Review: Phonogramme is in the middle of a fine series of releases that highlight the great work of legendary US deep house don Abacus. Analog Stories Vol 3 opens with the lush depths of 'It's Bubbling (Short Stories)' then gets more busy with 'Beautiful African Girl' which features humid pads and jazzy keys with dense percussive layers. 'After The Disco' (Submariner edit) sinks back into smooth grooves with light sprinklings of percussion and nimble drums and last of all 'Take A Trip' (feat Keitajuma) closes out with ambient laced and late night sounds.
Review: Skylax has never cared for trends of fads and has always dealt in classically inclined house music from artists old and new. The French imprint now looks to Nicolas Aftalion for the second volume of his Spirit of House EP. He captures just that expertly with the opener 'Cruise In Paradise' riding a nice mid-tempo groove with heartfelt vocal hooks. 'A Message To Mad Mike' ups the energy a little with more prominent pads and 'Paris Is Burning' taps into a sense and soulful groove with lush, lazy drums. 'Soulful In Paris' has a nice 90s feel the way the chords and drums sit with one another and is sure to bring the good times.
Review: Aleqs Notal shares a machinic new EP of counfounding delights for the Industrial Light label, also run by the artist and based out of Paris. Named after the artist's debut release which shared equal sides with fellow producer Modern House Quintet, here Notal changes the game, occupying a full four sides of wax. The A-siders 'City Smile' and 'True I Am' bring atmospheres of motoric rigidity, functioning as premier schema for the human navigation of comparatively less human urban environments. 'Let Me In' and 'Confused Reaction' offer similar blueprints, though there's an ever so slightly upped acidity on the B2.
Review: Amplified People is a prolific French artist based in Paris who roams from minimal glitch to bleeping house and driving techno. Here he brings his class to the fledgling Arpanet label following a debut EP from founder and French veteran DJ Speep back in October last year. It's Ghost Black that opens up with sleazy and ghetto-friend tech complete with plenty of Motor City style. There are then melodic stompers like 'Canon Jack' and brilliantly deep and sleepy cosmic techno trips like 'Solitaire Wargames' to make this a real doozy.
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: French producer Anaxander follows up great releases by legends Reggie Dokes and Kai Alce on new imprint People Of Earth. He's had a steady output in the last few years releasing on the likes of Local Talk, Dame Music and Tasteful Nudes to name but a few. "Chords & Theories" is delightfully dusty deep house with a swing fuelled rhythm, emotive chords and epic piano stabs. On the flip "Stay Another Day" is the kind of classic early 90's Chicago deep house that's so sincere you could have sworn it was a lost tape from the Prescription or Alleviated catalogue from way back when. Finally "Naked Truth" gets a bit more uptempo on this soulful deep techno jam with rich synth tapestries and syncopated rhythms. Tip!
Review: The fledgling WEorUS label rolls out more stylish, minimal and tech here from a trio of artists. Andrade goes first with 'Kubernetes,' a driving minimal house cut packed with hefty groove. It is followed by 'Content Security Policy' which is a slick, rhythm-forward roller that locks you into its flow. Flip to side-B and get swept into Dragosh's 'One Way,' a deep, hypnotic workout that's all tension and release and rounding off the trip is Fabrizio Siano's 'Control Your Emotions,' a poignant, late-night burner that delivers introspection through rhythm.
Review: The latest addition to House Puff records, Dutch DJ Aron Volta teams up with Frenchman DJ Steaw for the first in a series of exciting house EPs. Steaws' soul-inspired, bass-rich productions are the perfect counterbalance to the rolling groove on Volta's side 1, with 'Room 101' having a disco feel, whilst 'Lyre' borrows from trance sensibilities in its melodies. Side 2 sees the bass turned up a notch in piano house cut 'Inner Beauty', borrowing from classic New York 80s House, and a more melodic, rhythmic 'Cosmic Dream' is a throwback fantasy for house oldheads. Split Ep1 is a sign of even more to come hopefully, and this small sample will definitely excite you.
