Review: Led by Luke Solomon, The Legion of Boogie Down returns with their second album, Powerdance II, eight years after the success of their debut The Lost Art of Getting Down. Since then the collective has evolved by adding more experimental sounds to their vision of nightclub and basement music. This album continues their journey of genre-blending with the addition of Chris Penny, rising star Josh Ludlow, and original members Alinka and Lance Desardi. Featuring wild synths, drums and percussion from Holly Madge, this left-of-centre record offers a trippy mix of disco, funk and house that leads to a cosmic musical adventure in some style.
Review: First released digitally earlier in 2024, Prince Palmer's first outing on Bobby Donny's 'Ace' series heads to vinyl in expanded form. It's the Dutch producer's vinyl debut and a quietly impressive one at that. The headline attraction is 'Serious Play', a rolling, loose-limbed and sub-heavy slab of revivalist garage house/New Jersey deep house fusion that comes accompanied by a chunkier and undeniably trippy, dancefloor dub style 'Vibe Mix' makeover courtesy of Joy Jenkins. There's plenty to set the pulse racing across the rest of the EP though, from the Burrell Brothers-meet-Jovonn flex of 'Get Down' and the jazz-house/garage-house fusion of 'Sleeping City (Wake Up Mix)', to the organ-rich house positivity of 'Polygon Island' and the peak-time-at-Sound Factory NYC flex of Frits Wentink's fine revision of 'Airlift'.
Review: Before he released 8 and 9 as two separate vinyl albums, Prins Thomas opined that it marked his best work to date. Gathered here for the first time on a single CD, it's hard to quibble with his assessment. For starters, the collected tracks arguably offer the strongest fusion yet of the various musical threads that have long been present in his work - think sun-soaked Balearica, synthesizer-driven krautrock, dub disco, punk-funk, cosmic rock, loose-limbed grooves and wide-eyed, sunrise-ready electronic psychedelia. Highlights include the acoustic-meets-acid wonder of 'Cala Lunga', the sun-bright, slowly rising rush of 'Evig Ung', the rubbery and cosmic chug of 'Earthbound' and the heavily electronic bliss of 'I Love U'.
Review: Belgian singer and producer Bolis Pupul releases his first solo debut album 'Letter to Yu' following his smash success with fellow DEEWEE artist Charlotte Adigery 'Topical Dancer', a satirical, yet hard-hitting, exploration of spirituality, racism and identity that the two experienced in Ghent as children of immigrant families. If you're a fan of the production of songs like 'Mantra', then this project is for you. Still keeping the witty elements from 'Topical Dancer' the LP, a reference to a great emperor of Chinese history, 'Completely Half' opens up with Pupuls hallmark 80s synthpop style, partnered with the typically Belgian cerebral approach to music and allusions to his mixed-race heritage. Pupul's beats feel pensive, yet danceable and the more deep-in-thought cuts like 'Goodnight Mr Yi' benefit from they dynamic contrast with more in-your-face cuts like the blaring 'Kowloon' and its siren-like supersaws.
Review: The new album by Quantic - aka. multi instrumentalist, DJ, composer and producer Will Holland - is in many ways an evolution. Now twenty years into his career, Dancing While Falling is the British-born, New York-based artist's most live sounding, euphoric and, in his own words, grown-up release to date. Capturing the beginnings of every good person's revelatory movement from an individual to a collective spirit, Holland originally began the album in his Brooklyn studio, before realising that he didn't just want to make a record that reflected his 'singular pandemic wormhole', but rather one that tapped into the essential togetherness of the human condition. So too does this record explore themes of connection felt through, and made more intense by, the antagonistic bouts of loneliness that characterised COVID-19. Influenced by legendary artists in the scene like Bohannon and Larry Levan, Quantic wanted to make a disco -eaning album at first; "I'm really interested in Latin music and Afro Caribbean rhythms and I think there's a really amazing point in history where the emergence of those rhythms and its combination with American soul sparked what we now know as disco," he says. This PIAS extended edition comes one year on from its initial 2023 release, Quantic here expands on his work by adding a ream of extended versions.
Review: Will Holland is Quantic and with this project he has explored myriad different musical worlds, has traversed many different areas, most notably immersing himself in many aspects of Latin American music culture, often through collaboration. He's switched it up for this new record after first starting out with some experiments that soon turned into a love letter to disco which has long been a powerful emotional tool. He brings his own sense of percussive energy to the genre and has again worked with an array of talented mates including Connie Constance and Rationale plus vocalist Andreya Triana.
