Own a piece of DJ history with the D-Styles Phantazmagorea Show Vinyl Variants & Deviations Set, a highly exclusive, limited-edition release with only 500 units made worldwide
Notes: Own a piece of DJ history with the D-Styles Phantazmagorea Show Vinyl Variants & Deviations Set, a highly exclusive, limited-edition release with only 500 units made worldwide. This collector's set is a must-have for turntablists, vinyl enthusiasts, and fans of D-Styles' groundbreaking "Phantazmagorea."
Featuring two premium vinyl records (12" and 7") packed with battle breaks, scratch kits, and sound effects, as well as the rare 3" Razorblade Alcohol Slide, this set is designed for DJs who demand the best in quality and creativity. Complete your collection with the 3" slip mat included in this one-of-a-kind release.
What's Included:
12" Battle Breaks Vinyl (White):
Tracks include "Felonious Funk Skratch Vocal Kit," "John Wayne on Acid Skratch Drum Kit," "Diabolikal Skratch Drums + Bassline Kit," and 4 bonus scratch kits.
A total of 23 tracks designed for DJs to unleash their creativity.
7" Battle Breaks Vinyl (Red):
Tracks include "Return to Planetary Deterioration Synth," "Felonious Funk Skratch Vocals + EFX," and 2 bonus drum & synth tracks.
A total of 12 tracks perfect for scratch DJs and live performances.
3" Razorblade Alcohol Slide (Black):
A rare collector's item featuring unique sound effects and scratch tools.
3-Inch Slip Mat:
Includes an integrated adapter for seamless use with 3" records.
Key Features:
Limited to Only 500 Units Worldwide: A true collector's item for fans of D-Styles and turntablism. Once it's gone, it's gone forever!
Premium Quality Vinyl: Designed for scratch DJs with high-quality sound and durability.
Complete DJ Toolkit: Packed with vocal kits, drum kits, basslines, synths, and bonus scratch kits for endless creativity.
Exclusive Design: Unique variants and deviations inspired by "Phantazmagorea" make this set unlike any other.
Whether you're a professional DJ, a vinyl collector, or a fan of D-Styles' legendary work, this set is your chance to own a rare, limited-edition masterpiece. With only 500 units available, don't miss your opportunity to secure this iconic release!
Review: Heavyweight quattro-techno from A Paul, DJ Dextro, Red Rooms, Ramon Tapia and Arkvs for Planet Rhythm. Each track serving as merciless hoisters in the vein of 'Rough' techno, the A1 is deserving of the name, bringing scraping hi-hat blurs and gulping knocks to a mean mix. Deadened, unfeeling, callous calculation follows on the follower 'Binary Codes', while Tapia tabulates a 'Ratio' on the algo-rhythmic bleeper that ensues on the B1. Finally, 'Decoration Drugs' brings a prime movement, its facelessly numbered breakdowns and shuffles assuring us that there is indeed no end to off-planet production processes such as these.
Review: Many Hands is a fresh label helmed by Jona Jefferies and Kava that here kicks out an eclectic EP with four tracks from various members of its musical family. Dan Aikido opens with '0800 TXT4 Herb,' a smooth fusion piece that builds a laid-back groove, blending fretless bass, jazzy keys and soulful vocals all reminiscent of Rare Silk's 'Storm.' Ernie Ruso's 'Stroke It' offers slow, sensual r&b infused with P-funky wah-wah effects while DJ Nomad's 'African Boy' brings upbeat pop house next to funky organ and a female reggae MC.Jefferies' closer 'A Change Will Come' samples Dr. Martin Luther King Jr with a rave-inspired beat and soulful piano. Cracking stuff.
Review: The sixth release in the 303 Pattern series marks the first time artists' identities are revealed. What doesn't change is the fact this is a powerful 12" of hard-hitting, hypnotic and atmospheric acid techno with the legendary Roland TR-303 at its core. Alien Rain makes his debut on the label with 'Holosexual's' raw drums and distorted acid lines, Akkaelle's 'Acid Mood' delivers funky, bouncy techno energy with atmospheric depth and Sour returns with another hypnotic, high-intensity bomb. Closing in style is Dima Gastroller who drops a banger of an acid techno track that should come with a health warning for anyone with a weak heart.
