Juno Recommends Deep House August 2018

Review: US label HOMAGE is continuing in its quest to showcase the hottest talent in the field of proper house music while celebrating the energy and spirit of the past. In KETTAMA they've found the perfect match - a precociously talented producer from Galway in Ireland with a keen instinct for old-skool samples and the desire to blow the doors off the dance. "B O D Y" is simply massive, all titanic piano stabs and a relentless surge of tuff NY house drums, while "Kilt" switches smartly between a broken groove and a rowdy house beat peppered with hip hop cuts. "Keep It Real" maintains the pressure with the trackiest offering on the EP, showing a deadly focus for peak time crowds that should send this lad far in the near future.

Review: Philpot Records maestro Soulphiction may not have appeared on Lumberjacks In Hell before, but he's cited as a big influence on the label, and here the Stuttgart-based artist gets four chances to unfurl his deft instinct for dusty, soul and funk-infused house music. "Stick Up" gets the MPC grooves and twisting bass licks rolling beautifully, while "B3B4URD1" injects a little Afro-flavoured funk into the mix with another addictive low end flex. "Acid Test" pours a little more jack into the pot without losing that crooked Soulphiction flavour, and then "Dirty Hot" does a mean job of teaching all newcomers how to really do an edit.

Review: Glasgow's Ooft! continues the FOTO-X series on his label with a sure shot 12" that presents two tracks sure to nestle their way into all manner of on-point record bags for many moons to come. First up is iLO who plays the long game with a yearning and burning slice of deep house that starts out stripped and subtle before blossoming into a fully-fledged vocal delight. Ooft! takes care of the B-side with a boogie-tasting get down entitled "Howard's Way" which will get heads nodding and bodies popping to a bassline that calls to mind Evelyn King's much loved "I'm In Love" low end destroyer.

Review: Hailing from the mists of the early 90s UK techno scene, Ramjac Corporation's "Cameroon Massif!" epitomises everything great about the anything goes spirit of the scene prior to firm genre boundaries being established. Emotional Rescue have done the right thing and brought the vintage curio back to light, and what a return it is. While it shows its age, it sounds in fine fettle, all rolling breaks, trancey zaps and mysterious vocal hooks that positively draw you into a transcendental rave headspace. Both the "Massive" and "Massing" mixes are essential, but then you also get the added bonus of a live version from a reunion gig back in 2009.

Review: NAFF's latest glassy-eyed dancefloor workout comes from Housemates, a new production pairing comprised of established Montreal producers Adam Feingold (AKA Ex-Terrestrial) and Francis Latrelle (AKA Priori). In both its "Jersey Groove" and "Euro Groove" forms, "Soul Value" is colourful, tactile and deliciously loved-up, with snaking synth-sax lines meandering over a hugely positive and summery backing track. In truth, both versions sound like they drew much influence from both original Italian "dream house" and the early work of Dream 2 Science man Ben Cenac. The former influence floats to the fore on Lamusa II's irresistible "Exotic-Dream" mix, while fellow Canadian Florist serves up a thrillingly bass-heavy, breakbeat-laden revision ("99 Adrenaline Groove") that looks to early British breakbeat hardcore for inspiration.

Review: Earl's back with 002 from his new label Melange. 3 power cuts in raw form. This time bringing along good friend and previous collborator, Kofi Tarris.

Review: It's been three years since Linkwood wowed critics with the brilliant Expressions album on Firecracker Recordings. Here he returns with his first new material since, on a fresh label he founded to release "no frills 12-inches for DJs". Both tracks showcased here duly fit that remit. A-side "Mindmeld" is a fine chunk of unfussy deep house warmth, where metallic percussion and ebbing and flowing chords ride a rolling groove. "Nae Drama", on the other hand, is a fiendishly percussive affair - a stripped-back Afro-house workout that layers up drums and hand percussion, wild electronics and feverish tropical textures to ensure maximum dancefloor impact.

Review: Nebraska's Friends & Relations label is back in action with another two assured cuts of dusty, earthly grooves from the South London beat fiend. There's a rough n' ready MPC vibe to the break that courses its way through "The Guitar," providing a sturdy basis for the noodling titular axe cartwheeling its way across the mix. After those slightly Balearic vibes, "The Vocoder" brings a more forthright floor-filling attitude to the record thanks to a classic sizzling disco hook and a relentless forwards momentum. It's Nebraska on impeccable form, bringing the heat and stirring the soul in equal measure.

Review: The ever-prolific Seven Davis Jr has been thoroughly generous in sharing out his smoky, sensual strain of deep house in recent years, with the dust still settling from his last album. Now he's back with a full tilt five track EP that hints at a new direction to come, embracing the momentum and minimalism of techno without losing the distinctive bump that his music just can't do without. "No Mercy" is a dark, kinetic affair while "Lipstick" gets tougher, funkier and rawer. "Super Model" is a sleazy jam that revolves around a strutting beat and a nasty bassline, with some of Davis Jr's cool and deadly vocals rolling over the top. "On The Catwalk" has a rugged Dance Mania feel to the groove, and then "To Be Continued" spells out that this new, ruffneck direction for Seven Davis Jr has got a future.