Review: Quiet Dawn's latest offering, Celebrate, is an 11-track testament to the eclectic talent that has made him a cornerstone of the First Word family for a decade. Following in the footsteps of his previous ventures, particularly the Movements EP, this album seamlessly blends broken beat flavors with a diverse range of influences. Featuring luminaries like Bembe Segue, LyricL, and Oliver Night, Celebrate is a terrific drift through soulful grooves, lively bars and infectious rhythms. From uplifting jazz samba vibes to downtempo boom bap, Quiet Dawn effortlessly melds organic and electronic elements, creating a good dose of positivity and good vibes. Tracks like 'Celebrate,' composed with his son on his lap, and collaborations with talents like Bembe Segue and Oliver Night, highlight Quiet Dawn's ability to translate personal moments into universal celebrations of life, love and cultural diversity. With infectious energy and a message of turning negativity into positivity, Celebrate invites listeners to dance, reflect and embrace the richness of our individual journeys.
Review: On the debut EP 'We Are The Ones/Fire/Forever', Chicago DJ and all-out living legend Rahaan collaborates with an equally talented group of musicians: Marcus J. Austin on lead vocals, Nancy Clayton on backing vocals, Carnell C. Newbill (also known as Spike Rebel) on keyboards and backing vocals, Todd Swope on guitar, and Lou Terry on bass. Together, the outfit known as The Ones create an extended three-track EP of transcendent proportions, drawing on the avaricious world-passion for music and life heard in the joyous chasms between psychedelia, Afrobeat and disco. Bridging these precipices by way of a vast, suspensory dancefloor held together by firmly mixable kick drums serving as rivets, Rahaan produces and mixes a viscerally eye-popping set of devotionals here. From the impassioned beatitudes and thanksgivings of 'We Are The Ones', to the desirous chic-funk drum circle envisaged on 'Fire' and the eternal gospel-rock-tinged disco-soul ablution 'Forever' (a special favourite of ours), this is a holy chrism in record form.
Ship Of The Desert - "Count Of Monte Thisgo" (6:00)
Frank Hatchett Dance Explosion - "Super Hero" (1:51)
Cherish - "For You" (3:26)
Jaze - "Wanna Get Down With You" (7:21)
The 21st Century - "One Of These Days" (5:23)
Porno Disco - "Go Down Moses" (4:19)
Cousin Ice - "Catch Your Glow" (feat Zack Sanders) (6:18)
Boobie Knight - "Juicy Fruit My Love" (6:27)
John Lamkin - "Ticket" (6:21)
Review: You can always count on Z Records to bring a deep-digging, dedicated approach to anything they put out, and that goes double for their flawless Under The Influence series. The 10th volume in the series sees them inviting the incredible Chicago-born DJ Rahaan to select some seriously headsy cuts from his collection, carefully cleaned up, de-clicked and remastered for the best listening experience. Given the nature of the series, don't expect the usual suspects, and instead savour the discovery of some of Rahaan's most treasured cuts, presented here on a double LP comp brimming with discoid magic.
Review: Long-time electro stalwart Carl Finlow is the man behind the Random Factor alias. He started it back in 1994 and it has given rise to four full lengths on 20/20 Vision, which is where he now returns with his first new long player in 15 years. Silencer is a superb return to form with a mix of electro-pop that is laden with indelible melodies, granular vocoders, angelic vocals and the occasion back room, heads down electro banger. As always these cuts are second to none with bumping electro-funkers like 'Adulterant' and celestial trips like 'Lab Grown' perfect for back rooms.
Review: While Christopher Rau has released many fine EPs and 12" singles, some of his best work has been showcased on albums. It's no surprise when you think about it, because his brand of ultra-deep and sonically detailed house and techno suits the full-length format. It's exciting, then, that he's finally got round to recording and releasing a fourth LP. Stretched across two slabs of wax to ensure club-ready loudness, the eight showcased cuts cannily combine woozy, twinkling and tactile melodic motifs with great grooves, swinging drums and toasty basslines. Highlights include star-lit opener 'Better Times', the starry hypnotism of 'On The Dancefloor', the lo-fi St Germain vibes of 'Ne Travaillez Jamais (Still Working Mix)', the deep up-tempo dustiness of 'Thank You', and the wide-eyed loved-up hug of 'Evin'.