Review: There's not much info floating around about this one, though it appears to not only be the debut release from the freshly minted I Don't Know label, but also the producer behind it, Awly. As debuts go, it's a cracker. Straight-up peak-time vibes are supplied by A-side 'You Having Fun?', a Soundstream-meets-French Touch style slab of loopy disco-house hedonism peppered with dubby breakdowns and hypnotising nods to the deeper end of the house spectrum. Awly joins forces with Paolo Rocco on the 'Censored Mix' of squelchy P-funk-goes-house number 'What's On It', which includes some fantastic sampled chat in the breakdown, before rounding of a fine first outing via the organ-rich, garage-house influenced warmth of 'Are You Amazing?'
Review: French purveyors of the dance, Baraka, do neat justice to their name (you should make a priority of seeing the psychedelic-trip-of-a-film, the label's namesake, if you haven't already) with a fresh four-tracker in the realm of cheeky, aquatic trance-dance. Summoning four local producer/DJ entities for remix duties, two per side, this is a high-concept, well-executed EP drawing on both Apollo-era electrance and tribal geometry tunnel-dives. Von Riu's closing tune is our highlight.
Review: An EP that radiates soulful charm and an authentic French house essence across its five standout tracks. Side one kicks off with 'Down For That S*** feat. Myriam C', a piano-driven, uplifting number with a deeper groove that feels both nostalgic and refreshing. 'Shuffle Up' keeps the energy high with spirited, uptempo vibes, exuding positivity in every beat. The side closes with 'La Madrugada', a jazzy, late-night house journey perfect for winding down while staying deeply engaged. On Side-2, 'Boulevard Saint Germain' serves as a heartfelt tribute to French house legend Saint Germain, showcasing rich piano melodies and elegant production. The extended mix of 'Shuffle Up' brings smooth, 90s-inspired grooves to the forefront, offering a melodic, club-ready expansion of the original. 'Lovenergy' EP is an excellent dance record in blending soulful, jazzy and uplifting house music, with a distinctly French flair. Maison Blanche crafts a record that is as much a homage to the roots of the genre as it is a celebration of its vibrant, contemporary sound.
Bob Sinclar - "I Feel For You" (Star B extended remix) (5:03)
Groove Armada - "Superstylin'" (Riva Starr edit) (6:18)
Review: The idea behind the Snatch Classics series, which is finally making its vinyl debut following a few tester releases digitally, is deliciously simple. It sees label founder Riva Starr and friends deliver fresh interpretations of classic cuts. On side A you'll find a fresh take on Bob Sinclar's "French touch" filter disco anthem 'I Feel For You' by Star B - AKA Starr and UK techno stalwart Mark Broom. Their version is chunky, energetic, loopy and bass-heavy, re-framing the cut as a tech-funk workout with added string-laden disco chops. Over on the reverse, Starr re-edits and pimps up Groove Armada's 'Superstylin', making it even more sub-heavy, dubbed-out and boisterous (albeit in a rather classy way, we think). Tasty tweaks of classic cuts: what's not to like?
Review: The latest from Bossibility and Look Perry on their Split Series is a precise, layered exploration of minimal and tech house that never quite settles in one place. Bossibility's contributions are subtle yet compelling, balancing clean rhythms with restrained complexity, particularly in 'Morphoder,' where the tension between the bassline and atmospheric layers steadily builds, leaving just enough space for the track to breathe. Look Perry's side offers a contrasting dynamicihis deep percussion on 'Way to the Dance' grounds the track, while 'International Beats' surges with a forward momentum that feels unpredictable, yet right on target. It's an unassuming yet compelling exchange of ideas and proof that simple elements, when handled with care, can pack a real punch.
Review: French producer Antoine Bourachot returns with his third release, delivering a trio of original tracks that blend his sharp ear for melody with a clear affection for groove-driven pop and club sounds. The warm, percussive edge of his productions hint at late-night sets and sunlit afterhours, bringing a jaunty mutant disco. Myd, Diogo Strausz and Art of Tones each offer their own take on the material, turning in remixes that stretch from laid-back funk touches to punchier zoomings into the floor. Bourachot's ability to sit comfortably between radio-friendly hooks and crate-digging sensibility makes this a record with plenty of replay value, balancing polish and playfulness in equal measure.
Step By Step (feat Panda Bear - bonus Beat) (4:07)
Review: Alan Braxe is one of the cornerstones of the famous French touch house sound. He's crafted plenty of seminal tunes and now is back once again with Falcon for this new and lush deep house 12" on Smugglers Way. It bears all the hallmarks you would expect of the pair: big loopy loops, filtered chords and house drums that get you grooving. 'Love Me' is the one old heads will appreciate the most thanks to its old school ways, while fresh disco influences colour 'Creative Source.' 'Elevation' is more blissed out and Balearic and 'Step By Step' is downtempo lushness.
