Elevation (Tommy Musto Zero Hour vocal mix) (7:04)
Review: Last summer, Soul Clap Records giddily introduced their first ever singings from the UK, 2Fox, via digital-only vocal house number 'Elevation'. Nine months on, that track has finally made it onto wax, accompanied by the best remixes from the expansive digital EP. In its original extended mix form (A2), the track is a sublime slab of warm, tactile, nostalgic and gospel-tinged deep house excellence with superb lead vocals by Laville. Masters at Work man and all-round NYC great Louie Vega delivers a fantastic, lightly tooled-up soulful house take to kick off the EP, label bosses Soul Clap add tech-house style synths and attractive electronics aplenty, and New York veteran Tommy Musto leans further into 'Calling Your Name' style gospel-house joy.
Young Pulse & Fleur De Mur - "Smooth Sweet Talker" (6:53)
Review: Get yourself geared up for festival season with some fierce party starters certified with the Glitterbox stamp. Melvo Baptiste leads the charge with 'Sweat', a sizzling disco house stomper with Dames Brown giving the biggest diva energy on her show-stopping vocal. Lovebirds bring unbridled joy on the Philly string swoon and slinky b-line funk of 'Burn It Down', while Art Of Tones & Inaya Day keep it peak time on the sassy strutter 'Give My Love'. Young Pulse & Fleur De Mur complete the set with 'Smooth Sweet Talker', another bright and bold vocal cut par excellence.
Review: No prizes for guessing the motivation behind this new EP, 5 Years Of B2 Recordings. It is a tidy and tasteful celebration of half a decade of top quality deep house from a range of key players. This one opens with Frenchman Brawther getting dubbed out and deep as ever with some nice lounge chords and blissed-out pads. Bengoa's 'Neftina Dub' has a subtle US garage shuffle to it that harks back to the 90s and Lex & Locke then bring rich paint chords and withering synth motifs to 'Atenas Blues' before Zaq's 'Make A Wish' shuts down with some cosmic rays of positivity. A fantastic EP so here's to the next five years.
Charlotte & Reinhard for WeCanDance - "To Be Free Again" (extended) (5:10)
Ollie Loudon - "LMT" (extended) (6:21)
Lily Ko - "Pure Rubber" (5:58)
Biancolato - "Resolution" (edit) (5:46)
Review: We're promised Mellow Magic and that's precisely what we get, across four tracks emerging from disparate corners of the globe but united in a common mission to provide beats that work on the more relaxed end of the dancefloor. Belgian duo Charlotte & Reinhard of Rheinzand fame kick things off with a slow motion Balearic version of a well known 80s MOR classic. Ollie Loudon's 'L.M.T.' finally makes it to vinyl after long being a secret weapon in Gratts' DJ sets, where handclaps and languid strumming meet a gentle but infectious groove. Flip it over for the more tracky affairs, as Japan's Lily Ko makes an impressive debut with 'Pure Rubber', an original mix of disco foundations and always snazzy but never showy 80s synth play. Melbourne's Biancolato finishes things off with understated deep house shuffling that adds just a touch jazzy keys and dreamy, wispy pads.
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.
Farayen & Liam Parkins - "Where Do We Go" (Jamie Unknown remix) (5:04)
Dan Newman - "Movin'" (5:05)
Dean & Di After - "Wicked Dreams" (5:06)
Shade Guevara - "Ted Or Dead" (4:07)
Review: Warehouse Tools takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through the vibrant world of UK house music, showcasing the iconic sounds of Hooj Choons. Opening with Farayen & Liam Parkins' 'Where Do We Go (Jamie Unknown Remix)', the track blends high-energy euro house with New York-style house rhythms, offering a dynamic trip back to the early 90s. Dan Newman's 'Movin'' follows with a melodic Balearic progressive house gem, featuring heavenly piano moments paired with a serious beat that creates a dynamic vibe. On the flip side, Dean & Di After's 'Wicked Dreams' brings retro energy to the forefront, evoking the essence of house music's early days while offering a fresh perspective. Finally, Shade Guevara's 'Ted or Dead' delivers a piano-driven breakbeat, showcasing a vintage sound that encapsulates the roots of house music. This compilation is a well-crafted tribute to the genre, perfectly balancing nostalgia with contemporary energy.
