FRL Classic Edition Italy Vinyl & CDs

Review: Giorgio Canepa is the longstanding Italian house pioneer behind the MBG alias, and someone who very much shaped the Italo sound of the nineties. This vital reissue of his Trance Wave Again EP shows why. Right from the first beat and trance-licked chord, it has you locked in to the punchy beats and organ bassline. It's old school but still thrilling stuff. 'Trance Shout' ups the energy levels slightly and then an unreleased 1993 mix layers in more Balearic chords that take you to some party on the Med under a hot sun.

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!

Review: Detroit's Rich Wade is a human production line of always effective and subtly charming house music that provides a great foundation for any set. He is a master of cooking up delightful loops and deploying them to perfection so that you cannot help but get swept up and taken along for a ride. 'Contact' kicks off here with his signature drums and jazzy melodies that bring a playful edge. 'Low Down' brings funky bass wiggles and disco styled percussion and 'Fade Away' lands with a heavy, sweaty throb while the Philly disco strings add a touch of class. 'Night Chaser' shuts down with a more introspective feel and some emotive chords that heighten the last night mood.