Mint Condition Vinyl & CDs

Review: A Trifle Too Far, the collaboration between Essex natives Simon Ward and Tony Grimley, crafted this forward-thinking duo of tracks, inspired by their explorations of the acid house scene and rave culture. Catch Your Ear and Meringueatang embody the innovative spirit of early 90s prog-house. Engineered by Evren Omer of Strategy Records and Matt Clayden of X-Gate Records, respectively, these tracks remain a rare and exhilarating find. Mint Condition is reviving the essence of classic house and techno with their latest reissue: the elusive 1992 EP 'Catch Your Ear/Meringueatang' from A Trifle Too Far. This release is a thrilling addition for collectors and DJs, rekindling the excitement of a bygone era.

Review: It would be fair to say that Tobias Menguser's sole single as Leon De Winter, 1997's Apollo Jazz, has become a sought-after item in recent times - and with good reason. One of the earliest releases on the fashionable-again Eukahouse label, the two-tracker confidently blurred the boundaries between futurist early tech-house, electro and more psychedelic dancefloor flavours. Finally available again in remastered form thanks to this Mint Condition reissue, the A-side title track is simply sublime: a gorgeous and timeless fusion of deliciously dreamy chords, high-register acid lines, bittersweet melodies, smooth but deep bass and shuffling electro-not-electro bliss. It's emotive dancefloor perfection! Flip-side 'Metamat' meanwhile is darker, squelchier and moodier, with chunkier beats, rougher TB-303 motifs and weightier bass.

Review: Terry Francis is a tech house OG. He's one of the earliest fabric residents and of course was half of Wiggle, a vital party and DJ pairing that helps shape tech house's earliest forms. He has a fine solo catalogue too and it is that which Mint Condition, the fine reissue label, digs into now to serve up his classic Dubtown. It opens up with the watery dub-tech and liquid grooves of 'Hannah's House' then gets a more melodic dub. 'As You Cry' is an irresistible groove with wobbly bass, sharp hi-hats and that kinetic sense of drive that a good tech house always has. Last up is another Rub N Tug classic, 'Reggae's House'.

Review: Mint Condition, as you probably know if you are reading this, deals in reissuing classic tech house cuts. It has raced ahead in its mission and is now up to a 55th EP. This one brings back Presence's White Powder EP. 'Heart' opens up with dark but well swung drums overlaid with diva vocals while '$10' is a frazzled, slapping cut with bubbling basslines from the 90s. 'Power Chords' is a loved up dee house cut with echoing pads and cavernous grooves and 'Giving Love' is a jumbled of tribal hits and woodpecker bass.