Curtea Veche Vinyl & CDs

Review: Curtea Veche's LTD series returns with a heavyweight collaboration from west coast house pioneers Hipp-E and Halo Varga, better known as H-Foundation. Their early 00s productions helped define a distinct, groove-laden style that still reverberates in today's underground house scene. This latest release sees them tap into that timeless sound, delivering an EP that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Opening with 'Believe,' H-Foundation remind us of their signature deep, rolling basslines and hypnotic rhythms. It's a track built for those long, early morning hours when the energy on the dancefloor hits a special kind of intensity. Arno x DJ Dope take things into even deeper territory with their 'Believe In Me Rhythm Dub,' stripping back the original and adding a dubby, percussive twist that's impossible to ignore. On the flip side, 'Journey' takes a more expansive approach. Warm pads and bubbling basslines gradually unfold, inviting the listener into a lush soundscape. Dana Ruh's remix of 'Journey' retains that dreamy vibe but infuses it with her trademark minimalistic touch. It's a subtle yet powerful rework, full of intricate details that will stand out to those paying attention. This EP captures the essence of west coast house, while the remixes ensure it resonates with today's selectors, making it a must-have for DJs looking to bring a bit of history into their sets.

Review: Sheffield producer Tommy Vicari Jr. offers us a vicarious opportunity to join him on a trip across the UK and beyond, through his chosen vehicle of organic tech house. For some reason he's named his latest compilation LP after the Middlesex pianist Adrian Snell, although the connection between him and releasing label Curtea Veche is difficult to ascertain - the eponymous track on the B1 could provide a clue, as it sounds as though it samples the pulchritudinous piano playing of the great Snell himself. The likes of 'Heart Not Head' and 'Play Misty For Yourself' also espouse great philosophies in the track titles, complementing each of their freewheeling, spiritual tech house attitudes, replete with jiving string movement and lighthearted tonality.