Review: A fresh new take on progressive house with melodic depth and emotional resonance. The original version is a mainfloor gem, combining uplifting melodies with a tech-infused rhythm that creates a reflective and mood-driven atmosphere. Its swaying progression and emotional undertones make it perfect for peak moments on the dancefloor. On the flip side, the remix transforms the original into a reserved anthem with an inspiring vocal message. It leans towards trance with its euphoric build-ups, yet the tempo aligns seamlessly with contemporary techno trends, making it both versatile and powerful. Emotion-soaked dancefloor energy.
Review: Moogroove is the alias of Japanese house music producer Kenji Eto, who released this highly sought after gem originally back in 1994 on Mo Rhythm Records. Made famous by Motor City Drum Ensemble on his Fabric compilation where he used the track 'Dark Room', this is the EP's first reissue courtesy of Studio Mule featuring artwork from Lily Fei. Features the hypnotic back room dub of 'Moogroove' (part 2), the classic acid house sound of 'Out Of Control' and the deep, late-night mood music of 'Out Of Time'.
Review: Melody Of The Soul continue to explore their melodically charged strain of minimal tech house on this fourth release on their label, which leads in with the prog-tinted seduction of 'Night Owls'. It's subtly epic, charged with sweeps of orchestration which tease at a big drop to come. 'Flame' has a slightly more intimate, heads-down approach, but it's no less detailed and dynamically produced. 'Igako' explores some pop touches in the context of a bigger room sound which still holds fast to the slick tech house framework and 'Ask The Universe' takes a more delicate approach with pattering percussion and melancholic piano which will set any set off on a sentimental trip.
Mr Raoul K & Vanco - "Loni Ke" (feat Abou C - Michael Reinboth remix) (6:13)
Mr Raoul K & Vanco - "Loni Ke" (feat Abou C - extended version) (6:52)
Mr Raoul K & Vanco - "Loni Ke" (feat Abou C) (5:31)
Review: Mr. Raoul K's Precursor EP sets the stage for his forthcoming album with a captivating blend of Afro-house and spiritual vibes. Returning to his roots in Cote d'Ivoire, Raoul K infuses his tracks with the essence of his homeland, while also incorporating voices from Kenya, South Africa, and India. Sinkere's masterful mixing skills shine through on 'Loni ke,' complemented by a tempered remix from Compost head Michael Reinboth. Featuring contributions from Sidney Simila, Lady Parul, and Abou C., this EP is a shinning example to Raoul K's ability to capture the essence of African music and merge it seamlessly with contemporary house sounds. It's a journey of cultural exploration and musical enlightenment that leaves listeners eagerly anticipating the full album release.
Review: Effortless fusions of broken beat and rabbit hole prog-acid on this latest from Speed Dial. After a slight hiatus, the imprint is back, and is here joined by a slew of underground talent, coming together as one for a combinative set of 'Rhythm Rituals'. Surprisingly for a set of rituals, the three A-siders proffer three wordless mudras (as opposed to incanted mantras), with Mtty's 'Ahhhhh!cid' laying down a two-stepping breaks dust-storm replete with bells, ufologic risers and ectoplasmic synth flatulences; and Pocket's 'Smoke Signals' imparting the ways of long-distance telegraphy by way of a deeper four-wheel drive, with indo-Australian chants sampled therein. B-side helmers DJ Relax and Local Support offer two contradistinct Balearic beats, the former track veering more chuggy and auto-suspensive, in contrast to the latter's emotive, e-organic builds and vox gates.
Review: MYOKEN's self-titled release on their own label brings a fresh take on Adele's classics, blending Disco and Nu-Disco elements. Side-1 features 'Roll,' a high-energy, pumping electro house track that transforms Adele's original into a dance floor stormer. The infectious beats and driving rhythm make it a standout. Side 2's 'Fire' offers a low bubbling, darker cover of 'Set Fire to the Rain,' giving the track a more intense vibe. The brooding basslines and atmospheric production add depth, making it a great balance to the first side. MYOKEN's reinterpretations breathe new life into these well-known songs, perfect for dance fans.
