Compilation Recommendations March 2014

Review: The renaissance of veteran deep house and techno producer David Moufang over the last few years has been a joy to behold. It's great to see Fabric recognising his rebirth by offering him the chance to mix the latest instalment in their long-running CD series. Fabric 74 is as warm, melodic, deep and sensual as you'd expect, flitting between forgotten old school gems (K-Alexi's superb dub of MDIII's 1990 DJ International classic "Shake That Body"), overlooked recent tracks (Juju & Jordash's brilliant "Loosey Goosey") and bassier cuts from a new generation of house producers (see Last Magpie's sub-heavy "Roots"). It's pretty much the perfect example of a mix that entertains and educates in equal measure.

Review: Given the recent upsurge in interest in the back catalogue of seminal Chicago label Dance Mania - particularly the ghetto booty side of their output - it seems fitting that Strut have finally given the label the retrospective treatment it so richly deserves. The whole story is here, from the early jack tracks of Hercules, The Housemaster Boyz and Victor Romero, to the stomping rhythms of DJ Funk, Dj Deeon and Robert Armani (whose ghetto-meets-acid jam "Ambulance" is a riotous highlight). Along the way, there are classics aplenty, alongside lesser-known gems from the vaults (see Parris Mitchell Project's ace "Ghetto Shout Out (feat Wax Master)" and Paul Johnson's thrilling "Feel My MF Bass"). Whether you're a Chicago house connoisseur or not, this should be essential listening.

Review: It's been ten years since outspoken Detroit house legend Omar-S launched his FXHE label, which is no mean feat for a DIY label. To celebrate the fact, he's decided to put together the first in a series of mix CDs highlight the much-loved imprints vast discography. Entitled simply 1, the 74 minute vinyl only set takes an entertaining saunter through the label's bulging back catalogue, showcasing a range of well-known cuts ("Here's Your Trance, Now Dance" etc) and what the producer calls "some shit [fans] might have slept on". Predictably, it makes for a sumptuous and suitably groovy blend, moving between bespoke soulful house (Omar-S's much-loved "Sex"), deep Detroit futurism (Omar-S and O B Ignitt's "Wayne County Hill Cops Part 2"), dreamy jack tracks (Jason Fine's "Jack Yo Bodda") and tactile tech-house (Fit and Gunnar Wendel's "Enter the Fog").

Review: Berlin venue Watergate have pulled of a bit of a coup for the fifteenth edition of their popular mix series, persuading New Jersey legend Kerri Chandler to drop his first DJ mix CD since 2008. Much has changed since then, with Chandler now pushing a style that fuses tech-tinged European deep house with his usual swinging US flavour. As a result, Watergate 15 may raise a few eyebrows in the Southport community, but should endear him to a while new audience. It's certainly a smooth and well thought-out mix, effortlessly segueing between tunes from the likes of Detroit Swindle, Jonny D, Huxley and No Artificial Colors. There's even a Jamie Jones remix present, which is definitely something of a surprise.

Review: Given his reputation as a tireless re-editor, it's something of a surprise that this is Ashley Beedle's first official, licensed compilation of scalpel jobs (previous Beedle edit releases have largely been of the sneaky, illicit 12" variety). Unsurprisingly, there's a celebratory feel to proceedings, something intensified by the presence of a bonus DVD including a lengthy interview with Beedle by DJ Magazine's Ben Murphy. Musically, it's largely what you'd expect, flitting between classic soul, righteous funk, wide-eyed Balearica, groovy underground disco, with a side-order of sumptuous '80s soul (a delicious version of Switch's "Keeping Secrets") and a smattering of curveballs (a riotous version of The Fall's "Touch Sensitive" and the funk-rock brilliance of Panama's cover of "Long Train Running").

