Review: French electronic legend Sebastien Devaud returns as Agoria, on his always impressive Sapiens imprint with new single "Remedy" taken from his latest album entitled "Drift". Here we are treated to two wonderful remixes, both blessed with the French touch. Emmanuel 'Manoo' Kossi takes the A side with an emotive and electrifying hi-tech soul rendition while on the flip, legends Cassius make a triumphant return to production by taking the track into deeper and sexier sonic territory.
Review: Especial is a label always on a mission to unearth left-of-centre perspectives on club music. This new EP, Be Honest, is just that from long-time friends Lipelis and Arsenii, who are based in Belgrade and New York but seek inspiration in the New York sounds of the 80s and hook up with Gayana for some woozy and lovelorn vocal additions. 'Be Honest' is a dubbed out and swaggering deep disco groove that comes as long, dub and cappella versions on the A-side. The 12" dance mix brings some superb house drums into the picture and the Dubplate VIP is a fresh jungle rhythm. This is an EP with something for all.
Review: The only known diplomatic dance musical dialogue between Leeds and Barcelona can be found in the cross-national collective MASS, whose principal aim is to connect the two cities as identified hubs of the next-gen dance musical underground. Here the personae grata in question are a crack team of trusted delegates, known by the respective codenames AS Groove, Driahn, Monile and Nikon; each artist-negotiator delivers their own firebrand sonic missive in quick, electrific unison, appeasing the collective ear through a four-point transmissive treaty. Either breaks-laden or bleep-laden sound is stipulated depending on which fine-print line you read and/or which finely-etched groove you play; only track four, 'Seismic', trigger the break(beats) clause.
Nathan Haines - "U See That" (feat Vanessa Freeman & Marcus Begg - Atjazz Love Soul mix) (5:12)
The Realm x Atjazz x Kelli Sae - "On The Road" (vocal mix) (7:58)
Review: Back ion 2021, the relaunched Foliage Records imprint offered up a killer mix from NYC house legends Mood II Swing, the must-check Deep Rooted. Soon, the revitalised label will release a sequel, with long-serving British deep house don Atjazz at the helm. This sampler EP boasts six of the highlights from that set - all remixed and reworked by Atjazz himself. There's much to enjoy throughout, from the tense, slowly building deep-tech shuffle of Halo''s 'Glorty (Atjazz Galaxy Art Remix)'and the sun-splashed 6am bounce of Atjazz's remix of Dominique Fils-Aime's gorgeous 'Sun Rise', to the dreamy dancefloor wooziness of Ralf GUM's 'AWA' (re-imagined by Atjazz as an Osunlade-esque spiritual house workout) and the jazzy, bass-guitar-propelled broken house excellence of 'On The Road (Vocal Mix)', a three-way collab between Atjazz, Kelli Sae and The Realm.
Review: He may have been at it for more than 30 years, but New Jersey hero Kerri Chandler is still capable of delivering fine, life-affirming music with soul. 'Caged Bird', featuring vocals from South African rising star Nae, is one of the legendary artist's most ear-catching and soul-enriching efforts for some time. For proof, check his 'Full Vocal Media Mix', where Nae's pretty, picturesque vocals, bittersweet piano refrains and sultry strings rise above a crunchy, unfussy, hot-stepping deep house beats. The accompanying remix package is predictably strong too. Italian producer Moplen steps up first, opting for bouncier, NJ-influenced beats, squelchy synth bass and some rather lovely electric piano chords. Atjazz handles the B-side, delivering vocal and instrumental takes that up the tempo, showcase tech-tinged deep house sounds and cannily loop up Chandler's simmering strings.
Review: The Spanish Hypnotic Collective label attempts to capture its take on the Detroit Legacy with what looks like a new series of various artists' EP. There is plenty of Motor City soul in the gorgeous synths of Cignol's muted acid and deep house opener 'Distance' which is a soothing and reverential groove, but then its pure party from Barce, Alex Martin offers up 313 style tech and three further tunes on the flip explore blistering electro with high-speed funk and cosmic intent. Mission accomplished and we're already looking forward to the next one.
