Search dance music

Review: Those who checked John Talabot's excellent debut album, Fin, will know that his approach to house music is a little left-of-centre. Clearly inspired by the genre's quirkier fringes, he appears to enjoy creating tracks that veer from woozy and intoxicating, to tropical and pagan. Here, he makes his approach even clearer with a triumphant 27-track mix-up for the long-running DJ Kicks series. Variously deep, melancholic, unusual, inspired and atmospheric, the mix contains impressive contributions from the likes of Young Marco, Pional, Andy Stott, Jus' Ed, Joe Clausell and Talabot himself, as well as a rare outing for the rare (and rather fabulous) "Innermind" by Paradise's Deep Groove

Review: The long-running DJ Kicks series has prospered largely because of the opportunity it gives to well known DJs and producers to showcase the breadth and diversity of their record collections. That's certainly the case with this latest volume from global house superstar Maceo Plex, who impressively opens proceedings with a string of stargazing Detroit electro cuts (see the contribution from DJ Stingray) and atmospheric IDM jams, before peppering the mix with such inspired choices as Charles Webster's sublime, long-forgotten version of Kumbu Kimbra's "Raise The Dead" and Vivandi's decidedly stone cold classic "Racing Tracks". Of course, there's plenty of typically touchy-feely Plexian fodder, but it's far from the mix you'd expect.

Review: Given her current popularity, it's no surprise to see all-conquering house hero Maya Jane Coles mixing the latest instalment of !K7's long-running DJ Kicks series. The diminutive DJ/producer is in fine form, too, mixing up typically atmospheric house cuts and clandestine deepness with saucer-eyed late night faves and forgotten B-sides (see Bozzwell's surprisingly emotional "In My Cocoon"). As a mix it's as deep, melodic and groovy as you'd expect, with a strong vocal theme running throughout. As it progresses, it tiptoes further into bleary-eyed darkroom territory, via stand-out cuts from Marcel Dettmann, Caribou (his thrilling remix of Virgo Four), Gerry Read and T Williams.

Review: Apparat's respected position amongst the electronic music cognoscenti has been secured mostly via his overseeing the Shitkatapult Empire and the canon of music released alongside Ellen Alien and the more recent brushed metallic tones of techno drama explored as Moderat with Modeselektor. He isn't, however, known for his DJing abilities, which makes his inclusion in the DJ Kicks series a puzzling one at first. This sensation dissipates however once your ears consume the 70 minutes and 22 tracks on offer here. Ring stated an intention to dispel the notion he plies a distinctly bittersweet sound, and that's always going to be achieved when there's the likes of Ramadanman, Martyn and Carl Craig (in his 69 guise) amidst the tracks. Whislt this isn't, as you'd expect, a technically sensational mix, a definite glitchy mood is retained throughout with some dazzling moments. The harmonious ascent of Four Tet's remix of Born Ruffian's from the industrial mist of Autechre's remix of Scorn in particular stands out. Four Tet's collaboration with Burial marks the onset of another highlight with the swift saunter through Vincent Markowski and Ramadanman that arrives at Radiohead twitcher Thom Yorke's "Harrodown Hill". An engaging selection best heard on headphones at high volume that highlights new aspects with every listen.

Review: Given his longevity - not to mention the high esteem in which he's held as a selector - it's rather surprising that this is only DJ Koze's second mix CD. Having indulged his dancefloor side with 2004's All People Is My Friends on Kompakt, here he digs deep into his post-club crates for a DJ Kicks selection that relies heavily on well-swung electronica and left-of-centre instrumental hip-hop beats. It's a fine mix, all told, shot through with a quietly soulful vibes, his usual eccentricity and some killer selections (Broadcast, Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, his own quirky remix of Session Victim). There are a few curious, homemade downtempo mash-ups, too, plus - bizarrely - a surprisingly impressive track from William Shatner. Yes, that William Shatner.

Review: Some DJs use the opportunity of a DJ Kicks mix to showcase the eclectic nature of their record collections, while others see it as a chance to give an airing to the dancefloor records that have inspired them over the years. Seth Troxler's mix sits somewhere in between. On the one hand, there are impeccable jazz and downtempo moments from the likes of Sun Ra, Herbert (as remixed by Phil Parnell) and DJ Koze, whose "Bodenweich" is an undeniably atmospheric, off-kilter delight. On the other hand, Troxler has picked out some genuinely brilliant, mostly US-centric house selections; deep, soulful and bumpin' fare from the likes of Butch, Kerri Chandler, Jasper Street Company, Mood II Swing and Derrick Carter. On paper, it's an odd combination, but somehow Troxler has made it work.

Review: What the deuce? !K7 return with yet another essential DJ Kicks mix. Hot on the heels of Matthew Dear and Michael Meyer comes ace-serving selector DJ Tennis. Famed for his deep drawing style and ability to whip up atmospheres like some type of DJ sorcerer, his debut mix album was always going to be special. Perhaps not this special, though. Two CDs ranging from the most startling and serene contemporary ambient (Bauri - "Twinkle Stars"), to fluid body-shifting machine funk techno (Robert Hood - "Escapes") via warm house laced with subtle layers of sleaze (Oval - "Textuell") and crackling theatrical breaks (Jon Hopkins - "Vessel"), Tennis has taken his club chops and presented them in a much more timeless and flexible context. Just as all the best DJ Kicks mixes do. Love.

Review: While there aren't many duffers within the vast DJ Kicks catalogue, it would be fair to say that some of their chosen selectors do make more of an effort than others. Jessy Lanza, the latest DJ to provide a mix for the long-serving series, has undoubtedly taken it seriously and used the opportunity to cram in tons of killer cuts and take us on a genuinely thrilling, action-packed musical journey. After opening with a trio of her own shimmering, star-bright future R&B/leftfield synth-pop productions, Lanza sprints between fuzzy, off-kilter house and techno, punchy electro, sparkling underground electronic pop, bubbly electronica and dubbed-out electronic epics, before variously offering up ambient, sweaty drum tracks, and bouncy, garage-influenced goodness. In other words, it's a fabulously entertaining affair that's well worthy of your attention.