Juno Recommends Funky House: October 2024

Review: For the first time ever, the early 2000s house anthem 'Lola's Theme' by The Shapeshifters gets a 7" release, paired with the soulful disco classic that inspired it - Johnnie Taylor's 'What About My Love'. A timeless blend of modern house energy and classic soul, this release is a must-have for fans of both eras, capturing the essence of dance floors across decades in one essential package.

Review: Legendary Italian producer Gianni Bini makes his debut on Groove Culture with 'The House Of Glass' LP, a vibrant disco-house record that takes listeners back to the genre's roots. With over a thousand production credits under various aliases like Bini & Martini and Fathers Of Sound, Gianni has long been a defining force in disco-house. Now, he delivers a fresh project packed with live instrumentationidrums, bass, guitars, stringsiand infectious vocals that evoke the energy of classic discotheques. Side-1 opens with 'Dancing & Grooving' featuring Alfreda Gerald in a high-energy disco anthem. The Dave Lee edit shines with vibrant horns and an unstoppable groove. 'Ain't Nothing Going On', featuring Anduze and remixed by Micky More & Andy Tee, brings lush strings and an irresistible guitar riff, perfect for an all-night dance session. On Side-2, 'Friday Night', with MO's epic vocals and smooth delivery, is another Micky More & Andy Tee remix that exudes timeless disco elegance. 'Lately', featuring Karmina Dai and remixed by Emmaculate, wraps up the album with a soulful disco blend that feels tailor-made for late-night revelry. With The House Of Glass, Gianni Bini proves once again why he's a master of the genre, blending timeless grooves with modern flair.

Review: Judging by the climactic and ultimate trance feel of their music, we could quite gullibly believe the legend that Italian "production team" Last Rhythm did indeed laid down the last rhythm in history. At their peak, Last Rhythm boasted members Giulio Benedetti, Leandro Papa, and Luca Belladonna, and were responsible for some of the best, most enduring tranceifications of the Italo house sound. The turn of the 90s was the moment that this trio first splashed onto the scene; 'Open Your Mind' was the second of what would become a fondly dug discography by the crate sifters of now; it sports four breezily produced, authentic rave numbers, whose raw, uncomplicated immaculacy few producers active today could match. Now reissued by Groovin Italy, all four original mixes on this consciousness-expanding haul are heard in the fullest detail ever.

Review: This EP marks a sixth outing for the always fresh Stereo:type which deals in soulful house and disco fusions with a timeless edge. Risk Assessment is behind plenty of them, including this lovely 12" which opens with the deep house throb of 'The Way I Feel'. A dub version strips out the soulful vocal hooks then the flip opens with 'Do U Love Me' (feat Vanessa Freeman - The DJ mix) which is a proper bit of house music songwriting with US garage drums and soaring vocals. Last of all is 'The Party' (feat Hannah Khemoh) which is more upright and intended to get the floor pumping.

Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Cruise Music marks its tenth EP by serving up what it says are "secret funky house weapons" and there isn't much wrong with their description. Danny Cruz kicks off with 'Shoulda Been You' which rides on smooth grooves and has gentle synth waves breaking over the beats as heartfelt vocal sounds rise out of the mix. Mark Funk's 'True Lies' brings a classic 90s vocal sample to a non-stop soul beat and the B-side has got Dirty Disco Stars going big and funky and glorious on 'Look Up' then Mirko & Meex Re-touch 'Young Hearts' .

Review: While largely forgotten save for a few veteran DJs and dancers, Nicole's 'Rock The House' was a genuine underground club hit on its initial release in 1989 - a second wave New York freestyle treat informed by both house (Steve 'Silk' Hurley and Cliviles and Cole both provided remixes) and early 80s electrofunk. It's one that Dutch label High Fashion licensed and released in Europe back in the day, so they've decided to get Michael Gray - one of their go-to mixers alongside Ben Liebrand - to give it a 2024 makeover. A master at this kind of thing, Gray has done a good job in re-imagining the song as a funk-fuelled, synth-splashed disco-house monster. His A-side full vocal mix is the pick of the pair, though some DJs will naturally gravitate towards the more French Touch-flavoured, filter-heavy flipside rework.

Review: This limited edition 12" on translucent red vinyl is ideal for fans of Latin-infused house. Featuring the original version of Afro Medusa's 'Pasilda' along with seven stellar remixes, it's a celebration of a track that defined a genre. Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano deliver a vibrant rework, full of electrifying beats and summery vibes that transport you back to sunset parties and late-night clubs. The Knee Deep mixes, which propelled the track to worldwide fame, are here in all their glory, alongside unique reinterpretations by Afterlife, Blank & Jones, and others. While the original mix is absent, each remixer brings something fresh to the table, making this package a must-have for house music enthusiasts. From Sunship's broken rhythms to the deep grooves of Knee Deep, this release captures the essence of Latin house's heyday. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, this collection offers an exciting journey through one of the most memorable tracks in dance music history.