Coflo, Steve Howerton & Niya Wells - "Ecru" (9:51)
Review: A San Francisco house producer who is taking jazz influenced house music to another level is Coflo aka Cody Ferreira 'Syncopatience' is a stunning deep house release that highlights his signature blend of soulful rhythms, intricate grooves, and rich musicality. Each track brims with personality, that blend clever and creative vocals and lyrics to a deeper level than just for the dancefloor. Side-1 starts off with 'Get Down, Show Love', a collaboration with Fenyan that exudes a hip, jazzy charm. Playful yet refined, it features catchy vocal work and a high-level jazz flair, effortlessly blending house with improvisational energy. Next, Coflo's remix of 'Cee.Side's Elektrify' brings atmospheric depth, wrapping Latin influences around a funky, sultry groove that's as hypnotic as it is danceable. Side-2 delivers Ecru, where Coflo, Steve Howerton, and Niya Wells craft a deeper, tech-tinged house cut with sharp, clever lyricism. Its polished production and layered instrumentation elevate it to a higher plane of jazzy house, demonstrating Coflo's versatility and artistry. 'Syncopatience' has the solution on how merge soulful textures with dancefloor energy in a unique way.
AudioChain - "Back To The Time" (Tm Shuffle Myotatuuli dub remix)
Celestial Sphere Aka Hirotaka - "Concept Depth"
Review: Swiss label Introspection Audio Limited hist 12" number five with some exceptional techno workouts from producers based in Switzerland, Finland and Japan. Each track delivers a distinct atmosphere and emotion, perfectly crafted for the dance floor. Alessandro Crimi's 'Always' keeps it deep, dubby and minimalist, Needless layers up delightfully smooth drums and dub chords and a Tm Shuffle Myotatuuli dub remix is frosted with icy static and chilly winds. Celestial Sphere Aka Hirotaka shuts down with a more textured and snappy dub tech vibe.
Review: Berlin producer Ede returns after their 2023 Innervisions debut 'Poptroit', this time for another melodic techno forward-facer. With a papillary front cover - resembling the suckers of an octopus or the polyps of a fantasy coral - we doubt the trypophobics out there will be at ease with this one. That is, at least until they hear the soothing progressives of 'I Am Wavy' and 'Odyssey', which build through and cleanse classic acid, rave and bleep motifs. The latter track has an incredible vocal breakdown, saturating and processing its stabs and chirp-hits just right.
Dee Gorgeous - "Better Than Sex" (Dirty Channels edit) (4:22)
NY House’n Authority - "Ravenswood House" (Honey Dijon & Luke Solomon edit) (5:42)
Review: Four tracks of peerless Nu Groove jack attack, rejigged by a stellar roster of producers including Honey Dijon and the late Soulphiction, whose mardy remix of Rheji Burrell's classic stompa 'Come 'N Get It' opens proceedings in sleazy style. The Acid Jerks dub of Tech Trax Inc's eponymous 1990 banger is also a highlight, with driving, introspective organ basses underpinning snappy piano action and whispered proto-producer tags. These two are followed by a rushy, beefa-ready remix of Dee Gorgeous' 'Better Than Sex' by Dirty Channels, and an excellent spartan percussive acid flip of Ny House'n Authority (Burrell at it again)'s Ravenswood House by Honey Dijon and Luke Solomon.
Exclusively (Alton Miller remix instrumental) (7:23)
Review: Mark Francis teams up with Nimiwari to deliver a soulful house gem in 'Exclusively', a track that brings the Newark DJ's signature sound to the forefront. Known for his residency at Club Shelter, Francis expertly crafts a lush soundscape, with Shawn Lucas on keys adding a rich layer of depth. Nimiwari's vocal performance, blending soul and house influences, elevates the track with emotion and finesse. On remix duties, Detroit legend Alton Miller steps in with a groovy rework, featuring his trademark keys and a bassline that glides effortlessly. Miller's take is an elegant nod to his deep roots in the scene, co-founder of The Music Institute club and a key figure in Detroit's house history. Both the original and remix are backed by instrumentals, offering DJs ample space to work with on the floor. Francis and Nimiwari have created something special here, a soulful, timeless track with just the right amount of modern flair. It's a testament to their artistry and the production skills of everyone involved, especially in how the music flows so naturally from one version to the next.
Review: Wax Classic presents a collaborative 12" from French duo Groove Boys Project and Novaj, which maintains the label's sharp instinct for the finest deep house money can buy. Across four tracks they explore the depth and breadth of the sound, touching on early Italian dream house vibes on the gorgeous 'Amore' before bringing a sweaty late night exuberance to 'Night In Rimini'. 'Taste Of Heaven' returns to the sweet, soulful sway of grandiose pads and twinkling piano lines primed for the warm up, and 'Mondo Paradiso' taps into the deeper end of the Nu Groove legacy without missing a beat.
