Review: Detroit-raised, London-based Demi Riquisimo assembles a dynamic mix of label favourites and fresh talent on Love State, the 22nd release from his Semi Delicious imprint. This six-track V/A hears offerings from Demi himself alongside Clint, Swoose, Lulah Francs, Dukwa, Anastasia Zem & Asa Tate, blending club modernity with classic analogue dance influences, sampling every sonic cate from Italo to tech house. Best among the bunch has to be Swoose's 'Re/Vision' and Anastasia Zems' 'Eternal Beauty', which bring together wasted electro, Italian new beat and trance for well-measured tinctures of dreaminess.
Review: Lauren Ritter revisits her musical origins with the two new singles on her latest EP for Rift Vision. The two evocative, nostalgic, and melodious tracks, 'Antigone' and 'Sarus' are sure to resonate with fans of her debut Lark EP from 2015 with the former being a suspensory jam for 5am wig-outs, and the latter has more drive but no less synth elegance to it. Then comes a remix from Zone+ from labels like All Day I Dream and his version is delightfully airy and deft in its nimbler rhythms and Powel closes down with a remix that incorporates dynamic grooves and soothing vocal elements.
Review: D'Julz's Bass Culture has long since carved out a niche for low-end heavy, track-y house cuts. This new offering from Darren Roach continues in that vein but with a leaning towards tech house and minimal. First up is the excellent 'Drewski Balooski' which is marbled with laughter and slinky low ends that slowly lock you in.
Then comes 'Bass Ready' which is more atmospheric with sustained chords and percolating bass. Last but not least, 'Relentlessly Together' cuts loose on a more playful and expressive house sound that will get big reactions.
Review: French producer Jerome Barresi as Robert's Diary delivers a superb EP on Is It Balearic? Something a little different. Dinky Bird is delicate pianos and an atmospheric vocal sample subtle beats and melodies reminiscent of Eple and classic Moby. Legendary Norse God Bjorn Torske keeps the atmosphere and adds creates a more percussive 4/4 shuffler. Six O Six has the trademark vocal sample and piano but a more dance floor feel. KXP which sounds like it could a long lost Gene Love Jezebel B -side rounds things off.
Review: While she has released on NDAL Muzik, People of Earth and Innermoods, Roberta Jennifer Lopez tends to put out most of her music on the Night Moves Records imprint she established a decade ago - and it's to that label that she returns with her first EP of 2025. The Brooklyn-based produced begins with 'Heart Feelings', a jazz-house adjacent slab of piano-rich nu-jazz positivity that reminded us of the great Kyoto Jazz Massive, before opting to smother a sparse, ultra-deep jazz house groove in extended piano solos on the similarly inspired 'Your Power'. She takes to the mic on the Kai Alce style deep soulful house workout 'Make It Right', while closing cut 'The Score' is a warming, sunset-ready instrumental free of kicks and snares.
Review: John Roberts, arguably best known for his numerous outings on Dial and all caps Twitter account, can rarely have made anything quite so joyous as the two tracks showcased on this first Brunette Editions 12". "Orah" blends a cheery main melody with crystalline synthesizer lines and watery electronics with a sticky, densely programmed groove and should resonate with any fans of the Future Times label. "Renata", meanwhile, begins with an extended build up of almost overwhelming beauty, before flowering into a similarly melodious, rubbery deep house groove. Both tracks are packed full of emotion, and sound like they were composed in the midst of a period of intense happiness.
Review: The latest from The Robinson - that'll be Milan-based brothers Marco and Riccardo Augeri to you - opens with the jazz, live-sounding and improvised 'Life Decisions' with its cosmic synths reaching up to the stars over raw beats. 'Unconscious Habits' follows on, bringing deep, dubby drums, organic percussive lines and a deep jungle vibe while 'Running Algorith' is another humid deep house closer with warm, diffuse pads and a spiralling of deft percussion.
