Review: US house and techno maverick Amir Alexander has long been operating in his own unique lane. His take on those genres is based in superlative drum programming and raw emotion and this new outing on French label Phonogramme comes n coloured vinyl so looks as good as it sounds. 'Feel Me' kicks off with signature drums setting a mid-tempo groove while a classic vocal belts out to bring emotional release. 'Clear My Friend' is low slung dub house with an eerie vibe, and there is also a dub version of 'Feel Me'. 'Sunk Coast Fallacy' might be the highlight - a sparse, moody deep house cut with dusty drums and intriguing melodies that rolls for days.
Review: Off Topic builds on its early momentum with a third outing if deep tech class from Antonio and Pir. Antonio get first with a cute vibe on 'We Sang We Laugh' which repeats the title's refrain over elastic and nimble drums. 'Danca Danca' its more heady with reverb-rich kicks and echoing vocals that bring a curious edge and then it is Per who takes care of the flipside. 'Mighty Blue' layers a smoky jazz line over weighty house kicks and 'Glass' shuts down with more sample madness.
Review: Bendrik's latest EP is inspired by Brussels' vibrant club scene and his travels to various countries. It's a work of fusion that smudges together various electronic niches with finesse and the A-side features powerful tracks like 'Dr. Martens' and 'Trust' which deliver energetic melodies perfect for peak moments. On the B-side, the cover track 'Aqualung' transitions from this intensity to a more relaxed vibe that allows more room for thought with its steady bassline and hypnotic textures. Finally, 'Shirahama' reflects the artist's explorations and soundtracks a journey through distant lands.
Biesmans & Shubostar - "Across The Universe" (5:33)
Biesmans & Dusky - "Back In The Daze" (4:56)
Biesmans & Kasper Bjorke - "Holiday" (feat Jacob Bellens) (6:02)
Biesmans & Zombies In Miami - "Smooth Monday" (7:02)
Biesmans - "All Day, Every Day" (4:19)
Review: Biesmans' contribution to Watergate's mix series is made up entirely of his own previously unreleased productions, most of which were made in cahoots with friends and other like-minded artists. Because of this, the German label has decided to release two extensive vinyl samplers featuring the cream of these cuts. The Belgian indie-dance stalwart is in fine form throughout the first of these, with our picks of a very strong bunch including the new wave-tinged, cosmic-minded Shubostar hook-up 'Across The Universe', Zombies In Miami-sporting nu-disco throb-job 'Smooth Monday', breakbeat-driven neo-rave anthem 'All Day Every Day' and the EP-closing 'Away', where doP member Vandesande helps Biesmans channel the spirit of Vangelis' much-loved Bladerunner soundtrack.
B-STOCK: Slight surface marks, record slightly warped
Buckley - "I Like" (5:13)
Buckley - "Nude Night" (5:08)
Buckley - "Daft Sandwich" (5:19)
S/A/M - "Real Man" (4:34)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight surface marks, record slightly warped***
In the summer of 2023, Upgrade Records launched via a nostalgic, party-starting EP from the previously unheard artist In 5 D (likely an alias for someone a bit better known, but don't quote us on that). For the label's return, long-serving DJ/producer Buckley Boland (best known for his releases on Made To Play, Black Riot and One Records) is the man at the controls. What he's delivered is a nostalgic, sample-rich affair that combines the angular wonkiness and mind-mangling noises of early-to-mid-2000s tech-house with nods towards vintage acid house, electro-house and the hard-to-pigeonhole house filth of the (long gone) Music For Freaks label. Basically, it's all fun-time, party-starting fare, with the bump-and-squelch of 'Daft Sandwich', the bustling brilliance of 'Nude Night' and the break-sporting hustle of 'S/A/M Real Man' standing out.
Review: Steve Bug is going on 30+ years of writing electronic music and travelling the world as a top DJ with no signs of letting up. It Just Happened is his latest and finds its way to the legendary and iconic Nu Groove records. It must be daunting to release music on such an amazing label. 'It Just Happened' has all the makings of a classic worthy enough for the Nu Groove logo. Veteran Cle who has worked on many projects with Steve is featured here as well. For those that really know Steve Bug's background, they know he is equally involved in house music as he is with techno. Tracks like 'Crew Thing' show his ability to make a standout house track while 'House Music Transcends' closes things out with your hands in the air. We respect Steve Bug so much for his work over the years. When he is old skool mode like he is on this EP, you just have to say respect to the man. Respect!
