Smallville Vinyl & CDs

Review: Last year, Home of House Records founder - and the producer responsible for the first release on the admired Kalahari Oyster Cult imprint - delivered his first new EP of music in over five years. The creative juices now flowing again, he's landed on another admired imprint: Hamburg stable Smallville. He begins in confident mood via the new age house-meets-vintage-Italian house hustle of 'Move Your Body', where Enigma style synth-flutes and elongated chords flutter around a squelchy bassline, before opting for a dreamier and more thickset classic deep garage-house sound on 'Feel The G'. The Italian producer reaches for more sublime ambient house chords, jazzy bass and eyes-closed melodies on flip-side opener 'One Kiss One', while 'Isola 89' sounds like his tribute to the 'paradise house' of Don Carlos and Sueno Latino.

Review: In the sales notes sent to record stores, Smalleville has described this multi-artist affair as "a club night from start to finish". Certainly, the four tracks are pleasingly varied, moving from the 109 BPM bliss of Makybee Diva's untitled dream-house shuffler, to the energetic acid house/deep house fusion of "Monkeys On My Roof" by L'Amour Fou, a collaborative project whose members include the legendary David 'Move D' Moufang. Elsewhere, Arnaldo delivers a near perfect chunk of Detroit techno inspired deep house hypnotism ("Screaming With A Blocked Nose"), and Chicagoan producer Snad combines sweaty, bumpin' grooves and becalmed synthesizer motifs on the excellent "Excerptz".

Review: While Christopher Rau has released many fine EPs and 12" singles, some of his best work has been showcased on albums. It's no surprise when you think about it, because his brand of ultra-deep and sonically detailed house and techno suits the full-length format. It's exciting, then, that he's finally got round to recording and releasing a fourth LP. Stretched across two slabs of wax to ensure club-ready loudness, the eight showcased cuts cannily combine woozy, twinkling and tactile melodic motifs with great grooves, swinging drums and toasty basslines. Highlights include star-lit opener 'Better Times', the starry hypnotism of 'On The Dancefloor', the lo-fi St Germain vibes of 'Ne Travaillez Jamais (Still Working Mix)', the deep up-tempo dustiness of 'Thank You', and the wide-eyed loved-up hug of 'Evin'.

Review: While his productions have graced many fine labels - Die Orakel, Pampa, Mule Musiq and Giegling included - Christopher Rau has been integral part of the Smallville Records family since 2009. High quality deep house is the order of the day throughout Abspace, his first EP for the label since 2020, with the yearning, slow-build positivity of the gorgeous title track being followed by the immersive, sci-fi bliss of 'Set It Off', whose melancholic chords add a bittersweet touch to an otherwise loved-up affair. Over on side B, 'Do It' sees him successfully doff a catch the classic Mr Fingers productions (with a touch of Move D on the side), while 'One More Time' is a melodious, riff-heavy affair that's as saucer eyed as they come.

Review: Having made a name for herself via a series of fine EPs for Shall Not Fade, Chiwax and Tresydos (the latter in collaboration with Vince Void), rising star Lis Sarroca makes her Smallville label debut with a quartet of typically impressive cuts. The Spanish producer is in fine form on opener 'Atacote', where positive and gently sunny piano motifs and Italian dream house influenced pads ride a smooth bassline and shuffling deep house drums. 'Breaks Reminder' sees her successfully fuse the immersive dreaminess of classic Smallville deep house with shuffling electro-breaks and tight TB-303 acid lines, while 'Early Years' is a sumptuous slab of picturesque deep house dreaminess. To round off a brilliant EP, she serves up the revivalist electrofunk-meets-early European house excellence of 'Might Be'.

Review: Snad's latest three-track EP is a captivating journey through deep house, with a mastery of lush atmospheres and intricate sound design. 'Bubblescope' opens the EP with smooth, melodic deep house, blending ambient elements that create a soothing, immersive atmosphere. 'Lukeworm Lava' follows with its bubbling deep bass notes and aquatic washes of melody, evoking a serene, almost otherworldly vibe. The track is both calming and deep, perfect for reflective moments on the dancefloor. Closing with 'Tanni', Snad delivers an ambient and jazzy tech house gem that brings a sophisticated, soulful edge to the EP. The track is a beautiful fusion of laid-back vibes and rhythmic energy, highlighting Snad's ability to craft deep, emotive house music. A smooth, jazzy exploration of deep house that will resonate with fans of both Chicago house and atmospheric sounds.