Rekids Vinyl & CDs

Review: After spending the majority of his 20-plus-year career flitting between the Kompakt and Coneme labels, Matias Aguayo makes a rare outing on another label - a delayed debut for Matt 'Radio Slave' Edwards' REKIDS imprint. In its' original form (side A), 'El Internet' is a typically off-kilter affair in which his own poetic, spoken word vocals (in Chilean, of course) and fuzzy, elongated synth sounds ride a beefy but wonky bassline and the long-serving producer's usual South American-tinged, hand percussion-enhanced hybrid house/techno grooves. It comes accompanied by a vocal-free instrumental mix, where the full breadth and depth of Aguayo's production can be heard, and a useful acapella DJ tool.

Review: Dave Angel's latest record 'Revolt' is a masterclass in watery and uptempo Detroit house, bringing the emotivity of the latter genre to the pace and velocity of techno. The title track brings subtle funk and Detroit-inspired synthwork to a brimming, bursty mix, driving home a sure sense of excitement with an ascending set of melodic additives. 'May I Have This Dance' on the B shows a different side, with zippy lead synths amplifying the vibes, as a hunched, dubbed-out rhythm marches down low, locking the listener rigidly into the groove.

Review: Following an upsurge in interest in his pioneering mid 1990s UK tech-house tracks, Bushwacka has been serving up some scintillating new music of late, most notably a fine four-tracker on Nu Groove. Here he contiunues his welcome renaissance via a fresh EP on REKIDS. He begins with 'Heaven On Earth (Main Mix)', a chunky and driving affair in which a gnarled American spoken word vocal, raw stabs and swamp funk samples ride a particularly heavy groove. He then beefs up the driving and druggy flex further on the accompanying 'Instadub', before delivering two takes on 'Roger That'. 'Version 1' sees the London veteran pepper a rubbery acid bassline, unfussy beats and dreamy chords with delay-laden proto-house vocal samples, while 'Version 2' is a more driving and intergalactic affair.

Review: Berlin's Oliver Dollar has spent over a decade refining his groove, carving out a lane where classic house meets raw, rolling funk. The third instalment of his Contemporary series is another sharp statement of intent, linking him up with an enviable cast of collaborators while keeping his signature bounce fully intact. 'Cosmic Weapon' leads the charge, a deep, hypnotic house workout built with Melbourne duo Ben Silver and Boogs, whose Revolver Upstairs residency credentials shine through in the track's elastic bass and tripped-out vocal chops. 'What Cha' Gonna Do?' shifts gears, pulling in Apropos and Boog Brown for a soulful call-and-response that channels golden-era Detroit funk, with Oliver Dollar's crisp percussion keeping the groove locked tight. Closing out the release, 'Ought To Be' is the most immediate of the lotiBilly Love's gospel-drenched vocal soaring over warm chords and a bassline that practically glows. House music built for sweat-drenched dancefloors, this is Oliver Dollar in his element: curating, collaborating and delivering club weapons with unmistakable swing.

Review: Radio Slave's superb Rekids label is a bastion of robust dancefloor brilliance and Tal Fussman is a new school name who makes a fine entry to the catalogue here. 'I Feel' is the sort of impassioned vocal house banger that defined the early scene, while 'MAD' is jacked up and loopy house sound full of texture and flavour. The wonderful 'Bongo Man' brings a more steamy sound with topical edge and plenty of bumping drums and 'Life Itself' (feat 8-AN) pics up the pace with some sleek, thumping techno drums and rattling chords. Plenty of ground is covered in this EP, all of it effective.

Review: Sean Johnston's releases have been relatively few and far between in recent years, with one EP a year appearing on average. His first missive of 2024 may or may not be his last of the year, but it's well worth your attention. Appearing on Matt Edwards' admirable Rekids imprint and featuring lead vocals by Beth Cassidy, 'Murky' expertly blurs the boundary between dark disco, moody mid-tempo house and melody-rich nu-disco - all growling bass guitar, sparkling synth sounds, nostalgic piano solos and loose-limbed beats. Richard Norris and Erol Alkan provide a typically impressive Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve 're-animation', channelling the spirit of their classic Franz Ferdinand rework of the 2000s, before Coral Way delivers a deliciously dark, moody and tactile dancefloor dub.

Review: Mathias Kaden's Circulate EP takes its time, but in the best possible way. Freedom opens with a lean, rhythmic pulse, all stripped-back beats and delicate stabs, before a gospel vocal drops in, adding a moment of unexpected brilliance. It's a track that operates with precisioniKaden makes every element count without overcrowding the sound. The low-end groove moves with a quiet confidence, refusing to show off yet impossible to ignore. Circulate, the title track, leans into a hypnotic, classy mood. Synth hits crackle through like electricity, giving the track an infectious tension without ever needing to go over the top. It's all about subtle control, making it the kind of track that commands attention without ever asking for it. William Kiss steps in on remix duties for Freedom, pushing it into full peak-time mode. There's an extra layer of percussion and a heavier swing that gives the track a new edge, transforming it into something bigger without losing the original's sharp focus. To close, Kaden's Twisting Shadows brings in an acidic bassline and warped vocals, shifting the energy into something more unpredictableiperfect for those moments where the night starts to take on a life of its own.

