Selections Vinyl & CDs

Review: It's a numbers game for Selections's 11th release as they welcome 4004 to the label for a sublime four-track outing. 'Mother' is as deep as house music gets and is steeped in US traditions and smoky basement atmospheres with candle-lit chords and fragments of soulful vocals. 'Father' then rides on bumpy drums but swirling Rhodes and dusty hits keep it pure vibes. 'Sister' ups the ante once more with chord vamps and a loopy low end that works you into a steamy lather and finally 'Brother' then cuts loose and dreamy pads and an aching vocal snippet and hints of gospel. Four tasteful house gems, all in all.

Review: For our 5th release we are very fortunate to have Toronto-based artist Dan Only! Dan has previously released on New Kanada, as well as back-to-back EP's on Germany's Dirt Crew Recordings! We are proud to present Dan Only's "Love Saturates EP". Leading off the EP, we have the title track "Love Saturates". Shuffling hi hats, punchy drums, a hard hitting bassline, lush pads and a vocal to die for tie this opener together. We asked one of our favourite producers, Black Loops (Madhouse/Shall not fade/Toy tonics), for a remix of the title track. Black Loops turns "Love Saturates" into a seriously deep and spacey remix that works perfectly for late night sets! Setting off the B Side we have "Leading Questions", a snare happy slice of house music stacked with Dan Only's signature drum programming and keys that don't stop! For the final cut we have "Not That I Don't Care" Rolling drums, airy pads and a haunting vocal round off this stellar EP!

Review: We are thrilled to have DEMUIR on Selections once again, after his appearance on last year's 'Movement EP' This time he has dropped 'The Persistence Of Hope EP' - and it's exactly what you'd expect from his stellar output. Starting off on the A side is the title track 'The Persistence Of Hope' - a super deep slice of house music with a spoken word repeating "The System" and "Hopeless" over 90's style keys - then at around 3 minutes the punchy bassline drops. Starting out on the flip we get down chi town style with 'Life Is Simple' Shuffling high hats over a spoken word with a killer bassline. Rounding up we have 'Unto Thee' - another prime example of that DEMUIR groove.

Review: As if it wasn't enough for them to secure the services of French artist Evenn for the 'One For Love EP', the Selections label has done the double on its ninth release and enlisted none other than Detroit's Javonntte to remix the title track. The original is almost the definition of deep house - gorgeous strings and pads you could almost drown in, a female vocal eased on by an uplifting piano and silky beats reclining at a moderate but insistent pace. Javonntte's mix keeps the vocals intact but chops and changes a little more beatswise and has its head somewhere a little spacier, both in terms of its Mayday-esque bass end bleeps and celestial pads. Kicking off the B-side, 'Inspiration' is more of a hypnotic, looped up affair, as is the speedier and heavier close to proceedings 'Round N Round', making good use of the filter functions and disco vibes from the past.

Review: Selections is a well established label despite this only being its sixth release. Each one so far has been an on point offering from underground heads and this is no different. It finds Intr0beatz step up with four cuts of well tooled house that is deep and dynamic. 'That Dank' is dubby with slinky drum loops and slightly paranoid pads. 'Move With Me' is more kinetic, with kicking drum programming and warped synths that twist and turn. 'Don't Worry' is even more heavy, with grainy and well swung drums pulling you in while 'Rib Dub' closes with anther well programmed grove that is both warm yet physical. A fine EP.

Review: After a top-flight 12" back in 2018, the mysterious Jamn Ensemble. entity returns with the plush, deep and melodic techno strains of 'The Snows Of Yesteryear', which get a damn fine shuffle up from Basic Soul Unit. 'Nord' piles on heady deep house of the highest order, and 'Envol' swerves into a knotty rhythm and celestial pad drops to keep your mind locked in and travelling far. If you're after some fresh yet classically rooted contemporary techno, this comes highly recommended.

Review: Toronto label Selections has become a firm favourite with house heads and now starts a nice sideline with its Special Edition 2023 series. This one welcomes Lea Lisa with her track 'Conversation Between Us' (Heide Club Mix) which is straight up underground house for the heads. Then comes an unreleased Javonntte remix of Evenn's 'One For Love' that pairs things back to raw dub essentials. Dan Only's 'Love Saturates' then gets a fine and formerly unreleased remix by Italy's Black Loops that has pristine drum programming and a fine bassline. Add in Sean Roman's jazzy dancer 'Sir William' and Jamn Ensemble's 'Convection' and you have a timeless house EP.

Review: The already well-cultured Selections label keeps it classy with this 13th outing. Manooz is at the buttons and taps into a timeless deep house sound from the off. 'Welcome Haruka' pairs widescreen chords with warming, glowing bell harmonies and dreamy vocals. 'JV2080 Infinity' (My Pitch mix) brings more swift tempos and smeared synth work that channels early Detroit. There is a playful skip and some sultry sax lines to 'Essential Sax' which recalls great artists like Jovonn and 'Take One (JX08)' rounds out this most effective and emotive house EP with some soulful Glenn Underground style grooves.

Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Shaka's new drop on Selections is a delightful one that combines real jazz melodies with authentic deep house. Opener 'Sacred Church' (feat Eve - main mix) immediately wins you over with the buys keys, Rhodes chords and eco-system of cosmic synths that busy about while the soulful vocal oozes cool. Jon Cutler's Distant Music mix pairs things back and makes it more of a smoky late night sound and 'Shaker Games' then blisses you out with dusty drum depths and incidental chords that are magically feel good. 'Get Me Higher' shuts down with some superb US house vibes.