Nicole Moudaber - "Rise Up" (feat London Community Gospel Choir) (8:13)
Armand Van Helden & Mark Knight - "Down To Earth" (6:37)
Review: NEM 100.1 Vol 1 isn't your standard deep house compilation. With heavyweight contributors like Danny Howard, Nicole Moudaber, and Armand Van Helden, this release feels like a meeting of minds with a shared purpose: to push familiar boundaries into unexpected places. Danny Howard and Eli & Fur's If You Were sets the tone with a blend of understated house rhythms and finely layered vocals. There's nothing overblown here - it's precise, refined, and confident in its restraint. PAX and Rui Da Silva's Touch Me follows, reviving the iconic anthem with modern production sensibilities. The track is driven by its deep, chugging bassline and stabs of melody that feel like a nod to the original, but also refreshing in their approach. Nicole Moudaber brings a more atmospheric element to the fold with Rise Up, featuring the London Community Gospel Choir. It's expansive, combining gospel depth with Moudaber's signature techno edge, resulting in a track that demands attention without feeling heavy-handed. Closing things out is Armand Van Helden and Mark Knight's Down to Earthia production that melds classic house tropes with a contemporary spin. Its punchy, syncopated rhythm and laid-back groove avoid the typical tropes, instead offering something warm, slightly off-kilter, and entirely captivating. This is a collection that doesn't fall into the trap of overused house formulasiit's bold without overstating, intricate without being pretentious. A strong reminder that these artists still have a few tricks up their sleeves.
Review: Functional house experts Toolroom are back with Toolroom Sampler Vol 11 which is again packed with maximal club cuts for big dancefloors. Martin Ikin's 'Make U Sweat' is indeed sweet tech that never stops pumping under libidinous vocals. Flashmob's 'My Body' is loopy and manic tech with peak time intent and Nathan Barato and Matheo Velez offer up the macho grooves of 'Weapon.' Last of all, Jenn Getz & Alfie offer another slight tweak on try Toorloom sound with the grey and gritty white knuckle beats of 'Vibration.' A great EP for working DJs looking for instant impact.
Kirill Matveev - "Never Losing That Track" (Genning remix) (7:00)
Tm Shuffle - "Artist" (6:00)
Nicolas Barnes - "Outro" (7:50)
Review: MixCult Records' latest release offers an atmospheric journey through deep and dub techno, featuring standout artists like Eric Louis, Kirill Matveev, Genning, TM Shuffle and Nicolas Barnes. Eric Louis's 'Voice Memo' opens the compilation with a haunting blend of soft bass pulses and ethereal vocals, setting a reflective tone. Kirill Matveev's 'Never Losing That Track (Genning Remix)' layers sweeping synths over a driving beat, creating a euphoric yet wistful energy that's perfect for early-morning dancefloors. On the B-side, TM Shuffle's 'Artist' dives into the dub techno world, its solid groove grounding listeners. Nicolas Barnes wraps things up with 'Outro', an ambient masterpiece that fades into introspective calm.
Review: Five years after launching (via a fine EP from Vitess), Chat Noir Records' offshoot Chat Noir Tools - a self-styled 'club oriented experiment lab' - notches up its 15th EP. It's a split affair, with two tracks apiece from label regular Lungo and French graffiti artist/graphic designer turned producer Numero 6. The latter kicks off the EP with 'Do It Again', where woozy, pitched-down vocal samples, drowsy deep house chords and spacey electronic noises ride a crunchy, formative Chicago house beat, before returning to round off the EP with the analogue-rich nu-disco quirkiness of 'Choubidou'. Sandwiched in between you'll find Lungo's contributions - the electro/deep house hybrid 'Bem O Bom', and the synth-heavy nu-disco squelch of 'I Have Some Bad News', where Mr Oizo style electronic motifs and colourful chords catch the ear.
Review: Spot Lite is a leading creative space, art gallery and club in Detroit that now branches out with its new label. Who better to step up with the music than the city's legendary Alton Miller, a master of deep house. As always he radiates heartwarming sounds from the off with 'Remember Who You Are' bringing a big and infectious bassline, rich keys and lush vocals from Nina. On the reverse is a cultured instrumental along with another deep and dynamic cut, 'Impilo.' Both are timeless and mark a great start to this new label, not least as they come on deep purple coloured vinyl.
Review: This unique 12" project showcases the newly emerging talent of students from Alex Font's weekly online music production course, snappily named Alex Font Music Production Course, by offering them their first opportunity to release and promote a record under the Acme label. The EP features a diverse range of sounds which range from N&O's deft and highly detailed minimal tech cut 'Limited Capacity', Malhiot's 'Flynts Dreams' freaky and abstract late night melon twister 'Flynts Dreams' and Travis Barrington's 'Friends & Enemies' which his one to zone you out at 5 am. Daniels Jack shuts down with another minimal cut 'No Pressure' which suggests the artist will go on to some great things.