Review: The fledgling WEorUS label rolls out more stylish, minimal and tech here from a trio of artists. Andrade goes first with 'Kubernetes,' a driving minimal house cut packed with hefty groove. It is followed by 'Content Security Policy' which is a slick, rhythm-forward roller that locks you into its flow. Flip to side-B and get swept into Dragosh's 'One Way,' a deep, hypnotic workout that's all tension and release and rounding off the trip is Fabrizio Siano's 'Control Your Emotions,' a poignant, late-night burner that delivers introspection through rhythm.
Review: Emerald's 25th outing takes the form of another superb compilation with four artists who have already released on the label and plenty of new names making an equally good impression. ANNE kicks off with the deep, thudding kicks of 'Coral Reefs' complete with lush hits to smooth the groove. There is more weight and intensity to the oversized hi-hats ringlets on Mike Konstantinidis's 'Apocalypse', DJ Plant Texture layers in plenty of gritty and grime to his gritty 'Swingers' and Jarrod Yeates goes for a twisted after-party vibe on his intense and unrelenting 'Sesh Gremlin', with many more highlights besides.
Review: No whimpers, all bangs... Monika Kruse's Terminal M brings another four Richmonds our way, as the label celebrates its silver anniversary (25 years) of releasing. Ignacio Arfeli and Kaspar bring Portuguese fire and German glaciations to a unipolar techno A-side each, with 'Never Look Back' shooting a hideous glower at Orpheus especially with a "don't you ever look back" jet-breakage of the sound barrier, precipitating a massive techno drop, of course. A felt sense of continuation is heard on the strobing 'Masterpeace' by Chris Bekker, before 'Alhalma', where Drumcomplex and Frank Sonic lead us to a cruddy close.
Review: This Vincent Arthur album is a tribute to his daughter Vivian and was crafted by talented musicians from Africa, the Caribbean and Germany. Once obscure for 30 years, its standout track, 'Travel With The Music' became an anthem after making a high-profile appearance in a Dekmantel set where its euphoric afro-disco sound really made a lasting mark. Online sleuths uncovered its origin which has reignited interest in this hidden gem, which has been remastered by Frank at The Carvery. It revives three key tracks in 'Travel With The Music' which shines with afro, disco, and gospel-like euphoria. 'Afro Disco' brings playful energy while 'Jubilation' closes the night with deep, celebratory vibes.
Nathan Haines - "U See That" (feat Vanessa Freeman & Marcus Begg - Atjazz Love Soul mix) (5:12)
The Realm x Atjazz x Kelli Sae - "On The Road" (vocal mix) (7:58)
Review: Back ion 2021, the relaunched Foliage Records imprint offered up a killer mix from NYC house legends Mood II Swing, the must-check Deep Rooted. Soon, the revitalised label will release a sequel, with long-serving British deep house don Atjazz at the helm. This sampler EP boasts six of the highlights from that set - all remixed and reworked by Atjazz himself. There's much to enjoy throughout, from the tense, slowly building deep-tech shuffle of Halo''s 'Glorty (Atjazz Galaxy Art Remix)'and the sun-splashed 6am bounce of Atjazz's remix of Dominique Fils-Aime's gorgeous 'Sun Rise', to the dreamy dancefloor wooziness of Ralf GUM's 'AWA' (re-imagined by Atjazz as an Osunlade-esque spiritual house workout) and the jazzy, bass-guitar-propelled broken house excellence of 'On The Road (Vocal Mix)', a three-way collab between Atjazz, Kelli Sae and The Realm.
Review: OMEN Recordings's next release is a big one that unites Axkan and Duellist on the same slab of wax. They take care of one side each and we're told the inspiration for their sounds was making a "shared response to the turmoil of global conflicts." Duellist kicks off and suggests with his offerings that he is anxious, unsettled and in fight mode because 'Oxidative Stress' is front-foot techno with monstrous bass energy. 'Stains Of Time' is another one with brash drums and perc and plenty of tension, then Axkan offers the hypotonic loops of 'Warfare' and broken beat menace of 'Thermobaric.