Review: In its formative years in the first half of the 1990s, IRMA offshoot Calypso Records released some of the finest Italo-house records of the period. By the middle of the decade, though, the imprint was dipping its toe into darker and infinitely more druggy territory. DJ Nabile's 'Moonlight', featuring some chanted and spoken lead vocals byLucio Baradel, played a key role in this transformation. All these years on, it still sounds fresh. Side A boasts two of the earliest versions: the mind-mangling 'Alfa Mix', where dark and moody, Tenaglia-esque motifs ride an extra-percussive tribal house groove, and the more rolling 'Gamma Mix'. Over on the flip you'll find two previously unreleased takes - a throbbing, heavy and warped bass-propelled Alex Neri revision, and Alessio Colina's stomping and hallucinatory 'Tribe Acid Remix'.
Review: FUSE London may be 16 years old, but this 12" inch is - somewhat remarkably - the label's first multi-artist EP. To kick-start their new compilation style series, the much-loved imprint has gathered up a quartet of cuts from an eye-catching array of artists. Heist regular Nachtbraker steps up first with 'Banda', an intergalactic-sounding hybrid of tech-house, deep house and nu-disco sounds, before Rob Amboule steals the show with the bleeping electro-meets-twisted electronic funk brilliance of 'Capnhat'. Rising star Reflex Blue joins the dots between sub-heavy UK tech-house and turn-of-the-90s bleep & bass on the superb 'Life's a Bleep', while Mario Liberti reaches for mutilated rap samples and heady organ stabs on the 'Plastic Dreams'-inspired 'We Are The N&B'.
Review: on this blistering new EP for the Odd One Tape label out of Italy. 'Dialectrick' kicks off and is full of fast-paced synth lines, trippy details and heavy drums. 'Like This' then gets more stiff and rigid with gritty synth leads and robotic drums making you march. 'Devil's Room' on the flip is another freaky cut that blends ghoulish sound design and abstract motif with irresistible drums and last of all, 'Universal Travel' ducks and dives with a cheeky character and some deft cosmic signifiers. Four fresh and futuristic-sounding tech house cuts for sweat-inducing moments.
Review: A rich exploration of minimal and tech house sounds with a nostalgic twist. The EP kicks off with 'Istinto,' blending futuristic techno with elements of house music and early 90s bass vibes, all wrapped in spacey sounds that evoke a sense of cosmic adventure. Next, 'Aura' delivers a stomping, darker beat designed to capture attention and drive energy on the dancefloor. Side-2 features 'Potenza' which channels raw techno reminiscent of 1991, incorporating trance elements for a nostalgic feel. The track's energetic vibe and vintage touches make it great for old skool sets. 'Essenza' ends the EP with a great groove and atmospheric feel good melody. A devastating blend of beauty and brawn. Dynamic, engaging tracks that will resonate with techno enthusiasts.
Review: Scopic Records - a new UK label which aims to "bring newcomers and artists with backgrounds, regardless of their background or gender" - launches with a single by its founder New Digital Fidelity in collaboration with singer Monet. We get three nicely different mixes of 'Getting Colder' in all. The A-side is taken up by the club mix, a classic New York deep house groove with chunky pianos chords and Monet's confident vocal performance. The flip begins with the original, a slower version but still effortlessly groovy, bringing its soul, jazz, and R&B influences to the fore. US techno's man of the moment Byron the Aquarius completes the set by turning the track inside out with shuffling hats, snapping machinefunk snares and a bubbling bass, making it even more impressive by exposing its moving parts and giving them a neat polish.
