Review: Terry Francis and the late Nathan Coles (who were the men behind seminal UK party Wiggle) as well as Laurant Webb, Dave Coker and Justin Bailey were Housey Doingz, a vital production outfit that lay the foundations of early tech house. Now some of their best work has been pulled together for a two-part collection called A Sillybration. All the cuts have been remastered from the original DATs, many have never been reissued since the original release, and some have never been on wax at all. They are all timeless and effective tracks that you simply cannot pass up owning.
Time (feat Angela Johnson - 7" Sax intro edit) (4:27)
Review: Micky More & Andy Tee's Groove Culture delivers a fresh spin on jazz-funk classics with a new 7-inch release. The Side-1 features a dj-friendly cover of Lonnie Liston Smith's 'Expansions,' blending disco and house with a funk-driven bassline, soulful vocals, and beautiful keys. On Side-2, it offers a high-energy remake of Light Of The World's 'Time,' featuring Angela Johnson's powerful diva vocals. This track shines with its lively disco vibe, sax intro and dancefloor appeal. Both tracks encapsulate the essence of fun disco and soul and should appeal to a wide range of dance music fans old and young.
Review: Sushitech has always done a fine job of preserving and spotlighting the roots of house and techno and some of its key protagonists. This second volume of A Sillybration does that once more by bringing together some of the most sought-after tunes and vital classics from legendary UK talents Terry Francis, the late Nathan Coles, Laurant Webb, Dave Coker and Justin Bailey aka Housey Doingz. Of these 16 plenty of them have only ever been released once so are pricey if you want an original, and some have never been on wax before, at all. They have all been re-mastered directly from the original DATs and make for a vital collection of dance floor heaters that have aged like fine wine.
Review: These days, vinyl releases from Sean McCabe's admirable Good Vibrations Music imprint are few and far between, though what they do put out is excellent. For proof, check out this belated sequel to their first multi-artist EP, which landed in 2021. To kick things off, Glenn Underground serves up a gently Latin-tinged take on Harold Matthews Jr's 'This Place' - all soulful vocals, fluid bass guitar, bouncy beats, and infectious electric piano licks - before McCabe joins forces with Black Sonix on the jazzy, jaunty and bass-heavy jazz-funk/Latin house fusion of 'Modulate'. Deep soulful house and nods to Atjazz are the order of the day on Madeeha, McCabe and Dj Mixjah's 'Still Standing Here', while the Underground Project rework of 'You Don't Know' by David Bailey and MissFly is a tech-tinged slab of deep, soulful house.
Review: Chad Jackson and Hallmighty deliver a fresh take on classic sounds with Jazz Be Good To Me on Battle Weapons France. This hip hop/R&B release features two creative tracks. Side-1 showcases Chad Jackson's 'Jazz Be Good To Me,' a lively hip hop groove that echoes the late 80s and 90s, when dance music was a key component of the genre. Jackson updates the early 80s classic by the S O S Band with a vibrant, contemporary twist, making it a perfect fusion of old and new. On Side-2, Hallmighty presents 'What Is Stormy Love,' a masterful mash-up of Haddaway and Diana Ross & The Supremes. This track is produced so seamlessly that it feels like an original song from the late 60s, blending vintage soul with modern production techniques.
A Reference To E2-E4 By Manuel Gottsching (Mad Professor Qantas Crazy remix) (11:52)
Review: 'E2-E4' is of course a legendary bit of music written by a legendary composer. Here, Alex Kassian serves up his own extension version of it and takes us on a 12-minute electronic trip that will be perfect for the more adventurous DJs and dancers out there - not least in Ibiza this summer. Next to the escapist original is a flipside remix from the one and Mad Professor. He heads out on his own with plenty of mind-melting effects, dubby undercurrents and mesmeric leads that encourage minds to wander. A real pearler for the hotter months and beyond.
Review: Deeper States Volume 2 is another installment of fresh sounds from producers who have come through a competition that set them to making proper deep hose with a specified sample library. Across four sides of wax, there are some mighty fine cuts here such as the deep garage inflections of Enrico Dragoni, some Motor City vibes from Scott Andrews, the deepest of dub techno workouts from Montreal courtesy of Dealin', soul-drenched late-night cruisers from Khalid Ali on 'Elevate' and some nice bubbly vocal vibes from Dublin don Oscide with his 'Free Your Mind.' This is another hugely effective and stylish EP from the Interweaved community.