Review: What constitutes disco these days? According to the good folks at Future Disco - and they should know, as they've been watching nu-disco trends longer than anyone else - it's pretty much deep house. Admittedly deep house laden with fluid synths, sly musical nods to boogie, thick synth basslines and cocktail-swigging grooves, but deep house nonetheless. This seventh volume in their top-selling mix CD series sees bossman Sean Brosnan at the controls, smoothly moving between deliciously wide-eyed tracks from the likes of Crazy P (wonderfully remixed by Bristolian combo Outboxx), Mario Basanov, Ejeca (with Psychemagik on the remix), Mirror People, Ejeca and Terrence Parker. As ever, there's a handy bonus mix featuring unmixed versions of the tracks for all those DJs whose definition of disco is similarly wide-ranging.

Review: Amazingly, it's been a decade since the demise of Damian Lazarus' acclaimed hipster label City Rockers, and the subsequent birth of Crosstown Rebels - a label that has done more to reinvent tech and deep house for a new generation than almost any other. This unmixed triple-CD collection tells the story so far, showcasing early gems from the likes of Tiga ("Pleasure from the Bass" memorably remixed by Sub-Ann), Kiki & Silversurfer and Sheffield misfits Hiem (remixed by Matthew Johnson), alongside big tunes and familiar favourites from Maceo Plex, Jamie Jones, Art Department and others. There are few surprises, but that's not the point: as a celebration of one of the most influential labels of the last decade goes, it's spot on.

Review: The long running DJ Kicks serious has always been fascinating, offering as it does the chance for DJs and producers known for a particular style to spread their wings musically. Jazz-minded German techno combo Brandt Bauer Frick grab that chance with both hands on their instalment, showcasing an atmospheric blend heavily influenced by nu-jazz and smoky, jazz-flecked deep house. Along the way, there are numerous pleasing diversions, from the head-nodding analogue boogie of Inkswel and Moog-laden African rhythms of William Onyeabor, to the dense drum workout of their own "Brommel" and the winding synths and ultra-deep production of Fantastic Man's "Late At Night". They also make room for a bit of tech-jazz (Galaxy 2 Galaxy), and the booming late night moves of Cosmin TRG.

Review: There's little doubt that David Rodigan MBE is something of a legend. Radio broadcaster, renowned record collector and walking font-of-all reggae knowledge, Rodigan is a good choice to mix the latest installment of Ministry of Sound's popular Masterpiece brand (though, of course, it's more of a blend than a mix, Rodigan being a selector rather than a mixer). He grasps the opportunity provided by the album's three-disc length with both hands, moving through classic blues-rock, jazz torch songs, soul, bizarre instrumental funk and Dusty Springfield, before giving us a lesson in 40 years of Jamaican music. It's this bit that will appeal most to fans and newcomers alike, and is clearly the collection's strongest suit. That said, the fact that there's not a duffer amongst the mix's near 60 tracks is recommendation enough.

Review: Veteran producer, radio host and Metalheadz resident Bailey knows a thing of two about darkside drum & bass, having been one of the scene's major players since way back in 2003. Here, he showcases his skills as selector and mixer with Warehouse Music, an all-action throwdown for V Recordings' offshoot Chronic. Bold, ravey, stomping and suitably bass-heavy, it sees Bailey sprinting through a selection of heavyweight rollers from the likes of Roni Size, Saxxon, Crytical Dub, Command Strange and L-Side. Throughout, the old skool jungle influence is clear, and Bailey barely pauses for air. It's that kind of mix - a quick, thrill-a-minute ride through D&B's bolder pastures.

Review: Parisian duo Acid Arab are men with a plan: namely, to get friends from the house and techno scene to create tracks that mix the stripped-back intensity of analogue acid house with the intoxicating rhythms, sounds and instrumentation from the Orient. It's a devilishly simple formula, but one that offers plenty of scope for experimentation. The results, as showcased on this first compilation for Versatile, are rarely less than superb. From the Middle Eastern-goes-cosmic disco pulse of Professor Genius and Exotic post-punk shuffle of Hanaa Ouassim, to the ragged but humid stomp of I:Cube and thumping, psychedelic electronics of Renart, Acid Arab Collections is full of weird, wonderful and downright thrilling surprises.