Review: The third edition in Ten Lovers' Coin series hears Marcello Cassanelli, Caruso and Helen McCormack fuse churnout disco, chicken pickin' guitar and Rhodes solos, in an extravaganza of fresh, sartorial dance music. Never pressing too hard, Cassenelli's 'Starlight' and 'Tropical Breeze' go easy on the master channel, with unhurried pan flutes, roiling strings and twizzling G-synths stuck loosely to a soft but firm electro-tropical backbeat. 'Dream Horizon' is a brilliant outerlude on which to close the side. On the flip, Caruso & Helen McCormack allude equally to the Manchester Street Soul scene of the late 80s with 'Have & Hold', whose razor-edge r&b vocals and low-slung progression lend the record a surprise twist. Their 'Love You More', meanwhile is lushness personified, before Caruso's 'Central' chugs magnficently towards the run out groove with oozing synths and glitterball glamour.
Review: Iconic Deep House label Large Music returns to the vinyl market with a limited repress of the classic Kerri Chandler release Return 2 Acid. First pressed in 2005, this was the 100th release on Large and has been out of print for 10 years. The A side features Kerri's powerhouse tribute to the glorious days of Acid House laced with driving beats and an incessant 808 acid line. On the flip side Kerri goes old-school, this time with an electro Afrika Bambaataa influenced jam entitled Planet Sonic. Also included for this special reissue is the unreleased Acapella of Return 2 Acid solidifying this as a true collectors item.
Review: Beatnik Collective's second release is a nostalgia-soaked trip back to the golden age of tech house, a time when chunky basslines and infectious grooves ruled the dancefloor. This four-track EP is a DJ's dream, packed with weapons-grade cuts that are guaranteed to get the party started. Charleze's 'Spartan Groove' sets the tone, its driving bassline and relentless energy recalling the heyday of labels like Strictly Rhythm and Relief. Robin Graham's 'Que?' adds a touch of playful mischief, its quirky samples and hypnotic rhythms conjuring images of sweaty warehouse raves and euphoric crowds. On the flipside, Rob Pearson's 'Goldfish On Tv' takes a deeper, more atmospheric approach, its lush pads and intricate percussion creating a mesmerising soundscape that's perfect for those hazy after-hours moments. Kerouac's '4 Da Haters' closes out the EP with a raw and energetic groove, its distorted bassline and infectious vocal samples a nod to the golden age of hip-house. All round greatness,
Review: Ecuadorian maestro Nicolas Cruz is back on Rhythm Seciton to follow up his last EP Subtropique which proved a big hit. "I'm always trying to re-interpret this Afro-Caribbean feeling, and trying to figure out how I could humanize this through the machines," he says of his approach and it certain is the case here. He mixes up some worlds rhythms with twitchy techno drums and electronic synths to make for something totally new on all of the tracks. The heavy, skipping kicks of 'Residual Heat' is a real favourite while 'Self Oscillation' is a catering percussive jam to pack the floor. Another great outing.
Review: Bradley Zero's ever hard to pin down but always excellent Rhythm Section International comes through with some deep house excellence here. Far from standard sounds, though, these tunes are infused with all manner of mystic referees. 'Individuality Riddim' is tinny and percussive, empty yet compelling. 'Subtropique' pairs aquatic sound design with shimmering rhythms that seem to owe a debt to djembe rhythms while 'What Now' is astral house with cosmic vibes to spare. There are also two darker, more percussive tunes to close out this fantastically expressive and adventurous EP.
Review: The second in D'Julz's rollicking Raw Toolz series brings four 'Out Of Place Artefact's to the contemporary deep house sphere. From 'Big Wag' to 'Lionozed', every track on this dreamatic, diatonic whorl eschews high tones and sibilants for a rigorous, plombing exercise in depth and draught. The sampled, suspended echoes of jazz and piano blues ripple through the extra space thus provided; for those DJs seeking a selection of mid-set sauces, precooked to keep the party pumping, from which to choose without faf, this is your record, courtesy of the longtime French DJ and production artisan.