Review: The Robinson and Takahiro Fuchigami take a side each on this compelling exploration of house music infused with diverse jazz influences. This release effortlessly blends genres, creating a rich and textured soundscape that bridges lounge, disco and blues. Side-1 opens with 'Passion Is The Key', a track that leans into lounge jazz vibes, pairing smooth melodies with a laid-back house groove. Following this, 'A Satisfying Day' injects disco elements into the mix, creating an uplifting fusion of rhythm and melody. Side-2 deepens the jazz-house connection. 'Jazzing Bird' delivers an intricate, jazz-forward interpretation of house, balancing vibrant improvisation with danceable beats. 'How's That Sound?' captures the essence of a smoky jazz club, blending sultry brass lines with a steady house pulse. Closing the release, 'In Motion' incorporates bluesy undertones into a chilled-out vibe, offering a soulful, reflective end to the journey.
Review: The second Abstract Cuts release is an EP split four ways, but with new, unconventional approaches to the dancefloor at the heart of each submission and all using vintage drum machines and samplers. The Robot Dance Connection's 'Powers Of Ten' (R2d2 live edit) kicks off side one, shiny high frequency polish played off against a gorgeously stubborn techno beat, before the slinkier and smoother 'Gold Saucer' by Brunzi offers an equally danceable but less angular counterpoint. Flip it over and Tomska's 'Lethal Overdose' (Touch dub 2022) offers rushing sonics, off kilter snare damage and four to the floor thump, before Emile's 'Jeu Froid' completes the set in grimy basement style.
Review: London producer Scott Ferguson, aka Robot84, continues his superlative run through 80s speckled gear on his own label. This time he's cooked up a killer slice of proto house with an Afro vocal boost from TAMA. From the slick reverse edits to the warm thrum of the bassline, the classic drum machines patter to the spangled arps, this is feel good business rendered with reverence and love for the roots of dance music as we know it today. Stick on the A side for the vocal version, flip it over for the dub, or better still bag two copies and get creative in the mix.
Review: This new and heavyweight 12" from Robot84 is a fresh fusion of Italo and house vibes that are defined by lively percussion, lush pianos, 808 drum fills, and an irresistible vocal hook. The original of this has already garnered attention with high praise from Manchester legend Justin Robertson who dropped it at a Hacienda 51 gig for its 30th anniversary. Sean Johnston, Heidi Lawden, Laurent Garnier and more have all also been playing it out recently which tells you all you need to know, really. Flip it over for a dubbed-out headwrecker that is just as good.
I Want It To Be Real (Late Nite Tuff Guy edit) (7:44)
I Want It To Be Real (Farley Hot House Piano mix) (7:03)
Review: In its original 1984 form, 'I Want It To Be Real' was Freeez founder John Rocca's debut single a soulful slice of cutting-edge vocal electro that rocked clubs from Brooklyn to Bradford. This welcome new edition boasts a fresh rework from edit-not-edit specialist Late Night Tough Guy, who utilises some of Rocca's original elements the killer bassline, synth solos and so on while adding dreamy deep house chords and a restless 4/4 beat. It's rather good, but even better is Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk's flip-side 'Hot Piano' mix, which originally appeared on Rocca's 1987 set Extra Extra. A breezy, life-affirming chunk of early Chicago house brilliance with added extended piano solos, it's arguably the definitive mix of 'I Want It To Be Real'.
Review: As Paolo Rocco sees in 10 years releasing music in the depths of the tech house scene, he's dropping this surefooted slice of peak time club gear on Up The Stuss. 'First Night Out' is an ear-snagging cut with crossover potential, and Malin Genie knows just how to tease out some Lately bass and swirling pads to make for a smoky, early morning roller embellished with a few tasteful bleeps. 'To The Stays & Beyond' sounds resplendent as an after hours jam in its 'Dub Mix' form, and then 'Chi Chi Boogie' closes the record out with a refined, mellow kind of swinger that should appeal to the minimal crowd.
Paolo Rocco & Red Meat Therapy - "Better Dayz" (8:04)
Paolo Rocco & Lessi S - "This That" (6:04)
Paolo Rocco, Lessi S & Pijynman - "Sacred Place" (8:32)
Review: Paolo Rocco's back catalogue speaks for itself across the past decade of deep house. Iconic labels like Real Tone, Saved and Hot Creations have all put out his 12"s and in 2021 Fuse London carried his album Life In Pieces. Now he's back with a new release on his own RAWMoments label, which has been platforming the work of Rocco and his close pals since 2017. These same pals are the ones he jams with on these four tracks, which span the subtle new wave Balearic touches of 'Release Me' with Pijynman and the slinky funk of 'Better Dayz' with Red Meat Therapy.