Review: As well as a black version coming later in the year, Sushitech has cut this brilliant coloured vinyl compilation featuring some of the best work from Terry Francis and the late Nathan Coles (who were the men behind seminal UK party Wiggle) as well as Laurant Webb, Dave Coker and Justin Bailey, known collectively as Housey Doingz. As far as key players in early tech house go, few are better than this lot. Their work is now compiled in a two-part collection titled A Sillybration. Each track has been remastered from the original DATs, with many not reissued since their initial release, and some making their vinyl debut. These timeless and powerful tracks are essential additions that you won't want to miss.
Sanctuary - "Disconnect" (extended Disco instrumental) (6:25)
Willie J & Co - "Boogie With Your Baby" (extended Disco mix) (6:21)
Unknown Tape - "Familiar Time & Place" (Chicago mix) (7:05)
Unknown Tape - "Familiar Time & Place" (Detroit mix) (7:09)
Review: The shadowy Edit & Dub crew don't talk about their releases, so it can be difficult to ascertain whether the tracks they're showcasing are long-lost originals, or new edits of ridiculously rare records. Either way, the label's latest EP features versions of some seriously hard to find treats, starting with a fine 'extended disco instrumental' of Sanctuary's 'Disconnect', a fine disco-boogie jam from 1980. They then deliver a (we think) previously unreleased 'extended disco' mix of Willie J & Co's killer 1976 disco-funk gem 'Boogie With Your Baby'. On the B-side we're treated to two takes on the mysterious 'Familiar Time and Place' by Uknown Tapes: a 'Chicago Mix' which sounds like late 80s Windy City acid house smothered in spacey deep house chords and intergalactic electronics and the mid-80s techno-tinged 'Detroit Mix'.
Review: Dubbed by Billboard as the most sampled reggae song of all time, the legendary 1982 recording 'Bam Bam' by Sister Nancy has been used by some of the most influential musicians of the modern period: Lauryn Hill, Beyonce, Ye West and Rihanna to name a few. The dancehall classic has made multiple appearances in TV shows and Movies, standing the test of time as a quintessential anthem. Pressed on gold vinyl in an illustrated jacket, this reissue comes paired with the original Stalag riddim from Ansell Collins that Nancy samples on the B side. 'Bam Bam' remains an undisputed piece of history, the crowning jewel for the first-ever female Jamaican DJ to tour internationally.
Review: Classic alert! This sure-fire party starter is a timeless gem by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes originally released in 1973. It features the powerful vocals of Teddy Pendergrass and is a heartfelt expression of regret and longing over a lost love. With its upbeat tempo and lush orchestration it marked a significant shift in soul music as it blended traditional r&b with the emerging disco sound. It's built on an infectious groove with soulful harmonies and emotive lyrics which will always resonate with audiences and that is why it was such a chart-topping hit back in the day that remains a defining moment in the group's career and a timeless anthem of love and loss. It is backed here with the equally catchy 'Wake Up Everybody.'
Review: Berlin-based artist Pavel Milyakov collaborates with Yana Pavlova, Martyna Basta, Richie Culver and Torus on Enthropic Vision, an album-length collection of tracks spanning diverse genres. The A-side starts with the melancholic ambience of 'Moon Chant', featuring the ethereal vocals of Krakow experimental music scene veteran Martyna Basta, before 'Tesco' brings bleak trancey loops blended with British contemporary artist Richie Culver's spoken word poetry. 'Eternal Break', with Netherlands-based artist Torus, is all low subs, ecstatic pads and abrasive breaks, then the B-side kicks in with 'Gabba 17' - not a 170bpm gabba anthem, but rather a ghostly techno workout with an admittedly urgent 4/4 kick - and continues with another tune featuring Richie Culver's spoken word fused with breaks. The album closes with the grim beauty of 'The Thrill', recorded in collaboration with Ukrainian singer Yana Pavlova and transports more wised up listeners back to the hypnagogic universe of the duo's 2021 Blue LP.
Review: Home Hitters churn out edition 15 of their eponymous series, recollecting two noughties mainstays to a fresh white label A-and-B-sider. On the A we've 'Temperature', an experimental Sean Paul dancehall cut from the 2005 album The Trinity, although this is a faster take on dancehall than most would've heard it; the song's melody is infectious enough too, being one of those songs everyone knows as having wafted from car stereos or down-the-block house parties, and on which Paul waxes poetic about keeping the object of his affections warm. Enur's 'Calabria 2007' offered similar vibes, with its whimsical horn lead and carefree lyrical invitations.