Review: Now that Heist Recordings is 10 years old, label bosses Dam Swindle have decided the time is right to launch a new series of EPs featuring big tunes and sought-after classics from the imprint's archive. Fittingly, volume one begins with the track that opened the label's debut release - the classic US deep house style bounce of Dam Swindle's 'The Breakup' - before we're offered the chance to savour the organ-rich, hands-in-the-air positivity of Scan 7's brilliant 'The Best Is Yet To Come'. Over on the B-side, Fouk's 'Kill Frenzy' is a dusty, jazz-sampling deep house treat, Demuir's 'Werq Feel Gruv Vogue' is a twinkling, loop-based dancefloor delight, and Adriano's 'Me & You & Her' is a sun-splashed, disco-flecked peak-time treat.
Review: When it comes to gospel-powered 21st century dance music, Detroit trio Dames Brown have been involved in many of the most memorable records - not least Sophie Lloyd anthem 'Calling Out' and Horse Meat Disco hook-up 'Message To The People'. Here they join forces with fellow Motor City musician Waajeed for another arms-aloft classic in the making. In its original form, 'Glory' blurs the boundaries between gospel disco and gospel house, with the trio's powerful vocals rising rubbery bass guitar, loose-limbed beats and riotous organ licks aplenty. It comes accompanied by two fine remixes: a stomping, piano riff-powered gospel house take from Rob and Lyric Hood's Floorplan project, and a stomping, thickset gospel disco 'dancing club dub' courtesy of Kelly G.
Review: Enjoy The Silence, Depeche Mode's standout single from Violator, marked a significant moment in the band's career, becoming their most successful UK single since 'Master & Servant' in 1984. 'Enjoy The Silence' captured both critical and public acclaim, peaking at number six in the UK charts and achieving top spots in Denmark and Spain, as well as reaching number eight in the US. The 12" version is beloved by fans with the myriad of great remixes the song provided. This new yellow vinyl version helps meet the demand of an always desirable dance record. The single's success earned Depeche Mode their first Brit Award for Best Single of 1990. This newfound positivity extended to the subsequent reception of Violator, solidifying 'Enjoy The Silence' as an iconic track in Depeche Mode's discography. The song continues to be celebrated for its brooding, tender qualities, and its ability to resonate with audiences globally as well as the iconic video.
Review: Underground Resistance established the 4EVR 4WRD label in mid-2016, seemingly as an outlet for music by the crew's live band, Timeline. This second salvo more or less fits the brief, as it's a solo outing by Timeline member Jon Dixon. The 12" boasts a trio of versions of "Fly Free", an R&B/soul inspired chunk of melodious - but naturally a little spacey - deep house. Dixon's own "Edit" version, which includes a few more stylistic nods towards Detroit techno amongst the deep house sounds and looped vocal samples, can be found on the flipside alongside Al Ester's chunkier but no less dreamy Dub. Perhaps the most obviously energetic take, and certainly the most pumping percussively, comes from John Collins.
