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.
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.
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
Shining Of Life Flutemental (unreleased version) (11:01)
Shining Of Life Flutemental (Lambros Jahmans remix) (5:15)
UNDUB (Space Ritual dub) (10:40)
Shining Of Life Flutemental (Space Ritual dub) (11:15)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
Some 20 years ago, Japanese producer donned the K.F alias (the initials of his given name, Kiyotaka Fukagawa) and delivered the astonishingly good 'Shining of Life', a sun-soaked Balearic house treat shot through with Japanese nu-jazz musicality, gospel-influenced vocals and expansive, life-affirming piano solos. This EP offers up previously unheard 'Shining of Light Flutemental' takes. Calm's own 'unreleased mix' retains some of the key elements of the 2004 original while adding morning-fresh flute solos and starry sounds seemingly inspired by Detroit techno. The 'Lambros Jahmans Sunset Mix' is a dreamy and immersive interpretation underpinned by an Afro-house style beat, while the 'Space Ritual Dub' is an almost entirely beat-free soundscape. On 'Undub (Space Ritual Dub)', the same producer wraps echoing flute and piano motifs around a tactile, hand percussion-driven rhythm track.
Review: Japanese talent DJ Koco aka Shimokita is a hardcore 45rpm devotee. They are his chosen tools as a beat-juggling DJ who can do logic-defying things with his grooves. He is a regal on Bloom and already dropped serious heat in January with 'World Famous'. This time he is back with a fresh take on 'Made In New York' which is a 1985 classic by renowned Brazilian funk and jazz pianist Tania Maria. He brings his signature hip-hop flair and creativity with his trusted crew, 45trio, and enlists the dynamic saxophonist King TJ (DA-Dee-MiX) to elevate things further.
Review: What would it take to universalise disco so that every brain sandwiched between two ears could hear and take to the sound like glue? Eddie C and Keita Sano continue a protracted research study in the pursuit of an answer, bringing three new dream-heaters to contrast to their original two in the series' debut, 'Disko Universal' and 'Joy Joy Joy'. Here, 'Not This Time' stands out among a trifecta of well-doused house rousers, steeped in the attenuated, bubblier deep end of a soulful disco-garage-house tradition.
Review: Swedish label Borft has been digging in its archives again to assemble another volume of what it sees as its most classic cuts. And we don't disagree with these, which are taken from releases that originally landed between 1998 and 1999. Egglady's- 'Prinsessan Och Agget 1' is well-swung and deftly dubbed out with lovely analogue drum sounds cutting through. Nikolas Rowland's 'Headspin' is another smooth one with molten chords and a firm low-end drive. 'Puffy Nipples' from Kord is a wonky number with an unhinged charm and stomping groove that will stand out in any set while Crinan closes with the classy and raw house, dub and tech fusion that is 'Suit 61'.
Review: A record that explores deep, hypnotic rhythms with a strong tribal and mystical undercurrent, the latest Siamese Twins records pushes the boundaries of what is possibly in eastern influences underground techno. Side-1 opens with 'The Golden Triangle', an atmospheric introduction that feels cinematic, setting the stage with ambient textures before giving way to movement. 'Lens of Time' follows, locking into a deep, primal groove where rolling percussion and rich low-end create an entrancing effect. On Side-2 'Mekong' leans into tribal mysticism, blending ancient rhythmic patterns with a modern pulse. The production is detailed yet raw, drawing from rich percussive layers. 'Ruak' closes the EP with pulsating bass and deep, rolling rhythms, channeling Eastern influences into a hypnotic techno flow. A powerful release from Siamese Twins Records, driven by Sunju Hargun's distinct vision.
Review: Techno tachyons Midi Mode, based in Ireland, provide a home for "warped and twisted" sounds and those who create them. After five vaporwave-tinged, reality-bending debut EPs from the likes of Ikeaboy and Power, they now present their very first selectors V/A EP on a gooey green wax edition. It's quite the assembly of Eireann techno royalty, with a host of seasoned players lead by probably the country's most esteemed DJ, Sunil Sharpe, as well as Kerrie and Wexford's Lee Holman. Quality is, naturally, at a consistently high label - with closer 'Phase-One' proving an especially computational, objectivist, mad, pitiless track.
