Review: Quinoa Cuts's fourth release combines some smart nostalgia with plenty of modern innovation. Side A opens with two analogue-driven tracks reminiscent of the 80s synth-wave era, so rich with electro-inspired nuances that evoke a bittersweet and rather romantic atmosphere. It transports you to a dreamlike, neon-lit past then Side B takes a darker, more introspective turn by exploring shadowy, progressive sounds. These haunting tracks come with deep, emotional layers and show Marvin to be quite the producer.
Review: Fresh from serving up a superb set of off-kilter house cuts from Newcastle-based maverick Man Power, Timo Rotenen's Echocentric imprint has turned to regular Belters contributor Dominik Marz. The long-serving producer has delivered an EP of nostalgic, energy-packed delights that variously doff a cap to dance music sub-genres of the 1990s and early 2000s. For proof, check the gargantuan 'Honesty', where mind-bending noises and sharp, trance style stabs rise above stomping beats and deep, sub-heavy, bleep & bass style low-end pressure. Similarly excitable and mind-altering is EP-opening slammer 'Honesty'. Elsewhere, 'Only One' sees Marz pepper a stabbing bassline and hissing house beats with raw bleeps and nostalgic samples, while 'Never Use Quantize' is pleasingly wayward - like early Chicago house crossed with NYC freestyle.
Review: Never mind just all day, Lee Burridge must be dreaming of this music every second of every night as well because he manages to unearth more of it on a constant basis. It's like aural wallpaper, a sonic lava lamp to gaze at, zone out to, and lose yourself in. Mass Digital is the latest to offer up four teaks of people are calling yoga house with his Viaje De La Vida EP. 'Someone Like You' kicks off with a joyous and celebratory feel, full of hope and choral melodies. 'Rain In June' is similar, with lovely keys racing down and 'I Remember You' then slips into something deeper for later in the evening but still with those churchy bells up top.
Review: Now well over 300 rises deep, Swedish staple Drumcode is one of main room techno's mightiest ever imprints. Adam Beyer has stepped in though several sonic evolutions all while staying true to its original signature sound - namely drum heavy techno. Massano shows he has mastered that style with this new Telepathic EP. The title cut is lit up with video-style game synths that flash abut over acid touches and rolling kicks. 'Destructure' pairs whitings back and allows some freaky synths to entangle themselves around the drums and 'The Method' veers towards harder techno worlds with hints of trance.
Review: Master Peace reaches new heights on this thrilling five-track 12". He grew up listening to bands like Bloc Party, Arctic Monkeys and The Streets, and combines that with contemporary inspirations to cook up a mix of resonant songwriting and anthemic pop hooks. 'Veronica' from this EP is already a radio hit and 'Groundhog Day' easily slips into the fine UK tradition for belting indie. Nothing here is frilly or excessive, the lyrics are tight and the grooves drive with the wide-eyed 'Kaleidoscope' being a standout amongst these powerful and bold new tunes.
Review: Emotional Rescue is at it again with another fully licensed and remastered offering, this time bringing to wax Mataya's Golddigger with a previously digital-only 'tape Mix.' Zimbabwe-born and later London-based Mataya "Clifford" Chewaluza was a core part of the vibrant West London music scene, using his songwriting, production and multi-instrumentalist skills on albums for RCA and Virgin. He also dropped a few 12"s and this one was released in 1988. It's a cult curio with crashing 80s production, disco-tinged grooves and plenty of subtle African rhythm which includes a standout dub mix from Jura Soundsystem.
Review: Italian duo Mathame return with a new single, which they wrote to embody the essence of summer through its energetic melodies and uplifting vibe. It was created during their 2024 tours across Mexico and Asia and was refined through live performances in New York City and Ibiza. It has all the hallmarks of a summer anthem, frankly - the sentimental dance-pop vocals, the big synth waves, the happy melodies and the big, bold, accessible drums. It's well produced, bright and shiny and is easy to sing back when dropped on vast festival stages.
Review: Martin Matiske is back on the ever-excellent Bordello A Parigi with his third release with the label - and it is of course another doozy. This intergalactic journey is guided by intergalactic synths and showcases Matiske's distinctive blend of cold currents and warm melodies. The title track is a delicate yet bold composition with shifting key changes and astral washes as well as some cute romantic flourishes. 'Cuore' is an analogue space opera rich in harmonic complexity and 'Heaven Knows' offsets glacial chords and deep bass. The EP closes with a cinematic finale where striking synths and subtle rhythms collide in beautiful ways.