Review: In its formative years in the first half of the 1990s, IRMA offshoot Calypso Records released some of the finest Italo-house records of the period. By the middle of the decade, though, the imprint was dipping its toe into darker and infinitely more druggy territory. DJ Nabile's 'Moonlight', featuring some chanted and spoken lead vocals byLucio Baradel, played a key role in this transformation. All these years on, it still sounds fresh. Side A boasts two of the earliest versions: the mind-mangling 'Alfa Mix', where dark and moody, Tenaglia-esque motifs ride an extra-percussive tribal house groove, and the more rolling 'Gamma Mix'. Over on the flip you'll find two previously unreleased takes - a throbbing, heavy and warped bass-propelled Alex Neri revision, and Alessio Colina's stomping and hallucinatory 'Tribe Acid Remix'.
Review: FUSE London may be 16 years old, but this 12" inch is - somewhat remarkably - the label's first multi-artist EP. To kick-start their new compilation style series, the much-loved imprint has gathered up a quartet of cuts from an eye-catching array of artists. Heist regular Nachtbraker steps up first with 'Banda', an intergalactic-sounding hybrid of tech-house, deep house and nu-disco sounds, before Rob Amboule steals the show with the bleeping electro-meets-twisted electronic funk brilliance of 'Capnhat'. Rising star Reflex Blue joins the dots between sub-heavy UK tech-house and turn-of-the-90s bleep & bass on the superb 'Life's a Bleep', while Mario Liberti reaches for mutilated rap samples and heady organ stabs on the 'Plastic Dreams'-inspired 'We Are The N&B'.
Review: 'Solipsism' opens with sleek, futuristic energy where its infectious groove and sharp percussion that locks dancers into its hypnotic rhythm. It's a shinning example in refined minimal techno, balancing precision with raw club energy. 'Street Lite' follows, evoking the spirit of early 90s UK techno with rolling drums and nostalgic synth textures, transporting listeners straight to a dimly lit warehouse. On Side-2, 'Freeze' shifts into heavier territory, driven by a weighty bassline and pounding rhythms that demand attention. It's a raw and relentless techno cut built for peak-time intensity. Closing the EP, 'Glove Box' leans into new beat influences, layering thick synth stabs and mechanical grooves for a gritty yet infectious finish. Drum-heavy and rich in character, this record is all about the old-school techno feel while keeping things fresh. It's a love letter to the past with both feet firmly on the dancefloor, designed for those who crave deep, rhythmic intensity with a timeless edge.
Review: Nae's four tracks don't necessarily conjure the chilly setting of an ice palace. Then again, we're never really been to an ice palace, so can't speak about what one would sound like translated into dance floor electronic music. What we can say, though, is this EP springs into bouncy, futurist-leaning minimal-style tech from the off and doesn't really look back. Some moments - 'Move', for example - are chuggier than others, while 'Seventy Springs' represents the deeper side of the package. Which is saying something, considering the whole thing feels rooted in the undergrowth of house-techno. Polished productions throughout, these are neither fillers nor bangers, and as such represent those difficult-to-locate tracks that keep mixes moving, ears attentive, and feet in motion. Simply put, it's Persona UK with another reason to invest.
Review: Manabu Nagayama's 'Light & Shadow' was released back in 2015 but never really got picked up despite being something of a gem now we listen back. Rush Hour co-founder Antal Heitlager knew it had more potential than it had shown so asked Masalo to remix it. Over the course of the last few years he has done that on and off and now finally we get to hear what he came up with. He elevates the track to new levels with subtle tweaks of the arrangement. It has now become a popular hit on the underground circuit with its heart-melting keys and deep, rolling drums.
Review: UK house mainstay Nail has some long roots that go all the way back to the Nottingham scene of the mid-nineties as part of the DiY crew, while he also explored more downtempo sounds as one half of Bent. He is still very much kicking out the jams all these decades on, always with a nice sharp groove and crisp hi hats. That is the case again here with his Mercy EP on Kick-n-Dance which ones with the striped back and infectious 'Broccoli', gets more deep and vibes with 'Lettuce' and comes doused in soul in the case of the flipside opener 'Whas Happenin' which channels Marvin Gaye. 'Spring Greens' is another smart tech house closer that does everything right.