Review: Harmonics, the latest album from Hot Chip's Joe Goddard, is a celebration of warmth, instinct, and collaboration. Spanning 14 tracks, this record weaves through UK garage, house, hip-hop, pop and disco, bringing together a diverse array of voices. Eno Williams of Ibibio Sound Machine energises the afro-house groove of 'Progress,' while UK rapper Oranje adds flair to the starry-eyed 'When Love's Out of Fashion.' Hayden Thorpe's expressive vocals elevate the low-slung house track 'Summon,' and Hot Chip bandmates Alexis Taylor and Al Doyle lend their talents to the shimmering 'Heal Your Mind.' Goddard, known for his 2012 hit 'Gabriel,' revisits that focused energy here while capturing the carefree spirit of his earlier solo work. Tracks like 'Mountains' and 'Follow You' echo the Hot Chip sound, while collaborations with artists like Falle Nioke and Alabaster DePlume bring in elements of Afrobeat and jazz house. 'Destiny' and 'New World' showcase Goddard's mastery of house music, making Harmonics his most fun and genre-spanning solo album yet, proving his versatility in crafting compelling dance music.

Review: Tinted Records offer up the latest new single by LA-based funky pop house producer Birdee. A resident of the likes of Groove Culture and Body Heat among many other hot label names, Birdee delivers big newness on this stratospheric uplifter, replete with surrounded fingerclick claps and a serious vocal line. Three new mixes also feature, with a new dub mix on the A2, as well as a nighttime caban-bound flip by The Coney Island Rhythm Band on the B-side, as well as a closing piano weapon version by Jerk Boy.

Review: Anywayawanna - The Best Of is a vibrant snapshot of The Beatmasters' trailblazing journey through late 80s/early 90s dance music. Known for their innovative fusion of house, hip-hop, and pop, this compilation encapsulates their most infectious hits with a who's-who of guest vocalists. Standout tracks like 'Rok Da House' with The Cookie Crew and 'Hey DJ/I Can't Dance' featuring Betty Boo showcase their knack for high-energy, floor-filling anthems. 'Burn It Up', with PP Arnold, and 'Who's in the House?' with Merlin MC, further cement their place in club culture history. The glossy orange vinyl edition adds a nostalgic touch, making this a great package of the era's UK dance scene.

Review: Salif Keita's 'Madan' gets a fresh spin with Martin Solveig's Exotic Disco Mix and Exotic Disco Dub, originally released in 2002. One Side-1, Exotic Disco Mix, merges disco beats with Keita's distinctive African vocals, creating a high-energy dance track. On Side-2, the Exotic Disco Dub emphasizes tribal elements and heavy drums, focusing more on background vocals and the song's groove. Even after 22 years, these remixes continue to be staples at festivals far and wide. Anyone who has set foot on a dancefloor in the past two decades will instantly recognize this Afro house classic infused with a French touch.

Review: Come Get My Lovin' by Dionne is one of those stone-cold house classic that no matter how hard modern producers try to emulate, they cannot. It has all the sauce needed to get any floor popping, from the cool-as-you-like drum breaks to the retro-future chord stabs, angelic backing vocals and emotive lead. The eight-minute version has been remastered for extra heft here and is sure to be as popular now as it was during the second summer of love back in 1989. An EZ mix is included, and so is the raw, analogue workout that is 'The Second Coming.'

Review: Caribou shares his latest record, this time for City Slang, Honey. The timely follow-up to 2020's Suddenly, Honey comes preceded by the forerunning singles 'Broke My Heart', 'Volume' and 'Honey'. Caribou aka. Dan Snaith has more than proven his mettle as a multifarious artist, with the toweringly popular Odessa album only scratching the surface of what could otherwise be described as a much more experimental, tricky and salubriously varied discography. Honey plays up the pop-oriented capabilities of Snaith's many-tentacled sound, circling the intentionally mystified identity of the artist himself; 'Come Find Me' asks the listener to come find Snaith, while its corresponding music video features a childlike figure in a Brave New World-style jumpsuit, dancing to the song, as if to suggest a coquettish playfulness, poking through the swellingly progressive, end-of-summer house track. Adding to the pangram of bright and hopeful post-folktronica hits, Honey is sure to attract all the late-summer dance bees.