Review: Focused on artists from the great anatine peninsula that is South America, Mirror Vinyl Series reflects the techno-house multi-talents of many an artist from Argentina to Bolivia to Ecaudor to Peru to Suriname to Uruguay to Colombia to Venezuela to Brazil... there are simply no limits on locale, except for the featuring artists' ancestries themselves, and that to hail from SA is a must. Here, after a stellar set of digitals recently from Sofia Duz, Zolbaran, Atemporal and Marcos Coya to name but a small few, we're now heard hearing the Uruguayan ur-builds of Marcos Coya ('Sabes Que Si'), the chord-smeared minitech funk of Colombian boheme Donnie Cosmo, and/or the hoarse breaks, seedy acids and "what do you wanna take tonight?"s of guileful Brasiliera, Guile.
Mark Knight, Darius Syrossian,James Hurr - "I Got All This" (5:56)
Low Steppa, Jewel Kid - "Big Busta" (5:05)
CASSIMM, Mahalia Fontaine - "Say Yeah" (5:48)
Wh0 - "Sunglasses" (6:58)
Review: Toolroom is a house label for big moments big tracks, big rooms, big DJs and main stages. This 15th sampler offering gives a snapshot of where the label is at right now with some new cuts from its biggest players. The boss himself, Mark Knight, kicks off alongside Darius Syrossian and James Hurt n 'I Got All This' which is bouncy and full of energy. Low Steppa, Jewel Kid offers the deeper, low sung and bass heavy menace of 'Big Busta' and CASSIMM, Mahalia Fontaine then come through with 'Say Yeah' (extended mix) which is a a passionate vocal anthem which throws it back to the early days of house. Wh0's 'Sunglasses' shuts down with a blaze of melodic stabs and filtered sweeps to lift you off your feet.
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: After a (rare) completion of a vinyl record series, Musica da Discoteca, producer L'Oggetto returns with a standalone display of melodious might on wax. Exploring sounds emitted between his native Italy and his adoptive home in the USA, Marco Scozzaro delivers a muted but jubilant record here, covering every affective angle from snappiness to drowsiness. 'Dippe' and 'Can't U' peck at feeds of lo-fi and deep house, while 'Raschiante' and 'Rotolante' each serve to further estrange the vibe, through glassblown chords and downtempo hydrolyses respectively.
Review: La Pointe, a trio formed by Geneva-based techno pioneers and a New York City stalwart, make an impressive debut on Damian Lazarus' Secret Teachings. The original mix is a hypnotic exploration of light and shadow, blending atmospheric melodies with deep, pulsating rhythms. Nathan Fake's remix takes the track into more intricate and textural realms, while Jonny Rock injects a raw, off-kilter energy with his signature blend of disco, funk, and house influences. Captivating soundscapes that resonate both emotionally and physically, a perfect fit for Lazarus' label as he continues to champion boundary-pushing artistry.
Review: Connoisseurs of the European underground will be well-tuned to the sounds of quality operator Nico Lahs. And as for house operations over in the States, they don't come much finer than Kai Alce's NDATL Muzik, which means this a superb coming together. And so it proves with 'Over Me', offering slouchy, low-slung deep house beats with nice aloof, soulful samples. 'Searching' has a zoned-out late-night feel with swirling pads and a super smooth groove, then 'Overcome' brings a little more percussion and jazzy key work which Alce flips into one of signature and smoky shufflers.
Review: Housewax proclaim Mr. Lico Lahs as the don of Bari house, a supposedly local form of the international dance music genre based in and around Bari, situated on the east coastal heel of the booted peninsula of Italy. With a haggard, bleary-eyed, verging on narcotised sound - reminiscent of the opiate excesses of Chicago house - 'Coming Down Baby' and 'Time Shine' season the pan with additional lo-fi and filter house elements, commanding shoulder exposures and suggestive side eyes the whole floor over. Closer 'Luv You The Right Way' cleverly goes full stereo on the kick, providing a mood of apparitional nostalgia for the holiday sun.