Review: Raz & Afla bring together the talents of producer Raz Olsher and Ghanaian percussionist Afla Sackey here in order to blend electronic beats with traditional African rhythms and create a bold new and innovative sound. Olsher's boundary-pushing electronic compositions and Sackey's rich African melodies and soulful vocals result in a unique fusion that started with their acclaimed debut The Cycle. Their follow-up album, Echoes of Resistance, continues to explore new sonic realms from politically charged tracks like 'What's Going On?' to dancefloor anthems like 'Mon Ni Fere' this is a record packed with big tunes but also some real meaning and emotion.
Review: The freshly minted Occult Vision label has a distinctively different ethos and approach. It was established to release full-length excursions (that's albums, kids) only, thus offering producers they work with the chance to stretch their musical legs (so to speak). For the label's debut, they've turned to long-serving Frankfurt producer Frank Heinrich. His first LP since 2016, On A Grind sees the German frequently blur the boundaries between tech-house and deep house, with solid and sub-heavy grooves being overlaid with a mixture of heady sonic textures, glassy-eyed vocal samples, glitchy percussion, twinkling keys and tipsy, mind-mangling musical motifs. Highlights include the jazzy tech-house dustiness of 'Tombant Jazz', the deep and heady shuffle of 'Sweat', the ragged, acid-fired hedonism of 'Outwork' and the sweat-soaked peak-time pump of the nostalgic title track.
Review: Life & Death's next ambitious undertaking is courtesy of label chief DJ Tennis who teams up with Israeli indie-dance duo Red Axes. They were first introduced to each other by Superpitcher & Rebolledo (The Pachanga Boys) at a festival in Corsica - and the rest is history. Recorded on top of a decadent old shopping mall in the middle of Tel Aviv, the trio are said to have combined their "love of psy and Mediterranean influences" over a scheduled week of recording sessions together. The result is Redrago, a collection of tripped-out dancefloor oddities that take in everything from lo-slung punk funk ("Rave 'N' Roll), heady and (acid) bass-driven dancefloor narratives that cross over into vintage pop ("Il Veliero"), deep kosmiche ("Plastelina") and deep and tunnelling techno as heard on the epic "Ventilo".
Review: Some For This And That is the new album from house royalty Timmy Regisford on the legendary Nervous Records. It finds him mixing up his signature house sound with Afro, r&b and more to make for a widescreen and timeless record packed with big vocal moments, deeper beats and plenty of soulful sounds. 'Heaven 10 Zillion' is one of those with its warming chords and rolling drums, while 'Stay With Me Tonight' cuts a little more loose with some skyward synths bringing more edgy club-ready energy. 'Khannyisa' is another standout with its Afro drums and organic percussion.
Review: Fresh from serving up his first 12-inch single for almost eight years, Studiotek founder Darren Roach - an underground aggravator since the late 1990s - pops up on Limousine Dream with his most expansive release yet. Low Ranger is the long-serving producer's debut album and, in keeping with his previous output, keeps both eyes firmly on the dancefloor. It's a wise move, because there are plenty of genuinely peak-time-ready cuts on display, from the low-slung punk-funk-meets-tech-house flex of opener 'The Truth' and the bumpin' heaviness of 'Pier 23' (whose bassline and beats recall the original 1988 version of '3AM Eternal'), to the deep tech-house shuffle of 'Low Ranger Don't Stop', the dubby and spacey shuffle of 'BB' and the sparkling tech-funk headiness of 'Augusto'.
Review: Rubicon marks the first physical edition of Galcher Lustwerk's driving-themed alias, Road Hog. Collecting tracks from seven releases spanning from 2014 to 2021, Rubicon serves as the project's Greatest Hits (for now). Including tracks from the Cleveland-dedicated album 'Tour De Hog' as well as the sharp toothed 'Spares' and 'More Spares' the pithy 'Haul Ass' plus some cinematic favorites from 'DWB' and 'On The Lam'. Originally meant to be digital only and listened to while driving, demand for certain tunes to be pressed to vinyl has risen with each release. From the Road to the Club, Lustwerk's got you covered.
John Rocca - "I Want It To Be Real" (instrumental) (5:12)
John Rocca - "Englishman In New York" (extended) (7:27)
John Rocca - "Move" (extended mix) (8:14)
John Rocca - "The Dream" (radio edit) (4:08)
Freeez - "IOU" (feat John Rocca - 7" version remastered) (3:51)
John Rocca - "I Want It To Be Real" (3:45)
Review: Freeez founder John Rocca made these cuts between London and New York City from 1982 to 1987. Once Upon A Time in N.Y.C is a pioneering compilation of proto-electro and house cuts that, for this reissue, come on nice splattered orange vinyl. As well as the six standouts on the original abut, there is also a bonus 7" with two extra cuts, one of which is the international hit 'I.O.U.' Elsewhere, jams like 'Englishman In New York', 'I Dub U' and 'I Want It To Be Real' all still bang as brilliantly now as they did almost 40 years ago.