Nordhouse (Luke Hess & Brian Kage Reference remix) (5:51)
Galaxian (Max Watts remix) (6:02)
Review: Detroit's Brian Kage is back with more Motor City goodness, this time as a remixer alongside a fine selection of peers. It is his Timeless Times album that gets reworked here and for his remix of 'Nordhouse' he works with fellow Detroiter and dub techno don Luke Hess to cook up a warm, shuffling sound. Elsewhere Delano Smith brings his signature smoky loops and plaintive keys to 'Detroit Techno City', Milton Jackson steps up with a buddy deep house roller and 'Galaxian' gets an electro remix from Max Watts to make this a classy, quality collection.
Review: Planet Trip Records calls Millos Kasier one of their favourite DJs on earth so they are buzzing to have him next up. He is a Brazilian talent who brings plenty of the energy and style of his homeland to this EP. 'Te Quero Perto' has woody, knocking beats and an old-school Chicago bassline setting the tone before glistering and retro-future keys arrive to bring light and hope. A Latin vocal and Italo chords then take things to the next level and make this a real summer sizzler. A Paco Cabana is more percussive and Lipelis & Orion Agassi offer two different versions that rework it for the club.
Review: Naming his latest tunes 'Target Practice' and 'Improv', Spanish electro producer Kalcagni is determined to flaunt his care-less, unruffled streak, implying that the production of electro floor-haulage is a cakewalk. After all, the best among us eat bangers for breakfast! The A-siders rattle out like inexhaustible mags, as we hunt down bullet-holed cardboard cutouts of mortal enemies, spied in the reticle. It's only until after such an opening bloodbath that we find a moment to catch our breaths and put on a 'Clean Shirt', where rejuvenative acids resound between roomier beat. Finally, 'Drift N Shift' hears Kalcagni pack in his shift at the shooting range and steal away into a misty, chord-laden night, though the sense of urgency is not lost on us.
Review: House and tech futurists Mindhelmet is back with more of its probing club cuts thanks to this five tracker from Andy Kas. It embodies everything this label has become known for amongst cultured DJs and diggers, namely effective tracks that are more than mere tools. 'Dyn-O-Myte' has synths that bring a life of their own to the shuffling beats and digital melodies, 'Wonder Bread' has a cosmic glow in the neon synth motifs and steely tech drum work and 'X-Presso' is a shot of broken beat energy with spoken word samples adding a sense of fun. 'P-Cake Palooza' and 'Brekky Sensation' see things out with more industrial space-tech sounds.
Review: Freerange's City To City series returns with its second edition, this time spotlighting Lisbon. Known for its stunning views, beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife, perhaps one of the city's best-known hotspots is the iconic Lux Fragile, which has shaped the city's sound since the late 90s. Longtime resident DJs from Lisbon are now gaining global traction; to butterfly-net the essence of the coastal metropolis, this new mix LP hears six original tracks from local talents, chief among whom are Megatronic, progressor and ambassador for the city, and Yen Sung & Photonz, two names closely tied to the circuit's deeper-underground corners.A
Review: Still riding high from the success of his superb re-make of Manuel Gottsching on Test Pressing ('A Reference to E2-E4'), Alex Kassian returns to Pinchy & Friends - who released his similarly popular 2021 EP 'Leave Your Life' - after a three-year break. Beginning with the lusciously languid, Balearic, effects-laden and sonically layered title track ('Body Singer', where Jonny Nash style guitars and tumbling sax motifs rise above a sparse drum machine beat and shoegaze-esque aural textures), the Berlin-based producer offers up a loved-up mix of weightless ambient bliss (Kinship), kosmiche soundscapes (the sun-flecked 'Skinship'), revivalist Krautrock (the Can-after-several-spliffs headiness of 'Trippy Gas') and immersive, cinematic excusions (the gorgeous 'Mirror of the Heart').