Review: Having set out his stall via an EP for Crosstown Rebels' Rebellion sub-label, Puerto Rican producer Cali Lanauze graduates to Damian Lazarus's main imprint. His love of South American and Caribbean percussion sounds comes to the fore on opener (and title track) 'Borderline', where Cari Golden's atmospheric lead vocals rise above a booming bassline, raw analogue electronics and punchy house beats. Lanauze once again doffs a cap to Latin rhythms and drum sounds on the deeper, creepier and even weightier 'Temple of My Confessions', before adding sinewy strings, deep space chords and trippy spoken word snippets to a sub-heavy tech-house groove on the gargantuan 'Talk To My People'.
Review: The one and only Phillip Lauer continues his flawless sonic journey on 'Seventy Seven Zero Zero Seventy Seven'. The Frankfurt-based producer never puts a foot wrong, as his ever-morphing club sound moves through undulating sonic landscapes. His latest effort features a pair of originals coupled with inspired guest remixes, covering a fair few dancefloor bases. The title track features a hypnotic vocal hook soaring through dreamy pads, pulsing acid bass and plucked guitar, before Khotin ramps up the acid and toughens the drums for a slightly more robust rework. We enter new wave territory on 'Felt Bat', with a bassline that would make Peter Hook proud, euphoric synths and snare-driven rhythms. Yu Su steps up on remix duties, transposing the track deep into heads-down territory, as rolling breaks power paranoid drones and psychedelic synth lines across an immersive nocturnal trip.
Review: The second offering from Ascension on Wax sees label co-founder Lavan dropping four tracks of gently uplifting house that will seduce and tempt you on the dancefloor rather than batter you into submission. 'For The Love' featuring Manpaintinghouse is hazy and lightly jazzy, a skippy beat nailing it down, before the chunkier four to the floor of 'Folk Song' paves the way for more luxurious instrumentation and some sassy spoken word. Flip it over for the teasing, swirling 'Daamn' and a Black Eyes remix of 'For The Love', which slows things down a notch and takes sonic scissors to the vocal narrative. All four are great and, despite being on the mellower side, or tailor made for DJ use. Top notch all round.
Vick Lavender - "The LOVE Song" (feat P Jehrico - main mix) (9:12)
Funkey Munkey - "Make Me Feel It" (7:46)
In House II - "Love To Love You" (Heat Of The Night mix) (4:46)
Review: From Chicago to New York via the UK, Freedom Party rack up mega phono-mileage on this retrotextual deep house steamer. The label have set foot on this bold, folk artistic sound-quest since 2023, when the first V/A emerged amid black-and-yellow steams of equably danceable produces from in-house charcutiers Look Once, Mederic Nebinger and Steal Vybe. Now a completely fresh crew is welcomed aboard, with just three new mates added to the original four: Vick Lavender deals in impossible erotism on the long out-of-press vocal jam 'The LOVE Song', with anachronistic beat tech and sampled, 1930s-feel vocals. Funkey Munkey follows up with 'Make Me Feel It', an ambitious retro-rave sound-splay, and In House Ii offers to take us home on 'Love To Love You', a sultrier refit of an all-time-classic, Donna Summer surestarter.
Review: Damian Lazarus returns to Crosstown Rebels with 'Sunrise Generation', featuring the celebrated vocals of singer-songwriter Fink. Set for release on November 8, 2024, this highly anticipated track marks Lazarus' first solo material on the label in over a year, following his Grammy-nominated collaboration with Diplo and Jungle. 'Sunrise Generation' captures the euphoric energy of sunrise, blending emotive soundscapes with Lazarus' signature atmospheric style. Norwegian talent Meera, a rising star within the Crosstown Rebels family, contributes a deep, textured remix, adding fresh layers to Fink's haunting vocals. This release reaffirms Lazarus' position as a visionary force within the electronic music scene.