Biggie Smalls - "Sunshine Biggie" (A Don Mash Up) (4:15)
2 Pac - "Thug Stylin" (A Don Mash Up) (4:27)
Review: With the likelihood that these two legendary MCs would have ever shared credits on a release while alive being zero, this 7" A Don mash up is the closest we'll ever get to seeing these East and West coast feuds quelled musically. Featuring a smooth disco-funk reimagining of The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Juicy' on the A-side, with a jazzy old school boom-bap rendition of Tupac's 'Thug Style' on the flip, this pair of edits traverse decades of musical history, progression, fusion and controversy in under ten minutes, while effortlessly bridging sonic gaps. Limited to just 200 copies, these will fly, so don't sleep.
Review: Sushitech excels at preserving and spotlighting the roots of house and techno and now it is offering up this superb compilation on coloured vinyl alongside the standard black. The second volume of "A Sillybration" continues this tradition by compiling sought-after tracks and essential classics from UK legends Terry Francis, the late Nathan Coles, Laurant Webb, Dave Coker, and Justin Bailey, also known as Housey Doingz. This 16-track collection includes many tunes that were previously released only once and are now rare, alongside some that have never been pressed on vinyl. Re-mastered from the original DATs, these tracks form a vital collection of timeless dance floor anthems.
Review: Antonio Ocasio's latest outing for his own Tribal Winds imprint is yet another characteristic Afro-Latin groove swang. As ever, Ocasio infuses the mixable quantic calcines of deep house with the live instrumentation endemic to much Afro-Cuban music, producing a solid straddling of danceability and naturalism. A1 'Afro Beat Forever' does its utmost to inspire the potency of the Afrobeat genre, stepping up the default tempo to a solid 120ish while fervent "hey" shouts and unhurried horns embellish the mix; while, in equal measure, does the inverse 'Boleka', featuring respective vocalist and producer Toshi and Jephte Guillaume, work in the vivid vocals, cosmic guitar solos and diatonic chords that only a true lounge-grounded groove could muster.
Review: Andres fans have got a lot to get excited about this month: the beat maker, record collector, badman DJ and frequent Mahogany Music label artist has got a whole bunch of new and limited 12"s dropping on the GT Flips label, They are all him in edit mode, flipping, reworking and tweaking a mix of classic dance, pop, and house sounds that you probably know well. In his hands, they become beautifully rough around the edges and loved-up grooves. 'No. 1' is a real bumpy house workout with some great zippy synth leads and 'Doobie' is a nice rough edge and piano-laced funk workout. Magic.
Some Days I Drink My Coffee By The Grave Of William Blake (4:07)
Frozen Clouds (3:32)
Review: THE THE's eagerly awaited Ensoulment marks their first studio album since 2000's NakedSelf. This 12-track collection traverses sharp social commentary and personal introspection, something the band has always excelled at through the years. To celebrate the release, a strictly limited 7" vinyl single will feature 'Some Days I Drink My Coffee By The Grave Of William Blake,' a standout track from the album. The single also includes an exclusive B-side, a previously unreleased track, making it great for collectors wanting a unique piece of their discography. With Ensoulment, THE THE delivers a potent mix of incisive lyrics and introspective musings, reinforcing their legacy with a fresh yet timeless edge. While, like most of mainstream media missing this amazing band as usual, true tastemakers know the legendary career Matt Johnson has had. His impact is immeasurable.
Review: We have a real soft spot for Detroit DJ and beatmaker Andres. He always makes music that is moving emotionally as well as physically and he does that again here with His GT Flips series. It highlights his talent for reimagining classic tracks into infectious bangers. He has dropped many a deep house gem before now, mostly on Moodymann's Mahogany Music label, and opens here with the bump delights 'Take Your Time'. 'Saturday' is then a playful spin on a disco-house delight. Finally, 'The Candle' is a more Latin-tinged sound and all three of these come on a white label 12" limited to 300 copies.
Review: DJ Dez Andres aka Andres who is known for being both the DJ with legendary hip-hop act Slum Village, but also a DJ and beatmaker in his own right, has been really busy this summer. We now get treated to the fruits of his labours with a series of new and limited edition white label 12"s that feature a bunch of his masterfully worked edits. First up is the whistle-laced broken beat workout 'Boogie', then comes 'Maxin' which is a slow motion and sensuous sound with downtempo beats and silky pads and 'Talking' then shuts down with another alluring vocal and cuddly, romantic late-night feel.