Review: There was much excitement when Pink Eye, Maurice Fulton's first album under the Syclops album for five years, first appeared online last month. In typical fashion, Fulton hadn't let anyone know it was coming. As with some of his other projects, it's now available on physical formats via German titans Running Back. As with previous Syclops albums, it's wonderfully bonkers and hard to pigeonhole, with the Sheffield-based Chicagoan combining mind-altering electronics, skewed drums, riotous analogue grooves and cheery piano and synthesizer motifs in a variety of hugely impressive ways. There are naturally some suitably filthy club workouts present - check the intergalactic madness of "Sarah's E Is Back", the druggy, afro-tech romp that is "Spin Cycle" and the sub-heavy insanity of "Kelly Is On Her C" - alongside loved-up compositions and productions that indulge Fulton's less discussed often overlooked jazz influences.

Review: Pixelife is no stranger to the Tusk Wax family, having appeared on the Horn Wax label some five years ago, alongside intermittent releases on Throne Of Blood and more recently Samo Records. Now Pixelife is back with a gutsy release in the Tusk Wax style that matches warm, analogue power with bombast and drama in abundance, not least on EP opener "Radial Velocity." "Digital Silhouette" is equally epic in its construction, but sports a leaner club focus in between the surges of full-bodied synth swells. LA-4A is in a vicious mood on his remix of "Radial Velocity," uses some snarling low end acid tones to devastating effect, and then "Virtual Light Institute" finishes the EP off with a swooning, emotive cut that capitalises on Pixelife's bright and bold sound.

Review: Signature unleash their first limited EP of the year. And if you've been following their series so far, you'll know how special this is. First up, Djebali who's on fine form as always as he reminds us of the dark art of restraint by way of an ebbing/flowing pad that gently laps over a subtly mutating drum arrangement. Politics Of Dancing, meanwhile, put full focus on the drums, gradually unveiling elements such as a clipped vocal loop and filtered synths before whipping them away again. Flip for a straight up hip-wriggling jam from Okain before REda DaRE seals the deal with the effortlessly slinky "Le Bien Aime" which spirals into untold levels of funk on the breaks. Trust us, this won't stick around for long.

Review: Larry Heard and Ron Trent aside, few are capable of producing house music as deep, soulful and lilting as largely unheralded Maltese producer Melchior Sultana. Further proof supporting this bold claim can be found on the producer's latest EP. Opener "Phased" sets the tone, with Sultana smothering a deep and groovy house rhythm with toasty bass, dreamy Rhodes chords and twinkling, delay-laden electronic motifs. He brilliantly slows things down on "Quitness", a jazzy, hip-hop tempo head-nodder rich in fluttering flute lines and eyes-closed electric piano solos, before doffing a cap to classic Italian deep house on the sumptuous "Source" and impeccably melodious "The Haze".

Review: Milanese pair Francesco Mingrino and Marcello Carozzi have already asserted themselves in the field of adventurous disco experimentation via two sterling outings on the highly rated Bordello A Parigi, and now they prove their calibre once again with an EP on the ever-vital Tusk Wax. There's a delicate tone to Younger Than Me on this record, from the heartstring tugging melodics of easy rolling acid throbber "Mubai Garden Tea" to the subtle synth pop touches of "Arizona Dream." "Manchester's Teen" is a tougher affair with the kind of slow filter sweeping lead hook that rave dreams are made of, while "Near To Bali" finishes the EP on an ominous beatless note. Zombies In Miami turn in a remix of "Mubai Garden Tea" that maintains the romantic mood of the original while injecting a little more dancefloor heat into its bones.

Review: DJ Spinna & Kai Alce's Foundations project hits its second release on BBE with two stone cold foundation setters from one of Chicago's true dons: Tyree Cooper. First up is 88's almighty acid banger "Video Crash" (or "Acid Crash" as it's also been known for 30 years) that still hits harder than almost every techno record made ever since. Flip for a trip 1989 as Joe Smooth sends "Hardcore Hip House" to the promised land with his instantly distinctive piano touches and strong sense of soul. Serious history business.

Review: Gaetano Battista has been popping up intermittently for some time now, most notably under his own name on Boe Recordings back in 2013. Now he's adopted the name Mental Vibe Construction for this turn on Chez Damier's Courtesy Of Balance, bringing his most forthright dancefloor cuts to date. "Guru" is a muscular, punchy slice of house music executed with a Midwestern toughness and lashing of synthetic soul. "Lifestyle" is equally enchanting in its melodic qualities without skimping on the rhythm section, while "Lee Theory" takes things deeper and funkier. "Chi Soul" touches on uplifting techno tones in its illustrious synth patterns, but it's still got a house heartbeat pumping away at the centre.