Review: Crosstown Rebels compere Damian Lazarus teams up with fellow musician and singer-songwriter Jem Cooke, with new track 'Searchin'': a primeval precognition of the big bad boss man's upcoming fifth album on the label, Magickal. Though it's been released digitally with a focus on Bullet Tooth's remix on the B-side, this blue-innered vinyl edition compiles all three of the track's versions, also clocking a sure-to-be much-spun Radio Slave remix on the B. The original is an FM-led brooder with posterities of bleep techno and darkside fidget house. Cooke's vocals belt searchingly against burbling synthwork, while Bullet Tooth's remix takes a tempting dark garage turn, risking briar-shod paths of bass as Cooke's refrain is made gothic. Slave's version is, as ever, hardly slavish, preferring a more tensile daytime vibe of subtle piano and muted vox.
Review: Damian Lazarus and JOJO ABOT's work here is a powerful collaboration that pushes the boundaries of what we expect from the Crosstown Rebels label. On the surface, it's a pulsating dancefloor track, but there's so much more lurking beneath the surface. Built on a foundation of driving rhythms and intricate textures, the track weaves JOJO ABOT's bewitching vocals with hypnotic grooves and subtle amapiano influences, creating something that's both immersive and unpredictable. The Major League Djz remix elevates the energy, turning up the intensity with a deep, groovy progression that feels like it could keep the party going for hours. Meanwhile, Raxon's rework introduces a darker, more atmospheric edge with his signature off-kilter bassline and sharp, rolling percussioniadding depth while still maintaining the track's core essence. Warrior Dance shows Lazarus' unerring ear for talent and his ability to curate soundscapes that speak to both the mind and the feet.
Review: Charming, buttery "tropical" melodic house from Sebastian Leger and Roy Rosenfeld in the form of 'Panko Day', a surefire sunset favourite, whose restorative tones were first heard from Leger's own DJ set at Camino Riviera, San Diego. The new track takes its name from Japanese panko, a form of light breadcrumb used to create a crispy coating on fried foods; only an unruffled head and body-space could possibly engender the kinds of bite-sized, vibe-grazing moods this track implies, with its whistly progressions and simple, bulbous shuffle. The B-side's 'Milka' refers to another readymade snack food, though the track is much more entrancing and modal, chowing down on crunchy layers in the pan mix.
'Sissy' means scaredy-cat, coward, or chicken, but Italian DJ and producer Leon fully reclaims the term on his latest EP for Cecille here. Channelling raw garage house, hip house and early vogueish city-bustle moods, listening to 'Sissy' is like casting one's ears partially back in time, but not fully forgetting the sound of the contemporary dance music world either. This is a neat, albeit headsier follow-up for any fans of Leon's earlier hit 'Rain In Rio'.
Review: After two long years, Dailysession has decided to reboot its popular DSR House EP series. As with its' three predecessors, volume four is a split affair. Montreal-based Jonattan Levingstone, co-founder of Parages Music, handles side A, first delivering a deep, immersive, dubby and space-heavy epic (the soft-touch, sunrise-ready hypnotism of 'Licorella') before doffing a cap to Japanese great Sprinkes and Italian ambient house of old on the gorgeous and enveloping 'Nufsaid'. Label head honcho DJ Monchan takes over on the flip. 'Eyes', a decidedly Balearic collaboration with Alfonsso Bottone, sits somewhere between musically detailed Kyoto Jazz Massive style nu-jazz and blissful deep house, while 'Tears From Stars (DJ Monchan Remix)' sees him turn a lesser-known version of a familiar song (Sting's 1987 number 'Fragile') into a Balearic house shuffler.
Review: DFA presents a special 12" release from New York's no wave pioneers, Liquid Liquid, paying tribute to the band's profound influence on the label. This double A-side features revitalized versions of their iconic tracks. The first side offers a dynamic rendition of 'Bellhead,' recorded by James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy in 2004. It's an intense percussive journey, overflowing with marimba, drums, and an array of bells, transforming the original's laid-back groove into a vibrant, energetic workout. On the flip side, we have an unreleased version of 'Optimo,' re-recorded by Liquid Liquid in 2008 and then remixed by Glasgow's Optimo (Espacio), the duo named in homage to the track.
