Cave Recordings Vinyl & CDs

Review: Dana Ruh's third album, a vinyl-only affair stretched across three slabs of wax, is undoubtedly her most expansive and ambitious set to date. Yet while musically eclectic - compare and contrast the spaced-out ambient style minimalist electronica of "Revertigo", the jazz-flecked tech-house hypnotism of "Mr Bang", the bustling breakbeat sweetness of "Gran" and 15-minute fusion of two-step and St Germain style jazz-tronica warmth of fine closing cut "Cross My Mind" - the whole thing hangs together impressively thanks to the German producer's extensive use of dreamy pads, glassy-eyed instrumentation, and the kind of yearning melodies that were once the preserve of turn-of-the-'90s Italian deep house producers. It's a smart and addictive combination that makes for hugely enjoyable listening.

Review: Dana Ruh is back, but not on her own Brouqade or Aras imprints but instead inaugurating new imprint Cave with The Red Tapes EP. Starting out with the rolling and funky "Case Of The D" she's then right into the direct stuff with "Play Again" with its tough and swing fuelled groove hypnotising you into submission. On the flip Ruh saves the best for last on "United Jam" a mysterious and ultra deep journey with lots of layered percussion and atmospheric vibes happening.

Review: Germany's Dana Ruh has been a consistent source of quality house and techno since her first recordings began to appear at the end of the noughties; the artist has offered new and compelling forms of the genres on a regular basis, and it's no surprise that she's earned spots on some of the most sought-after imprints like Ostgut Ton or Cocoon Recordings. Recently, however, she's decided to take things into her own hands thanks to the emergence of her own label, the aptly named Cave Recordings. "Things That" spearheads the Cave Jams EP with a lovely, full-bodied groove full of tribal spirit and improvisational drum sequences, while "Make You" takes a few lessons from early era NYC house thanks to some absolutely divine percussion work in the same vein as the great Romanthony. "Go Hmmm!?" is a proper live jam, all rough and raw, and ready for the true house heads to deploy onto the hungry underground masses.