Review: Frenchman Rodriguez Jnr moved from his native Paris to the sunny climes of Miami not long after the pandemic. He had already started recording the music that features on this new album before he left, and finished it off in the US. You can hear the influence of both settings as he cuts more loose than ever before. His signature synth craft and elegant melodies remain, but there are also collabs with hip-hop's Stereo MCs, his own partner Liset Alea who is an esteemed vocalist, and Giorgia Angiuli. It adds up to a super smooth and sophisticated album with plenty of earworms.
Cool Water Interlude (feat Ivan Conti (Azymuth) & Lars Bartkuhn)
Review: We all know and love Ron Trent as a house music maestro, but as his elevated productions have betrayed over the years, his chops reach well beyond the simple demands of functional club stuff. In line with his more eclectic output, What Do The Stars Say To You heralds his WARM project in a frankly stunning burst of musicality that harks back to the glory days of 70s and 80s studio prowess. This is still music driven by a groove, but it's certainly not a house by numbers affair. Instead you get soaring violin solos (from Jean Luc Ponty no less), infinte threads of nimble keys work and enough downtempo, slinky grooves to buffet a yacht from the Balearics to the Florida Keys and back again. Featuring members of Azymuth, Gigi Masin and Khruangbin amongst others, this is a return to the craft of exquisite album making, as handled by a true master in his field.
Review: Over the years, Ron Trent has released some fine albums, all of which have subtly expanded on his trademark soul-flecked, percussion-rich deep house sound. On What Do The Stars Say To You, his first new full-length excursion in 11 years, the Chicago native has taken a different approach, utilising his occasional WARM alias on a stunning set that abandons dancefloor-pleasing in favour of immersive, evocative and ultra-deep blends of ambient, downtempo, jazz-funk and electronica. It's a genuinely brilliant album all told, with a string of impressive guest musicians - including Ivan Conti and Alex Malheiros of Azymuth, electric jazz pioneer Jean-Luc Ponty, psychedelic Balearic specialists Khrungbin and Italian ambient maestro Gigi Masin - all making brilliant contributions. In a word: exceptional!
Review: British producer Felix Clary Weatherall, who is far better known as Ross From Friends, makes a huge step up with his Tread album on Brainfeeder. It retains the lo-fi, nostalgic sense of melody that made him such a breakout star a couple of years ago, but with a new depth and high-class production prowess that stands it even further apart. There are plenty of crackly old samples of soul, pitched up r&b vocals A real element of sonic experimentation is there if you look for it in this album, but the tunes themselves are so sweet and compelling that it never feels too try-hard. A fantastic work.
Review: RUFUS DU SOL's forthcoming album Inhale Exhale is a masterpiece that transcends genres, reminiscent of Powderfinger's Odyssey Number 5 yet distinct in its own right. This Australian trio, brimming with talent, has truly outdone themselves, delivering an album where every track is a winner. Each listen reveals a captivating journey of synths and ingenious beats, with impeccable track ordering enhancing the experience. For newcomers, 'Pressure' is a standout that demands attention, showcasing a brilliant 80s-inspired bass hook. With a growing international following and an impressive discography, RUFUS DU SOL represents the pinnacle of contemporary Australian music.
Review: First released in 2020, Live From Joshua Tree is a live album and film shot deep in the Californian desert. It marked something of a major milestone and turning point in the Aussie band's career and took them to their next level of fame. They remain now one of the most in-demand live acts in the game with a fresh take on deep house with indie stylings and plenty of meticulous hooks and grooves. This is the first time this album has been available on vinyl so is a great way to savour this special moment in the band's evolution.
Review: The much-anticipated fifth studio album from Rufus Du Sol, known for blending organic and electronic sounds, sees the Grammy-winning trio once again delving into familiar themes like love, heartbreak and euphoria across 15 tracks. This new record, featuring previously released singles 'Lately' and 'Music Is Better', marks the band's first new material in three years. Their latest single, 'Break My Love', shows the band's signature style, where smooth vocals from Tyrone Lindqvist weave into a hypnotic electronic backdrop. The track evokes hope and emotional depth while maintaining the group's dreamy, electronic soundscape. The accompanying retro-inspired music video, directed by longtime collaborator Katzki, adds a playful twist with a heist-themed storyline, reflecting the band's creative evolution. Inhale / Exhale represents a new creative phase for the trio, who describe this era as focusing on the joy of creation in the present moment. Fans can expect a mature sonic journey that carries forward the emotional highs and lows that have made RUFUS DU SOL a beloved force in the global electronic scene.