A Soft Mist Production - "Upside Down Rainbows" (5:01)
Dr Sud - "Zaffiro" (Jazz cut) (3:59)
DatSIM - "Influx" (4:40)
The Rabbit Hole - "Tail Groove" (4:27)
Review: No matter your particular preference in the deep house world, this various artists' outing from Q1E2 Recordings is sure to have something for you. Mike Riveria & Marco Ohboy, for example, tap into an early sound on 'Euphoria' with its big, brash piano stabs and whistles, while A Soft Mist Production keeps it all cuddly and deep with languid chords draped over gentle drums on 'Upside Down Rainbows.' DatSIM brings in some space-tech vibes for a deft rhythm and neon infused sound on 'Influx' and The Rabbit Hole's 'Tail Groove' has a mad double bass sound jumping about beneath frantic jungle breaks.
Nick Bike - "Scratch Sentence / 98 Beat / Skipless / 101 Beat" (6:19)
Review: Private Stock Records serves up a treat for DJs and turntablists with a new 12" packed with beats, scratches, and skipless tracks. Four skilled DJsiBig Once, Cutso, Double A, and Nick Bikeicontribute their skills to this collection, offering a diverse range of flavours for scratching and beat juggling. Each DJ delivers a 'Scratch Sentence' and a selection of beats at various tempos, providing a versatile toolkit for creative routines. The inclusion of skipless tracks adds another dimension, allowing for seamless blends and extended mixes. With its focus on functionality and quality, this release is a must-have for any serious turntablist or DJ looking to expand their arsenal of sounds.
Review: Back to 93! Two OG pioneers are deep in the lab, cooking up the future - Bizzy B and DJ Zinc. These are two of many blueprints from such a turbulent, primordial era in jungle history. 'Dex Flex' is a sci-fi movie epic in the form of a song... The eerie intro, dramatic militant breaks and the wide screen way it rolls out and develops are powerfully ambitious. We're unsure if it ever actually came out or not, too. 'Getting Down' did come out, however. But not under this title. Due to Zinc being signed with another label, it came out as Bizzy's 'Break Of Dawn'. Still breaking things up to this day, it's a bubbler that never quits. What a flashback.
Review: Bristol producer Borai (Boris English) and London's Denham Audio (Peri Ashwood) pulled off a remarkable feat with 'Make Me/No Good', an unequivocal release put out on Higher Level Records in 2019. Repurposing the unmistakable hookline from Donna Allen's g-funk jacker 'Serious' from 1986 into a fully re-recorded sample all their own, 'Make Me' set alight the feet of the breaksy raver, striking serious gold in the classic formula of easily-recognised old-school-soul vocals and sculpted tearout heft. As anthemic as its original B-side, 'No Good', the original latter half of the record now comes substituted by Big Ang's Rave To The Grave mix, whose blooping trooper sound design and mains-hum Reeses provide an ecstatic alter. A can't-go-wrong reissue by the Room Two camp.
Review: "Right, OK!" Worm Records offer up their second various artists release for 2024, coming just a neat two months after September's inaugural release featuring Ruf Dug, Wallace, The Mole and Gallegos. Now the label turn their hand to a completely different league of artists, convoking Boulderhead, Wooka, DMX Krew and Jorg Kuning for yet another star-studded audio-strudel, spanning both chilled and heated ends of the spectrum. Boulderhead's A1 is the ludic highlight among the four, a charming Valley Girl voice peppering the vocal track with exceptional backhandedness; we hear talk of floating on clouds and an affect of casual acceptance behind the glitch-science, suggesting vibes of bounciness and breeze. Wooka goes sillier speed garage on 'Make Yourself Comfortable', a challenging charge given the track's otherwise rather jagged jam; Krew and Koenig close things off on a comparatively calm note, the former's B1 opting for a set of bruk-en beats and wet synth yaps, and the latter's 'Imbolc' quiescing with clement Rhodeses and homely drum machines.
Review: Remastered from a lost cassette in composer David Toop's archive, Unsettled Scores Records has secured the rights to a first-ever release of the legendary title track from Dick Fontaine's iconic 1988 graffiti documentary. Originally airing on Channel 4, the film followed Brim's 1985 journey from the Bronx to the UK, where he linked up with future icons like Goldie and 3D of Massive Attack. A formative piece for graffiti writers and hip-hop heads alike, Brim's 'Bombin'' became a cult classic and remained so. This long-awaited 7" includes the full version and unreleased mixes.