Review: Suckaside, a creative artist with a deft touch in beat composition, sampling, and mashups, delivers a dynamic offering with Toxic Funk Vol 15. 'Sometimes Bootyful' is a piano-laden funk jam driven by a tight breakbeat that's both hip and infectious. The track seamlessly blends elements of house into its groove, making it accessible to pop fans while staying true to its funky roots. The addition of rap verses adds an extra layer of appeal, making this track a standout. Bringing in 90s funky rhythm vibes, 'Sugar Face' on the B-side cleverly incorporates hooks from D'Angelo's 'Brown Sugar.' This track is a 7" gem for funk and R&B lovers, combining nostalgic grooves with a modern twist.
Mass Digital - "The Need In Me" (feat Katherine Ellis) (7:20)
David Orin - "Downpour" (feat Hannah Noelle) (8:01)
Budakid - "Promised" (6:51)
Alejo Gonzalez, Barklas - "Ten Days" (7:11)
Review: All Day I Dream is a deep house lover's dream - a factory line for interesting, quirky and most importantly effective grooves from a worldwide spread of artists. They have a thing for offering up seasonal compilations of their sounds and now, though rather late, we get the Summer Sampler 2024. It's a treasure trove of sounds to get lost in and mentally escape with - rolling drums, wispy pads and airy melancholia all deftly designed and nothing to mind, body and soul. Mass Digital, Double Touch, David Orin and Raw Main are all new names to us, but they all impress.
Rock 'n' Roll Star (LP3 - Monnow Valley version) (6:13)
Shakermaker (Monnow Valley version) (4:48)
Live Forever (Monnow Valley version) (4:52)
Up In The Sky (Monnow Valley version) (4:55)
Columbia (Monnow Valley version) (4:50)
Bring It On Down (Monnow Valley version) (3:59)
Cigarettes & Alcohol (Monnow Valley version) (4:28)
Digsy's Dinner (Monnow Valley version) (2:39)
Rock 'n' Roll Star (LP4 - Sawmills outtake) (6:31)
Up In The Sky (Sawmills outtake) (4:24)
Columbia (Sawmills outtake) (7:10)
Bring It On Down (Sawmills outtake) (4:18)
Cigarettes & Alcohol (Sawmills outtake) (5:07)
Digsy's Dinner (Sawmills outtake) (3:04)
Slide Away (Sawmills outtake) (6:03)
Sad Song (demo) (4:33)
Review: An album that requires little to no introduction, Definitely Maybe was and still is the fastest-ever selling debut in the UK on release, while it's legacy and influence continues to be felt and reappear in sonic corners across the globe. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with a deluxe 4xLP reissue, this version comes complete with the album's 2014 remaster, boasting some of their most timeless anthems such as 'Shakermaker', 'Live Forever' and 'Supersonic', as well as the never-before-released and previously discarded original recording sessions from Monnow Valley along with outtakes from Sawmills Studios in Cornwall. While the recording process for Oasis' seminal debut have become the stuff of mired Britpop lore, now fans can finally set their own ears to the controversial, incongruent Dave Batchelor takes, and assess the damage - or delight - for themselves.
Review: Aussie mash-up maestro and re-editor DJ Agent '86 first made his mark two decades ago and has periodically delivered killer cuts ever since. Of those, the most celebrated is undoubtedly 'All About The Money' - a cannily constructed party jam that first dropped digitally at the tail end of the noughties. Here it finally makes it to wax. It's a simple idea, expertly executed, with the Australian producer peppering a jaunty reggae-disco groove (built mostly from a late 70s disco cover of Pink Floyd's 'Money') with a variety of cash-money related rap samples. Over on the B-side he works his magic on Blondie classic 'Rapture', adding in subtle elements from other cuts early on before building energy via the familiar groove and well-used effects.
Review: In a totemic move, Fela Kuti's musical successor and familial acolyte Seun Kuti teams up with fellow generational talent Damian Marley, here for an ultra-limited edition new single, 'Dey'. This much-anticipated collaboration combines the raw energy of Afrobeat with the rhythmic vibes of reggae. 'Dey' is also the first single from the much-awaited new album by Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, 'Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head)'. A never-heard-before collaborative smashing of styles, and a whirlwind creative decision to boot.
Some Days I Drink My Coffee By The Grave Of William Blake (3:59)
Zen & The Art Of Dating (4:35)
Kissing The Ring Of POTUS (3:29)
Life After Life (3:07)
I Want To Wake Up With You (3:58)
Down By The Frozen River (3:34)
Risin' Above The Need (3:48)
Linoleum Smooth To The Stockinged Foot (3:31)
Where Do We Go When We Die? (3:59)
I Hope You Remember (The Things I Can't Forget) (3:42)
A Rainy Day In May (3:27)
Review: The The's album Ensoulment marks a significant return after nearly 25 years since their last studio release. Written, demoed, and mixed at Studio Cineola in London by mainman Matt Johnson, the album delves into profound themes ranging from love, sex, war and politics to the essence of humanity in the 21st century. Joined by long-standing band members and co-producer Warne Livesey, the album captures the essence of The The's distinctive sound while exploring new territories. Featuring artwork by Matt's late brother Andrew, Ensoulment promises another significant album in the bands discography. With additional performances from notable musicians including Gillian Glover and Terry Edwards, Ensoulment is poised to make a significant impact upon its release.