Review: Chris Carrier is a long-time part of the underground. The Frenchman has released on a fine array of labels and served up plenty of ever-evolving sounds. For this one he digs into electro, tech, house and minimal starting with the praying loops and intergalactic turbulence of 'The Infinity Gate.' It's a noisy and intense one for the peak of the night while 'The Way To The Stars' is a more smooth grooving tune with nimble drums and bass. 'The Roaming' then rides on a bumping drum and bass comb that is run through with sleek and searching synth rays and last of all 'Spacevax' offers a clean and crisp electro-tinged beat on which to vibe while the sci-fi chords rain down from above with real elegance.
Review: The Plastik People label has been going along nicely for its first few releases, with label head Marc Cotterell stepping up and coming correct last time out. Now he calls upon various artists with Dave Charlesworth taking care of the a-side of Nice Ripe Cuts. He offers two super slick garage cuts that cannot fail to make their mark on the club and it's no different on the flipside except D Lux & Y No combine first for '25 Miles' and then S R offers the irresistible 'Pressure.' An essential 12" for anyone looking to bring some fresh garage flavours.
The Checkup & DJ Merci - "That Groove" (feat Mona Lee) (7:31)
The Checkup & DJ Merci - "I Wasn't Finished" (6:56)
DJ Steaw - "House Music All Night Long" (5:54)
DJ Steaw - "Yavin" (4) (7:11)
Review: The 'House Puff Split' EP series continues with The Checkup and DJ Merci, two key figures with distinctive sounds. This time out they offer a sound infused with the essence of '90s house, but also their signature soulful edge and skilful use of MPCs and drum machines. A standout is the collaboration with talented singer Mona Lee, whose smooth, powerful vocals blend perfectly with the vibrant drums and synths to make for an enchanting atmosphere that rally draws you in deep. The ever-on-point DJ Steaw adds two dynamic tracks that merge deep and acid house influences and make for two equally explosive weapons.
Review: The third vinyl release of the year from Blur Records sees three distinguished producers - ColorJaxx, T.Markakis and Manuel Kane - sharing duties, each delivering a track each but with the distinctive, music-centred 'deep house fusion' flavour of the Blur label very much at their heart. ColorJaxx's 'I Know You' kicks off proceedings in upbeat mood, goaded along by a skippy garage beat, some beautiful piano work and arresting male vocals. 'Ain't Like That' by T.Markakis rolls slower and deeper, clouds of warm synth giving it a reassuring, dub feel, while Manuel Kane's 'Funk' boasts a cheery, end-of-evening sparkle with its hypnotic vocal samples and gentle sirens. Quality without pretention whichever way you turn.
Review: This beautiful EP, 'Sunset Thoughts', finally makes its way to vinyl after a digital release back in October. Cosmonection is a fast-rising Frenchman who makes an awful lot of music and is sure to blow up fully in 2024, and for this one, he works with fellow French artists and singer Soren Lyann. 'Bulles' establishes a lovely vibe with its organic chords and colourful little samples over a slick groove, then '"Wakin' Up With You' brings acoustic guitar and indie vocals over a hurried house groove. There is plenty more sun and subtle hints of acoustic guitar in 'Solar' and 'Ballad' shuts down another mix of acoustic strings, ad-libbed vocals and fresh beats.
O Ceu E Preto (Dimitri From Paris & DJ Deep remix) (6:13)
O Ceu E Preto (DJ Deep & Romain Poncet remix) (5:22)
Review: Cotonete are a genuinely unique proposition: an eight-piece French jazz-funk outfit who performed live for a decade before recording their first single in 2016. They've delivered a couple of great albums since, including this year's brilliant Victoire De La Musique. 'O Ceu E Preto', a Brazilian flavoured number, was one of the highlights of that album and here gets reworked for house dancefloors by French veteran DJ Deep and pals. On side A, he joins forces with fellow local legend Dimitri From Paris to deliver a chunky, bass-heavy vocal version that sits somewhere between Masters At Work's more Afro-house-infuenced efforts and Deep's own late-night dancefloor hypnotism. He explores the latter side of his musical personality further, alongside Romain Parcet, on a flipside dub that exquisitely deep, trippy and delay laden. It's a genuine triumph!