Review: The legendary Fatman is back with another must-have 10" release featuring Don Carlos's iconic vocal roots classic from 1980. The A-side includes the full 12" disco mix, highlighted by Robbie Shakespeare's unforgettable bassline which adds to the fresh, deep groove of this perfectly aged track. On the flip side, you'll find Delroy Wilson's infectious 'Live Good' alongside its dub version. The OG is a heavyweight cut with plenty of FX, echo and lo-fi sounds all making it an unforgettable jam. Essentially this is an absolute no-brainer for reggae and roots music lovers.
Outside Looking In (Full radio edit version 2024) (4:58)
Review: Cash Money Experience are soul dons and if you need proof listen no further than this new 7". Darryl Howard is the vocalist and songwriter of Nu'rons and here he offers up the lead vocals while Emanuel Campbell, who is one of his co-members in Nu'rons, is responsible for the lyrics. On the extended version of 'Outside Looking In' the vocals convey plenty of pain on nice laidback drums and funky riffs. The Full Radio Edit distils things to a shorter play length but is just as effective.
Happy707 - "Where Does That Noise Come From" (4:28)
Review: Menacing EBM and dark synth billows from a Netherlands hinterland; our heralds speak of an esoteric encampment by the name of Espectro Oculto, said to be the remote incantators of an unstoppable curse in sound. Six shadowy emissaries have been sent to spread the pestilence; Trenton Chase, Martial Canterel, DJ Nephil, Exhausted Modern, Fragedis and Happy707. Clearly, the faction have recruited only the best, trusted and yet most nefarious of spies from as far-flung regions as Czechia and Argentina in the administering of such a sordid sonic plague. We're left most quivery at the centrifugal doom drones of Exhausted Modern's 'Fear Of Focus', across whose breakdown banshees are heard wailing and snarling, and Fragedis' 'Landing In Reality', a lo-fi techno freakout and sonochemical anomaly, channeling militant two-way radio samples and hellish FM synthesis.
Review: The Fruit Medley series has been hella juicy so far so we're glad another edition is ripe and ready for picking to kick off the label's 2025 season. This one features all newcomers starting with Cromie's 'Timereite', a chubby and clubby tech pumper with full throttle rhythms. Wilba's 'New Recipes' has lush synth smears over grinding low ends that echo early West Coast tech, and Darren Roach then gets a little deeper on the percolating 'Brettski Colectski'. Lazer Man's 'Time Of Ghosts' closes down with a mid-tempo, off-kilter house cut with steely drums and distant alien activity.
Review: Setting the year aflame with a three-G bang, Amsterdam producer D Stone flaunts his fieriness with four house music furtherances, after two knockout releases on 803 Crystal Grooves and Cecille. 'Bang' utterly bangs, with its streetwise vocal shouts and offbeat, Chi-style beep sounds making for a cosmopolitan intro. 'Deep Inside' adds downward pressure with a central dub stab and well-hung string part, and 'No Activities' sounds to incorporate percussive glassware and bomb whistle sounds into the mix. Finally, 'Talking About' rounds things out with an extensive drumline competition, as a blurry vocal sample urges us, from what sounds like it, to flail our hands about in the air.
Review: The Paris-based producer pulls in a tight circle of remixers, each putting a distinct spin on a few of his recent tracks for his own Bass Culture label. Darren Roach's remix of 'Money, Honey, Monday' stretches the original into a spacey, progressive journey. The atmosphere is thick with delay and synth haze, but it still hits with the steady pulse of a house record built for peak time. Sweely steps in on 'Nu Bass' with a funkier approach. It's playful and full of bounce, guided by a deep bassline and flecks of disco that make it hard not to move. Melodic without getting sugary, it's a proper mood lifter. Side-B leans into the deeper end. DJ Deep's version of 'Nu Bass' goes darker and more hypnotic. It's tracky, minimal and slick, perfect for long, late-night times where you want to lose yourself. Hostom wraps it up with another take on 'Money, Honey, Monday'. This one built around a rolling bassline and polished production that gives it a bit of a restrained punch. A solid pack with plenty of replay value.