Review: The second in the HouseHeadz00 Series, The Black Edition, is "a masterful exploration of house music's rich and varied landscape." The EP take in four tracks that combine seamlessly blend different subgenres into one complete listening experience. 'Recuerdo' goes for classic house with its vibrant pianos and uplifting melodies, 'Desire' heads deeper with hypnotic beats and lush textures. On the flip, 'Dream' does what it says on the tin, enveloping you in a woozy, dreamlike state with intricate layers and ethereal sounds, before 'Ever' introduces a soulful dimension with smooth vocals and emotive harmonies. Something for everyone, pretty much.

Review: LP Giobbi, the jazz-trained pianist and dynamic producer, continues to break boundaries with her upcoming sophomore LP, Dotr, through Ninja Tune's Counter Records. Known for her spontaneous, live collaboration and eschewing the rigid structures of electronica, Leah Chisholm aka LP Giobbi draws deep inspiration from her jazz roots. Her fresh approach and commitment to live performance make her one of the most captivating and influential DJs and producers in today's electronic music scene. Dotr promises to build on her already impressive career, showcasing her distinct fusion of genres and live improvisation.

Review: Inhale Exhale bring six full new circular round-trip breaths to the fold, focusing on heartwarming and soulful summer deep house tunes. Intended mostly for outdoor disco BBQs, 'INEX 017' packs a fruitful punch. Opening proceedings on the A come 'Make It Right', 'Understand U' and 'Tears Of The M1', a power-of-three intro tracking a vibeful descension from crystalline waters, synth organs and high string samples down to the chillest of vinyl-crackly, primal mini tech moods. Then there's the unmissable mirror image on the B, podding 'Everytime', 'Clyde' and 'Keep The Stabs', the last of which is an especially delicious, refractive groove.

Review: Alkalino's follow up to the 2021 release of the second installment of the Make Up series comes with all original production from the man himself. The first comes as the thumping tribal vibe sounds of "get ready' with the second on the A-side is a banger with 'Heavy as stone' with it's lush vocals that would work in any set. On the flip, 'Jack area' is classic sounding body jacking music that'll make you do just that. jack your body. and rounding out the ep is the gritty bass of 'reproduction'. This latest installment from Alkalino is a true testiment that he is a true master of making you dance.

Review: Honey stands as a distinct entry in Caribou's evolving catalog. Dan Snaith has always been known for reinventing his sound with each release, and this album is no exception. It represents a continuation of his journey, combining the rich, pop sensibilities he's honed over years of music-making. Following the deeply personal themes of his previous albums, Suddenly and the Grammy-nominated Our Love, Snaith shifts focus on Honey to explore more universal themes. The album seamlessly merges the infectious energy of his Daphni project with the emotive, uplifting qualities that define Caribou. Tracks are built for the dancefloor, bursting with unexpected twists and vibrant layers that only Snaith can deliver. Honey doesn't feel like a departure from Caribou's past, but rather a natural progression that unites his dual identities. The album is a testament to Snaith's restless creativity, as he continues to push boundaries and refuses to be confined by any single genre or approach. This release excels through sound and emotion.

Review: Utah Saints, the debut album from the British electronic duo, was originally released in the U.S., followed by a UK release in 1993. This album played a pivotal role in establishing the band as household names in the burgeoning techno scene, reaching number ten on the UK Albums Chart. The singles 'Something Good', 'I Want You' and 'What Can You Do for Me' showed the band's crossover appeal, with 'Something Good becoming a staple on college radio in America. A standout on the album, 'Something Good', prominently samples Kate Bush's 'Cloudbusting', lending it a nostalgic yet fresh vibe. Released as a single in May 1992, it soared to number four on the UK Singles Chart and captured attention on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart as well. The song also gained prominence during the BBC's coverage of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. The album is full of great techno and dance music. This vinyl reissue features striking new artwork that beautifully balances modern aesthetics with a classic feel, ensuring it appeals to both new listeners and longtime fans. Utah Saints remains a defining work of its time, reflecting the innovative spirit of early 90s electronic music.

Review: Best of 1996-2019 is the first-ever Best Of album by Cassius, legendary pioneers of the French touch movement. Housed in a black gatefold sleeve, it includes liner notes by Hubert "Boombass" Blanc-Francard who does a great job of reflecting on the duo's journey and the late Philippe "Zdar" Cerboneschi, who passed away five years ago. The compilation features iconic tracks spanning their career, including hits like 'Cassius 1999,' 'I <3 U So,' 'Feeling For You,' 'Toop Toop,' 'Go Up,' 'The Sound of Violence' and 'Don't Let Me Be.' It is a joyous celebration of Cassius' enduring influence on electronic music.