Review: Making his debut on Chez Damier and Ron Trent's Balance imprint, jazz obsessed Frenchman Paul Cut serves up his first release of the year with four prime cuts. Building on the body of work he's developed on labels such as D.KO and Popcorn, once again it's a supreme blend of jack, soul and just the right amount of introspection. "Nucleus" takes us right to the heart of the action with a selection of powerful jacks before we're plunged into a wild and unexpected drum solo, "Windmills" shuffles and sways to the heavily swung drum arrangement and lavish vibraphone ripples while "Seaside" is a balmy jaunt along the pier at sunset, all shimmers and unhurried feels. Last but not least we hit "Moments", a hazy, woozy piece that seemingly leads with both the angelic reverse chords and the subtly lolloped drums. Make sure this makes the cut.

Review: Having previously danced "Under the Garage" and "Under The Loft", old pals DJ Sprinkles and Hardrock Striker are now throwing shapes beneath "The Ballroom" on this third and final part of the exclusive vinyl series accompanying their celebratory Skylax House Explosion mix CD. Fittingly, there's a trio of tracks to choose from, beginning with the tactile, loved-out dream house chords, fluttering FM synthesizer melodies and rubbery, retro-futurist Balearic house grooves of Lauer's "Bigs". Octa Octa steals the show with the alternately chiming and dreamily deep "Running" - all eyes-closed synthesizer melodies, elongated chords, cut-up vocals and snappy drum machine percussion - while "Soleil Mauve" by Violence FM and The Underground Soulsavers is an effortlessly good chunk of dreamy, melodious and ultra-deep house.

Review: This is a deliciously simple idea, impeccably executed. It sees a quartet of contemporary producers take it in turns to remix archival tracks by Madhouse boss (and all round legend) Kerri Chandler. Dutch duo Detroit Swindle steps up first, delivering a bustling, bass-heavy, interpretation of '92 jam "Get Out" that sits somewhere between booming, warehouse-friendly pump and fluid, disco-influenced NYC bounce. Josh Butler's take on the Chandler-producer Dreamer G anthem "I Got That Feeling" is an organ-laced, 21st century U.S garage treat, while Peggy Gou's interpretation of 1993's "I Need You" effortlessly joins the dots between vintage New Jersey deep house and wild acid tweakery. Finally, Jimspter delivers a fine version of "Powder" that's simultaneously lusciously warm and pleasingly bouncy.

Review: Detroit legend Amp Fiddler released his seventh studio album Amp Dog Knights back in 2017 on Kenny Dixon Jr. aka Moodymann's Mahogani Music. "So Sweet" was the first single released from the album and while it's hard to find an original version of the track - these terrific remixes by the legendary Little Louie Vega will more than suffice. From the trippy and lo-slung funk of the Amp Do It Again dub, or something more reminiscent of the Masters At Work collaborator on the totally life affirming Only Amp mix.

Review: Lo-fi house hero Ross From Friends presents his debut album for Flying Lotus' Brainfeeder imprint - this follows up the terrific Aphelion EP he presented on the label earlier this year. Like the title suggests, Family Portrait refers to a very specific personal aspect of Felix Weatherall's life: the influence of his parents. Dance music was always around during his childhood, where he grew up learning about music from his dad - who apparently had a penchant for banging out hi-NRG tracks on the decks. It's a riveting listen from start to finish: from the the intensely vivid groove of "Pale Blue Dot" to the moody "Project Cybersyn" with its tunnelling aesthetic - perfectly geared for those heads-down moments later in the night.

Review: Jayson Wynters is best known for his recent work on Don't Be Afraid, but the Birmingham resident has also been spotted on Mr G's Phoenix G label and elsewhere. Now he brings his smooth, undulating style of deep house to Ornate, fitting right in alongside the likes of Sota, Gauss and Faune with the immersive pulse and swooping pads of "Ancient Tones." "Jet Lagged" is a true trip-out affair with a bassline to sink into and chord washes that reach skywards, and then Caldera comes on board for a remix of "Ancient Tones" that works some crafty broken beats into the mix for a distinctive, wholly different outcome to the original.

Review: While Ant Plate has been insanely busy with a plethora of aliases on a multitude of labels recently, he's still found time to turn out some surefire heaters in the studio with long time sparring partner Matt Hunt. This release marks the first appearance of Rhythm Plate on Vinyl Only, but it's worth the wait. There's an epic scope to "Apathetic Empathy," which features bashy 80s drum hits and squelchy bass front and centre, but soaring vocal licks and piano stabs that widen the track out beautifully. "Observed Privacy" is a more emotive cut laden with illustrious keys, "Abuser Experience" is a bright and bashy deep house belter and "Prototype Night" takes things down a slinky, acid-speckled route. Rhythm Plate - still serving up the house music realness after nearly 20 years.

Review: The fourth release on Manchester-focused label Ad Hoc brings together a range of outernational grooves from some fast-rising talents. Cervo is aligned with the Banana Hill parties, and also previously released on Black Acre and Lumberjacks In Hell. His "Hesse Groove" takes a mellow, spaced out approach to dusty machine-powered house, while Taurtollo gets into a bongo-heavy jam for the eclectic warm up session. Chambers' "The Gentleman" is a loose and smooth jazzy number that revolves around a few key samples to create its seductive vibe, and then Yadava finishes the EP off with the free-roaming double bass exploration of "Kadampa 125."