Phonogramme France レコード& CD

Review: Prescription and Guidance mainstay Abacus has already done enough to assure his eternal legacy in the story of deep house. But thankfully he is still turning out superbly deep sounds that are as profound and emotive as they are heady and escapist. Here he is back on Phonogramme with 'Analogue Stories Vol. 2' which comes on a unique semi-transparent 12'' vinyl. The beats are warm and humid, thickly coated with a diffuse synth hue as the rooted drums roll on smoothly. 'How U Do It' is out pick - a musical odyssey with layers of instrumentation, piano and percussion all topped off with a Moodyman vocal sample.

Review: Over the past 15 years Christopher Rau has been featured on some excellent labels within techno and house. From Smallville, Giegling, Mule Musiq, Pampa and more. Now, Phonogramme adds this talented producer to their impressive roster. The Blade EP showcases Rau's amazing talents at making great sounding electronic music. The production is clean, polished and catchy. 'Alfred' is a deep house gem that hits all your senses - a track you can play day or night. The title track, meanwhile, has all the makings of a Detroit masterpiece that reminds us of works by Ian O'Brien, Envoy or Dan Curtin. Do not sleep on the two cuts on the B-side either, they're deep groovers to round out this EP well.

Review: Byron The Aquarius (Byron Blaylock), from Birmingham, Alabama, debuts his latest EP for French Synchrophone sublabel Phonogramme, 'Dey Know Vol. 1'. Topping up an already hugely impressive backlog of releases on the label recently - from the likes of Abacus, Steeve O'Sullivan and Vitess - the producer and water carrier adds to their catalogue for a varied scrubdown of the more militant ends of techno's sonic politic. An impressove sense of variation is achieved on the expositionally minimal 'Black Is Black', which contrasts greatly to the ensuing space-quagmires of 'Dr Devil' and then the crude, bleepy and frank analog sonics of 'Real MF From The Avenue'. Dreamy narrations of local life abound, precluding the closing 'Rock That 808!!!', a track that is far more sophisticated and well-developed in sound than its wilfully blase title might suggest.

Review: The cuddly deepness just oozes out of these new jams by Nico Lahs right from the off. 'One More Time' has smooth edges, humid pads and frictionless drums with just the right amount of skip to keep you locked. Elsewhere there is a more jumbled percussive sound to 'Imagination', which has scruffy kicks and Detroit pads to keep you vibing. 'Shake Dat' then gets a little more rough and ready, basement style. The chords are still lush but the drums punchy that bit harder to get the party amping. Textbook and timeless stuff.

Review: He calls himself the house gangster and who are we to disagree with Puerto Rico-born, Chicago-bred house innovator DJ Sneak? He has been kicking out the jams for decades now, slaws with a raw edge and loopy, infectious style that is akin to French filter house. This new Galactic Funk EP comes on Phonogramme on acid yellow vinyl and packs his usual punch across a quarter of club-ready jams that have hooky melodies fluttering away up top as the dusty, rusty drums sounds do their thing down low. Another irresistible weapon from the big man.

Review: ZKY who minimal fans will know as one half of Cab Drivers now finds himself on fine French label Phonogramme with a new EP that offers up his lovely and warm analogue house jams. 'Love Train' kicks off with a nagging, wobbly baseline between silvery drum loops and fleshy bass. 'Instant Delight' has the sort of synths that bring to mind deep Detroit techno and they're paired with over sized hi hats and a serene sense of futurism. Last of all is the most playful - 'Punky Music' with James Brown samples, smeared chords and steamy vocals.

Review: The Phonogramme label is a real stamp of house quality, whether serving up deep, French or garage-tinged. This new 12" from Lucas Monet does a bit of all that and more. 'Low Gravity' (feat Dusty Fingers - Deeper dub is a classic New Jersey sound with neon chords and Kerri Chandler kicks. 'Losing You' (Paradise mix) has a more optimistic and upbeat feel with organ stabs and finger clicks and 'Deep In The Blue' (937 club mix) has a little more jack and swing to it. 'Music' (UKG Private mix) shuts down with an irresistible old school groove full of love.

Review: House doesn't get much more Chicago than when made by Boo Williams. The big man has been turning out the jams for decades, always with an irresistible sense of low-end bite and top-end fun. This outing on the French label Phonogramme comes on clear wax and is another crucial 12". 'Melodic Groove' is just that, with rolling drums and soft melodies perfectly intertwining while 'Nite Vision' is a more broken beat and percussive affair with swirling pads up top. 'Artificial World 2023' (feat Jamiel Patton) gets your head amongst the stars with its bright, lush keys and skipping soulful drums and last of all is another heady and cosmic house roller in 'Song & Dance' (feat Jamiel Patton - Planet mix).

Review: Steve O'Sullivan keeps on trucking with that dubbed-out minimal tech house scene he first pioneered as Bluetrain so long ago. This time he's stepping out on the Phonogramme label with the sleek 'Turf Wars (90s Disco Mix)', a smart reduction of the filter house sound which will work wonders in a heads-down, long-trucking DJ set. 'Stronger Dub' is a slightly deeper cut with some lush vocal licks run through the echo chamber, and then the original mix of 'Turf Wars' lands on the B2 in a marginally chunkier form for those who like a more prominent bassline in their arsenal when keeping a marathon crown on track.