Quintessentials Vinyl & CDs

Review: No one knows who Black Fan is just yet so we shall go right to the music - this new EP on Quintessentials epitomises the label's vibe - raw, deep, fad-free house sounds for the heads. The artist has been releasing music for almost a decade on the likes of Local Talk and this label but really stands out with this one. 'I Know - I Am' is a chord-laced dancer with subtlety uplifting energy, and 'Deep Rotation' then pairs it back to lovely wooden drum sounds and clacking hits that are infused with gently warming chords. 'TE2' (Blackburn Warehouse mix) brings more spangled synth energy and a rawer drum sound that is perfect for flashing lights and sweaty dancefloors.

Review: Simoncino is like a direct link to the earliest roots of deep house. His sounds are coated in tones of tape hiss, dustiness from his analogue machines, and dreamy synth work that speaks of his Italia heritage. This newest EP is another class outing on Quintessentials that finds him leaning into dub. 'Dub Theory I' is mid-tempo but with nice drive, 'Dub Theory II' has more thunder in the claps and darkness in the bass. 'Dub Theory III' brings shards of melodic light that cut through the muggy atmospheres and 'Dub Theory IV' is a nice Maurizio-style techno roller for early evening or the dead of night.

Review: If you like your deep house lovingly crafted and exquisitely musical, Quintessentials' Deep & Raw & Real rarely disappoints. This latest instalment features four more fabulous international cuts to contend with, each delivering a distinctly different take on deep house. Ricardo Miranda's "Rush Hour" is wonderfully sleepy, offering hissing cymbals and super-deep chords. Toby Tobias, meanwhile, works the filters and backwards effects on "Love Papers", a real string-drenched sweetie. NO Milk's "Bubble People" ups the atmosphere again thanks to some choice double bass loops and distant jazz piano, while Marcello Napoletano's "All My Things" brilliantly recalls early St Germain and Aqua Bassino.