Review: Double Trouble by Ninja Hagen and Niko S, released on Superpartyrecords, is a vinyl-only gem that is a fantastic retro visit to the realm of progressive house. The EP comprises four peak-time tracks that pay homage to pioneering technologies in sound engineering while infusing the dancefloor. On Side-1, 'High Fidelity' channels late 80s/early 90s techno with its vintage appeal, blending tech house elements with futuristic techno sounds. 'Nord Speed 2X' follows suit, offering retro techno vibes driven by machine-driven sounds. On Side-2, 'Samplexity' delves deeper into progressive territory with intricate sampling techniques, while Niko S's solo track "Choughacid" takes listeners on a techno trance journey. Overall, Double Trouble is a sublime example to the duo's creativity and their ability to push boundaries within the progressive house genre.
Review: Having appeared recently on a self-titled label with the blissed-out delights of the Travelling Without Moving 12", emergent artist Opik is back with a fresh dose of trance-licked house music which aligns neatly with the contemporary trippy crowd. This release appears on the KMA60 Rezpektiva label in the wake of releases from Denia and Cosmic Underground, and it easily fits into the label's interests around 90s-influenced club sounds. From dreamy roller 'Orson' to the ravey reverie of 'Serotonin', there is all kinds of sublime gear here to get a crowd moving in unison.
Review: Robin Ordell's Nameless Salesmen EP on No Time County Records delivers four tracks of futuristic techno, showcasing the hot new German label's knack for innovative sounds. Side-1 starts with the title track 'Nameless Salesmen,' a tribal tech house piece with rhythmic intricacies and a driving beat. 'Phrase Shaper' follows, blending 90s-inspired techno and house with a touch of psychedelic flair, creating a nostalgic yet fresh sound. Side-2 features 'Level,' which incorporates elements of 90s trance and Goa trance into a mid-tempo groove, offering a nostalgic experience. The EP closes with 'Rotor,' a techy, flighty track that propels listeners with its energetic and dynamic rhythms. Nameless Salesmen EP shows Ordell's ability to fuse various influences into a cohesive, forward-thinking techno release.
Review: Giammarco Orsini and Intheismah join forces on a release that melds hypnotic techno with progressive and electro-EBM influences. Shadowy textures and haunting rhythms lay the groundwork, while immersive melodies thread through each track, creating a deeply atmospheric listening experience. The fusion of genres feels deliberate and powerful, with a clear intent to captivate the dancefloor. This is a soundtrack for the season's darker moods, where subtle shifts in rhythm and texture keep the energy simmering while hinting at the after-hours spirit that defines the best of contemporary techno.
Corner Of My Sky (feat John Cale - Coby Sey remix) (8:44)
Review: The righty much venerated Kelly Lee Owens has tracks from her recent Inner Song album remixed on Smalltown Supersound here. Loraine James opens up with a take on 'Wake Up' that is all broken beats and abstract electronic sounds. 'Re-Wild' then gets a Breaka remix which layers in plenty of UK continuum vibes, skittish perc and bass heavy drums. Last of all is 'Corner Of My Sky' as reworked by Coby Sey, and it is a busy drum workout for tribal dance floors that will pin you to the ground.
Review: Aimed's return to its roots with Palmiz channels a familiar energy for fans of the label. 'Strange From 94' sets the stage, with euphoric, atmospheric vibes perfect for expansive, open-air raves. 'Chimera' follows, blending trance and house into a hypnotic groove, its smooth synths and rolling percussion creating a captivating intro for any set. On the B-side, 'Tropyc' offers a more utilitarian rhythm, moving away from melody and focusing on functionality, perfect for building momentum. 'Acid Washing' closes the EP with a driving bassline that intensifies the release's energy, adding an edge that pushes the vibe into sharper territory, capping off a well-rounded, nostalgic journey.
Review: 'Move It Or Lose It' isn't just the name of the latest release from Brit producer Joseph Nugent aka Papa Nugs, it's a mantra for our time. Emboldening Big Saldo's Chunkers imprint with an uncaged, high-octane batch of "house" cuts, this is the label's first release for 2025, dialling in to the label's signature bandwidth-filling "chunkers" sound. Rave-ready FX are the order of the moment, as flashes of early trance, progressive and hard house motifs, and Ibizan sample banks all hear Nugs truncate old-school references into a contemporary hip house come rave-breaks template. 'Turn it Down''s irresistible hook, "we're here to have a good time," has to be the bugler's choice moment.
