Back catalogue: Progressive House

Review: Rebirth kicks off its 2024 with a remix EP that serves as "a tribute to the Brescian music scene in its many facets and declinations." The full original project is a complete 12-track album that brings together many different sounds, scenes and generations, with the best bits now assembled on this new 12". The revered deep house master Fred P opens up with some texture spiritual synth depths, K-Lone brings some nice house swing to his version of 'Paline' and edit maestro Rahsaan also keeps it paired back and late night on his soulful take on 'Scent Of An Old Life'. A great reimagining of some moving musical adventures, then.

Review: Neptune Discs bowl headfirst into a future cybernet on their ninth V/A volume. Christening this latest record a “Neptune Disc”, we’d not be surprised if it indeed was true that a hidden alien civilization resident on the farthest known planet in the solar system was, in fact, using copies of this record as currency. From the opening filterswept FM declensions of ‘Emerald Canopy’, to the closing saws and oral acid resonances of ‘Donald Llg’, this retrofitted vision of the 2090s propels us towards a altered, proto-temporal conscious state, twining intricate vocal hooks round endlessly pulsating acid lines.

Review: Two years ago, UK techno mainstay Gabriel made his bow on Rawax's Motor City Edition series with an EP of cuts drawn from his seemingly endless archive of unreleased gems. We're not sure whether the four tracks on this belated sequel are old and new, but they're certainly timeless-sounding and impressively deep. Check first 'Mordax', an impeccable mixture of Motor City star-gazing and analogue deep house blessed with a ridiculously good bassline, before admiring the sun-splashed warmth of 'The Multicoloured Mind', where jazzy piano motifs, sustained synth-strings and warming chords dance atop a loose-limbed house-not-house beat. Over on the B-side 'It's All Pam's (Marseille)' is another gorgeous chunk of ageless deep house bliss, while 'Into Week Two' sees Gabriel once again blur the boundaries between Detroit techno and futurist deep house tropes.

Review: Jorge Gamarra's 'Exercise In Futility' EP is a striking exploration of sound from start to finish, showing his unique flair in the minimal and tech house genres. On Side-1, 'Rigor Samsa' sets the tone with an epic soundscape that merges futuristic and dramatic sci-fi elements. Its heavy, brooding atmosphere is both catchy and dynamic, making it a standout opener that invites listeners on an adventurous journey. Side-2 introduces 'Angular', a track infused with trance elements that create a romp into the future of techno sounds. The seamless blending of rhythms and melodies elevates the listening experience, highlighting Gamarra's ability to craft engaging soundscapes. Concluding the EP, 'Petrichor' is our favourite of the three. It delivers a stunning fusion of 80s darkwave aesthetics with techno influences, with lots of emotional atmospheric and depth with rich textures, evoking a nostalgic yet fresh vibe. All in all, a masterful record.

Review: Airy and punchy new progressive techno from Guy J, with twin stimulant shots 'Silver Lake' and 'Evo'. The third release on his own label Lost & Found, the producer and artist flaunts his preference for the morning lauds; Early Morning was named after his habit of getting up early in the morning and making great music. Matching this matutinal mission comes the pitter-patter drums and percs of 'Silver Lake', whose percussive ribcage encloses beating hearts of dub chords and echo, sounding truly alive. 'Evo' is an expansion on the A-side's opening statement, with stabbing chords and clever stereo trickery make up an auroral, interaural song. Also, that snare on the B...