Review: German artist Martin Matiske's musical journey began under the mentorship of DJ Hell, who introduced him to the decks at Gigolo label nights in Munich in 1999. Inspired by pioneers like Kraftwerk and Jean Michel Jarre, Matiske started producing for International Deejay Gigolo Records and later for Frustrated Funk, Bordello A Parigi, and the Central Processing Unit. His new EP has already had support from Dave Clarke and Helena Hauff, including for the standout track 'Moments', which blends ice-cold snares with celestial pads and retro-future synths. Legowelt's remix of 'Moments' adds an astral electro vibe, while 'Dimensional Space Travel' and 'Analogue Being' explore cinematic electro with nostalgic, playful tones.
Review: Ocha welcome back Robert Matos for more of his steamy Afro-jazz cum house fusions. 'Midnight Jazz Journey' is a real spiritual trip with the mutterings of Ron Trent buried deep in the middle. The cosmic chords ring out with real soul as live drums tumble and delicate percussion dances up top to make for a life-affirming sound full of rich and lush musicality. Casamena then dials it back a little and layers in some warming house drums for his club mix while the Coflo Backside mix is a heady broken beat dancer.
Too High To Play Bear's Campout (feat Brin) (7:35)
One4G
Review: No prizes for guessing the source of inspiration behind Leaving Records founder Matthewdavid's latest psyched out ambient odyssey, On Mushrooms is an immersive trip in itself but actually serves as precursor to the producer's forthcoming album, Mycelium Music, due to arrive in the coming months. An homage to the natural phenomena not just of hallucinogenic shrooms, but the bond between people and the natural world, and the hidden connections of that world. "When you go out for mushrooms in the hills of California there is an experience in which you wander for hours, scanning low until your eyes are fatigued and then suddenly there is a break in the chaparral and a cluster of immaculate King Boletes appears before you, posed with an almost hieratic intensity," says Matthewdavid. If you pay close attention to that moment of perception, it is almost always accompanied by a telepathic whispering voice that says: 'Oh hello, we've been waiting for you'."
Review: House-master, Matthias, is the latest producer to debut on the iconic Scottish Minimal/Tech house imprint, Craigie Knowes. Delivering a class EP injected with originality and outright funk, this will be a no-brainer purchase for a long list of DJs and home listeners. On the A side, 'Tube Star' arrives with a throbbing bassline, honey-sweet synths and glinting percussion. For the A2, growling electric guitar melodies meet darkened synthlines and bludgeoning kicks to produce a powerful dancefloor-ready track. On the B-side, we have Ultra Bass on remix duties, offering a bass-stroke-acid-stroke-garage take on Matthais' signature sound - this is undoubtedly a peak time track for those out-of-control moments. Closing things up, 'Wires Around My Neck' slows to a patient pace - a duet of circling synth melodies and chugging drums give this track a delectably wonky, spaced-out vibe. A wonderfully varied release that is surely set to be a favourite for this year's circuit of festivals.
Review: Created via a partnership between Parisian stalwarts Yoyaku and a local art gallery, Chapelle XIV Music has served up a sensational - if sporadic - range of releases since launching in 2021. This EP, from organic nu-disco specialist Mattrogg, is another genuine gem. He first serves up two takes on 'Fe Mwen', an ear-catching fusion of jammed out synth solos, chiming melodies, Nile Rodgers style guitar licks and nagging dub-disco bass. The first version, the 'Tee Mix', is the more musically expansive and immediately impactful, though the dub disco adjacent 'Roggtrax Mix' is every bit as alluring. Over on the flip, he cannily combines dub disco with nods to Afro-disco and Afro-boogie on 'Nwa Marimba', while 'Jame Anko' is a slow, heady, low-slung dub workout smothered in elongated electric piano solos.
Review: Germany's workhouse Rawax label is the sort of imprint that provides busy DJs with just the sort of tools they need to do their job. This latest drop veers away from the more traditional house it most often deals in to dip into sleek minimal territory. Giorgio Maulini is the man in control and 'Night Roads' is just like a nocturnal cruise down the motorway, with wispy neons flying past like headlights and a linear groove extending out below you like miles of tarmac. The rest of the EP remains just as heady and well-designed, with supple grooves and deft synths colouring in the small hours of the morning.
