Tags: Japanese House

Review: A special, limited edition purple vinyl version of the new Pulsor EP from Orlando Voorn, with the undipsuted classic 'Flash' - utilising his Fix alias - up front, big, bouncy techno with wigged-out synths and plenty of playful energy. There's also the brand new title track 'Pulsor' a heady deep cut and two remixes making their debuts on vinyl here, namely Orlando's chunky techno reworking of 'Boucle To The Beat', one of Toddy Terry's most recognisable early tracks, and then the colourful house sound of Ken Ishii's remix of 'Dope Computer'.

Review: This new EP grey and black splattered 12" from Orlando Voorn features a real glut of goodness - there is the stone-cold classic 'Flash' under his Fix alias which is big, bouncy techno with wigged-out synths and plenty of playful energy. There is also the brand new title track 'Pulsor' which is a nice heady and deep cut with silky synth ripples and rubbery drums intertwining with one another perfectly. The two remixes included have never been available on vinyl before. The first is Orlando's chunky and funky techno rework of 'Boucle To The Beat', one of Toddy Terry's most recognisable early tracks. Then last of all is the colourful house sound of Ken Ishii's remix of 'Dope Computer'. It's a filter-heavy and loopy jam with prickly acid that will pump any party.

Review: HOTMIX Records main man Nick Anthony Simoncino is branching out with a new sub-label here, Hot Street. It will deal in plenty of dusty house as is the case of this first release, a bumper new record from Shin Watanabe. It taps into dreamy synth worlds, lo-fi deep house grooves and subtle soul samples that are designed for cosy floors, back rooms and real heads only.

Review: Shimpei Watanabe's latest release is a slick blend of acid house and dub, with 'No Cab Around Here' leading the charge. The track serves up a deep, pulsating 303 bassline paired with atmospheric dub chords that anchor its infectious groove. On the flip, 'Yamate Ride' takes a more mellow approach, offering a smooth, rolling rhythm that keeps things groovy without losing energy. The Stikdorn remix of 'No Cab Around Here' adds an extra layer of depth, stripping back some of the original's intensity to reveal its hypnotic core. An engaging exploration of Watanabe's versatile production style.

Review: UK-based producer Yuri Suzuki goes hard as nails on his latest effort, landing on Detroit Underground with an unfettered collection of pounding techno cuts. Having previously released on labels including Sketches, Accidental, and Super Rhythm Trax, including notable collaborations with Ed DMX, this long-player is among his most unflinching. From the aptly titled 'Violent Acid Stuff' to the no-less descriptive 'Raver', the tempo maintains a furious pace throughout, with pounding drums, jarring synths, and, of course, searing 303 lines very much the order of the day. Simply put, if you're a fan of acid techno, you'd be strongly advised to buy this one on sight.

Review: Shinichiro Yokota's legendary discography finally arrives on vinyl with The Pitstop Box, featuring 24 essential and exclusive tracks. Originally available only in Japan via Far East Recording, this long-awaited collection highlights Yokota's signature blend of funk, hip-hop, electronic and Japanese influences. It features house classics like 'Right Here Right Now' and 'Night Drive', plus a cover of Haruomi Hosono's 'Simoon' and a collaboration with Soichi Terada that is packed with signature melodic sugariness. Inspired by his love for sports cars, The Pitstop Box is a brilliant overview of one of house music's finest talents..