Review: The mysterious Karnak On Acid imprint launched last year via an EP featuring four suitably trippy tracks by emerging Egyptian talent Ramez. This frustratingly delayed follow-up comes from long-serving DJ/producer/editor - and all-round lover of Arabic and Occidental flavoured electronic dance music - Jonny Rock. We're not sure whether the two 'Versions' on show are original productions, edits or reworks, but either way they're excellent. 'Version One' features echoing Arabic vocals and jaunty, echoing lead lines rising above a thickset, sequenced bassline and delay-laden, proto-house style drums. 'Version 2', meanwhile, sounds like Egyptian EBM - should such a thing exist - and will delight all those who love sleazy chuggers and seriously psychedelic club cuts.
Review: Roddyrod is a key player in contemporary hip-hop who gained recognition alongside East Coast pioneers like Kev Brown and Oddisee as part of The Low Budget Crew. His new release on Dirty Tech is a fine testament to his genre-blending skills as he combines hip-hop, broken beat, deep house and soul with real studio finesse. The standout track for us is 'Servant Royal' with unquantized drums and a jazz-inspired piano riff that will capture the attention of house heads everywhere. 'Fendi Foot' expands on his earlier work, while 'Skin Pride Deep' features Grammy-nominated Wayna and offers a powerful exploration of self-love and empowerment to add depth to the EP's overall sound.
Review: Deep house fans can rarely go wrong with the work of Praising mainstay Frank Rodger. He's on a good run of late and now he keeps the going with a return to Seasons Limited that again taps into his signature and timeless sound. A side 'Deep Squares' is one of those long and winding sounds that slowly but surely seduces you and sinks you into its deep, evocative groves. 'Sandton Skys' then brings heavy kicks and subtle pad work while rickety percussion brings off-balance goodness. The highlight might well come last with 'Come Together', which is playful and louche, smartly sampled and underpinned by a dusty deep house vibe.
Review: Franck Roger recently impressed with a vocal project alongside Arnold Jarvis and is now back on Seasons Limited with some of his signature house depths. Opener 'Don't Look Down' kicks off with louche, lovely drums and swirling pads and vocals that soon melt the heart. 'That's Alright' is a more thumping kick but is no less heartfelt with its warped bass and prickly hi-hats. 'Proscription' closes out with smooth, serene grooves that have your head in the stars and your heart locked into the romantic melodies. .
Review: If you know house music you know Franck Roger. The towing French figure has been part of the underground for many years and has a timeless sound that by now is expertly refined. His own Real Tone is where're he saves up some label classics now starting with a delightful deep and breezy Talk remix of 'Remember' (feat Jovonn). There is a hint of humidity and sweat to basement swinger 'Wanna Be With You' then 'Don't Ever Luv Me' lifts your head with its classic vocal samples subtly woven into a light and airy house skipper. 'Keep Yo Self' brings more classic vocal house hints to a disco-coloured house groove.
Review: Parisian producer Franck Roger lands on Nu Groove with 'Cosmic Tree' EP, a four-track outing of deep house perfectly at home on the legendary NYC label. Still going strong almost 35 years after its inception, it's nice to see the label is still welcoming fresh talent: Roger delivers a sultry, sauna-dunked steam on 'Part Of My Soul', one of the most contented-sounding house tracks we've heard in a while, thanks in part to the vocal stylings of Rimarkable; then there's the more repetitious ardour of 'Radik'Hall', 'Cosmic Funk' and 'The Music', all of which revel in the purely seductive potentialities of deep house production. "The music just turns me on!"
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: This new 12" on US label Seasons Limited brings together two of deep house's most accomplished and tasteful names in French legend Franck Roger plus Arnold Jarvis who he last collaborated with in 2007, while UK mainstay and Freerange label boss Jimpster remixes. It is one the label has been cooking up for a while but proves more than worth the wait. 'Living My Life' is the one original collab and is smooth, buttery deep house with lush vocal tones. Jimpster brings a little more bounce and a fat bassline on one mix, then dubs things out to prefect for the second. A timeless set of grooves that will level-up any collection.
