Back catalogue: Minimal/Tech House

Review: Burnski and Kepler, two names synonymous with the deeper shades of house music, converge on Chris Stussy's Up The Stuss imprint for a collaborative EP that showcases their shared passion for dancefloor-focused soundscapes. 'Solstice', the title track, sets the tone with a hypnotic swing, its subtle rhythmic shifts and infectious bassline weaving a mesmerizing tapestry of sound. 'Contemplate', the second collaborative effort, offers a more introspective vibe, its bumping rhythms and melancholic melodies suggesting a moment of reflection amidst the dancefloor euphoria. The flip side sees the duo explore their individual artistry. Burnski's 'Give' is a late-night gem, its shimmering textures and hypnotic rhythms conjuring a sense of blissful introspection. Kepler's 'Transcend', on the other hand, lives up to its name, its vibrant energy and captivating melodies transporting the listener to a higher plane of dancefloor consciousness. It's a confident opening salvo for 2025 from Up The Stuss, a label that continues to champion the most vital strains of contemporary house music.

Review: Demi Riquisimo's Semi Delicious reaches a significant milestone with its 20th release, unveiling a four-track EP from the ever-impressive Leeds producer, Kepler that's a stellar addition to the label's expanding repertoire, 'Step Up' launches the journey, a sub-bass-driven escapade that intertwines pulsating grooves with squelchy acid lines, encapsulating the label's ethos. 'Swoon' arrives next, blending a playful FM-bass lead with staccato vocals and warm pads for a vibrant dancefloor allure. The B-side's 'Acid Flow' faithfully channels classic 303 vibes, while 'Separation' pays homage to vintage US house, tweaked with Kepler's unmistakable UK tech-house stamp. It's a veritable feast for discerning dance music aficionados.

Review: The cultured underground outlet that is Brouquade squeezes out one last release of 2023, this time from the enduring man of the moment, Kepler. He brings his usual cosmic touch and mastery of celestial melody to a trio of tasty tech house cuts. The first is a busy one with clacking drums and snappy snares on 'Enter The Void' that takes you through the cosmos at a great pace. 'MRF' then rides a nice bumpy low end and has delightfully deft astral melodies peeling off the beats before 'Event Horizon' shuts down with a hurried and snappy rhythm and more dark and unsettling synth explorations.

Review: Kepler delivers a solid EP with Eclipse, showcasing his knack for crafting infectious house grooves. The title track 'Eclipse' sets the tone with its rolling beats and crisp production, while S.A.M.'s remix takes things up a notch, adding a sleek, driving edge that's bound to light up any dancefloor. On the flip, '2K5' keeps the energy high with punchy rhythms, and 'Squelch Is Wealth' rounds off the release with a quirky, bass-heavy twist. With support from DJs like Chris Stussy and Luuk van Dijk, this EP is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for house heads.

Review: The first release on the freshly minted MASS label is a smorgasbord of nostalgic, retri-futurist delights that showcases cuts from a quartet of artists old and new. Kelper kicks things off by adding warming chords, squelchy synth bass and far-sighted electronic motifs to a punchy electro beat, before Midge Thompson joins the dots between spacey, early '90s deep house and the sub-heavy sound of bleep techno. Nikol's 'Leon' is a fine tribute to early '90s UK techno full of clattering drum machine beats, moody motifs and stabbing 'LFO' bass, while Keefy G's 'Tools For Le Car' sounds like an unlikely collaboration between Kraftwerk, Sweet Excorcist, the Nathaniel X Project and a restless scratch DJ. As label debuts go, it's an impressive first outing.