Review: All Day I Dream has been rolling out the most cuddly and serene house music you can imagine for a good while now but still Lee Burridge's outlet continues to keep us hooked. Khen is an artist whose sound fits in well here and barely a bar has passed before you're gazing up to a cloudless sky and dreaming of outdoor dancing. 'My Pure Soul' is escapist bliss and 'Lyup' then gets a little more direct with some busier percussion and more textured surfaces. 'Uchi Mata' closes out the trip with yawning synths and deft, delicate drum patterns that are impish and mindful.
Love Come Down (Ezel & DJ Spen Reproduction) (7:39)
Love Come Down (Ezel & DJ Spen instrumental Reproduction) (7:39)
Love Come Down (Ezel & DJ Spen R&B Reproduction) (6:14)
Love Come Down (Ezel & DJ Spen R&B instrumental Reproduction) (6:13)
Review: Evelyn 'Champagne' King's 1982 boogie jam 'Love Comes Down' is one of the most familiar and much-loved club anthems of the era. Ezel and DJ Spen are clearly fans, because they've decided not to remix or re-edit it, but 're-produce' it, adding her iconic vocals to their own fresh backing tracks. As the EP-leading full vocal 'Reproduction' vocal shows, they've done a terrific good job too, re-creating many of the original 1982 elements while re-framing the track as a piano, horns and guitar-rich slab of soulful disco-house joy. As well as an instrumental of that version, we also get vocal and instrumental 'R&B' takes. These are closer in tone and feel to King's 1982 original while feeling as fat, warm and groovy as you'd expect from a 21st century Ezel and Spen production. In a word: classy!
Review: From the nebulaic dusts of 1960s Kingston came the Kingstonians, a tight-knit vocal trio built around the songwriting of Cebert "Jackie" Bernard, joined by his brother Lloyd "Footy" Bernard and Lloyd Kerr. Their early work with producer J.J. Johnson yielded the breakout hit 'Winey Winey', but it was under the guidance of Derrick Harriott that they reached wider acclaim. Before their dissolution in the early 70s, and a later solo spit by Bernard which included a striking collaboration with Lee “Scratch” Perry as Jack Lord, ‘I’m Gonna Make It’ appeared as a mid-tempo rocksteady salve, with tightly-buoyed, gospel-inflected harmonies backing a core lyric line about perseverance and self-belief in the face of adversity.
Review: Culture Club legend and pop maverick Boy George makes a triumphant return for Record Store Day with an exclusive coloured 12" of a long-lost gem. Originally produced in the '90s and revived as a dancefloor hit in 2007, the wonderful 'You're Not The One' now receives its first proper vinyl release, having previously been CD only, with copies on second-hand markets fetching upwards of L450. Reimagined by original producer Kinky Roland, this version features standout remixes including a sleek Vocal and Dub version by house legend Eric Kupper and a genre-blurring rework by Grammy-nominated UK talent Paris Cesvette. Superb club-ready pop nostalgia.
Review: Kitchen Plug is a Parisian trio that seeks to combine "the rebellious energy of punk and the synth-driven chaos of electro." This new EP on Chat Noir does bear that out with some playful and quirky cuts packed with fresh sound designs and charming vocals over some effective drum programming. 'A New Kind Of Peace' is a hooky opener with a carefree vibe, 'L'amante (feat Vica)' brings some disco licks and 'La Nuit' gets more raw and direct. 'Confusao' is a balmy and widescreen number that encourages you to daydream and 'Captain Nikouze' shuts down with some pixelated synth madness.
Review: Amazing, goblin-mode minimal techno from Klon Dump aka. Mark Klon, a human klondike of fidgety sonics and jokey tech house from Australia. It's as if divine powers intended for Klon to join My King Is Light, the label owned and operated by fellow producer Melchior Productions. MKIL focus is on extra-special minimal tech, shunning the genre's often unfortunate capitulation to floor-perfunctoriness for the sake of idiosyncratic indulgences of the artistic kind, the kind we minimal fans actually want to hear. Praise individuality, for it is not lost! 'The Long 2016' harks back to the year in which humanity stood at the precipice of everything-everywhere-all-at-once-ness; endless shuffles, pops, bass slaps and overhand riffles burble from this track like a volatile electro-ball, evoking the informatic ease of the time. 'Go Wahreit' contrasts with harsh alien vocodes and kitchenware percs, and titularly plays on the German word for "kernel of truth". The B-siders render the record weirder and weirder, 'Blind Tim' summoning UK flavours with a skweeeing swing, and 'It's Only My Body' serving to desensitise the trance.