Review: Seasons Limited made a welcome return in 2024 and now keeps up that good momentum with another big single from French house mainstay Franck Roger with some fine vocals by Paul B. It's a super smooth sound with drum swaying back and forth, molten synth adding late night and tissue soul and the tender vocal adding intimacy and late night romance. Rocco Rodamaal steps up for remixes and first of all he pairs things back to a sedate, seductive deep house roll then fleshes out the drums with some dubby weight to finish.!
Review: Few vocal deep house records are quite as timeless as Cece Rogers' "Someday", a Marshall Jefferson produced anthem that has continued to be constantly played by discerning DJs ever since its original 1987 release. As most will tell you, it was also the major sample source for Liquid's rave anthem "Sweet Harmony". This South Street reissue replicates the track listing of that initial Atlantic release, albeit it in re-mastered form to sound a little meatier on modern club soundsystems. On the A-side you'll find the essential Club Mix, where Rogers' impeccable vocal and Jefferson's meandering piano solos naturally dominate. These piano solos take more prominence on the "Some Dub" version, which in true '87 style still includes key vocal passages drenched in dub delay, while the Accainstrumental is - ironically - a little more like a contemporary house Dub.
Rogue D - "The Vibe" (feat Joe Le Groove - Job remix) (5:47)
Ruff Stuff - "The Gathering" (5:53)
Ruff Stuff - "Brighter Mood" (6:50)
Review: For the sixth transmission from Stolen Goods, two artists in Rogue D and Ruff Stuff step up to take charge of one side each. The former goes first with 'The Vibe' (feat Joe Le Groove) and it is a smoky, low-key and deep basement house cut with razor sharp hi-hats and dusty drums overlaid with a sensuous male vocal adding the soulful vibes. A Job remix is much more cosmic as it travels through starry night skies on shiny synth lines, then Ruff Stuff douses you in rippling synth melodies on 'The Gathering' and lays down clipped, funk-fuelled house on 'Brighter Mood'.
Review: Tom Roland impresses once more with this precision-tooled selection of minimal and tech house gems. They manage to find a perfect sweet spot between devastating club functionality and soulful flourishes. 'Exposure' kicks off with some smart samples that infuse and r&b feel into the snappy drum and colourful melodies. 'Free Ride' then bumps along with some nice fat bass and lithe percussion while 'K2000' is a stripped-back groover that sways back and forth as acid lines grow ever more wild in the mix. Last but not least is 'Zero Control' which is the punchiest of the lot with some nice psychedelic colours over dusty drum loops.
Review: Bristol party and label Just Jack welcome unsung Detroit hero in the form of Gari Romalis. He brings all the sounds you'd expect of a Motor City artist - depth, soul and warmth. 'Panic In Detroit' (Goos Life Mix) is a mid tempo jam that will warm up early evening floors. 'Final Fronteer' (Brain Block mix) is a deep and cuddly cut with hip swinging claps and splashy hi hats and last of all comes the best fo the lot, 'Hard Rain.' It has smooth drum loops that rock back and forth and draw you in beneath balmy cosmic pads and far-sighted sense of melancholy. This is tasteful, subtle dance music for the heads.
Review: Detroit legend Gari Romalis is as productive as ever, offering up a strain of deep house that feels classic without trading on past glories. In a year when he's collaborated with DJ Minx on Women On Wax, landed on Just Jack, Wild Circus and Secret Society, he's now rubbing shoulders with Boo Williams, Orlando Voorn, Vincent Floyd and more for breakthrough Italian label NICEPEOPLE. There's quality oozing out of every bar of this EP, but 'Black Diamondz (Africa Mix)' is especially classy, capturing a subdued but purposeful mood which rightly turns the mind to the empowered theme of the record. Don't sleep on 'Purpose Reprise (Motivate Mix)' either, in which the pointed speech samples give you food for thought atop another of Romalis' impeccable groove.