Review: 'Imprevisto' by Bossa Tres and Ana Rosely's 'Skim Dum Dum Dum' receive well-deserved attention in their remastered reissue by Mr Bongo. Bossa Tres's track, featured as the final piece on their 1965 'Em Forma!' LP, stands out as an unmistakable Brazilian jazz classic. Opening with a dramatic intro and a hypnotic piano line, the song evolves with panned percussion and upright bass, showing the band's refined musicality honed from their early days touring jazz clubs in the USA. This 7" release marks a significant reissue of Bossa Tres's sophisticated sound in a concise format. On Side-2, Ana Rosely's 'Skim Dum Dum Dum' from 1984, originally released by RGE Discos, adds a different flavor with its infectious groove and enigmatic charm. Despite limited information about Rosely, her releases have become sought after for their rarity and musical quality. With 'Skim Dum Dum Dum,' her talent shines brightly within the unique style of Brazilian music. This remastered edition with refreshed artwork offers collectors and enthusiasts a chance to rediscover these gems of Brazilian jazz and music history.
At Les (Christian Smith Tronic Treatment remix) (9:44)
At Les (Christian Smith Hypnotica remix) (9:14)
Review: Christian Smith revisits Carl Craig's iconic ambient masterpiece 'At Les' with two exceptional remixes, originally crafted in 2010. This reissue on Tronic revives the deep house genre with a fresh perspective on a track that first appeared on Craig's 1997 album, More Songs About Food and Revolutionary Art. On Side-1, the 'Tronic Treatment remix' injects a pulsating energy into the ethereal original, blending rhythmic depth with the serene atmosphere that made the track a legend. Smith's remix maintains the emotional intensity while adding a driving beat that propels the listener forward. On Side-2, the 'Hypnotica remix,' where Smith delves into a more immersive, trance-like state. This version is all about loops and intricate layers, creating a soundscape that feels both expansive and intimate. Smith's reimagining of 'At Les' pays homage to Carl Craig's genius while introducing new sonic dimensions. Still, 14 years later...this is a club ready peak time record.
Review: Monolake's latest record is does a damn good job of convincing us of his obsessive tendencies. We wouldn't know it - not least since us end-listeners are so used to reaping the fetishistic products of artistic sweats - but Monolake himself has since let on that "most of the tracks on this album got revised countless times, and then even more". It's these revisions, iterations through time, to which we sadly must accept that we will never gain access. Even so, we can appreciate that the likes of 'Intermezzo', 'Global Transport' and 'Cute Little Aliens' are essentially the sum total of a nearly endless versioning practice, one that Monolake rightly, impertinently stands by, not to give ground to any outside injunction to streamline or 'agile' his craft. The album eventually became a formal meditation on the studio itself - "my shelter, I feel comfortable there, surrounded by wonderful inspiring machines. A small cosy room where ideas emerge, mature, morph, and solidify into their final shape". Monolake goes on to admit his analytic, perfectionistic tendencies with statements like "all completely ripped apart and rearranged multiple times" and "repeatedly shift from one state to another until they become solid". And while the music remains thoroughly danceable, it's the tracks' toplines, their accoutrements, that are the most "fleshed-out" - they could rival a haruspex's auspice in their ability to find meaning in endless, visceral variety.
