New Jersey house don Kerri Chandler is rightfully lauded as a hero of the scene. He continues to pour his heart and soul into every record and imbue his music with real-world emotions that elevate his tunes. He is of course a master of a deep but driving sound that borrows from soul, funk and jazz in ignitible ways. The third volume of his Lost & Found EP series on his own label Kaoz Theory is packed with more gold, from the slinky depths of 'Let It (Give Me Back My Love)' to the soul staring vocal work of 'Another Dawn' via more paired back sounds on 'The Bassline' (Kerri Dark mix) and the percussive energy of 'The Breeze.' Yet another essential Kerri 12" for your collection.

Swiss producer and DJ Lea Lisa gathers together some of her favorite tracks to play out with in a double pack compilation for Favorite Recordings. As you might be able to tell from some of the artists and tracks on here, Lea likes her house music deep, tracky, sometimes soulful and verging on proper techno. Featured here are key tracks like 'Ekeyz' from Pure Science, the club mix of 'Be There' by Kerri Chandler and 'Blax Thanxs' by Abacus. One very desirable addition is the early 90s gem 'Emotional' by Think. This very strong gathering of deep house tracks may be one of the best this year. Act quick and grab a copy.

LOCKLEAD's Kemickal Affairs EP delivers four tracks designed to ignite dancefloors with an electrifying blend of house vibes. Side-1 kicks off with 'Zero's Delight,' a spirited and slightly jackin' house anthem that sets a fun and sexy tone. Following up is 'State Of Peace,' delving into a more techy and minimal groove, perfect for those seeking a deeper, more introspective vibe. Flipping to Side-2, the title track 'Kemickal Affairs' takes the listener on a journey through a deeper groove, reminiscent of 90s era house sounds but infused with a contemporary energy. Closing out the EP is 'Morning Krew,' characterized by its pumping bassline and seamless fusion of house and tech elements. With its dynamic range and infectious rhythms, Kemickal Affairs is destined to work well on any club floor.

Unusual Object by Josh Johnson is a sonic masterpiece that blends cyberpunk ambient jazz with modern avant-garde compositions. Johnson's fantastically processed saxophone, combined with subtle samples and grooves, creates an intimate listening experience that draws the listener into his world of sound. With nods to classic Warp Records and Jon Hassell's dreamworld tonalities, Johnson establishes himself as a contemporary force in the avant-garde music scene. The album showcases Johnson's indelible elegance and his ability to craft stately, personal compositions that resonate with listeners.

Moving Pressure makes its inaugural bow here with a first 12" from Rene Wise. Wise by name, wise by nature it seems, cause this is some seriously fresh techno that looks outside the usual reference points. 'Escaping Siro' is busy, energetic, persuasive in its layering of quickened drums, twisted synths and cosmic atmospheres while 'Caging Green' is stripped back but not minimal - paddy drums and floating synths surge onwards as future tribal percussion peppers the beats. 'Dry Beetle' brings dome depth and dub, with warped synths panning about the mix and the linear beats soon sweeping you up. 'Lonely Singing' shuts down with more deep space eeriness.

For their next outing, Workshop has served up some DJ friendly, re-mastered and extended versions of 'Scribbled,' which is a cult deep house delight that first came more than 20 years ago back on Out To Lunch. It has everything a timeless deep hose track should - lo-fi and blissed out drums, melancholic ambient pads, a cute little vocal hook and delicate spieling of percussion to keep things from getting too horizontal. All three versions are superb.

Nowhere does techno as proper as Planet Rhythm. This latest 12" is another no-frills banger with rusty synth and menacing drum loops all perfectly intertwined. There is a hurried sense of funk to 'Formation' that really keeps you on edge, while 'Basel' is turbocharged with video-game style synths. 'Romance' gets more edgy and brings some industrial percussion and automation to the beats while 'Here' slips into thumping and loopy house territory of the sort that reminds us of the one and only Floorplan.

While rooted in the quintessential sound of the late 1950s and early 1960s, UK jazz ensemble The Jazz Defenders explore fresh territory while honouring their jazz heritage on their third album, Memory In Motion. Tracks like 'Chasing Fantasies' and 'Fuffle Kerfuffle' showcase their swing jazz finesse, while 'Meanderthal' and 'Snakebite Playfight' infuse soulful grooves akin to 1960s jazz legends. Collaborations with UK rapper Doc Brown on 'Rolling On A High' and the uptempo funk of 'Net Zero' add modern flair, while introspective moments like 'Take A Minute' and the closing 'Enigma' offer a serene balance. Memory In Motion celebrates jazz's legacy and innovation, blending tradition with contemporary influences for an immersive listening experience.