New releases last eight weeks: Minimal/Tech House

Review: Danny Howells is one of the UK's natural electronic music treasures. He was there in the early days of prog and remains a singular artist who now debuts on another fine institution in Radio Slave's Rekids. His new EP that blends deep house warmth with subtle progressive flourishes and finds him teaming up with keyboardist Elliot Herrington. The title track shimmers with late-night fuzz, while 'Thrunk' builds around a rare-for-Howells bass-first approach that has already made it a favourite among selectors like Honey Dijon, DJ Sprinkles and Jennifer Loveless. All in all, another triumph for Howells.

Review: Hastings-born prog/tech veteran Danny Howells' latest foray into the world of house music proves once again why he's a staple of the scene. Lead track 'Powershow' is a sprawling 12-minute exploration that encapsulates everything great about houseideep, soulful, yet endlessly driving. Following that is 'Stereodrama,' which shifts gears slightly, upping the ante with a raucous, percussive workout. It's a perfect reflection of Howells' deft touch for crafting emotionally resonant yet unrelentingly danceable moments. Finally, there's 'Earthlings X,' a track that might have been created years ago but still feels entirely of the moment. Despite being Danny's first release for Selador, it's aged like fine wineiits ever-present freshness matching its ability to still sound like a future classic. It's the kind of cut that seems to embody everything Howells stands for, the perfect intersection of intelligence, energy, and soul. Sounding both timeless and cutting-edge this is another feather in his already many-feathered cap.