Review: TNT Vol 8 brings two powerhouse tracks from Nelly's debut album in 1999 to a 7" format on TNT Rap Classics. This hip-hop gem features 'Ride Wit Me' on Side-1, a collaboration with City Spud that peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted in the top 10 internationally. The track, written by Nelly and Jason "Jay E" Epperson, creatively interpolates DeBarge's 'I Like It.' Side-2 features 'Country Grammar,' Nelly's debut single that introduced his signature style to the world. Written by Nelly and Epperson, this track reached number seven in both the U.S. and U.K. and made a significant impact globally. 'Country Grammar' incorporates a melody from the children's clapping game 'Down Down Baby,' and the clean version replaces explicit lyrics with radio-friendly alternatives. Hip-Hop enthusiasts, collectors and DJs should be excited about this wicked 45,
Hand Made (feat Brutha Basil - Peacey remix) (5:30)
Hand Made (feat Brutha Basil - Rocco Rodamaal Raw mix) (4:46)
Hand Made (feat Brutha Basil - South Beach Recycling remix) (6:16)
Review: Steve Butler's most recent full-length excursion as Abel, Cosmic Law, rightly received plenty of plaudits on its release last year. 'Hand Made', a spacey, tech-tinged deep house featuring evocative spoken word vocals by American wordsmith Brother Basil, was one of that set's stand out cuts. This single release naturally features Butler's original mix, plus three new reworks. Rising star Peacey kicks things off with a spacey, bouncy, breakbeat-sporting revision, before Rocco Radamaal delivers an analogue bass-propelled, keyboard stab-sporting 'Raw Dub' that sounds like it was tailor made for dark, strobe-lit peak-time dancefloors. To round things off, sometime nu-disco sorts South Beach Recycling re-imagine the track as an intergalactic, ultra-deep slab of house hypnotism wrapped in spacey electronics.
Review: The One by Will Sessions is a masterful blend of late 70s progressive funk, soul and boogie, brought to life with the help of Detroit legend Amp Fiddler and the dynamic vocal trio Dames Brown. The album tells a compelling story of love and its challenges in the heart of Detroit, with each track exuding authenticity and groove. The opening track, 'What It Is,' immediately sets the tone with its infectious rhythm, destined to become a dancefloor staple. Amp Fiddler's gritty vocals shine on 'Lost Without You,' perfectly matched by the growling bass and warm groove. 'Belle Isle Drive' offers a laid-back, Sly Stone-esque vibe, while 'Rendezvous' and 'Reminiscin' pure boogie, designed to get you moving. The expansive 'Seven Mile' brings a spacey, relaxed energy, and 'Who Am I' stands out as a soulful gem, with Dames Brown delivering impeccable harmonies. The album closes with the angular and uptempo 'Reconcile,' rounding off a flawless set. The One is an essential listen for fans of boogie and Roy Ayers, showcasing Will Sessions at their creative peak.
Review: GT Flips is surely going to take any label of the month awards this month because it is offering up a whole clutch of brand new and limited 12"s on white vinyl. They are all packed with cheeky edits that the Motor City's main man has put together or a wide of soul, house and r&b originals. 'She Spoke To Me' opens with his trademark blend of sweet pads and roaming basslines, 'Head Over Heels' is a classic tune from Tears For Fears that he brings up to date with some nice analogue drums and 'Spoof' shuts down with some sparkly melodies and raw as you like house grooves full of erotic vibes.
Review: Meera's Stikk on Crosstown Rebels delivers a dynamic journey through minimal and tech house, blending energetic rhythms with moody atmospheres. Side-1 starts with the title track 'Stikk,' a techno builder that grabs attention right away with its powerful drive. The piano elements elevate the track, adding a dramatic flair that sets it apart. The Tripolism remix follows, offering a more techy and uptempo take. It feels like a dub version, retaining key elements of the original while infusing Tripolism's unique style, making it a versatile addition to any set. On Side-2, 'Sykkelkurv' shifts the mood to a deeper, dubby techno vibe. The melodic chords and eerie, soundtrack-like ambiance create an otherworldly experience. Dennis Cruz's remix takes this track even further, adding a sci-fi edge that intensifies the futuristic feel. Stikk is a well-rounded EP that showcases Meera's ability to craft engaging, multifaceted tracks that come complete with a strong remix for extra depth.
Review: The Ultramagnetic MCs, a pioneering hip-hop group from the Bronx, NYC, are celebrated for their innovative sampling, complex rhymes, and surreal lyrical style. Founded by Kool Keith, the group also includes Ced Gee, TR Love and Moe Love, with Tim Dog joining unofficially in 1989. Their track 'A Chorus Line,' initially the B-side of a single, quickly became one of their standout hits, introducing Tim Dog to the scene, while the instrumental from 'A Chorus Line' was later reworked for Tim Dog's controversial debut single, 'F--- Compton,' produced by Ced Gee, which played a significant role in igniting the East Coast/West Coast rivalry of the 1990s. This 7" release features both parts 1 and 2 of 'A Chorus Line,' offering a glimpse into the early days of Ultramagnetic MCs and their influential role in hip-hop history, capturing the raw energy and groundbreaking creativity that defined their legacy.