Review: Nug Nation Vol. 2 is here for all your high-energy and nuggety needs. This one is another four-track journey into club-ready sounds that pick up where the first instalment left off. It's a knowing mix of golden era house and progressive influences with a contemporary twist from the back-to-the-wall prog-trance-techno of 'Three Of Hearts' to the unrelenting machine drum sounds of 'Hyperdrive'. 'Are U Ready (Flight To Toulouse mix)' is brilliantly clipped and bouncy and 'You Don't Know (Another Nother mix)' is a turbocharged face-melting tackle for fun dance floors only.
Review: Get ready to ride a cosmic wave of progressive sounds and speedy acid baselines with these new sounds from Osaka's enigmatic Ryunosuke Tahara, aka Paperkraft. For the past decade, this Japanese producer and DJ has been hard at work crafting the beautiful four-track EP 'Acid Asia' and it opens with 'P Spectrum,' a psy-trance anthem packed with ravy sounds, fast beats and potent acid bass. The title track explores a cruising house groove and melodies from the Land of the Rising Sun. On the B-side, 'Munchakoopas' offers sweet melodies next to edgy acid synths, and a nod to Yoshi, the legendary Nintendo character. 'Cosmic Flower' shuts down with strong percussion and psytrance vocals that will leave you entranced.
Review: Aad de Mooy is better known as Paradise 3001 and has been releasing his fulsome take on techno since the mid 90s. Blue Highway is an EP from back then, 1994 to be exact, and it has aged faultlessly because these tracks will slot into any modern set without a problem, and likely be some of the best in it, in fact. It kicks off with the warped synth and bass entanglements of 'Mind & Motion' before the more gloopy and cosmic bass of 'Ludomil 75'. It's a masterful bit of future music that's followed by the vibrant Jaydee-like 'Blue Highways' and dreamier scapes of 'The Gates Of Dawn' and progressive cosmic funk of 'Mellow Moebe.'
Review: As you can tell from the title of this ongoing series, System Error likes to serve up only 100% party bombs. The third volume lives up to that once more with Parchi Pubblici kicking off with the acid-laced bumps of 'Perfect Vacuum2Disco' complete with zippy synths and snappy percussion. Lanzieri's 'Twisted Tango' hits just as hard with an electro-techno fusion that rides on psychedelic synth loops with jacked-up drums. Raku's 'Valle Dei Templi' has a more pared-back sound with a menacing and rubbery low end and creeping synths that keep you on edge. Phill Prince's 'Indigo' shuts down with something tripped out and retro with 90s techno vibes colouring the drums.
Review: Pascale Project debuts on Craigie Knowes with her 'Good People Only' EP, a melodramatic exercise in bubblegum kitsch, dramatized synth-organ hums and eerily quantized vocal recordings. The title, of course, takes its namesake from lead track 'Cafe Crazy' - a dance-pop hybrid soaked in a simple viscous formula: good vibes and electronic fun. The three originals making up its bulk come laced with nostalgic lyrics recalling hyperpop, but also carry retroisms of noughties dance-pop and trance, 'Hang Out' being the post-ironic jubilant highlight. The lyrics are, of course, written and performed by Pascale Project, and what's more, 'Cafe Crazy' comes remixed and refoamed by D. Tiffany with additional vox by NAP (yes, your eyes do not deceive you - a remix on Craigie Knowes! What?!)
Review: Dreamloops is a collection of long-form tracks spanning two and a half hours across four, yes four, records - that's a mighty eight sides of wax all created, mixed, and designed by Dennis Huddleston, aka 36 ("three-six"). The album offers a profound subconscious connection that was originally released as cassettes in 2019 and was revisited by Huddleston in 2023 to enhance its clarity and cohesion. The eight 18-minute pieces unfold slowly and build emotional power through developing themes. Imperfections like tape hiss add depth while influences like Henryk Gorecki and Max Richter help to shape the album's epic and haunting soundscapes.