What Is House Muzik (Ricardo Villalobos What Is dub - Emanuel Satie edit) (7:31)
What Is House Muzik (Jazzuelle Deeper Acid mix) (7:34)
Review: Way back in 1994, while he was riding high with the stomping, raw and druggy Wild Pitch sound, DJ Pierre released 'What is House Muzik?' as Phuture Scope. This clear vinyl reissue from Get Physical celebrates the track's 30th birthday, accompanying the acid house pioneer's original Wild Pitch mix - a typically stretched-out, Sound Factory-ready concoction with raw loops, weighty beats and bass and fizzing synth stabs - with the original spoken word acapella and two later reworks. The most notable of these is Emmanuele Satie's on-point edit of Ricardo Villalobos's epic 2015 dub, which cuts it down to playable length while retaining the Chilean's wonky and out-there mix of barely audible orchestral samples, crunchy beats, weird noises and spoken word snippets. Throw in Jazzuelle's tidy 'deeper acid' mix and you have an essential reissue.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Insane (5:25)
Release My Body (7:13)
Find My Way (feat Roz - Tribal dub mix) (6:58)
Gotta Make It Better (6:26)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
It would seem every nominee DJ and producer - hopefuls of inclusion in one pantheon or another, regardless of which - must undergo a certain rite of passage: build up a backlog of "lost tapes", as proof of an excess of genius and industriousness later down the line. DJ Romain (Romain Gowe) is no exception to this rule, having served as a joint New York and New Jersey house musical earl since the early 1990s, in which time he has issued many a waxen decree under multiple aliases and regularly collaborated with scene peers Matt Echols and Matt Keyz. This second part of a two part series flings open the hardened steel vault door to the DATs with ease, unveiling such treasures as 'Find My Way', 'Release My Body' and 'Insane', the second of which is a specially frosty groundswell of stringy emotes, pitchy vocal reflections and watery synthesis.
Review: It was 1993 when Chicago's DJ Skull first released these four face-melters, and we can only imagine the faces of the dancers hearing this for the first time, amid a frenzy of other, softer variations of house. Be warned: this is still a frightening prospect on the dance floor today, as it was almost 25 years ago. The Southside DJAX affiliate re-drops the never-ending tunnel of a tune that is "Stomping Grounds", followed by the more minimal, stripped-back percussion shots of "Don't Stop The Beat". On the flip, "Stomping Grounds 2" ups the tempo and chucks in a layer of hypnotics round the lower tones, while "The Kissing Game" reduces the tension and aggression of the previous tunes down to a softer, more soulful house swing guided by that dusty drum machine programming that makes it signature Skull material.
Review: Black Angus Records founder DJ Soch is no stranger to ChiWax, having made his label debut in October 2023. Curiously, this is the previously prolific producer's first outing on wax since then - and it's a doozy. The four tracks on show are undoubtedly classy, fusing the far-sighted, intergalactic ethos and analogue-rich approach of Motor City dance music with the warm tactility of Italian house and the soulfulness of garage-house. He begins with the rubbery synth bass, loose machine drums and spacey pads of 'Walking To The Beat', before reaching for some vintage soulful vocal samples and oodles of sonic smoothness of the delightful 'Kiss My Baby'. The R&B vocal-sampling 'Lost On My Way' sits somewhere between the two tracks (with added synth-sax solos), while 'Soul Deep' is a breezy, sun-drenched delight.
Review: DJ Sommer honours the dancefloor with the committal statement 'House Music Forever', embodying a stripped-down surrender to the genre that made him, and which he makes. From hardware jammed geneses to peaktime, edited finessings, 'Make Me Groove' and 'Loose Style' bring ample jazz flurries and plodding kick chunks to an overall mood of walloping conviviality. 'Groove On' and 'Calling You' break out the Selmer Paris and Steinway respectively, as the implied goal of ascendancy proves increasingly euphoric.
Review: To celebrate Rutilance Recordings' 30th release, DJ Steaw returns after a three-year hiatus, presenting four tracks that capture his trademark French house grooves. True to form, the release features a standout collaboration with Mona Lee, delivering a soulful texture, and a remix of 'Feed Your Spirit' from long-time collaborator Gunnter, adding a deeper edge. Each cut reflects DJ Steaw's dedication to dancefloor energy, blending classic French house sensibilities with a fresh intensity that aligns perfectly with Rutilance's enduring style. This milestone release underscores the label's continued evolution and commitment to quality house music.
The FunkyJaws Music label invites us deep into their world for a third time here with another delicious 12".It's a various artists EP that features one of our top disco favourites - Eddie C. He opens up with 'Do You Wanna Dance' which has vocals pacing about the mix and old school acid bass twangs under raw house drums. Elado's '25.4 Millimeters' is a Middle Eastern funk workout with spangled drum hits and the flip side brings twisted acid disco and the cosmic trip that is 'In Your Ear With It' from Funkyjaws themselves.