Review: Eight further sonic spirits are conjured on the seventh edition in Damian Lazarus' annual compilation series. Emphasising deep house and techno grooves with a hypnotic flavour, the procurement here is exemplarily brooding; Dino Lenny's 'I Have Sampled Father' marks a sure turn away from the openers' cleaner-cut mesmerisms with a smoky, funk-inflected haze, bringing rhythm guitar and paternal murmurations to a surreal montage. The monologuing mood continues on the equal highlight that is Upercent's 'Where Are You', whilst Enamour's 'Jackpot' rounds out the show with the record's only brightly-lit minimal triller. The record is marked by sensuous, distant, familiar voices throughout.
Review: Former Paper Recordings artist Sophie Lloyd apparently started working on "Calling Out" whilst gripped by the January blues. Her intention was simply to make "happy music". To that end, she turned to her gospel roots. The results, shared here on 7" single for the first time, are little less than spectacular. With collaborator Dames Brown in tow, Lloyd's vocals - accompanied by a gospel choir, of course - simply soar above a jaunty, piano-heavy track rich in live instrumentation. It sits somewhere between traditional gospel, house and disco, with a flipside instrumental brilliantly showcasing the quality of the instrumentation throughout. The piano solos, in particular, are breathlessly good.
Review: The "Rhythms Of The Pacific" series hears Vancouver label Pacific Rhythms reimagine dance music to aid in vast ocean traversals. Returning with another 12" sampler of material - the tracks are slated for inclusion in a celebratory ten year anniversary comp later this year - we hear Lnrdcroy, Waterpark, Kennedy and Active Surplus bring upper-echelonic, chameleonic beats of the much-less-peggable variety. 'Galaxio Salaxio' moves between dark synth and watery dub, scarcely preparing us for the immersive chordal swims that ensue on 'Coastal Plus'. Finally, 'Blue Beam' incurs an underwater search for coves and water pockets, as jets of pressure escape through riser synths and pufferfish drums.
Review: Fierce electronic mavericks LNS & DJ Sotofett deliver a thrilling two-tracker that's built for serious warehouse action. The A-side is a teeth-clenching, bassline-driven beast that is raw, gritty and euphoric with static rhythms, stabbing synths and a halftime arpeggio breakdown that erupts into dreamy pads. On the flip, DJ Sotofett's 'Buzzy Breaker' starts minimal with just kicks, stabs and dubs, then morphs into a breakbeat monster with polyrhythmic tension and soaring pads underpinned with jungle-inflected drops. Both tracks harness deep, hypnotic repetition while sounding bold and system-ready so make for techno with real weight but also edge and purpose that results in high class DJ and dancer tackle.
Review: Loftsoul's Re Works series is back with a sixth chapter that gets decidedly deep, not least with the opener 'Deep Poem'. It is just that - a smoky mix of dubby and slow-motion drums, wispy synths and spoken words that make for an intimate vibe. 'Euro-Express' brings rickety Kraftwerk rhythms and sleek synths right up to date with bigger low ends, then a classic piece of Ryuichi Sakamoto ambient gets a remix with some more crunchy textures but the same sense of melodic gorgeousness. Four useful sounds for constructing late-night mixes.
Review: Giuliano Lomonte is something of an Italian veteran. He shows off his deep-seated understanding of real house dynamics here with a new EP on Re.Face Limited that offers up some shimmering sounds. Drawing a delicate and refined distinction between house and tech, he kicks off with the bubbly synths and snappy drums of 'Glasshaus' which are run through with some muttered spoken words and will get an outdoor crowd going if laded through a nice festival sound system. 'Opportunity' is deeper, with striped back drums and molten ads making for a more heady experience.
Review: Will Long is behind the top-quality Long Trax series and he kicks off the New Year with two new editions, both of which we have on nice heavyweight vinyl. Once again he fires up his machines and cokes up some all-hardware jams that come with the sort of nice dusty edges and undercooked vibes that deep house heads crave. Across two long and winding cuts here he established snaking groves and details them with deft but detailed pads which bring plenty of emotions from subtle joy to hard intersection. Both are essential if you ask us.