Review: Love Chug by East Coast Love Affair and BDK delivers two distinct approaches to peak-time dancefloor energy, perfect for any house club setting. Side-1 features 'Love Chug' by East Coast Love Affair, a track that expertly builds with a driving disco vibe. A powerful guitar riff takes the lead, while a filtered hook pushes the sound deep into house territory, creating an immersive experience that evolves throughout. On Side-2, BDK's 'Pure Sass' offers a strong, uplifting house track that borders on gospel house. Its vibrant energy and soulful vibe are reminiscent of classic Jasper Street tracks, making it an irresistible choice for the dancefloor. Together, these tracks provide a dynamic balanceione that builds and one that never lets upiensuring that the energy stays high all night.
Review: He may have started life as a dusty-fingered hip-hop beat-maker, but French producer Julien Ozonder AKA Young Pulse is undoubtedly best-known for his party-starting disco, soul, funk and jazz-funk reworks (for proof, check his ongoing Paris Edits series on GAMM, which has so far notched up eight instalments). On 'Shake Your Body Down', which lands on the label founded by the Funky French League collective he's a member of, he combines samples from a forgotten disco gem with his own beats and instrumentation. On the A-side 'Disco Mix', that means squelchy bass, 126 BPM disco drums and mazy synth solos aplenty; while on the 'Beat Street Mix' he limbers up for the breakin' at the Paris Olympics via an authentically early 80s sounding electro workout.
Review: The fourth instalment of Psychemagik's ongoing Undercover Lovers series - basically a vehicle for their on-point re-edits of various obscure gems and cult classics - continues in a similar vein to its predecessors, delivering two more tried-and-tested reworks. On the A-side the dusty-fingered duo serves up a rearranged take on a much-loved Italo-disco cover of Bowie classic 'Heroes', adding layers of dubby effects while flitting between elements of the original vocal and instrumental versions (including some deliciously stripped-back and stretched out percussion sections). Over on the flip, they rework a lesser-known boogie-era synth-pop number, giving equal airing to whispered spoken word sections, synth-driven instrumental passages, and memorable choruses.
Yawn Yawn Yawn (Dream Another Reality instrumental) (8:20)
Yawn Yawn Yawn (G-Tar Cannyon mix) (4:11)
Yawn Yawn Yawn (Thankful mix) (6:07)
Beyond The Outside (Feel The Sky, Feel The Wind Nature mix) (6:05)
Beyond The Outside (Feel The Sky, Feel The Wind Nature instrumental) (6:04)
Beyond The Outside (G-Taracapella) (2:40)
Beyond The Outside (Storm mix) (5:53)
Song With No Words (Tree with No Leaves mix) (4:08)
Song With No Words (Laughing instrumental) (4:08)
Yawn Yawn Yawn (Chee Shimizu remix) (4:45)
Beyond The Outside (Max Essa remix) (7:21)
Yawn Yawn Yawn (Yabe mix) (5:40)
Song With No Words (Kuniyuki remix) (9:36)
Review: Sth. Notional was a short-lived project that manifested in one album back in 1992, originally released on Japanese label Zero Corporation. Yawn Yawn Yawn focused primarily on various Balearic-friendly mixes of the title track and some other scattered pieces, and now they've received a much-needed spruce up from Archeo Recordings. The "Dream... Another Reality" versions of "Yawn Yawn Yawn" are laid back to the extreme, revolving around delicate instrumentation and occasional threads of speech and singing. There's a mellow beat behind the "G-Tar Cannyon Mix," and the "Thankful Mix" brings a weightier groove to the table. With the other tracks adding to this utterly smooth, early 90s shake, and spread across three discs, this is the holy grail reissue collectors have been waiting for.
Review: Nick Cave & The Bad seeds present their first album in five years, Wild God, following 2019's Ghosteen. A testament to the band's recent spell of happiness - especially after the exorcising of personal demons going on on its predecessor - the stylistic and emotional complexity of Wild God is reflective of the complex emotional state a songwriter can find themselves in after a period of pain and tumult. It is indeed a "complicated record" (Cave's own words), with cameos from David Fridmann to Jonny Greenwood in tow, conjuring up gothic romantic fantasies ("he flew through the city like a prehistoric bird" and "she died in a bedsit in 1993") and candidly heartfelt instrumentation, but with a kooky edge. Though the singles released so far err on the side of convention, our inside intel indicates the presence of an overall rock-genre-bending record elsewhere, owing to a happy period of reconnection and creative synergy experienced by the band.