Aline Umber & Maxime DB - "Wavelength Infinity" (4:12)
Markus Sommer - "Does It Funk?" (8:11)
Rocky - "Aquaticmaneuvers" (8:06)
Review: Depending on your age, you may not know that a pager was a little communications device that briefly became popular before mobile phones. This incarnation of Pager we much prefer - deep house with real meaning. Phil Evans opens this latest transmission with 'Chocolate Funk' which is a low key viber with nice melodies and some cool swagger. Aline Umber & Maxime DB then combine for a dazzling blend of smeared 80s chords and rasping bass. Markus Sommer ups the ante with more slinky and speedy beats and Rocky's 'Aquaticmaneuvers' brings nice rawness to close.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Hyped By Light (7:14)
Jabba The Hot (7:49)
Heading To NL (6:15)
Pankow Plastic (5:28)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Brazilian Fabe has been at the heart of the evolution of house and tech in recent years. His kinetic, high-impact sound has brought freshness to the new school and continues to do so now with this EP on the young but promising Les Enfant label out of Spain. 'Hyped By Light' is a perfect embodiment of his sound - garage-style percussive precision, clipped but bouncing kicks and great vocal samples. 'Jabba The Hot' is another one to sweep you off your feet, 'Heading To NL' is darker and more stripped back but no less potent and 'Pankow Plastic' shuts down with a little cosmic energy. Pure dancing tackle of the highest order.
Dennis Ferrer - "How Do I Let Go" (feat TK Brooks)
Rain: A Lil Louis Painting - "Give It Up" (Masters At Work club mix)
Mood II Swing - "Sunlight In My Eyes"
Kimara Lovelace - "Misery" (Lil Louis club mix)
Review: Now under new ownership (international dance music powerhouse Armada Music, fact fans), long-serving New York house imprint King Street Sounds is doing a good job in showcasing gems from its vast archives. This second label sampler contains four more genuine must-have cuts. First up, there's a chance to admire the deep, soulful house wonder that is Dennis Ferrer's 2008 hook-up with honeyed vocalist K.T. Brooks, 'How Do I Let Go'. It's followed by Masters at Work's deliciously loose, disco-influenced deep house revision of 'Give It Up' by Lil' Louis' Rain project (first released in 2000), Mood II Swing's DIY Soundsystem favourite 'Sunlight In My Eyes' (easily one of the greatest deep house jams of all time) and Lil' Louis's swinging garage-house rub of Kimra Lovelace's 'Misery'.
Review: As we get closer to the return of dancing on proper dance floors, and with summer just round the corner, you imagine there will be plenty of demand for sets packed with fun. No one needs pretentiousness right out of the blocks. This new one form Florence, then, is likely to be the sort of playful jam crowds will lap right up. 'Bette' has big, instantly recognised chord samples that sweet the simple but effective grooves with love. 'Music' steals vocals, guitar riffs and synth work from a real pop-dance classic and repackages them with a more up to date beat. Good time grooves for sure.
Review: Foehn & Jerome's Hermanngirl EP delivers four standout tracks perfect for house club sets. On Side-1, the title track 'Hermanngirl' offers a smooth blend of tech and minimal house, ideal for late-night or early-morning sessions. 'New Kontrol' follows with a techy, uptempo vibe and a wicked bassline that makes it a tech house bomb. Side-2 opens with 'Mrs Eleven' (Tell My Wife mix), which seamlessly blends techno and house with a catchy melody that will stay with you. The final track, 'He Was A Boy,' features an infectious acid line and a great bounce and bubble, making it a perfect dancefloor filler. This EP is excellent and ideal for fans of minimal and tech house. These underground tracks are what DJ's search for. Check these out!
Review: Delano Smith is a US house don who always keeps it deep. He has strong ties to Sushitech but also heads up his own label Mixmode which has a fine back catalogue. We have managed to dig in it and unearth this gem from 2005. It kicks off with Tony Foster dropping the late night depths of 'It Is All Around Us' which is a masterclass in subtlety. D then brings 'Hey Lil Girl' which is a bubbly, loopy sound with liquid grooves and 'Detox' which has a pensive melodic glow. Smith offers 'Overseas' which is a signature sound with humid pads and frictionless drums working you into a state of real house hypnosis.
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