Review: Treptow is a brand new label looking to make waves in the techno underground and it sure has put plenty of effort into this first 12". It's a coloured vinyl but each one is different which means you'll get a nice surprise. Musically, this one is up to scratch too. Max is a German artist with a great grasp of tension and dance floor dynamics on this evidence. 'Geben Und Nehmen' opens with a low-key, drum-led intensity, 'Alle Gegen Alle' brings some trance including synth colours and 'Dream Loop' is a dubbed out breakbeat delight that Sasha would have loved in his peak prog days. 'Dessow' shuts down with brilliantly mellifluous synths over deep, thudding techno kicks.
Review: A special summer-tuned dedication to two of Africa's most creative contributors who both passed away at the birth of the New Year. First up, South Africa's Shaluza Max's 2002 classic gets the revisitation it deserves; big accordions, honeyed Zulu vocals and a chugging groove that could plough into any dancefloor under the sun, it struts with a timeless sense of universal groove science. Flip for a rewind to the mid 80s as Soundway pays tribute to the hugely prolific Tabu Lay Rochereau. Complete with smooth, soothing synths, show-stopping harmonies and slinky bassline that won't quit, it's as heart-rending now as it was 30 years ago.
Review: Jenifa Mayanja is a favourite amongst true deep house heads. Her work is smoky, jazzy, and emotive, and has come on labels like Underground Quality before now. Here she arrives on the sixth EP from fledgling but already cultured label Sole Aspect and shows off her sophisticated sound once more. 'Rise To The Top' is full of elegant harmonies and jazz melodies that dance on pulsing rhythms, 'Like A Dream' brings spiritual vocals to bold chords and dusty drums while 'Our World' has piano lines floating high over the languid drums and bass. 'Rose Colored Glasses' has fresh melodies and challenging synths that defy usual genre norms and bring all new ideas to deep house. This is music that elevates mind, body and soul.
Review: We were rather surprised to discover that Scheme marks Jenifa Mayanja's first 12" single since 2017, and her first release of any sort since her fine 2019 album 'Tales From Another Day'. Predictably, the long-serving deep house producer has once again hit the spot. Particularly potent is opener 'Averyday' [sic], a gloriously positive affair in which echo-laden organ sounds, elongated chords and her own quietly soulful vocalisations sit comfortably on dusty machine drums and a killer analogue bassline. Elsewhere, 'Under The Influence' is a chunkier slab of deep house full of cut-up vibraphone sounds and fuzzy synths, while 'Many Faces' is a pleasingly sub-heavy chunk of drowsy but energetic deep house goodness.
Review: For those who have been digging deep & minimal house for decades, this 12" is a mini modern classic from 2004 by Mazi Namvar aka Audio Soul Project. Once a hidden gem, exposure in plenty of high-profile DJ sets means it has become a sought-after record with second-hand copies fetching up to $170. Enter this reissue to make it available to all, as good music should be. As well as the lush original cuts, this version includes a bonus track, 'Murmurs Low,' featuring Jimmy Tripp on saxophone and Mazi's spoken word, while standouts like 'Tattoo Of You' and 'Down' still hit the sport perfectly.
Review: Giorgio Canepa is the longstanding Italian house pioneer behind the MBG alias, and someone who very much shaped the Italo sound of the nineties. This vital reissue of his Trance Wave Again EP shows why. Right from the first beat and trance-licked chord, it has you locked in to the punchy beats and organ bassline. It's old school but still thrilling stuff. 'Trance Shout' ups the energy levels slightly and then an unreleased 1993 mix layers in more Balearic chords that take you to some party on the Med under a hot sun.
Review: Wayne McArthur, Conscious Sounds, Lizzi Bee and Vibronics join their considerable forces for this limited edition new slab of roots vinyl. The EP features version tunes and versions starting with 'Elo Ah Him' which is a silky blend of coming vocals, happy horns and yearning vocals. Conscious Sounds serve up tasteful dub and sax versions and Lizzi Bee's contribution adds an extra layer of energy, blending modern rhythms with classic reggae roots. Vibronics close out with a couple of digi-dub reworks that are clean and fresh.
Review: Just a year after the last reissue of this one should out, it is back again via a different label. This time American imprint Communique serve up this rare old skool reissue of Woody McBride's 'Basketball Heores' EP. It is a punchy gem from back in 1996 is a fine fusion of acid, trance, and big room techno, with every track from 'The Birdman' to 'Darrin Houston' sounding like something between a Mr. Oizo track and a Drumcode overwhelmer. In short, it's a devastating weapon to have in your arsenal - use it wisely.
