Network Vinyl & CDs

Review: Network continue their 30th Anniversary celebrations with an in demand re-issue of the first record they ever put out. Neal Howard was the man behind it and the Chicago artist hit gold with his soulful machine sounds. 'Indulge' (club House mix) sounds like a house version of the iconic Strings of Life, with the deep mix only slightly dials back the bumping beats and joyous chords. Bad Boy Bill then steps up with a mix of 'To Be Or Not To Be' with gurgling bass and computerised melodies that are bright and brilliant. The aforementioned Derrick May then mixes with his slick sense of hi tech soul present and correct.

Review: During their time as Nexus 21, Altern-8 pair Mark Archer and Chris Peat were given the opportunity to head to Detroit and record with some of their techno heroes, Kevin Saunderson and Derrick May included. "Made In Detroit" presents these rare and significant recordings for the first time, offering a suite of tracks that fix UK-style bleep melodies (all the rage in late 1989/early 1990) to the kind of fizzing rhythms, warm bass and futuristic electronics then popular in the Motor City. There are two versions of house-tempo standout "Don't Do It Like That" (one with a whispered lead vocal by Ann Saunderson), while the clanking and metallic "Nexus" and more ghostly "No Statues" accurately fuse the best bits of both British and American techno at the time.

Review: The Nexus 21 'Mind Machines' album finally sees the light, bringing the shelved UK techno classic to eager fans. Originally recorded in the early 90s, these tracks capture the essence of Detroit-inspired UK techno, fusing raw energy with British flair. Standouts include 'Nexodus' and 'Everything (No Statues),' with Motor City talent Marc Kinchen and Anthony Shakir lending their touch. While only two tracks saw official release back then, this album unearths unreleased gems and alternate mixes, showcasing the duo's groundbreaking sound that influenced both Nexus 21 and their rave-alter ego, Altern 8. A long-awaited landmark.

Review: Geoff Hibbert may be the only rave-era dance music producer of note to hail from Oadby, a small town just outside Leicester. He first burst through with a couple of bleep-influenced anthems as Cyclone, but his biggest club smash was actually 'Break of Dawn' as Rhythm On The Loose - a killer, piano-sporting, saucer-eyed breakbeat house number that made great use of vocal samples from First Choice disco classic 'Let No Man Put Asunder'. This timely reissue packages the 1991 original mix with a trio of later 1995 rubs. There's Hibbert's own remake, which turns it into a MK-influenced house jam, a gloriously up-beat, synth bass-powered Strike remix full of fizzing riffs and bouncy beats, and a throbbing, raw and trance-inducing Stonebridge revision.

Review: Slo Moshu's 'Bells Of NY' is one of house music's most revered anthems. It is an iconic 90s tune that blew up every club upon release, and came with bogus producer credits in order to create some mystique. Network ally Andrew Komi is actually the man herbed the beats, and he told all manner of fantastical stories to the UK press who phoned up to hear more about the seminal tune. Here it gets reissued with various different mixes, all of which are explosive. There are the chattery snares and big piano chords of the House 2 House mix, a raved up and turbo-bass version from Xen Mantra's Beefy Bells mix and more besides.