Review: Perel launches her own new label Hits Hits Hits! with a potent new single that is backed by a great remix from Canadian talent Jex Oplois. The lead tune on this 12", which also comes with a sticker, is '1 Life', a full throttle and thumping cut that is packed densely with 90s tribal techno synth sounds, old school house piano chords and a nice r&b vocal all of which serve to sweep you up and journey you to the stars. After the instrumental comes the remix from Jex Opolis that dials things back and makes it even more zoned out and subtly euphoric.
Review: New Zealander via Berlin Philippa's passion for house music, tireless commitment to her craft and ear for what makes a dancefloor tick is slowly but surely starting to pay off. With her recent release, 'Rainy Nights', on Slothboogie and 'Things I'd Like To Be' for Razor n Tape getting a lot of love, Philippa continues to deliver the goods, further lending remixes for Fat Freddy's Drop (The Drop) and Roach Motel (Faith). Here on the 'Latent Magic' EP we're treated to three new tracks highlighting Philippa's deft touch and musical approach to making interesting and leftfield house. Opener 'Hold' sets the tone with lush orchestral strings, crunchy drums and a bouncing analog synth bassline, while 'There It Is' umums hints of Mr Scruff with looping horn stabs, live drum grooves and rolling basslines. All in all, another mighty fine Philippa release recalling the early days of Freerange when artists such as Square One, Shur-i-kan and Jimpster were melding live musicians with electronics, for a refreshing, UK-centric take on house music.
Review: With its next release, Rezpektiva's Prozpektiva series platforms an artist they think is a future star of the minimal and techno scene. Pi hails from Montevideo, Uruguay, which is where a few new school names have emerged in recent times. He has served up singles on labels such as Holistico Records, White Scar and Lutzifer but this is his first solo EP. It's an intriguing mix of techno, breakbeat and electro with heady melodic tones up top all making for a great mix of snappy low ends and captivating emotions that bring freshness to the floor.
Review: Pleasure Planet has enlisted some fine artists to reimagine two standout tracks from their debut album. Earth Trax turns 'Go With Madness' into an exhilarating and euphoric anthem that will blend surprises and smiles when this peak-time dancefloor bomb gets dropped. Maara accelerates the tempo by diving deep into prog-inspired proto-trance. Roza Terenzi transforms 'Alien 'with ghostly melodies, hypnotic hooks and sizzling breakbeat electronics, while Alex Kassian's Sphinx Gate Mix slows the pace, infusing 'Alien' with Hacienda-era nostalgia, melodic arpeggios and emotional basslines that leave a tender vocal touch from Kim Ann's partner in its fading moments.
Review: If you're thirsting for more of that horror soundtrack house then you're not going to want to miss out on this one. BOOOoo! is a new French label debuting with four protagonists in this buoyant sound, leading in with PO tapping into some serious scientologist vibes on 'Self Deception' before Venetia demonstrates the theory that the longer the note, the more the dread on delightfully creepy workout 'Fat Man'. Eliaz tips a bucketload of acid into the mix on 'Weuweueoou' and BOOH completes the picture with the throbbing jack track 'EVIL'.
Review: Indo-Ukrainian producer Mayank Saraiya, under his Pontiff Ordric alias, helms the third chapter of the Barbatus series with a new four-track release that continues the label's deep-space electro saga. Based out of the Barbatus label's inner circle, Saraiya not only crafts the music but also handles the mix and mastering, giving this entry a tightly unified sound. 'Secrets Of Nexus' and 'Laboratory's Hazard' pulse with crisp, syncopated drums and shimmering 80s-inspired synths, while the B-side moves into darker, more propulsive territory i 'Ancient Technology' runs on acidic undercurrents and robotic swing and 'The Dawn Of Machines' closes the set with a steady proto-trance march that edges into cinematic territory. It's a new release that never leans too heavily on nostalgia, instead reanimating vintage electro textures with just enough detail and narrative flair to keep things compelling. Riddled with sonic in-jokes and pirate lore, this one rewards both the dancers and the heads i electro as odyssey, with its boots still muddy from the last expedition.