Review: Bass Culture founder, Rex Club legend and standard bearer for the Parisian underground, Julien Veniel shows fine form with his latest effort landing on Phonogramme. Featuring four tracks that each veer toward the techier ends of the house spectrum, 'The Game of Life' is sure to find plenty of admirers of floor-focused subterranean club tackle. Launching via the bumping rhythms and bouncy bass of X-Calibur, it starts as it means to go on. Upping the energy a couple of notches, the wonky bass and paranoid vocals of 'Narcissistic Scratch' power over chunky drums for a strobe-lit, late-night workout. Scene stalwart Satoshi Tomiie keeps things looped and driving on his pumped version of 'Deadbeat', before the dubbed-out original sees the record home in deliciously heady style.
Review: Dutch duo Dam Swindle have spent much of the last 12 months masterminding the 10th anniversary celebrations - and numerous releases - of their popular Heist Recordings imprint. This excellent and wonderfully nostalgic four-tracker is a great way for them to return following a near 12-month gap between EPs. On opener 'Touch Me Again', they add eyes-closed, early Orbital style female vocal samples, breakbeat blasts and bubbly acid lines to a joyous, piano-powered house groove, before going deeper into chunky and dreamy house retro-futurism on the heady and life-affirming 'Hang On'. Their love of strong melodies, memorable chords and rubbery basslines comes to the fore on the joyous 'The Joy of Melancholy', while 'Forever and Ever' is an organ-rich, gospel-tinged fusion of vintage US garage sounds and colourful synth sounds.
Review: After establishing his name with a pair of rock-solid EPs on F*CLR Music, Glenn Davis established Deeper Groove Recordings as an outlet for his sparkling, melody-rich club workouts. A Place For You, his third outing on the imprint, is undeniably gorgeous - especially the EP-opening title track, where colurful synth riffs, sustained synth-strings and sun-splashed chords leap above a tactile deep house groove. The positivity, warmth and sonic colour continues on the chunkier and groovier 'Take Me To The Club', which is given a more thickset, classic U.S deep house-sounding rework by veteran deep house don Franck Roger. To round off an excellent EP, the Irish producer opts for a spiritually rich, piano-laden sound (and a killer analogue bassline) on 'Who Are People'.
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: Whatever you were expecting from an album named 'Superflous', forget it. An exploration into all the many paths of light that refract from the prism of house music, Bagarre commands the dancefloor with every track, placing specific emphasis on keys - a side of the genre that the mainstream has fallen out of love with in recent years. The silky smooth jazz house of 'Espirit Coubertin', a more classic NYC brand of vocal house (beset with 80s synth phrases) in 'Truman Flow' and a divulgence into some driving piano acid house with chopped up vocals in 'Annees Folles' to even a more modern, turn of the century approach with the big hit 'Eurovision' - I could go on. A wonderful and tight package, this LP almost feels like a compilation for how varied and versatile the tracks are. The packaging being one of the selling points of course, the carbon impact of the vinyl production promising to be compensated by a French organisation. You certainly don't have to feel bad about dancing to this now.
Review: Demon's 'You Are My High' ignited a frenzy upon its release in 1999, becoming an iconic track synonymous with the French Touch movement. Now, 25 years later, the timeless allure of 'You' remains as captivating as ever. This summer, fans can rejoice as the track celebrates its anniversary with a special collector's edition vinyl release. With 150 million streams and a platinum disc to its name, 'You Are My High' soared to success, fuelled by its unforgettable music video featuring a three-minute French kiss. Despite initial attempts at censorship by the CSA, the track ultimately found its place on television screens 24/7, leaving an indelible mark on French pop culture. Demon's masterpiece not only defined an era but also influenced a new generation of artists, from Agar Agar to DJ Snake and beyond. As a quintessential symbol of the French Touch legacy, 'You Are My High' continues to enchant listeners with its irresistible charm and infectious groove.
