Compilation Recommendations June 2016

Review: The fact that the vinyl edition of Motor City Drum Ensemble's Selektors compilation - the first in Dekmantel's crate-digging series - sold out in record time tells you all you need to know about this superb set. Packed with obscure, hard-to-find gems, it does a fantastic job in showcasing the depth, quality and variety of Danilo Plessow's record collection. Check, for example, the breezy soulfulness of DJ Slym Fas's 1997 gem "Luv Music", Risque III's early Chicago deep house killer "Essence Of A Dream", and the ludicrously expensive (if Discogs is to be believed) jazz-funk-goes-disco boogie brilliance of Licky's 1979 obscurity "African Rock". If you dig disco, deep house and boogie, you need this in your life.

Review: On his latest Sacred Rhythm compilation, Joaquin 'Joe' Clausell says Thank You Universe, with a little help from his friends. According to the man himself, the collection was inspired by "a desperate need for World healing". Regardless of the New York producer's inspirations, what's delivered is an enjoyable set of global musical fusions that touches on jazz, Latin beats, African rhythms, downtempo grooves, ambient and, of course, decidedly cosmic deep house. Highlights include the blissful Afro-house loveliness of Clausell's own "With More Love", the jazzy, late night wonder of Clausell's remix of Kuniyuki Takahashi's "All These Things", and the smooth, late night deep house of Unchained Rhythms' "Wall Of The Heart".

Review: Despite their reputation as makers of polite but potent downtempo grooves, Groove Armada has spent the last few years rediscovering their dancefloor roots. This DJ mix for the FabricLive series continues in that vein, with the veteran duo showcasing a selection of recent faves and overlooked gems from the worlds of deep house, tech-house and techno. It's a predictably enjoyable journey, from the bumpin', late night throb of Reset Robot's "On Your Knees", and the sub-heavy deep house wooziness of Chez Damier's "Untitled A1", to the hypnotic late night shuffle of Dixon's remix of Tiga's "Plush", and the hands-in-the-air release of Aster's "Cielo", as remixed by Belfast party-starters Bicep.

Review: For the fifth installment of their colour coordinated compilation series, Eskimo Recordings has picked a Yellow theme. Perhaps its' just us, but the music contained within seems to be even hazier and more incandescent than that featured on previous volumes. In other words, it's a deliciously summery selection, with the Belgian label highlighting works from label regulars and newcomers that subtly blur the boundaries between languid Balearica, colourful nu-disco, deep house, slo-mo grooves and horizontal synth-pop. Highlights come thick and fast, from the sparse, head-nodding grooves of Middle Sky Boom, the revivalist dub disco of Luxxury, and subtle psychedelics of Vinny Villbass, to the spacey, Italo disco-influenced throb of Zombies In Miami.

Review: Back in February, progressive house legend John Digweed released his most epic mix set yet, a six-CD recording of a notably long appearance in Montreal in October 2016. Live In Montreal: Finale is a scaled down version of that release, featuring the final few hours stretched across three discs. So while the original release including a few hours of laid-back, slowly building warm-up fare, this starts when "Diggers" had really got into his stride. For those who like Digweed's immaculately mixed blend of prog, tech-house, melodious techno and hypnoitic minimalism, there's much to enjoy - not least his decision to close proceedings with a classic Boys Own remix of Sunscreem's "Perefect Motion". Hands in the air, kids, it's been emotional.

Review: Launched last year, Glitterbox is Defected's Ibiza party dedicated to joining the dots between disco, boogie and house. That's what you get on this year's obligatory tie-in compilation, which sees label boss Simon Dunmore take the reins once more. Disco, boogie, '80s soul and electrofunk are the order of the day on disc one, with Dunmore smoothly moving between superbly synth-heavy cuts from Surface, Brenda Taylor, Tata Vega and Rufus & Chaka Khan. The second CD starts in similar fashion, before veering off towards soulful house territory, and a selection of scorching cuts and remixes from the likes of Louie Vega, Marc Evans, Hot Toddy, Danny Krivit, Dimitri From Paris, Hardsoul and Blaze.

Review: On Boombox 1, the dusty-fingered crate diggers at Soul Jazz Records have turned their attention to the nascent hip-hop scene developing in New York in the late '70s onwards, gathering together independently released disco-rap and electro released between 1979 and '82. Accompanied by a 40-page booklet telling the story of rap's independent pioneers in impressive detail, it's another essential history lesson. You'll naturally find hard-to-find cuts from visionaries including Spoonie Gee (the quick-fire rhymes and low-slung disco breaks of "The New Rap Language"), TJ Swann and Master Jay, plus killer selections from virtually unknown names. Check, for example, the synth-laden boogie-rap of Neil B's "Body Rock", the hip-shakin' disco hustle of Bramsam's "Move Your Body", and the rubbery brilliance of Sweet G's "Boogie Feelin' Rap".

Review: Dam Funk has been foundational in crystallising Stones Throw's undisputed leadership in the nu-school funk and boogie scene, and he's up there with the great J Dilla in our books. Naturally, he's been asked to mix up the latest series of DJ Kicks and, ladies and gentlemen, it's a real masterclass - one of those comps you can safely leave on and let it do its thing on you. The mood is personified by a fine blend of electronics and tougher, funkier rhythms by artists such as Index, Moon B, and Dam himself. There are also a few rare cuts by Chicago house legend Gemini that fit in perfectly, and a whole heap of wavy, Cali-inspired electronic funk. Badass.

Review: The sad passing of Prince Rogers Nelson has given an opportunity to those who wish to celebrate the great man's immense musical legacy. The latest to do so are exclusive promo-only remix merchants DMC. Classic Mixes: I Love Prince Volume 2 gathers together rare megamixes and DJ-friendly reworks, all of which were originally released as part of the organisation's subscription service during the '80s and '90s. Look out for a fantastically bouncy and spacey revision of "Erotic City" by Ben Liebrand, a thrillingly stab-happy, cut-up house version of "Batdance" from Mike 'Hitman' Wilson, and a groovy, stretched-out fresh-up of "Sign O' The Times" by "Hear The Drummer Get Wicked" man Chad Jackson.

Review: Soul Jazz's latest trawl through the seemingly endless vaults of Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd's Studio One label focuses on Dubs recorded at the label's infamous Brentford Road studio during the 1970s. In many ways, this is the authentic sound of Studio One, featuring as it does music recorded by the legendary in-house bands (The Sound Dimension, New Establishment, Soul Defenders and Brentford all-stars), whose members included such Jamaican music legends as Jackie Mittoo, Leroy Sibbles, Cedric Brooks and Freddie McGregor. Each of the collection's 18 tracks were produced by the ever-present Dodd, who always achieved a balance between the sparse heaviness of Dub, and showcasing the cheery, soulful musicality of his musicians' performances.

Review: The legend from Leipzig Daniel Stefanik helms the third instalment of Dots & Pearls for Frankfurt institution Cocoon. The long time affiliate of the Leipzig's famed Distillery club has been on the scene for over a decade, with releases on the likes of Moon Harbour and Mobilee so you can trust the DJ on this one.. For this edition (said to be a retrospective of sorts for the label) it will come in a continuous DJ mix with some brand new and unreleased tracks. Stefanik will also include four of his own edits including Guido Schneider & Andre Galluzzi's "Mario" and Luca Ballerini's "Impressions Of A Dawn" and "Orizzonte".