HoneyLuv & Mason Maynard - "XTC" (Jamie Jones remix) (7:31)
Lauren Lane - "Ryde Or Die Anthem" (5:23)
Carloh - "Quisiera Tenerte" (6:58)
Review: Hot Creations' latest vinyl sampler delivers four essential cuts, each with its own distinct flavour, while maintaining a coherent, subtle progression. Kolter's 'Red Alert' opens the A-side with a thundering intensity, its old-school house energy and relentless groove laying down a powerful foundation. Jamie Jones's rework of 'XTC' follows, taking the original into a deep, bewitching realm with dubby atmospherics and a head-nodding rhythm that perfectly complements the previous track. Flip it, Lauren Lane's 'Ryde Or Die Anthem' offers a playful rework of DMX's 'Ruff Ryder's Anthem', blending rolling basslines and rapped vocals with transcendent guitar stabs for a tripped-out ride. Finally, Carloh's 'Quisiera Tenerte' injects a lively Latin groove, dripping with enthralling basslines and hooky vocals that ensure the groove never falters. Each track is finely tuned to create a mix that's full of energy but never overcomplicated, seamlessly connecting one moment to the next.
Review: Koperblond is the owner of Prettemusic and here serves up the fledgling label's second outing. 'Make A Scene' leads off with chunky house drums and plenty of vivacious synth work while two heavyweight remixes from Dirty Dutch icon Chuckie and Finland's Skuwa serve up bubbling old-school vibes, while DJ Babatr delivers a thunderous Rraptor house version that is all tension and explosive energy. Koperblond teams up with AutoFlower and Beau de Wit then on 'Feel You' which is a feel-good piano house cut with an irresistible vocal hook. The closer, 'Plan B.' shifts gears into a deeper, more emotional space.
Review: Youssef Benjelloun aka Kosh may run Convergence out of his own Morocco studio, but this time he lends his talents to fellow patrons Syncrophone, for close to 20 minutes' worth of deep techno prowess. With its Ibizan chords and subtly varied sections, 'Lost In Change' proves the lability of techno over time; that slow phrasal evolution need not conflict with in-the-zone flow states. 'No Exit', our favourite track otherwise, brings absurdist Sartrean machinery to a sequenced hell on Earth, going relentless on the 909 toms and claps.
Review: A sense of patient propulsion runs through this one, as Kozstum threads trance-adjacent synthwork through dubby, shuffling frameworks. 'Rasalhague' is all glowing pads and understated swing, while 'Tiaki' steps deeper into low-slung, post-tribal terrain, the drums barely rising above a whisper. 'Alien Agenda' ups the tension with its echo chamber atmospherics and slow acid seep, before 'Avior' opens out into a big-room closer i poised, melodic, and richly psychedelic. The German DJ's years behind the decks show in the pacing: each track keeps something in reserve, stretching the floor's energy rather than blowing it out.
Review: Brit producer Anish Kumar and Hagop Tchaparian, former guitarist with indie hopefuls Sympoisum, unite on a two-part exploration of electronic sound. 'Part 1' unfurls gently with minimal percussion and ambient field recordings, creating a spacious atmosphere that builds in subtle intensity. 'Part 2' shifts gears, introducing deeper basslines and more driving rhythms, blending organic sounds with electronic textures to evoke a sense of movement and place. The result is an introspective, evolving soundscape that invites repeat listens, revealing layers with each spins.