Review: November sees William Kiss return to Rekids with 'The Beat' EP, fresh off his remix work on Mathias Kaden's Circulate. The A-side delivers 'The Beat', driven by bodied toms and crisp percussion, complemented by a playful vocal sample that keeps the groove locked in. On the flip, 'Midnight Club' brings classic house vocals, organic drum patterns, and strobe-light synths. With strong support from the likes of Laurent Garnier and HAAi, Kiss showcases his evolving sound once again, marking another standout release on Radio Slave's iconic label.

Review: Matt Edwards's label Rekids continues to do a brilliant job of curating innovative and interesting techno sounds that work in the club but never lack character. This time it looks to Hilit Kolet who kicks off with 'Snap Talk' (feat Kameelah Waheed) - it's a buoyant and bass-heavy bit of bouncing techno with chattery claps and Afro rhythms. On the flip side, 'Gate 33' is another bold club sound with great vocals worked into the busy broken beats as a peppering of percussion up top adds further layers of rhythm. Both of these will make a real mark in any set.

Review: Moodena and Charles Levine join forces on Rekids with their track 'Badman', all set to blow up your spot this winter. The vocal mix kicks off with high-energy big room drums, classic house strings, an infectious bassline, and playful telephone samples while Cratebug's remix transforms it into a hypnotic after-hours cut that emphasises dub echoes while retaining the original's essence. On the B-side, Radio Slave reimagines 'Badman' with a low-slung vibe that blends trippy sounds and vocal traces. The EP also includes a dub version that forgoes the original vocals but keeps the classy house heat.

Review: Well, well, well, we didn't expect this one: Radio Slave in piano house mode. The man who has made a career off dark, rolling, wall-rattling and proudly linear techno releases on his mighty Rekids label shows a totally different but equally essential side here. 'Strobe Queen' is a slow burning, slow-release pleasure built on low-slung mid-tempo drums and overlaid with glorious piano chords that speak of joy and happiness. Eric Kupper removes a little of the polish, ups the dust and adds his own vocal mutterings over the top for something more zoned out.

Review: House music legend Harry Romero, a man who's soundtracked countless late nights and sweaty dancefloors, makes his Rekids debut with a two-track EP that's as timeless as it is energetic. 'Nice To Meet You' is a masterclass in classic New York house, its hypnotic groove and raw low-end providing the perfect foundation for Romero's signature blend of infectious rhythms and soulful melodies. The title track is a standout, its bold kazoo melody and hypnotic breakdowns a testament to Romero's ability to craft tracks that are both instantly recognizable and utterly unique. But the EP doesn't stop there; 'Danny's Groove' is a high-energy affair, its layered rhythms and catchy whistle melody creating a sense of joyous abandon that's impossible to resist. This is house music at its finest, a reminder that sometimes all you need is a killer groove and a touch of soulful magic to ignite the dancefloor.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight surface marks ***


House music legend Harry Romero, a man who's soundtracked countless late nights and sweaty dancefloors, makes his Rekids debut with a two-track EP that's as timeless as it is energetic. 'Nice To Meet You' is a masterclass in classic New York house, its hypnotic groove and raw low-end providing the perfect foundation for Romero's signature blend of infectious rhythms and soulful melodies. The title track is a standout, its bold kazoo melody and hypnotic breakdowns a testament to Romero's ability to craft tracks that are both instantly recognizable and utterly unique. But the EP doesn't stop there; 'Danny's Groove' is a high-energy affair, its layered rhythms and catchy whistle melody creating a sense of joyous abandon that's impossible to resist. This is house music at its finest, a reminder that sometimes all you need is a killer groove and a touch of soulful magic to ignite the dancefloor.

Review: Santos' latest for Matt Edwards' Rekids imprint marks another step forward in his already accomplished career. The four tracks on this EP combine rugged house/techno on 'One Day,' tight, drummy grooves on 'Don't Touch' and 'Rollercoaster,' and a soulful deep house flavour on 'Someone.' It's a solid, dancefloor-friendly package that showcases Santos' ability to evolve while maintaining the qualities that first got him noticed. Supported by figures like Ryan Elliott, Honey Dijon, and Ame, this EP confirms Santos is at the top of his game, still innovating while staying true to his roots.

Review: Tiger Stripes makes his debut on Matt Edwards' Rekids label with the I Heard It Through The Bassline EP, a two-track release that highlights his refined production skills. The title song has a deeply infectious bassline that drives the rhythm, blending seamlessly with tight house grooves and sophisticated gospel vocals. This track sets a compelling tone with its irresistible energy. On the flip side, 'Everybody's Doing It' offers a more subdued vibe, characterised by its stylish, low-slung groove. The track evokes the atmosphere of a dim-lit club or a contemplative late-night drive through the city, making it perfect for those introspective moments on the dancefloor. As the founder of the Strange Idols label, Tiger Stripes has been a significant force in the underground music scene since the early 2000s. With collaborations alongside artists like Kerri Chandler and Jerome Sydenham, and releases on labels like Hot Creations and Get Physical, his latest EP on Rekids further shows his talents.