Review: UK veteran producer Nail Tolliday is a very well-respected name in electronic music since the early 90s, even cropping up on one of the earliest Warp album releases, DIY's Strictly 4 Groovers in 1993 . After some years working on other music-related projects, the past ten years he has made a return to producing with a busy output of great dance music. Rhythm By Nature is a new German label and attracting Nail for their first release is a great sign of a strong label to follow. The 'Shake Two' EP's A-Side 'Thoughts' is just the type of track Nail is known for - a proper techno beat that has elements of house and generally adds a timeless melodic element to differentiate it from just being house or techno, even delving as far as to be ambient techno. Nail always brings a great tribal rhythm to his productions that set them apart from the crowd. 'Ribs' on the second side also shows how good Nail does with vocals on his tracks. He has a knack of knowing what works on the dancefloor. The SaPu dub mix adds a nice deeper alternative version to round out this strong record. If you like 90s UK techno like Mark Ambrose, Timewriter, Circulation or End Recordings as much as we do then this is a blind pick up.
Review: For the third release on the fast-rising Sounds of Style Records, label founder Bobby Hudson has turned to long-serving UK deep house don (and former Bent member) Nail Tolliday - a producer whose output is impressively consistent and rarely less than excellent. As if to the prove the point, Tolliday first slaps down a rubbery and sample-rich slab of soul-sampling deep house perfection - all chopped vocal snippets, sustained organ chords and irresistibly funky grooves - before opting for pots-and-pans percussion, chopped funky samples and copious amounts of dancefloor pressure on 'Hey'. Over on side B, 'Peanuts 3' is a mind-mangling disco-house-meets-wonky deep house roller underpinned by superbly sleazy sub-bass, while 'U Know What U Can Do' is sweet, woozy, soulful and informed by classic New Jersey garage-house.
Review: Tricky, textural minimal once again from All Day I Dream, delivering another EP from their mainstay Greg Nairo. 'Omala' sonically expresses the deft inner workings of a jellyfish; pulsating and pushing through the abyssal waters comes 'Phyla', with its white noise sweeps and plucky stabs conveying a near-oceanic sense of curiosity. An ambient version of the former track 'Bhurma' makes the B; this is mover music for deep-sea-dwelling Drexciyans on vacation.
Review: Back in 2012, long-serving Italian producer Marcello Napoletano decided to launch a new, highly limited-edition series, the 'Private Collection'. Since only 100 copies were available direct from the producer, it was effectively a private press EP of machine-powered club cuts from his personal archives. 12 years later, he's decided to reissue it and make it available to a wider audience. This is a very good thing indeed, because the material is - to quote a certain fictional broadcaster from Norfolk - top class. Check first redlined EBM-meets-Chicago house opener 'L'apparzione', before submitting to the early Larry Heard style excellence of 'Fuck the Machines'. Over on side B, 'You Know This Groove' is a solid chunk of Rhodes-smothered, Detroit style deep house dustiness, while 'Stay Forever' is a spacey, squelchy and star-gazing slab of intergalactic house futurism.
Review: Naquil's produced a record that confidently straddles the line between chill-out grooves and driving, danceable rhythms. The opening track, 'Melod For Tre' (Jazz mix), teases with subtle jazz elements that are quickly swallowed up by a bubbling, deep house groove, before the 'Meltdown dub' shifts things into a darker, more atmospheric territory. 'State of Mind' arrives with a punch, its intricate percussion and bassline carrying the track with effortless cool. The final track, 'From Venus With Love,' brings everything full circle, with its ethereal synths and spacey feel, leaving you with a sense of calm satisfaction. It's a heady, immersive listen that balances complexity with accessibility.
Review: Standout Romanian producer makes a welcomed visit to the Rawax camp. The 'Metaphor EP' is a sublime example of superior primetime house music. 'The Wine Glass' is most optimal for dense crowds not worried about a little sweat and perhaps not enough foot space on the dancefloor. In fact, they love that! This is that kind of house music where you get happily drawn to the floor. 'Heal Dealer' adds a bit of acid and a beautiful underlying melody that is perfect for eyes closed listening moments. 'Doremi' is the ideal B-side as the deeper side to things, then the title track finishing off in style. Ali brings a great balance of techno and house to his sound. Rawax puts out a lot of music it seems like and when it's of this calibre, we just say bring us more!
Review: Silias Records welcomes Marko Nastic, a venerated DJ and producer from Serbia who could rightly claim to be one of his country's biggest underground electronic music exports. He brings peak time renegers here with tracks rooted in techno and tech such as 'Sour Pie' with its mechanical drum loops and rickety rhythms run through with blasts of electricity. 'Circuits' is smoother, deeper, more rounded in design and jazzy in melody. 'Que Rico Enrigo' is packed with well-designed sounds and a hint of Latin flair in the vocal sample and 'Clockworksx' shuts down with a thudding, persuasive and chunky tech sound with clattering percussion adding some texture.
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