Review: The second in D'Julz's rollicking Raw Toolz series brings four 'Out Of Place Artefact's to the contemporary deep house sphere. From 'Big Wag' to 'Lionozed', every track on this dreamatic, diatonic whorl eschews high tones and sibilants for a rigorous, plombing exercise in depth and draught. The sampled, suspended echoes of jazz and piano blues ripple through the extra space thus provided; for those DJs seeking a selection of mid-set sauces, precooked to keep the party pumping, from which to choose without faf, this is your record, courtesy of the longtime French DJ and production artisan.
Review: Bass Culture founder, Rex Club legend and standard bearer for the Parisian underground, Julien Veniel shows fine form with his latest effort landing on Phonogramme. Featuring four tracks that each veer toward the techier ends of the house spectrum, 'The Game of Life' is sure to find plenty of admirers of floor-focused subterranean club tackle. Launching via the bumping rhythms and bouncy bass of X-Calibur, it starts as it means to go on. Upping the energy a couple of notches, the wonky bass and paranoid vocals of 'Narcissistic Scratch' power over chunky drums for a strobe-lit, late-night workout. Scene stalwart Satoshi Tomiie keeps things looped and driving on his pumped version of 'Deadbeat', before the dubbed-out original sees the record home in deliciously heady style.
Review: Groove Culture enlist Italy's Da Lukas for a stinging string-disco propeller, 'Doin' Me Wrong', backed up on the B by 'Good Man'. Massive pressure-house feels coincide with the trilling afterglow of disco, as rock-bottom breakdowns prefigure high-as-a-kite apexes, word-painting the A track's lyrical focus on manic depressive push-pull relationships ("you tell me don't do this, you tell me don't do that"). The B-side track is weightier by comparison, deploying waterier wahs and an echo of Motown in its otherwise relentless garagey swing.
Review: After his debut album E o que a casa oferece from 2023, Gabriel da Rosa is back with another silken bossa nova record, in homage to the musical style that raised him. 'Cafune' was first released digitally a follow-up single to the alnbum, one which rounded out the year that said debut was released, and which was written for the soundtrack to the film film All Happy Families (Haroula Rose). Now an authentic 12" version, the song is here backed by the B-side 'Sort Of', an impressive desert passage through refractive, rainbow dream pop.
Review: Mule Musiq continues to refine its reputation for sophisticated electronic music with a release that radiates warmth, groove and effortless elegance. The opening track, 'Midnight Piano', with its addictive groove and shimmering melodies, delivers a soothing yet danceable experience. It sets the tone for 'Slow Ride', a Balearic-infused journey with laid-back rhythms and breezy horns, evoking images of sun-drenched coastlines and late-afternoon lounging. On the flip side, 'No Flamingos In Salinas' embraces an ambient house aesthetic, channeling a vintage '90s feel with dreamy synth work while maintaining a subtle techy edge that keeps it dancefloor-ready. The closer, 'Dream On', is a smooth, melodic builder that gradually unfolds, carrying the listener into a hypnotic state with its rich textures and serene energy. These two Italian producers join forces to produce one fantastic EP, a record which embodies the aura of summer with its lush soundscapes and masterful deep house craftsmanship.
Review: In late 2023, Tokyo-based musician Daigo Sakuragi moved to London where he revisited recordings made with fellow Japanese artists. Inspired by the city's energy and atmosphere, he crafted Togenkyo, a 28-minute fusion of early 2000s folktronica and contemporary ambient music that now comes as two long continuous pieces on one slab of vinyl. Layering immersive synth textures with spatial production, he grounds the piece in organic drum and bass grooves while a saxophone elegantly weaves through the soundscape. Togenkyo reflects an inner utopia that is attainable yet imperfect and is a comforting, meditative work.
Review: Conceived for maximum floor-lift, Daje Funk is the namesake of both artist and label; here the elusive but fun-loving moniker brings another four whopper disco edit-remixes to vinyl, further charging the collective body with a haul of kitsch spirituals. Three out of four tracks here are "lovely edited" - intentional or not, we can't resisting stealing such brilliant turns of phrase - by longtime Roman disco purveyor Les Inferno, with the support of a cracking cadre made up of fellow producers and engineers Max Pottini, Emiliano Patrick Legato and Dom Scuteri. Stefano Fusco also handles the B1; and though we don't know the original IDs of any of the tracks here, the vibe is consistently spirited, and the artists only carefully betray their access to the original stems (made eventually obvious by faint vocal delays, extra-thwacking kick EQs, etc.).
