CHAOS IN THE CBD Vinyl & CDs

Review: Shockingly, it's been almost three years since we last heard new material from Chaos in the CBD aka London-based Kiwi brothers Ben and Louis Helliker-Hales. This two-tracker is not only well overdue, but also as quietly impressive as you'd expect. Title track and A-side 'Sirena Deep' lives up to its name, offering a subtly summery shuffle through lightly dubbed-out, organ-rich deep house goodness complete with an expressive and tasteful flute solo from fellow New Zealander Nathan Haines. Those looking for a more driving, sub-heavy and late-night focused workout will love flip side 'Outdoor Limit', where creepy, ghostly chords and textures ride tough house beats and a deep, dubby bassline.

Review: First available digitally earlier in the year and now finally out on wax, this tidy 12" showcases a quartet of killer cuts from the studios of In Dust We Trust co-founders, Chaos in the CBD (New Zealand-born siblings Ben and Louis Helliker-Hales) and Jon Sable. The trio offer up two collaborative cuts, both of which give different spins on the fusion of dub techno and hypnotic deep house. There's opener 'Mahia Madness', a thickset, late-night number that's as dubby and hazy as any Deepchord record, and the gently picturesque, Sprinkles-esque 'To Puke Thunder'. The EP also boasts a solo track apiece, with Chaos in the CBD opting for non-stop, energy-packed deep techno hypnotism ('Coral Castle'), and Sable reaching for dreamy deep house chords and rubbery broken beats ('Ascension Island').

Review: On this rare outing on Neroli, Chaos In The CBD has been joined by a wealth of friends and like-minded musicians. They first join forces with saxophonist and fellow kiwi jazz legend Nathan Haines and talented South London keys player Dave Koor aka Modified Man on A-side "Emotional Intelligence", a deliciously deep, positive and melodious affair rich in jaunty Clavinet riffs, simmering strings, smile-inducing chords and groovy, bongo-laden drums. On side B they offer up vocal and instrumental versions of "It's Up To Me". K. LaDawn, Joe Armon-Jones and Lee Pearson Jnr Collective are the guests this time round, and their contributions - hazy, soulful vocals, mazy electric piano solos, jaunty jazz-house drums and so on - help make the track a sensual, slow-burn dancefloor delight. Almost all Chaos In The CBD EPs are worth checking, but this one is extra-special.

Review: Chaos In The CBD have quietly been building an impressive reputation for some time, with releases on Hot Haus, Amadeus and Needwant all hitting the spot. Here they transfer to Bradley Zero's Rhythm Section International with what's arguably their most mature and musically expansive EP to date. There's a decidedly dusty, eyes-closed deep house feel throughout, with hypnotic grooves laden with all manner of neat, often jazz inspired touches. This is perhaps most obvious on the St Germain style jazz-house goodness of "Observe" - all skipping cymbals, bouncy grooves and killer pianos - but can also be found on the deeper "Observe". It's there, too, on the lilting brilliance of "Midnight In Peckham" - think yearning trumpets and twinkling piano motifs - and the blissful "Luxury Motivation".