Reverendos Of Soul - "Love Will Set You Free" (Micky More & Andy Tee mix) (6:06)
Right To Life - "Give It Up" (Micky More & Andy Tee mix) (6:04)
Soulista - "Love & Life" (feat Karmina Dai - Micky More & Andy Tee mix) (6:28)
Serge Funk - "Disco Hustle" (6:11)
Review: Groove Culture's ongoing 'Jams' series continues to deliver disco-house excellence with its fourth edition. This high-quality compilation features standout tracks from Micky More & Andy Tee, Reverendos Of Soul, Soulista, Serge Funk, and Right To Life. Highlights include: Reverendos Of Soul - 'Love Will Set You Free'(Micky More & Andy Tee mix): An all-night disco spirit track verging on Hi-NRG style, bringing big energy and a lively atmosphere to any dance floor. Another great one is Soulista's 'Love & Life" (feat. Karmina Dai - Micky More & Andy Tee mix): A perfect blend of piano disco and house, featuring a heavy beat and great horn sounds that create an infectious groove. Closing things out on a classic leeven is Serge Funk's heater 'Disco Hustle'. This fantastic edit of the classic disco track is a filtered gem that is sure to knock the roof off the discotech. Groove Culture once again proves its reliability as a source of top-tier disco-house with this stellar collection.
Review: Tokyo visionist Soshi Takeda's second album took shape across eight months of the winter and spring, inspired by an iconic mid-80s photography book of Chinese landscapes. Scenes of lantern-lit fishing boats on misty mountain lakes seeded a mood of hidden paradise, with ancient waterways snaking secret paths into the past. Recorded at his home studio using hardware synths and samplers from the 1990's, the six songs of Floating Mountains (plus digital-only bonus track, 'Deep Breath', from the 2nd Life Silk compilation) evoke shrouded vistas of liquid skies and shining lakes, like a Li River-esque twist on Balearic middleweight house. Shades of cosmic drift and crystalline electronica ebb and flow within its nocturnal pulse, pagodas and pearls reflecting the waning moon: "I hope you can feel the cool and exotic atmosphere," muses Takeda.
Review: DJ Tron's Jamaican Champ is a vibrant 7" release on Switzerland's Burning Sole Records, featuring two standout ska tracks that are sure to light up any dancefloor. On Side-1, 'Jamaican Champ' delivers a creative, dancefloor-ready burner with expertly crafted sampling that keeps the energy high from start to finish. Flip to Side-2, and 'Spice Girl' takes over with a fantastic horn section and a groove that's impossible to resist. The saxophone work shines, making this a strong party anthem that captures the essence of classic ska while adding a fresh twist. This 7" is a must for fans of reggae classics and ska, offering a perfect blend of nostalgic vibes and contemporary flair. Whether you're spinning it at a party or enjoying it at home, DJ Tron’s Jamaican Champ is a winner.
Review: Madonna's undeniable classic Like A Prayer receives a stunning reissue on silver vinyl here as the album's impact continues to endure in the pop world. Originally released in 1989 it featured a bold fusion of pop, gospel, and funk that once again showed Madonna's innovation in the studio and love of provocative themes. Hits like 'Like A Prayer,' 'Express Yourself,' and 'Cherish' are presented with renewed clarity on this beautifully remastered version which means the powerful emotional range and social commentary sound better than ever, while also coming with a touch of visual elegance
Transient Transmission (Intercept's Retwist Of Adrian Sherwood's Iota remix) (5:12)
Third Light (Adrian Sherwood's Echoes Of The Night 10inch dub mix) (4:11)
1000 Mile Drift (Adrian Sherwood mix) (5:39)
A Doubtful Sound (Adrian Sherwood 10inch dub mix) (3:25)
Review: Following on from a recent, establishing album, production duo Pitch Black return to the fore with a long-time-coming but final set of recognitive remixes by none other than On-U Sound founder Adrian Sherwood. Nearly 30 years after first being mesmerised by OnU Sound's releases, a cheeky bit of radio ripping serendipitously led to Mike helping Pats Dokter, the label's official archivist, with his work restoring master tapes, and eventually to him creating visual content for Adrian's live shows. The resultant return of the favour was Adrian's offering to remix Mike's music, resulting in this toothed, bass-wringing set of new mixes of the likes of '1000 Mile Drift' and 'Third Light'.
Review: P-Vine has got a couple of treasures up its sleeve for you here with a newly remastered reissue of The Mighty Ryeders single 'Let There Be Peace'. This has never before been put out on its very own 45rpm and the original single is a much sought after and expensive gem, with the B-side featuring Muro aka King Of Diggin's 'Evil Vibrations', a tune best known as a sample source for De La Soul on their 'A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays'. Flip this new version over and you will find an edit of it that is just as compelling.
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