weaving a magical spell around the listener, before we finish off with a double whammy of Monny Me's swirling stringfest 'The Name Of The Game' and the parping horns and strutting groove of Ugly Frankie's 'Free Alcohol Shit', the latter including a bewitching and unexpected piano solo. Great work all round.

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.