Review: Dajusch brings the rave to CROWD here with some feral techno beaters that will get floors going mental. 'No Mas' is lit up with euphoric vocals and trance-y pads that are impossible to ignore. 'Ambition' has barreling beats that fizz with texture and are topped by nimble chords that dance about the mix. 'Split' is another one overflowing with energy and dusty analogue edges while '36G' shuts down with a tunnelling lead and bouncy low end. This is full fat techno with real machine soul.
Review: Planet Rhythm must be one of the hardest-working labels in the game - it seems to drop new music on a nearly daily basis but all of it is essential. Dajusch is the man at the buttons here with 'Gazell'e exploring a techno sound as lithe and quick as the animal it is named after. 'Average Channel' brings some dub chords to the party over cantering drums, and it is to Detroit for the machine soul and serenity of 'Ster One'. 'Beginner' closes down with more minimal stripped-back rhythms but no less impact.
Review: Boom! Ultra rare outernational funk reissue action by the new Habibi Funk imprint! Dalton were a late '60s soul band formed in Tunis by a group of American music enthusiasts, and their one and only LP under the Dalton name was independently released and super rare until now. "Alech" nears psychedelic territories thanks to its echoing vocals and trippy percussion, whereas "Soul Brother" is more of a classic soul ballad, but filled with the band's own native roots, of course. Be sure to check, this is hot and recommended for the diggers.
Review: Dutch duo Dam Swindle are masters of updating traditional house sounds with a subtle contemporary twist. That is exactly what they have long been doing on their own superb Heist Recordings label and now they make the step over to Jimpster's equally vital Freerange with a fresh new EP. 'Unfinished Business' kicks off with sustained chords that bring a classic touch next to some steamy vocals and warm chords. 'Under The Spell' is more loose limbed and soul drenched, then a Crue remix brings some real heft to 'Unfinished Business.' Last but not least is 'Woman', a laid back vibe with swirling chords for loved up floors.
Review: Death, taxes and quality techno from Planet Rhythm are the three sureties of life. The label that maintains a high laity output and never strays from its blueprint is back with more functional and well-formed sounds, this time from Mattia Dambrosio. He opens with a cut doused in static, fizzing synth lines and with a funky, mid-tempo beat on 'Spring.' 'Ossidiana' dials it back to allow the dub chords and deep roaming bassline room to lure you in then 'Domani' mesmerises with silky synth sequences that glow bright above an implied rhythm. 'Stabs' is an upright and warm techno pumper with Detroit chords and 'Warmer' then takes you way down deep into cavernous underground dub worlds.
Review: Giovanni Damico teams up once again with Star Creature for a new 45 packed with fresh boogie bangers. The A-side delivers a funky, psychedelic disco stomper that will effortlessly and quickly transport you to listeners to 1981. It has echoes of Afro sounds from Lagos and the disco energy of NYC's Lower East Side, with catchy chants and breakbeats evoking a hidden Kid Creole track. The B-side is a great take on Italo disco with dusty drum machines, percussion and vintage synths infused with Damico's own guitar and bass work. This is another great chapter in the ongoing story between artist and label.
Chez Damier - "Speechless" (Chez Damier Panorama Bar remix) (5:04)
Makez - "Rocket Music" (5:15)
Alkalino - "Rio" (Alkalino rework) (5:30)
Gledd - "Sere Yo" (5:31)
Review: Adeen Records returns with a superb EP that blends a classic with three new and fresh unreleased tracks. Deep house don Chez Damier's Panorama Bar Remix kicks off and is a a 2021 standout with a killer baseline and Spanish guitar that brings some sunny soul and makes for some top level house grooves. Makez then shines with 'Rocket Music' which has a chunky low end and glistening, golden piano chords making it a late night favourite. On the B-side, Adeen regular Alkalino delivers a tropical-infused edit for the peak time and Gledd closes with a classy cut 'Sere Yo' that is all about the drums. Lovely stuff.