Review: Gari Romalis makes his long-awaited return to the Rawax imprint. The 'Another World' EP features four deep house cuts for the club atmosphere. 'Dance Wit Me' is perfectly suited for a DJ to level up the energy on the dancefloor. The melodic title track strides a more soulful approach while harnessing a nostalgic 90s aura. 'Down The Drain' is the most upbeat and serious one of the bunch. Certainly, a prime time groover that screams to be mixed by a house DJ. 'Iz You' rounds out things with the most epic piece on here. Showing Gari's versatility, this track is the way to end the late night perfectly. Four tracks for every point in a DJ set, you have Gari Romalis and Rawax together. Is there anything else to say?!
Review: While he generally doesn't get the plaudits lavished on some of his Motor City contemporaries, Gari Romalis has long been one of Detroit's most reliable deep house producers (remarkably, he released his first EP 29 years ago). His latest four-tracker, for the reliable Phonogramme Records, is packed to the rafters with spacey, immersive, ultra-deep body music of the sort that moves the heart and head as much as the feet. For proof, check the dub-flecked deep house/tech-house fusion of 'Detroit V.I.P' - all subterranean bass, ghostly chords, rolling house beats and delay-flecked spoken word vocals - and the similarly minded but more percussively energetic 'Scatter Dance'. Elsewhere, 'Stay Ready' is thickset, trippy and hypnotic, while 'City Under Siege' is marginally brighter and breezier whilst remaining formidably deep.
Review: Lost City Archives was a vital label back in the 1990s and now founder and Motor City urban legend Gari Romalis has brought it back from the dead. He has been crafting fine house and techno for 30 years but lots to the future here with some new school stars. 'Dendo Mojo' is first up as Joey and Ron Head Back combine for deep and dusty drums, molten synth lines and plenty of traditional US house goodness. The Gari Romalis Special mix is more heavy and laced with subtle acid, then 'Belle Gruv' slips into a gorgeously skipping groove with leggy bass and brushed metal snares. 'Dance Worthy' closes out with another deep, cuddly, aloof groove of timeless appeal.
Review: Chachi Romero's famously magic fingers are back in full force on the latest release from Open Air 72. This project dives into the nu-funk movement and do so by mixing up retro-funk vibes with futuristic synth sounds reminiscent of the likes of MoFunk, Zackery Funk Force and Dabeull. A-side jam 'Sunwave Space' rings endlessly nodding and funky basslines to withering sci-fi motifs and blissed-out vocal coos. It's a nice and catchy sound while 'Arm Candy' is a more deep and dusty house groove with libidinous vocals and rolling beats topped with some well-chosen vocal samples for an extra steamy allure.
Review: House music legend Harry Romero, a man who's soundtracked countless late nights and sweaty dancefloors, makes his Rekids debut with a two-track EP that's as timeless as it is energetic. 'Nice To Meet You' is a masterclass in classic New York house, its hypnotic groove and raw low-end providing the perfect foundation for Romero's signature blend of infectious rhythms and soulful melodies. The title track is a standout, its bold kazoo melody and hypnotic breakdowns a testament to Romero's ability to craft tracks that are both instantly recognizable and utterly unique. But the EP doesn't stop there; 'Danny's Groove' is a high-energy affair, its layered rhythms and catchy whistle melody creating a sense of joyous abandon that's impossible to resist. This is house music at its finest, a reminder that sometimes all you need is a killer groove and a touch of soulful magic to ignite the dancefloor.
Review: Harry Romero returns to Crosstown Rebels as he links with vocalist Shyam P for 'Mind Games'. With a catalogue as rich as any and continuing at the top of his game two decades after his emergence within New York's fabled nightlife scene, Romero continues to serve up his own take of Latin-inspired and percussive-driven house music via a long list of the industry's leading imprints. Crafting a slick and heady groove before launching into a hypnotic haze accenting by a bubbling bassline, 'Mind Games' is an infectious and vibrant house cut as Shyam P's alluring vocals take hold amongst emotive builds and breaks. 'Mira', after, is a classic Romero offering as the focus shifts to crisp organic percussion arrangements, carnival-esque whistles and hooky Latin vocals for a bustling terrace number, before 'Analog Bugz' takes cues from its title as crisp drum shots and sharp stabs unite to create a no-nonsense builder made for the main room.