Review: Jorg Kuning's latest offering, a six-track journey into the delightfully strange, arrives on Wisdom Teeth, staking his claim as a true sonic innovator and a conjurer of bizarre and beautiful soundscapes. 'Mercedes' sets the stage with its ethereal chorus of disembodied vocal fragments while 'Synthetic Squashies' veers into the surreal with a looping conversation between AI entities. 'Skudde' resonates with basslines that almost emanate from the earth's depths, and 'Teen Frogue' throbs with amphibian synth pulsations. This is music for the intrepid listener, the kind of release that sparks discussion and soundtracks late-night adventures. Kuning's sonic signature is unmistakable: a blend of bubbling funk, off-kilter rhythms and surprising textures. He draws from the fringes of tech house, electro and bass music, forging a sound that is both familiar and remarkably distinct.
Review: The third in Exitus Records' lightyear spanning V/A series, we again hear six new, boundary-pushing new ones from six satellite artists of the present day Berlin techno scene. Opening chord cascade 'Figure Eight' by Pink Concrete contrasts sharply to tunnelling techno-body suite 'The Dream Of Motion' by Krow, signalling several more tuff propulsions to come: most notably Sayid K's 'No Lights', a balmy nightscape from the newcomer, where digital zaps initially double up as hi-hats.
Lou Rawls - "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" (Kenny Summit, Frankie Knuckles & Eric Kupper's Brawls Deep unreleased remix)
Kenny Summit, Frankie Knuckles & Eric Kupper - "Loving You" (feat Yasmeen)
Review: This special 12" sampler, part of the forthcoming compilation, taps into the timeless spirit of the Paradise Garage with two unreleased collaborations that showcase the late Frankie Knuckles' legacy. On the A-side, the final production from Knuckles, alongside Kenny Summit and Eric Kupper, delivers a soulful, uplifting remix of Lou Rawls' "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine." It's pure house brilliance that captures the essence of the Garage sound. On the flip, the trio reunites for "Loving You," a Motown-inspired anthem featuring Yasmeen's powerful vocals. These tracks, which have been staple spins for DJs like Cajmere and Sonny Fodera, form part of a larger collection that celebrates house music's rich history, with remixes of iconic tracks. The cover art, designed by Alexander Juhasz, adds an extra layer of cultural significance to this must-have release.
Max Sinal Vs KingCrowney - "Intentions" (feat Liv East) (3:24)
Slxm Sol - "NYBB" (5:40)
Hitch 93 - "Uno, Dos, Tres, Four" (8:00)
Rob Redford - "Garden Party" (6:19)
Soul Groove - "Blues Kitchen" (6:29)
Flying Moth - "Edith" (2:55)
Review: Since its inception in 2023, Soul Quest Records has released some superbly deep and soulful records. To prove the point, the Hackney-based label has decided to serve up a compilation style EP featuring fresh cuts from current artists and new signings. Max Sinal joins forces with King Crowney and vocalist Liv East on the ultra-deep, super soulful warm-up sounds of 'Intentions', before Slxm Sol cannily combines loose-limbed drums, warming bass, sensitive chords, tactile Rhodes keys and soulful vocal snippets on 'NYBB'. Hitch 93 doffs a cap to Chez Damier on the excellent 'Uno Dos Tres Four', Rob Reckford delivers some bright MPC-house action ('Garden Party'), and Soul Grooves goes deep, gently dubby and spacey ('Blues Kitchen'). The gentle broken house sunniness of 'Edith' by Flying Moth completes a fine EP.
Hazmat Live - "The Marriage Of Korg & Moog" (4:50)
Review: Passing Currents aims to stand out from the predictable by offering a deeply human touch in its music. This five-tracker backs that up by melding academic expertise with dancefloor intuition and the A-side features txted by Phil Moffa remixed by Yamaha DSP coder okpk after they met during doctoral studies, they flip technical mastery into bass-driven energy while Atrevido' fuses California warmth with analogue electro, Josh Dahlberg's rediscovered 2009 electro gem, 'Ass On The Floor', still bangs and Detroit's Kevin Reynolds delivers hypnotic grooves before Hazmat Live pushes boundaries with a sound rooted in soulful, experimental innovation.
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