Review: Debuting for the Frankfurt label Zuperflex comes rising producer Luka Hartz under his Porco Rosso alias, topping up a string of releases already breadcrumbed for the likes of Pager Records and Blank State. 'Global Player' hears four surefire dancefloor quickscopes in the vein of progressive and trance-like house, sure to leave you leaving on a high, like 'The Real G'. Of all the auxiliary tracks aside from the supernova A1, the best of the bunch has to be the simply appellated 'Rave', whose phasey offbeat 909 hat is especially hair-raising.
Review: Aiming squarely for the charts once again come German and American minimal maestros Adam Port and Stryv, together joining forces with the irresistibly tremolo'ing voice of singer Malachiii. Few songs in the contemporary climate do so well as those which blow up on social media, and 'Move' is one such case. The present zeitgeist's mode of "hip ennui" is achieved with great celerity here, with the track's instrumental weaving an excessive yet insouciant trance around Malachiii's neon croons. Impressively echoic, it's the fusion of minimal techno and contemporary Afrobeats - both fervently identifiable styles - that make this one catchy.
Bouncing Off The Van Allen Belts (Waterblip remix part 2 - Time Machine) (4:08)
Bouncing Off The Van Allen Belts (Bai Vatso & X-Termal Prostatsi On Acid remix) (3:39)
Bouncing Off The Van Allen Belts (Charter Murphy Homemade Pulse Drive remix) (7:28)
Bouncing Off The Van Allen Belts (Waterblip remix part 1 - Liquid) (4:01)
Review: Bulgaria's Prarhamansah is a duo that last released back in 2004, but they have remained active in the intervening years on their local scene. Their return is somewhat epic with this 11-minute-plus new single 'Bouncing Off The Van Allen Belts' a real comic odyssey. It rides on proggy drums but has an ever-shifting eco-system of synths that bring sci-fi twists and intergalactic colour that keeps the mind locked in. After that, the tune comes as various remixes, from the more far-sighted and trance-tinged subtleties of Waterblip remix part 2 to Charter Murphy's Homemade Pulse Drive remix, which is dark, hard techno for strobe-lit raves.
Review: John Digweed remains a hugely influential figure in the dance music world. He was amongst the first to champion The Pressure on his iconic Transitions radio show and now along with Nick Muir they all come together on this new single from Undisputed Music. 'Counting Down The Days' (extended mix) is a far sighted, cosmic progressive house tune that builds in sweeping layers with lush arps and prickly tech edged beats. There is a dub for more dreamy moments and a Strings dub that ups the latent sophistication of the original.
Review: Primrose does that most difficult of things on this new EP for the Cead label's last single-digit release: hits a perfect sweet spot between dancefloor damage and nuanced home listening. The punchy and driving 'Los Angeles Wingspan' kicks off and is backlit by a heavenly synth glow that softens the punchy, tightly coiled kicks and sprinkles of fluttering metallic percussion. '1980 Dream' is a more refracted piece where melodic phrases dart about the mix, synths scurrying up the scales, paddy drums unfurl in broken patterns and the whole thing keeps you nice and loose. An Or:la remix of '1980 Dream' rounds out a classy EP.
Matra Murena (feat Local Suicide - Rafael Cerato remix) (5:41)
Review: Plenty of dark disco's finest practitioners come together on this new 12" on Iptamenos Discos, with Psycho Weazel serving up the original tune. They are two producers from Switzerland who mix up indie-dance, cold wave, breakbeat and EBM. Here they offer 'Mains D'Argile' featuring Curses which has sweeping, widescreen synths bring a retro feel to a stiff, kinetic beat. The wonderful Marvin & Guy offer an extended mix for extra long club fun and then it is Local Suicide who guests on 'Matra Murena' which brings a perfect mix of light and dark to stark grooves, and Rafael Cerato remixes to close out the package.
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