House music legend Harry Romero, a man who's soundtracked countless late nights and sweaty dancefloors, makes his Rekids debut with a two-track EP that's as timeless as it is energetic. 'Nice To Meet You' is a masterclass in classic New York house, its hypnotic groove and raw low-end providing the perfect foundation for Romero's signature blend of infectious rhythms and soulful melodies. The title track is a standout, its bold kazoo melody and hypnotic breakdowns a testament to Romero's ability to craft tracks that are both instantly recognizable and utterly unique. But the EP doesn't stop there; 'Danny's Groove' is a high-energy affair, its layered rhythms and catchy whistle melody creating a sense of joyous abandon that's impossible to resist. This is house music at its finest, a reminder that sometimes all you need is a killer groove and a touch of soulful magic to ignite the dancefloor.
Review: For its latest release, revitalised New York house stable Nu Groove (now part of the Defected empire) has decided to showcase two tracks apiece from NY legend Harry Romero, whose first 12" was released 30 years ago) and long-serving Berlin house stalwart Daniel Steinberg. Romero handles side A, delivering a mind-mangling, 21st century take on acid house ('The Monk', one of his strongest cuts for some time) and the warehouse-ready, acid-flecked slab of peak-time nostalgia that is 'Shoot Your Shot'. Steinberg starts by peppering a swinging, low-slung deep house groove with jazzy electronic piano licks and pots and pans percussion on 'AC TC', before doffing a cap to the sleazier, more bass-heavy end of the jazz-house spectrum (and classic Switch/Solid Groove productions) via EP highlight 'Do It For The Music'.
Review: .Ron Basejam has always cooked up a wealth of characterful cuts across the house and disco spectrum. This unknown label is now home to a load more starting with the lovely soft focus chords and gospel tinged vocal bursts of deep house meditation 'We Need Change'. A house dub ups the energy a little with more cosmic sprinkles raining down over percussive grooves. 'BFG' then ups the disco quotient with elastic bass and leggy drums, a nice organic vibe and carefree chords. 'Blue' shuts down with some feel good soul and funk house fusion work.
.Ron Basejam has always cooked up a wealth of characterful cuts across the house and disco spectrum. This unknown label is now home to a load more starting with the lovely soft focus chords and gospel tinged vocal bursts of deep house meditation 'We Need Change'. A house dub ups the energy a little with more cosmic sprinkles raining down over percussive grooves. 'BFG' then ups the disco quotient with elastic bass and leggy drums, a nice organic vibe and carefree chords. 'Blue' shuts down with some feel good soul and funk house fusion work.
Review: For decades, the humble disco re-edit has offered wannabe-producers a way into music production. In recent years, there's been an upsurge in house 'edits' too - a trend that has seen countless producers combine bits of classic and obscure cuts with their own peak-time ready grooves. This debut from the previously unknown Jay Rook fits into that category. Check first opener 'Master Wonnin', where Rook turns what appears to be a classic Highlife jam into a bouncy, bass-heavy Afro-house workout, before further refining the same attractive, sun-splashed formula on 'Eme (Yeah Yeah)'. Over on side two, Rook changes tack on 'Do God a Favour', adding a touch of hip-swinging, disco-flexed gospel-house flavour to a bluesy old soul-jazz cut, while 'Jesus Saved Me (Glad)' is a filter heavy disco-house re-wire of a righteous gospel number.
Review: For the latest in their ongoing series of remastered reissues, FRL Classic Edition takes us back to 1992 and the sought-after debut EP from Long Island producer 'Big' William Rosario. Double Intensity, as it was originally entitled, did an excellent job in joining the dots between the deeper, jazzier and hazier end of the NYC house spectrum and the loose-limbed swing and organ love of New Jersey garage-house. Highlights include the sax-sporting shuffle of the notably atmospheric 'London Fog', the tactile, warm and dreamy 'Decibels', the head-nodding golden era hip-hop instrumentals 'Mo-Mo BEATZ' (very Craig Mack) and 'Take Me Out (With The Fader)'. Classy!
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