Review: The somewhat furtive Knaresborough dance music superlabel Luv*Jam, and one of their many underwing imprints The Legend Of Gelert, jointly present an aquiline new release "from secret new artist" (sic), Dan Eds. There are a few Dan Eds doppelgangers out there, but none fit the exact identificatory bill of this acid tool technologist, whose 'Golden Eagle' and 'Pon2Fron' amount to breathtaking birds-eye windhover hunts over rolling acid landscapes. Tin Man fans will rejoice at the B2 especially, for its creative riding of upper ADSR acid thermals, squeezing out emotions we never thought squeezable from the sound.
Review: Italian Dandolo makes a bold solo debut, taking us on an adventurous sonic journey from the Adriatic coast to the distant shores of Thailand. The track pulses with the vibrant energy of Italo Disco, blending infectious melodies with rich, tropical rhythms. There's a sense of escapism here, capturing the allure of a sun-soaked escape, while the production stays firmly rooted in the glistening sounds of the 1980s. On the flip side, Cosmo Dance delivers a remix that is pure dancefloor gold. The dub version leans into Eastern-inspired motifs, nodding to the golden age of Italo Disco with its deep basslines and shimmering synths. It's a track designed to move bodies and keep the energy high, elevating the original's already infectious vibe. This release is a fantastic chapter in Dandolo's evolution and showcases Mirella Records' dedication to preserving the essence of classic Italo while bringing fresh energy to the scene.
Review: Dandy was the alias of choice of Italian singer Alessandre Persone, who collaborated with a string of producers to craft Hi-NRG and 'Eurobeat'-powered synth-pop hits between 1987-91. 'For Your Heart' dates from 1989. Rooted in the kind of sing-along, Hi-NRG pop pioneered by Bobby Orlando but developed commercially by Stock, Aitiken and Waterman, the song is a genuine earworm and comes complete with weighty, arpeggio-driven bass, echoing drum fills and classic Italo-disco style stabs. The killer version is the EP leading, extended 'Mix version', though plenty will also reach for the jaunty and heavy instrumental take. The short bonus 'MYOM version' is a DJ tool that cycles through various riffs and echoing vocal snippets.
Review: Dangerous Goods bring fresh energy to I Travel to You with 'Wish,' reshaping a 2001 r&b track through the lens of street soul. The A-side thrives on a punchy bassline, crisp 808 drums, and a newly recorded vocal, giving it a sleek, modern flair. For the Deepest Dub mix, the track slows down, cut to tape and drenched in the bass-heavy influence of late 80s and early 90s breaks. It's a dual homage, blending nostalgic grooves with bold, contemporary production.
Review: .German low end collective Bass Come Save Me unleash a new 45 with a strong Portland portrait as Boomarm's Gulls makes their debut on the label with a warm beat that will keep the chills at bay this winter. Add Jamaica's Wayne Daniel on the vocals and another Portland native Madgesdiq on the conscious bars and there's a vibe that sits somewhere between Roots Manuva, YT and Wyclef. Yeah it's that toasty. Stay blessy.
Review: Marking Indica Dubs' 100th release in serious style, 'When Jah Come' by Danman takes the form of a powerful tribute to the late Jah Shaka, whose influence shaped generations of dub and roots sounds and musicians. This long-anticipated dubplate was famously championed by Shaka himself and comes laden with deep, earth-shattering basslines, spiritual vocals that touch your inner psyche and militant rhythms with unmistakable reverence. It is a celebration and a memorial that honours Shaka's legacy while showcasing Danman's ever-commanding voice and Indica Dubs' unrivalled production strength.
Review: The world of dark disco tech is vast and so covers plenty of niches and nuances with artists all over the world adding their voice to the conversation. Spanish label Waste Editions offers up four more to the mix here with another well-assembled VA. Dark Vektor's 'Amb La Mirada Ens Menjarem' begins with some synth sounds that evoke a horror scene over snappy drums and sleazy guitar riffs. Synth Alien's 'Replica Cosmica' gets a little more loose but still comes with evocative vocal samples and a characterful world of synth sounds, some that fart, some that gurgle, some that amuse. Imiafan's 'Stupaj (Keen K RMX)' is another prying, loopy sound brought to life with myriad effects, textures and vocal snippets and Wardum shuts down with 'Wrambling' which has grinding bass and scuttling effects topped with occult vocals.