Elegancia La De Francia (Cristina Lazic remix) (6:31)
Elegancia La De Francia (BRYZ remix) (8:11)
Review: Nazca returns with NAZCA 034V, a four-track house release featuring the unmistakable sounds of Los Suruba, out on September 27, 2024. Known for their eclectic and evolving catalogue, Nazca has previously brought us releases from artists like Rigopolar, Thodoris Triantafillou and Rodrigo Gallardo. This latest vinyl fits right into their signature style, blending atmospheric elements with groove-heavy beats. If you're a fan of DJ W!LD, Timid Boy, or Mark Fanciulli, NAZCA 034V will likely find a spot in your rotation.
Review: Veteran Russian producer Andrey Loud is back with another exploration of dancefloor minimalism with these three deep outings on Afterme. Precise production defines his style with tight drum loops and a warped bassline drawing you in while alien effects add the detail. A standout is the Ki.Mi. remix of 'Humanity' which reimagines the original with an extra bump in the drums and dry, textured hits. 'Shadow Tree' is a shimmering melange of silvery snares and hits with loopy bassline phrases perfect for cosy club spaces. 'Illustration' is a more introverted close with pensive pads and a moody atmosphere for the wee small hours.
Kirill Matveev - "Never Losing That Track" (Genning remix) (7:00)
Tm Shuffle - "Artist" (6:00)
Nicolas Barnes - "Outro" (7:50)
Review: MixCult Records' latest release offers an atmospheric journey through deep and dub techno, featuring standout artists like Eric Louis, Kirill Matveev, Genning, TM Shuffle and Nicolas Barnes. Eric Louis's 'Voice Memo' opens the compilation with a haunting blend of soft bass pulses and ethereal vocals, setting a reflective tone. Kirill Matveev's 'Never Losing That Track (Genning Remix)' layers sweeping synths over a driving beat, creating a euphoric yet wistful energy that's perfect for early-morning dancefloors. On the B-side, TM Shuffle's 'Artist' dives into the dub techno world, its solid groove grounding listeners. Nicolas Barnes wraps things up with 'Outro', an ambient masterpiece that fades into introspective calm.
Review: One year after dropping back in 2023, Jennifer Loveless's bonafide anthem 'Pleasure' is back in the form of three thrilling reworks and a dub mix which expand its appeal into new realms. Parisian maestro Bambounou kicks things off with a jackin' remix bursting with energy while Lisbon-based veteran and Ibiza favourite tINI follows and offers up a bass-heavy electro-inspired rendition nodding to old-school vibes. Jennifer Loveless and label heads Sleep D close the EP with an 'Indubm-3ntal mix' which is a hypnotic, dubbed-out techno journey layered with deep and atmospheric textures. Together, these fresh interpretations are primed to ignite dancefloors once more.
Review: Lumberjacks in Hell reunites with LYMA for a new release featuring two tracks which are both rooted in a decade-old origin story. Initially conceived years ago, these songs were revisited and reimagined by LYMA who incorporated the skills and experiences gained over the past ten years. They explore themes of heartbreak and unreciprocated love and 'Mist (Mistified)' carries a Jai Paul-inspired swagger while 'The Fool Ain't Me' delivers a left-field indie disco groove. The release also includes two remixes by Ray Mang, which are typically refined.
Review: It has been a rather remarkable three years since Yuko dropped its first release, but finally, they are back with more. It is co-founder Emo Omar who features both solo and in collaboration with Luje from Club Pizza while two exciting new French talents Chud and Vivant also make their mark. 'Pollen' is a bright and hooky melodic electro sound then 'You & Me' gets more percussive, with old school cow bells staying busy next to all sorts of wonky synth work. 'Tomorrow's Made Of Breaks' is built on rigid funk and trippy synth bleeps and 'Zeus' shuts down with some retro-future vocoder vocals. This is a great return from a label we hope now pushes on.
Review: Detroit-raised, London-based Demi Riquisimo assembles a dynamic mix of label favourites and fresh talent on Love State, the 22nd release from his Semi Delicious imprint. This six-track V/A hears offerings from Demi himself alongside Clint, Swoose, Lulah Francs, Dukwa, Anastasia Zem & Asa Tate, blending club modernity with classic analogue dance influences, sampling every sonic cate from Italo to tech house. Best among the bunch has to be Swoose's 'Re/Vision' and Anastasia Zems' 'Eternal Beauty', which bring together wasted electro, Italian new beat and trance for well-measured tinctures of dreaminess.