Review: Australian trio Rufus Du Sol have long been alt-dance favourites. Surrender was their fourth long player, released back in October 2021, and now the GRAMMY-winning group made up of James Hunt, Tyrone Lindqvist and Jon George have signed up a load of talent to give the record the remix treatment.The likes of Carlita, Solomun, Magdalena, the band's longtime collaborator, Rose Ave, Cassian and Dom Dolla have all contributed next to CircoLoco residents Adrian Shala and Adrian Schweizer aka Adriatique, who have been banging their take on 'On My Knees' all summer.
Review: PIV label head DJ Prunk identified Ruze as rising stars in 2023. Since then, they've soared with Beatport chart-toppers like Hardwire and Chapters EPs and their latest offering showcases their signature sound on a fine debut album. The title track introduces smooth house beats, deep yet dynamic. 'Trip' layers precise drums with soulful spoken words over vivid pads. 'Keep It Comin'' amps up the tempo with funky house vibes, while 'Mister DJ' delivers seductive late-night allure. 'Come Together' packs punchy beats and lively sax and 'Repetition,' 'FUTUR,' and 'In The Power' maintain irresistible house grooves, while 'Everybody' ends with a laid-back lounge vibe.
Review: Ceramics is the second album by Saine on Omena Records, which reflects the Finnish personal journey as an artist and a human being, and expresses his feelings and thoughts through music. It showcases his versatile and emotive style, blending house, electronica and downtempo influences. Highlights include the title track 'Ceramics' opens the album with a warm and organic sound, featuring lush pads, piano chords and subtle percussion, while 'Etude' is a beatless interlude with a mesmerizing arpeggio motif and ambient textures. Elsewhere, 'Hardships' is a melancholic and introspective number, with a moody piano chord progression, deep bass and vocal samples. and the ethereal deep house groove of 'First Snow' is as understated as you like it.
Review: When it comes to gorgeously summery blends of colourful nu-disco and sunset-ready deep house, Tim Berndhardt AKA Satin Jackets is in league of his own. That much is proved by his third album, and first for three years, Reunion. It begins with an immersive dose of sunrise deep house warmth, 'For What We Have', and ends with the piano-spotted, hands-in-the-air audio dopamine of 'Don't Worry'. In between, you'll find a sparkling, sun-bright mixture of Balearic house loveliness ('Little Aeroplanes'), head-bobbing synth-pop lusciousness ('Different Directions', with Ivy Falls), melody-rich cheeriness ('Hundred Fifty Up'), dreamy vocal nu-disco (Tailor hook-up 'Spell'), and smile-inducing, guitar-laden joyousness ('Coffee & Feels').
Something That's For Life (feat Cari Golden - 2024 rework) (5:12)
Sanctuary (feat Stereo MCs - 2024 rework) (7:58)
Aura (feat Sophie Hunger - Deetron remix) (6:00)
Rain (2024 rework) (5:44)
Belize (2024 rework) (6:23)
Review: Anja Schneider has been at the heart of the Berlin underground for decades. Famously she headed up the Mobilee label which was a powerhouse of, well, house, and now she revisits her sizeable back catalogue for a bumper triple album of remixes, works and updates. If nothing else this collection shows what great range she had as all styes are covered from dark and driving tech to more blissed out deep house. The likes of 'Turning My Head' show great percussive flair and 'Dubmission' (Julian Muller remix) is quick and slick, stripped back minimal. Vocal delight 'Rain' is a real classic amongst many here.
Review: Originally part of an exhibition curated by Elysia Borowy last September, Scott Grooves' contribution to After The Dance transcends the dancefloor, exploring experimental expressionism in visual arts and electronic music. Critiquing capitalist culture and drawing from afrofuturism, his work prompts reflection on consumerism and futuristic themes. The CD release features deep ambient pieces that caccaompnied six thought-provoking installations: Sweet Dreams Anakin, Foot Work, Vinyl, For All-Dee People, Yellow Sun Bricks, and Found Sound. It shows another side to the deep house don's work and is just as essential.
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