Juno Recommends Funky House: June 2024

Review: Who better to tell the story of house music than one of its main early protagonists? Marshall Jefferson penned plenty of Chicago's greatest early records and as a DJ helped lay the foundations for the sound too. As such he is a perfect choice for Defected's House Masters series and does a fine job of laying out some of its finest moments on this brilliant new mix. No matter how many times you hear these OG gems they still resonate, from the passionate vocals of Ten City to the iconic chords of 'Someday' via the darker jack of Jefferson under his Hercules alias this is an essential listen.

Review: Joe Smooth's 'Promised Land' is one of house music's most vital foundational tracks if you ask us. It has everything that made the genre great from the start - the deep, pulsing drums, the melodic bassline, the lush synth strings, and most importantly meaningful vocals with a social conscience. We shall nerve tire of hearing it so we are happy it gets rereleased here as part of a new 12" on DJ International that pairs it with an equally emotionally enthralling and impact early house cut, namely 'It's All Right (House mix)' which also has epic synth strings, a heart aching falsetto and chord vamps you hope never end. Pure house bliss.

Review: Frankly & Sandrino step up to the mighty Innervisions label here with a pair of tense new tech house cuts that are designed for dramatic moneys in the club. 'Memories' is a sweeping cut with scintillating synth designs and twitchy modulations, cold tech beats and a warming vocal that rises up in theatrical and emotionally wrought fashion. It's got summer anthem written all over it. Flip it over and you will find 'Blueflash' which is denied by its sleek synth aprs layered up over police sirens and driving electronic beats for maximum effect at festivals and major clubs everywhere.

Review: LOVEFOXY hails from Berlin but brings big-hearted house music to the legendary Nervous Records. This new EP, Burning Down The Sluthouse, kicks off with full-throttle house and old-school basslines that come with raucous vocals. 'Freakfest' it's no slouch either with more club-ready drums and fat basslines that come in strong with plenty of warm punch. Last but not least is 'Business First' which his another emotionally intense and physically infectious tracks with fat chords smeared about the mix over elastic bass and thudding kicks that are all tough but never short of heart.

Review: Passed Out On A Persian Rug might be the best names a label we have heard in a while, as well as being the perfect way to any big weekend. Once this one is lined up on the decks though the party will be far from over - Hayedeh's 'Gol Vajeh' brings exotic vocalisations over deep house beats that get you in the zone. Shahyar GhanbarI's 'Forbidden' is another steamy and enthralling house cut with depth and soulful synth craft. There is playfulness in the chords and funky bass of Shahram Shabparesh's 'To Mitooni' and Hassan Shamaeizadeh's 'Telesm' closes with crisp, breezy tech.

Review: It's a challenge to find a Euro house and dance music collection more jam-packed with hits than this one. Reminiscent of early 90s dance compilations, Music On Vinyl brings together two discs filled with iconic dance anthems and crossover sensations. Highlights include Haddaway's 'What Is Love', 2 Unlimited's stadium favourite 'No Limit', Snap!'s timeless 'Rhythm Is A Dancer', and the global smash 'Pump Up The Jam' by Technotronic. What sets this release apart is its inclusion of many other lesser-known yet unforgettable tracks like T-Spoon's 'Sex On The Beach' and Twenty 4 Seven's 'Slave To The Music'.

Review: Bob Sinclar's Born in 69 reissue for 2024 presents an album filled with joyousness and infectious energy, showcasing Sinclar's talent for turning cover songs into dancefloor anthems. Collaborating with reggae crossover artists like Shabba Ranks and Kevin Lyttle, Sinclar infuses Caribbean influences throughout the album, evident in tracks like 'Love You No More' and 'New New New.' From the spirited revamp of the lambada in 'Give Me Some More' to the funky reinterpretation of classics like 'Mr. Tambourine Man' and Adrian Gurvitz's 'The Way I Feel,' Sinclar's creative flair shines through. The inclusion of tribal beats, psychedelic sitar and Middle Eastern flair adds depth and variety to the album's sonic landscape. While some tracks may lean heavily on auto-tuned vocals, the overall vibe of Born in '69 is undeniably upbeat and feel-good. It's an album that prioritizes fun above all else, inviting listeners to let loose and enjoy the infectious rhythms. Bob Sinclar proves once again that sometimes, all you need is music that makes you dance and smile.

Review: Freaky, playful synthwork from Sao Paolo's Zopelar on the ever-reliable Tartelet imprint. Over eight immensely juiced, irreverent meditations on synth funk, boogie, deep house, Italo disco and acid, Zope showcases a mastery of foregrounding unconventional musical forces, cheeky and envelope-pushing analogue synth programming and genre-mangling at its very best. Highlights include the heart-in-mouth sway of 'Distraction', which at times sounds like a lovechild of Marcellus Pittman and Genesis-era Larry Heard, the eerie, questing squelch of seductive B-side opener 'Safe In The Dark' and the queasy, euphoric alarmism of lost freestyle hit 'Free Your Spirit (Ritmo II). Very addictive.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Over the last three years, DJ/producer Mimmo "MoBlack" Falcone has turned MoBlack Records into arguably the World's leading label for African house music. Defected clearly thinks so, because the label has decided to put out this EP featuring tracks from remixes from Falcone and some of his regular collaborators. On side A Falcone joins forces with Armonica to deliver two sparkling, rubbery, positive and heavily electronic reworks of Fela Kuti classic 'International Thief Thief'. Both hit the spot, though it's the Dub, with its extended vocal breakdown and trippy effects, that floats our boat. Over on the flip we're treated to two versions of MoBlack, Emmanuel Jal and Henrick Schwarz hook-up 'Chagu': a bouncy Afro-tech take from Schwarz and a warmer, deep Afro-house interpretation by Falcone.