Back in stock: Breakbeat

Review: Some 18 months on from the launch of his Better Together Records imprint, Sydneysider Chech is finally ready to deliver another expansive EP. Standing six tracks deep, Gemini Era tends towards the loved-up, saucer-eyed and gently psychedelic, with colourful melodic motifs aplenty and tons of audible references to early progressive house, ambient house and ambient techno. There's plenty to admire, from the spacey, analogue-rich dreaminess of 'XTC' and 'Gemini Era', to the low-tempo ambient techno head-nod of 'Slowride (93 Theme)' and the dusty, piano-rich deep house of 'Interstate (M1 Mix)'. Elsewhere, 'Jia's Dance' sees the Aussie explorer wrap vintage New Jersey garage-house sounds around a punchy breakbeat, while 'Birds of Prey' is a dubby chunk of sunset-ready dancefloor bliss.

Review: Given that he cut his teeth as a DJ and producer in San Francisco during the early 90s, DJ Spun is in a perfect position to educate us on the city's breakbeat-driven 'rave' sound - a hybrid and hyper-local affair that blended the Bay Area's psychedelic sounds and loved-up ethos with elements of acid, hip-hop, hip-house, deep house and British breakbeat hardcore. The Beat By DJ Spun Volume 1 does a great job of highlighting largely lesser-known, breakbeat-powered cuts produced in the city between 1988 and '94. For proof, check out the dreamy, mid-tempo wonder of Single Cell Orchestra's 'Transmit Liberation', the funk-fuelled hedonism of Triple M's 'Prisoner of Passion (Funky Dub Mix)', the deep and dubby breaks of 'Based (Not So Free Mix)' by DJ Emma, and the sparse-and-squelchy post hip-house shuffle of Spins Inc's 'The New Frontier'.

Review: This EP from a rising force in the French electronic scene seamlessly fuses club energy with deep emotion that she represents. Side-1 opens with 'Do You Need Me?', a driving, 90s-inspired French house cut packed with nostalgia and groove. 'Natural High' blends electro and house, crafting a pulsating yet fluid rhythm, while 'Listen To Yourselves' introduces melodic breaks and atmospheric textures, striking a balance between introspection and dancefloor euphoria. Side-2 keeps the momentum highi'Good Times' rides on an EDM-leaning breaks groove, engineered to move festival crowds. 'On A Sunday' takes a left turn into funky drum & bass, rich with melodic funk and liquid energy. Finally, the extended mix of 'Do You Need Me?' shifts toward a Euro-house aesthetic, expanding on the track's euphoric essence. This EP is an example to her ability to blend classic influences with contemporary sounds.

Review: FOXBAM INC is back to build on the momentum of their first EP with a second one that packs a mighty punch. This one kicks off with EBY, who this year has been cooking up acid for 40 years and here offers the warped low ends and garage-techno power of 'Goldtooth'. Foxtrot vs Ma Bla then mashes up old school samples with earth-shattering bass on 'Deep Down Inside' and bRz vs Stije is a double-time hard techno stomper with warped synths and twisted bass that is inspired by and named after ISCO, a concept from Einstein's general theory of relativity that makes predictions about the dynamics of black holes.

Review: Little is known about Needlework, save for the fact that this new fifth installment to their eponymous breaks series reissues two lesser-known (but no less beloved) breakbeat classics for the present day. DJ Mink's b-boy minimalizer 'Hey Hey Can U Relate' (indeed we can) appears on the A-side in the utmost quality - showing off the precision sharpness of its core break and vocal shouts - while legendary b-boy crew Tuff Crew hear their flauting, noiry instrumental version of their track 'Soul Food' get added to the B.

Review: Having appeared recently on a self-titled label with the blissed-out delights of the Travelling Without Moving 12", emergent artist Opik is back with a fresh dose of trance-licked house music which aligns neatly with the contemporary trippy crowd. This release appears on the KMA60 Rezpektiva label in the wake of releases from Denia and Cosmic Underground, and it easily fits into the label's interests around 90s-influenced club sounds. From dreamy roller 'Orson' to the ravey reverie of 'Serotonin', there is all kinds of sublime gear here to get a crowd moving in unison.

Review: The next level beat maker and sound designer that is Skee Mask returns to long-time home label Ilian Tape with another bold and brilliant album, Resort. It's an album that expands on the artist's usual sound with fusions of celestial ambient, IDM sound design and lithe, rhythmic techno drums. There are breakbeats on 'Reminiscrmx' backlit by heavenly pads, 'Schneiders Paradox' is marbled with zippy pads and raw drum hits, 'BB Care' glistens with a futuristic glow and 'Holzl Was A Dancer' slips into a shuffling, UKG tinged dub house pumper. It's a wild, wonderful ride that reaches all new levels for this already accomplished producer.