ANTHONY NICHOLSON Vinyl & CDs

Review: Since parting company with collaborator and mentor Ron Trent in the mid 2000s, Anthony Nicholson has built up a vast catalogue of evocatoive, emotion-rich and spiritually enhancing deep house EPs - mostly on his own long-serving Circular Motion label. Following the delivery of his first 12-inch for the imprint in three years, 'Sound Theories', last month, Nicholson returns with two more typically atmospheric treats. He begins with 'With You I Am Born Again (Space N Tone Rework)', a typically gorgeous and tactile vocal number in which layered deep space synths and jazz-funk electronics rise above Ron Trent-esque beats and a squelchy synth bassline. Over on the flip, he provides a fine 'InstruDub' of the same track, cannily showcasing the beats, bass, chords, acid-flecked electronics and all-round stargazing positivity.

Review: A predictably strong start to 2025 from long-serving US deep house producer Anthony Nicholson, who serves up two scintillating and subtly soulful 'Sound Theories' for us to enjoy. He begins with the stretched-out beacon of positivity that is 'Moondancing (The Rejoice)', where jazzy Clavinet licks, spacey chords, colourful synth solos and sun-bright piano motifs dance atop a pleasingly loose-limbed deep house groove. Flip-side 'Echoes of Music & You' is even deeper and squelchier, albeit with the same dizzyingly high level of intricate musicality and undeniably dancefloor friendly construction. In other words, it's another excellent two-tracker from the former Ron Trent collaborator.

Review: American Anthony Nicholson is one of the underground's most noxiously outspoken characters, especially during his days with the Dope Jams record store where he would right diss notes on 12"s and LPs he didn't like. Thankfully his own work is up to scratch and now the veteran becomes part of the Yoruba family. 'Nucleus Scene1' is his contribution - a signature deep house cut laced with real soul, jazzy chords and life-affirming melodies in a vibrant arrangement. The Yoruba Soul Mix gets even more soulful and mind-expanding with its funky guitar riffs and then Cee ElAssaad brings the Afro house vibes with some extra piano. Great stuff.

Review: Former Ron Trent protege Anthony Nicholson can usually be relied on to bring the goods, so naturally we're expecting big things from this fourth EP of 2017. While rooted in his usually rich and atmospheric deep house style, A-side "Darkwave Disco" draws more influence from the arpeggio-driven pulse of Italo-disco and the Fairlight-heavy sheen of classic 1980s synth-pop. Throw in some classic disco Clavinet lines and a wealth of additional drum machine hand percussion (think shakers, cowbells etc) and you've got a warm and woozy delight. Flipside "Chill Out Girls", a heavily electronic take on his usual deep house style rich in ear-pleasing chord sequences and "West End Girls" style synths, is also quietly impressive.

Review: First released digitally last year, 'We Work Best' sees sometime Ron Trent protege Anthony Nicholson join forces with soul singer Jadeine Veda for some suitably grown-up, musically expansive deep house thrills. The two club-focused remixes come from Nicholson under his Miquifaye pseudonym - vocal and instrumental takes full of layered, Latin-influenced percussion, locked-in deep house beats, glassy-eyed chords, immersive pads and Spanish guitar flourishes. Of those two mixes, it's the A-side version that really impresses, thanks in no small part to Veda's fragile, emotive and intimate lead vocals. The EP's other mix, the 'Veda Vocal Reprise', is a largely beat-free affair marked out by chopped and layered vocal snippets, sparkling ambient chords and warming bass.

Review: Former Dope Jams record store legend and deep house devotee Anthony Nicholson has linked up with Swaylo for this new outing on the Bak Muzik label out of the US of A. It features two versions of the same tune, 'Love Take Over In Deep Dark Space,' starting with a vocal. It's a track that locks you into a deep mental state with its spiritual pads and open word musings, wispy chords and deft, airy drums. The instrumental dub mix is even more focused on the lushness of the rhythms and melodies. Sublime.