My Baby Just Cares For Me (Afro Sunset mix) (6:23)
Review: Nina Simone's rendition of 'My Baby Just Cares for Me' stands as a definitive interpretation of this jazz standard, with her distinct, soulful style infusing the track with fresh charm. Originally recorded in 1957, the song gained new life decades later, reaching the UK top ten in 1987 after it appeared in a perfume commercial. Simone's piano work shines, blending playful syncopation with bluesy phrasing, while her voice adds an intimate, deeply expressive layer. Her version transformed this classic into a timeless, iconic piece, reintroducing her genius to a new generation and solidifying her lasting influence in jazz.
Tommy Vicari JNR - "What Kind Of Love Is This" (6:09)
Loopdeville - "Los Pollos Pos" (7:07)
Loopdeville - "Do You" (6:51)
Review: 'Celestial Dance' is Tommy Vicari Jnr and Loopdeville's latest, collaborative contribution to new label Foxtail. 'Go Again' and 'What Kind Of Love Is This' draw on the slung-down timbral strength of amapiano's log basses for reuse in crowd-busting house groovemanship: we hear giggly knock hits stiffening otherwise angelic house ambiences, making for staunch low-end scaffolds. Loopdeville's B-side is the real hoot, meanwhile, as crowd murmurs and restless rhythmic petri cultures heard to come to life across 'Los Pollos', before the r&b inflect 'Do You', which samples what sounds like Miguel, closes on a potent tearjerker.
B-STOCK: Slight surface marks, record slightly warped
Rick Wilhite - "Cheetah" (5:07)
Ladymonix - "In My Dreams" (5:25)
Jon Dixon - "4ever Searchin" (6:39)
Amp Fiddler & Charlie Soul Clap - "Thang" (6:02)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight surface marks, record slightly warped***
Soul Clap have always dealt in their own brand of funk no matter whether they are serving up house or disco. They of course call it e-funk - a nod to their heroes George Clinton's p-funk - and it also provides their label with its name. This second volume of Detroit leaning e-funk is a faultless four tracker. Rick Wilhite's signature lo-fi sounds define 'Cheetah', the vital Ladymonix then brings the party, Soul Clap themselves join up with funk master Amp Fiddler and Jon Dixon completes the quartet with '4ever Searchin.'
Herbie (Vick's extended Time Traveler mix) (11:17)
Play (Vick's Jazz Playground Vamp mix) (7:28)
Flame (Vick's extended Time Traveler mix) (10:18)
Rise/Rise (Vick's extended Time Traveler mix) (9:46)
Review: Vick Lavender presents a captivating journey through soulful house music with 'The Time Traveler'. This double LP is a testament to Lavender's deep understanding of the genre, seamlessly blending classic influences with a contemporary edge. From the infectious grooves of '4-11' and 'A Space Love Affair' to the hypnotic rhythms of 'Acid Outpost' and 'Archive 80', the album is a masterclass in soulful house production. Lavender's collaborations with Ammawhat and Angel-A add further depth and dimension, while tracks like 'Misty' and '1981' showcase his ability to craft emotive and atmospheric soundscapes. The extended mixes on Side 3 and 4 provide extended journeys into Lavender's sonic world, highlighting his skills as a DJ and remixer. This is a must-have for any house music enthusiast, a timeless collection that will transport you to the dancefloor and beyond.