Review: Spanish tastemakers Microm Records celebrates a decade of innovation in electro sound by bringing unreleased tracks from the past to vinyl alongside a selection of fresh current works. This project aims to honour the label's achievements while bridging the gap between its past and present and does so in style while also resurrecting hidden gems and encapsulating the evolution of its sound. From the dark, corrugated funk of Dark Vektor's 'Des Control' via MEKA's enthralling, vocal-laced workout 'If Electro' via Negocius Man's 'The Launcher', this is a superb electro collection.
Review: Previously flexing on Wheel & Deal and Artikal, London new-gen 140 talent Darkai now lands on another one of the most respected labels in the dubstep multiverse - Deep Medi. Like all the best 12"s it's a game of two halves as he serves up the rough and the smooth. 'Break Room' is a grizzly, distorted, contemporary hot mess as crushed up drums decay in spirals all around. Meanwhile on the B 'Ogun' goes for much more of a timeless dungeon bound groaner. Booming echoes and snake-like bass, slithering upside your chops. Mood, tension and dynamics all in full effect. High grade.
Review: Two underground artists with many years in the scene behind them in Darwin Chamber and DJ Spun come together for the second in their Episode series on Rong Music. Once again they dig into the sounds of their formative years while also looking to the future as they blend dub, trance and techno into lithe new forms. 'The Revolution' is a mid-tempo and atmospheric roller with hypnotic vocals, while 'The Playa' is a deft bit of electronic minimalism with a deep space feel and ticking 808 sounds. Things get more loose with the warped synths and dusty tech beats of 'Dysfunction' while 'Acid Tounge' closes with trippy designs, a skeletal rhythm and a sense of late-night melodic and afterparty mischief.
Review: Darwin Chamber and DJ Spun unite for a bold four-tracker here that draws on all their decades of experience to push the boundaries of trance and techno. This self-titled release is nostalgic without sacrificing innovation and opens with 'Find The Missing Letter,' a dub-tinged techno builder with hypnotic synths. 'Digits' follows with relentless beats and dark, robotic energy. The sultry 'Do It All Night' anchors the EP with a seductive groove, while 'Ants' closes with mid-tempo warmth and acidic undertones. Combining Darwin Chamber's engineering expertise and DJ Spun's club culture mastery, this one is perfectly pitched for dancefloor mayhem.
Review: Mr Bongo restock a brilliant 7" in their signature Brazil 45s series. The nineteenth to grace it, this blue-starred slice of small wax shone a light on Wilson das Neves' brilliant cover of Average White Band's 'Pick Up The Pieces' on the A, as well as a Mr Bongo fave on the B, Som Tres' potent samba-funk overflow 'Tanga'. The former flexes the historic muscles of a mythic Brazilian percussionist and vibesman, lending fidgety soft feels to AWB's already lull-lifting concoction; then 'Tanga' contrasts to this sense of measuredness with pure animal verve, as Tres' calls out to his bandmates commandingly amid whirlwinds of piano and drums.
Review: Marvin Dash and Lowtec combine to serve up some house grooves here that perfectly embody the Workshop sound. They are lovably loose-limbed, dusty and ramshackle, and almost feel as if they may fall apart at any given moment, but that is the joy of them. Instead, they keep you locked amongst rickety drums, frayed pads and imperfect little vocal hooks that bring the soul. 'Track 1' does that with a hazy feel, 'Track 2' is more one out with a dubby undercurrent and sustained keys and 'Track 3' brings little more prickle and drive, like a super raw Omar-S track. 'Track 4' is all about the prying, bulbous bassline that unfurls with a mind of its own beneath DIY percussive sounds.
Review: New heat from Datawave is always going to be worth tuning into, and so it proves with this new one on Wave Function. His signature fusion of dreamy synthscapes and kinetic rhythms shines bright from the off with 'Hyperborea' soothing mind and soul while the body shifts its behind. 'Dawnlights' has lazy acid modulations drifting between the slower beats, then 'Drifting' is as hopeful as the dawn of a new day with it arching chords and celestial synth twinkles. 'Aquila' has a more pronounced broken beat pattern and prying bass, but still plenty of deft melodies, and 'Landscapes' is a dubbed-out thinker.
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