Juno Recommends Deep House June 2019

Review: Longstanding house peer Watson comes correct with this breathtaking outing on Joe Claussell's Sacred Rhythm. Taking off where he left us on his own Everysoul Audio last year, it's another lavish, unhurried and timeless composition that tips nods to all eras with its velvet pads and Julien Jabre style pianos. The words 'Epic Intro mix' say it all, as does the 13 minute length; Watson's timing ahead of the summer couldn't be better. Daydreamy, liquid in its development and soulful to the very core... If you're playing so much as one al fresco event this season - even your nan's BBQ - you need to pack this.

Review: The latest transmission from the Lumberjacks stable taps up London-based producer Alan Dixon, who tackles a soul-stirring gospel belter from Frank Booker on the A side. Whatever your spiritual persuasion, "Rise & Shine" can't help but inject a little joy into your life. On the flip, Dixon turns the piano house power up to 11 with the life-affirming thrust of "Whatcha Gonna Do", featuring Maleke O'Ney on vocal duties. Completing the set, Lumberjacks head honcho Marcel Vogel drops in a remix that twists the original into a loose and limber jazz-funk-house odyssey of epic proportions.

Review: Given that almost every single Ron Trent record makes us feel toasty and fuzzy inside, it would be fair to say that "Warm" is a rather fitting name for the deep house legend's latest release. A-side "Night Ride" sees him get busy with a vintage drum machine, adding whispered vocals, colourful riffs, undulating synth-bass and chiming melodies to a distinctive rhythm track. It's every bit as delicious and enveloping as you'd expect, with flipside opener "On A Journey" offering a surprise Balearic diversion rich in sun-kissed guitar motifs, swirling chords and a tactile, slow-motion groove. The sunset-friendly fun continues on "Exhale", where rock style guitar solos are buried beneath shuffling samba-house beats and Trent's usual impeccable keys.

Review: Mixmag have called on fabled promoter Sean McLusky to put together this finely honed collection of early 90s "synth wizards". Skipping over the genre boundaries that mattered less in those early days, this double pack draws on less obvious selections from a range of house and techno visionaries with chops to match their production skills. You can hear Adamski in full-tilt piano pounding mode, Mr Monday getting misty eyed in a hail storm of chords and arpeggios, 808 State breaking the mould of acid house freakery, Nexus 21 taking hardcore into spacier realms and Altern-8 shocking the senses with full frequency rave abandon. One for serious collectors and inquisitive minds alike.

Review: Our newest release is the single DIGITAL LOVE by DJ Kemit, Carl McIntosh (Loose Ends), Kai Alce, and Byron The Aquarius.

Review: Nebraska's Friends & Relations series continues to deliver the goods as another no nonsense slab of sample-a-delic house delights lands on our platters. There is a fine balance struck between familiarity and obscurity on these edit-esque productions, where you might well recognise the odd break or sample, but Nebraska applies a deft touch to keep things mysterious and fresh. There is funk spilling out of the grooves like you wouldn't believe, from rugged basslines to heavy vibing keys, with splashes of dub FX and a little cosmic dust sprinkled on top for good measure. Heads down business for serious dancers, and the DJs that love to keep them locked in.

Review: The ever-charitable Needs project continues apace with another stunning cast of characters offering up their dancefloor creations to help a good cause - the environmentally-focused Cool Earth NGO. On this 12", Eris Drew delivers the uplifting breakbeat celebration of "See You In Snow", while Edward takes things deeper with the tripped out minimal house groove of "Mind Loop". D. Tiffany brings a particularly crafty approach to her own drum funk science on "Sun Trip" and Henry Hyde cools things down with the mellow, new age 2 step stylings of "Every Day's A Good Day For A Swim."

Review: British producer Gerry Read returns with some roughed-up soul/disco workouts on this new one for Pampa, all reinterpreted via his idiosyncratic, lo-fi style. We're loving infectious, dusty opener "It'll All Be Over" with its sweet soul vocal samples, jazzy guitar licks, blocky Rhodes chords. That's not all, label chief DJ Koze contributes another misty-eyed disco-house remix on the flip, careful not to deviate too much from the original, but injecting it with just the right amount of dancefloor dynamics. We're also loving Read's second cut, "Satyricon", with its intoxicating and hypnotic melody, driven by a deep mid-tempo groove peppered with sultry Spanish phrases.

Review: Having previously collaborated on tasty 2013 single "Speckbass", partners in audio insanity DJ Fett Burger and DJ Speckgurtel have united for a full-length excursion full of "dance music for clubs and pubs and some easy-going jams to jazz the sheets". In practice, that means a saucer-eyed mixture of retro-futurist house treats (see jaunty opener "Harpo" and the Italo-house giddiness of "6Drops (Piano Mix)", loved-up deep electro (the spacey warmth of "Red Scorpions"), unashamed Larry Heard tributes ("Sunshine In The Limousine"), densely percussive peak-time workouts ("Enjoy This Limousine"), ragged acid ("6Drops (Technocid Mix)"), rushing Balearic synth-pop ("Sting Collins") and chiming, early '90s style ambient house (the beat free lusciousness of "Sonnen Ambiente").