Review: DJ Deep's Connected EP on Gettraum from France is a refined collection of deep house tracks that beautifully explore emotion. On Side-1, 'Sunday Loop' stands out with its melodic and groovy elements, embodying the classy house sound DJ Deep is known for. 'Cable Guy' follows with a deep, immersive vibe that pulls you in with its rich layers while 'The Third Man' rounds off the side, delivering a strong, resonant track. Side-2 brings a fresh take with Traumer's edit of 'Sunday Loop,' which amplifies the energy with a stomping house beat and lush organ keys, adding a new dimension to the original. The version of 'The Third Man' strips the track down slightly, offering a more focused yet still powerful interpretation. Connected EP is a perfect example at melodic house music that resonates on multiple levels.
Review: A record that crafts a smooth, jazz-infused deep house journey, blending classic influences with a refined musical touch. Side-1 opens with 'Waves', where warm piano chords and a laid-back groove create an effortlessly rich atmosphere. 'Let's Love' brings in house legend Robert Owens, elevating the track with soulful vocals, shimmering keys and uplifting energyiclassic house music with a deep jazz undercurrent. On the flip, 'Move Me' delivers a dynamic blend of funky basslines, crisp percussion and spacious keyboards, keeping the groove fluid and expressive. 'Wistful Melody' rounds out the EP with a driving four-on-the-floor rhythm, yet retains a melodic softness, balancing energy with deep, emotive textures. A beautifully crafted collection that pays homage to house music's roots while pushing toward a more intricate, jazz-leaning sound.
Review: Arpanet is a new imprint focused on reissuing far-sighted club cuts and electronic curiosities from the dim and distant past, helmed by French veteran DJ Speep. Fittingly, the label's first release is a reissue of Speep's 2001 collaboration with friend Fab, Sensitive. The title track, which resides on side A, is a classic example of moody, turn-of-the-century tech-house, where metallic electronic motifs, foreboding chords and layered percussion rides a dark bassline and swinging, non-stop drums. 'Space Road' offers a more intergalactic, acid-flecked take on early morning, early noughties tech-house, while 'Ladiescope' is warm, tactile, rolling and quietly postive: dreamy tech-house for wannabe astronauts and sun worshippers of all ages.
Review: To celebrate Rutilance Recordings' 30th release, DJ Steaw returns after a three-year hiatus, presenting four tracks that capture his trademark French house grooves. True to form, the release features a standout collaboration with Mona Lee, delivering a soulful texture, and a remix of 'Feed Your Spirit' from long-time collaborator Gunnter, adding a deeper edge. Each cut reflects DJ Steaw's dedication to dancefloor energy, blending classic French house sensibilities with a fresh intensity that aligns perfectly with Rutilance's enduring style. This milestone release underscores the label's continued evolution and commitment to quality house music.
Review: Two house music institutions come together here as DJ Steaw lands on the Kaoz Theory label run by Kerri Chandler. He brings his usual stylish sounds to four cuts that cover all forms of house. First up it's a deep US garage vibe with jazzy chord work on 'Get Back To The Fonk' then 'Don't Stop' brings more punch low ends but no lack of emotion. 'In My Body's House' throws it back to the 90s with its muted sax stabs and organ basslines complete with wailing diva vocals and the blame and future facing cosmic house of 'Grey Matter' closes out a nicely varied EP.
Review: Nu Groove is one of those labels that everyone who knows recognises as having played a key part in the early house movement. Based out of the New York scene on the East Coast it had a distinctive 90s deep house sound which DJ Steaw now taps into but with his own twist. His grooves are jacked up and analogue, densely packed but high on warmth and soul. 'Take It There' is a prickly opener and 'Seascape' then brings some acid. 'Close To U' has a more low-slung groove that is peppered with raw claps and last of all, 'Exotica' brings some cosmic synth work to crisp, funked-up and electro-tinged rhythms.
Review: Three sumptuous offerings of quality grooves from the Aesthetic series, as Paris club scene fave Djebali and Argentinian DJ and producer Jorge Savorett join forces once again. This choice trio definitely veers on the side of the under rather than over stated, preferring to rely on warm rhythmic flourishes and enticing, inviting instrumentation rather than thumping firepower or gimmickry. The beats are tight and hypnotic, with perhaps just the slightest hint of a nod to the shuffling drum machine funk of early Derrick May productions like 'Nude Photo' here and the more head nodding repetition of Chicago jack house there. Aesthetically pleasing for sure.
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