B-STOCK: Small scratches and surface marks on records; label defect on disc 1, side B
4-11 (5:43)
A Space Love Affair (3:51)
Acid Outpost (album version) (3:46)
Archive 80 (album version) (3:29)
Misty (4:47)
1981 (2:00)
Again (with Ammawhat - album version) (2:00)
ICC (Inner City Children) (2:00)
Nothing Broken (with Angel-A) (2:00)
Reminisce (Sign Of Times) (2:00)
Herbie (Vick's extended Time Traveler mix) (11:17)
Play (Vick's Jazz Playground Vamp mix) (7:28)
Flame (Vick's extended Time Traveler mix) (10:18)
Rise/Rise (Vick's extended Time Traveler mix) (9:46)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Small scratches and surface marks on records; label defect on disc 1, side B***
Vick Lavender presents a captivating journey through soulful house music with 'The Time Traveler'. This double LP is a testament to Lavender's deep understanding of the genre, seamlessly blending classic influences with a contemporary edge. From the infectious grooves of '4-11' and 'A Space Love Affair' to the hypnotic rhythms of 'Acid Outpost' and 'Archive 80', the album is a masterclass in soulful house production. Lavender's collaborations with Ammawhat and Angel-A add further depth and dimension, while tracks like 'Misty' and '1981' showcase his ability to craft emotive and atmospheric soundscapes. The extended mixes on Side 3 and 4 provide extended journeys into Lavender's sonic world, highlighting his skills as a DJ and remixer. This is a must-have for any house music enthusiast, a timeless collection that will transport you to the dancefloor and beyond.
Falling Down (feat Totally Enormous Estinct Dinosaurs & A-Trak) (3:49)
Y Don't U (8:11)
Alive (feat Bloom Twins) (3:31)
R U Dreaming? (feat Mathew Jonson) (7:44)
So Low (feat Zoe Kypri) (5:56)
La Hija De Juan Simon (feat Mestiza) (7:02)
Warrior Dance (feat Jojo Abot) (9:53)
Sunrise Generation (feat Fink) (7:27)
Force (feat Jojo Abot) (4:29)
Review: Damian Lazarus's fifth studio album is another left-of-centre exploration of house and tech, often with a spiritual twist and hints of voodoo magic. It is heavy on collaborations and finds the Crosstown Rebels boss hooking up with the likes of Hem Cooke for the spine-tingling downtempo opener 'Searchin' while 'R U Dreaming? (feat Mathew Jonson)' is a more deep and bubbly late-night tech sound. 'La Hija De Juan Simon (feat Mestiza)' is laden with percussion and warped bass, and 'Sunrise Generation (feat Fink)' is a deft and progressive melodic roller that is sure to be huge this summer and beyond.
Review: The superb Emile Londonien band returns with their second album, Inwards, which is one that manages to showcase their evolution as well as deepening ties to the British jazz scene with collaborations from artists like Ashley Henry, CHERISE and Kazy Lambist. True to form, Emile Londonien brings their unique style to life here across some majestic cuts that range in mood and groove. They blend broken beat, house, jazz and r&b in a fresh, distinctive way which means that Inwards reaffirms their talent for merging genres, pushing boundaries but also retaining their signature sound.
Review: Will Long aka Celer, Mississippi-born but now permanently resident in Tokyo, intensifies his investigation in personal house music with the fourth edition in his Long Trax series. A quartered circle of evolving textures of at first seemingly diminutive character, this manifest impression is dashed once we learn that each track on the record is given its own side, allowing each ample space to unfold within an economically restrained formula: dry drum machines, subtle chords, hygge bass. Clearly an ode to productive limitation: 'The Right Choice' tosses us the first chord against gambolling percs, while 'You Cannot Reform A Sin' brings marching, DC-offset acid. The release redresses historic wrongs too, using carefully extracted, recorded samples of key voices in the Afro-American civil rights movement.
Review: Galcher Lustwerk, the Cleveland-raised, NYC-based producer, has carved a unique lane in deep, low-key post-hip-house since his 2013 debut 100% Galcher. Through smoky, stream-of-consciousness vocals evincing an ability to both produce and locute, his work blends funk, rap and r&b into hypnotic club and after-hours four-scapes. On Information, his Ghostly International debut, Lustwerk refined his tech-noir house corner. Live drums and jazz sax added fresh texture, while Lust's trademark narrative cryptologes evoked dimly lit dives, fleeting encounters, and an all-round shadowiness. 'Cig Angel' and 'Another Story' pulse with the sonic linguals of mumble-core film and salivatory softened production, while 'I See A Dime' races forward with syncopated lyrics and daring bongos. True to an enciphered ethos, Lustwerk plays with perception: "Information doesn't equal knowledge."
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