Review: Like Young Marco and Christiaan Macdonald's "Welcome To Paradise" compilations, this collection from crate-digging DJ Nick V offers a whirlwind trip through the golden years of Italian house in the early 1990s. The vibe is, though, decidedly different; while Nick V does doff a cap to the swirling, "Sueno Latino"-inspired "dream house" sound - see Subway Ground Master's impeccable "Queensway" and the seductive, sunset-friendly deepness of Optik's "Music, Harmony & Rhythm" - much of the compilation focuses on the warm, breezy, colourful and piano-laden "Italo-house" style that drew greater influence from contemporaneous U.S house and New Jersey garage. Highlights are plentiful, from the organ-laden, Jovonn style bump of "Really" by Underground Ghosts, to the growling bass and intense drums of Syncopate's "Why? (Underground)".

Review: Peter Riley's back story as Persian reaches back to the early 90s - his back catalogue of crucial, sought after deep house cuts is a must-grip for any serious digger of globetrotting grooves. [Emotional] Especial taps up this vaunted producer's archives to present two of the finest productions he's ever committed to wax. "Khaab" is a subtly bumping jam with gorgeous square wave bass, smoky pads and evocative vocal trysts. "Parvaaneh" is a spacier cut that puts the bass front and centre and does away with the drums, making for a powerful, atmospheric statement to create tension mid-set. Project Runaway remix "Khaab" in a respectful, immersive fashion, and Alphonse nudges "Parvaaneh" into a dense and chugging roller.

Review: NDATL's latest release is something of an all-star affair, with the brainchild of blind Cape Verdean keyboardist Ricky Corey being joined by a studio collective that included producer Kai Alce and lead vocalist Anthony Pearson (AKA Chicago house legend Chez Damier). On "Who Do You Love?" the assembled cast gives us their version of Bernard Wright's synth-soul classic, re-imagining it as a shuffling chunk of gentle Afro-house/'80s boogie fusion. Remixes come from Blaze man Josh Milan, who first offers up a squelchier, warmer and richer boogie-house interpretation (the "Honeycomb Mix") and a slightly heavier Dub mix rich in D-Train style kaleidoscopic synth solos that segues straight into a loose and groovy Instrumental take. While technically two tracks, it plays straight through as one wonderful 17-minute workout.

Review: Mancunian Kevin Gorman used to make some great minimal techno on his Mikrowave imprint but has since moved on to create some of his best music under the Adesse Versions moniker. With a slew of fine edits and remixes under his belt, he presents us with a killer cover and tribute that's set to be one of the summer's biggest anthems. A tribute to the seminal New Order classic "Blue Monday", Gorman retains the very same Moog bass and ARP strings from the original, over a groovy breakbeat and a vocal reminiscent of Bernard Sumner himself. It was an ambitious feat, but Gorman manages to pull of an impressive rendition here, which also comes accompanied with a handy instrumental version on the flip.

Review: Good news for all of those who don't shop in Rush Hour's Amsterdam store, as Masalo's much-hyped debut solo single is finally available outside of that legendary Dutch institution. It's certainly been worth the wait. Both tracks doff a cap towards the spacey and intergalactic end of the Italo-disco spectrum, with Masalo opting for unfussy drum machine rhythms and throbbing, arpeggio style basslines. A-side "New Dance" is the more obviously disco-centric of the two tracks, with jaunty riffs, lilting synth-pop melodies and ricocheting, proto-house style drum fills rising above a suitably druggy groove. "Cycles", meanwhile, is a little deeper and more outer space in tone, an effect emphasized via sampled vocal chants and crystalline synthesizer melodies that appear to drift across the sound space.

Review: Platform 23 continue to explore the illustrious, intriguing archives of Exquisite Corpse with a third installment of early 90s gold. There's a pronounced trance edge to Robbert Heynen's productions here, all captured in that heady period between 1992 and 1994 when the tag stood for some of the trippiest dance music you could hope to get lost in. "Point Zero" is a forthright stomper laden with lysergic tones that morph and modulate over the driving rhythm section. "B K S" sports a jazzier tone that aligns it more with deep house than trance, but it's still geared towards maximum immersion. "Traditional Ties With Dreaming" is a more angular piece that emphasises interlocking percussive rhythms with a tribal techno bent, and "Elevator" rounds things off with a swooning slice of impeccable ambient techno.

Review: Johannes Klingebiel has slipped out a few gems on low key labels like Feines Tier and Mireia, but this release marks the talented German producer reaching a wider audience via the marvellous Beats In Space. You can easily detect his kosmische leanings (he's a member of krautrock inspired group C.A.R.) in the many layered, driving and soaring productions he's committing to wax here. These are electronic body jams crafted as songs, full of narrative twists and turns expressed through a smorgasbord of twittering machines - the kind of storytelling club tracks that lend themselves to wide-reaching, bombastic selectors with a penchant for drama, but never at the expense of the groove.

Review: Originally released back in 2009 in its' epic 13-minute original form, "With More Love" remains one of Joaquin "Joe" Claussell's most endearing tracks - a gorgeous chunk of sun-kissed spiritual house rich in fluid piano solos, sunset-ready classical guitar solos, undulating bass, non-verbal vocal harmonies and the producer's bouncy Afro-Latin house beats. Happily, Clausell has decided to reissue the track, offering up two scaled-down versions that fit on one tidy seven-inch single. On the A-side you'll find the "Special 7" Edit", a six minute blast of ultra-positive dancefloor bliss that's about the most positive thing we've heard in ages. Turn to the flip for a previously unreleased instrumental take that strips the track back further, allowing the gorgeous piano solos and busy bass guitar more room to breathe.

Review: Last year, Better Listen handed Joe Corti a chance to revitalize his career via a first EP in three years. He took that opportunity (via the brilliant "From London With Love") and here returns with an arguably even better sequel. Check first the languid, sun-kissed bounce of "The First Time", where super-sweet disco and soul samples gather around a chunky house groove, before turning your attention to the heavyweight disco-house pump of "Lula". Corti successfully ups the sweatiness via the dense drums, restless bass and jammed-out musical flourishes of peak-time bumper "Fourth Base", while "Oh Lord" is an inspired slab of lolloping deep house smothered in fuzzy synth stabs, swirling orchestral samples and just the right amount of sampled vocal sweetness.

Review: REPRESS ALERT: The modern master of subliminal deep house is back with a new album. Galcher Lustwerk has rightly earned a sterling reputation for his understated, always entrancing approach to 4/4 grooves. After last year's Dark Bliss LP and recent diversions via his Road Hog alias, he's offering up eight heavy-lidded cuts to suit the smokers as much as the dancers. Get blissed out in the sax-licked delights of skits like "Blue Lotus" or lock into the mellow raps and steady-ticking rhythms of "See You When I See You" - 200% Galcher goes down smooth from start to finish, like all good albums should.

Review: The inimitable Fred Peterkin presents yet more incredible adventures on his newly inaugurated Perpetual Sound imprint. Following up the incredible EP from Black Jazz Consortium back in December, this sophomore effort sees the head honcho co-present some fine tracks with veteran Swiss producer Sam Geiser aka Deetron via the Lush Culture EP. It's all about Captain P on the A side, featuring the deep and moody tribal entrancement of "Liquidity" followed by the soulful title track - which features his trademark use of emotive synth sounds and immaculately programmed rhythms. On the flip, Deetron goes well deep and smooth on his offering "Sweet Science" which sees him deliver hi-tech soul in his usual idiosyncratic style before P returns to conclude the release with the retro-futurist, ambient "119 Black Key Experiment".

Review: Frazer Campbell has been on a prolific run since first emerging in 2016, showcasing a keen instinct for sleek, refined deep house with a techy edge. This drop on Counterfeit Soul shows off the expressive expansive of Campbell's sound, leading in with the punchy "Don't Leave Me Honey D" and following it up with the fluttering melancholy of "My System". "No Drama" brings further Detroit influences to bear on Campbell's sturdy tech house beats, and then "Gazette" rounds the EP out with yet more accomplished machine soul musings. Immaculately produced and engineered for maximum club impact, this record looks set to get plenty of peak time floors strutting the good stuff this summer.

Review: 124 Recordings are always a safe bet for true school deep house business, and they're also dab hands at putting together killer compilations as evidenced with the "Levels EP" last year. They're back at it again with this crucial double pack, which kicks off in fine style with bright and bold vocal bumper "She's On Fire" (feat Francois A)" by Ortella. There's a deeper, trippier vibe to Chocky's "Lower Synth", while Rotty's "Secrets" chops the samples up and ramps the swing up to 11. Heat Alliance has a tough, freaky NYC touch on "Got The Groove," while Reece Johnson piles the organs on heavy on "I Like The Way You", and that's just half the set. A whole lot of house goodness to chew on, with every track purpose built for maximum dancefloor damage.

Review: Pressed For Time did a great job of unearthing British deep house cult heroes BRS with the Situation E.P. last year, and now they're back with another slab of high grade club tackle from this criminally overlooked outfit. "Devil's Music" is a luscious, easy-paced groover that drips with honey-coated synth lines to make you go "hmmmm." Pressed For Time regular YSE knows what's up, nudging the track into a headier deep house zone that would go down perfect in a woozy, smoke filled late hour of the party. "Better For That!" is a cheeky little organ laced number that straddles the deep house and minimal shuffle crowds with its sharp, snappy arrangement. Then Goshawk lands a killer remix of "Out Of Reach" which heads into freaky, swinging territory for the cool cats to get loose to.