Review: Super Disco Edits close down their special series of releases from the brother and sister duo of Eryk and Antoinette McClinton with another four-track pearler. The pair recorded with venerated Detroit legends Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey in around 1979 and they came at a time when they were trying to break the big time. They had already released on Honey Records and here bring plenty of funky influxes to their big disco beats. All four have some fine breakdowns and the final tune, with its 2 step beats, is a real standout.
Review: Yet another reissue of this enduring classic. Legendary Miami songstress Gwen McCrae had plenty of huge hits in her arsenal, from '90% Of Me Is You' to 'It's Worth The Hurt.' Her biggest tune by far is the sure fire dance floor heater 'Keep The Fire Burning.' The strident disco funk beats, the soaring vocal and the impossible warmth and soul of it all never fail to make a mark. Here it is backed with the more slow and deep cut funk of 'Funky Sensation,' which gets those hips swinging and hands clapping.
Review: Maurice's McGee's majestic 'Do I Do' is very much an Italo-disco classic that was released back in 1983 on Full Time Records. On this latest welcome reissue, the extended vocal version (remastered to sound extra loud) is accompanied by the arguably superior Instrumental take, which wisely highlights clipped disco guitars and the superb, synth-heavy groove. It features the man himself - under a new and an invented alias for a local Genova singer recruited by the prolific Studio G production team - tells a tale of missed parties and late night opportunities over a backing track that sits somewhere between the all-arpeggio grooves of Italian disco and the slick, synth-heavy warmth of '83 New York boogie.
Review: Bob Mc Gilpin released 'Superstar' in 1978 and it soon became a smash hit around the world, even making its way into the charts and mainstream radio. The original is offered up here in all its loose limbed glory with the starry melodies and fizzing synths all making for take off. Then comes a Marco Fratty extended version that draws out the good bits and brings a stylised vocal to the front and centre. The full vocal mix goes one step further and is a truly uplifting gem while the Smooth Paradise mix pairs things back to a deeper, dubbier vibe with mid-tempo drums teasing and pleasing in equal measure. A great package that fuses the old with the new.
Review: Ayr producer Ewan McVicar has quite literally nailed the quintessential Ministry Of Sound, er, sound with this tune. Having floated around the charts for a good while now, it's got a kind of minimal jackin' house feel, with its eerily reprocessed vocals lifted from Rufus & Chaka Khan's 'Tell Me Something Good', producing almost maddeningly soulful results. The new B-side 'Delta', meanwhile, continues to show off McVicar's vocal science chops further, mixing 90s house vibes with a slow feel and dub-delayed entity ordering us to 'take a ride...'
Review: It's five up for the small but already fine NRV label who welcome Me&MyDog for this one. There is a darkness to their brand of tech that is evident from the off with 'Body Move' with its stark drum hits and twist deadline, all topped with some moody vocal mutterings. 'Moonside' brings kinetic rhythms that have carefully designed percussion sprinkled over the top to bring some looseness. A login bassline keeps things firmly rooted to the floor while 'GR308L (6AM mix)' gets more trippy with some acid modulations and wispy synths all fleshing out the minimal grove.
Review: This third outing from the Unveiled Nuance label is another cutting-edge techno exploration that brings together loopy techno, bass, industrial and a little something unknown across four cuts from Means&3rd. It's all fizzing pads and rusty loops that hang off the meandering rhythm of opener 'Hardship Repackaged As Growth' while 'Countenance' then strips back to a more evocative and wide open bass cavern with static electricity charging up the drums and keeping you on edge. 'Character Ethic' is an icy and heady minimalist floater then 'Desperate & Relevant' shuts down with darker bass and echoing warehouse menace.
Sleazy McQueen - "BSD (Brian Saves The Day)" (6:28)
Review: Whiskey Disco #74 marks a return to classic form for this long-running and consistently-worth-checking label. Following Michael The Lion's impressive single, the label now offers a collection of expertly sampled tracks tailored for summer fun. The A side features a hidden gem from Cole Medina which is finally making its debut on the label. This track is set to elevate rooftop parties, poolside gatherings, or any high-energy event while the flip side comes from Love Athletics wh delivers 'All of My Love,' a vibrant track with a cheeky vocal sample, driving bass groove, and nods to 'Sex Shooter.' The release concludes with Sleazy McQueen's analogue madness which blends pulsating drums and hypnotic grooves with a surprising twist.
Review: Roberto Cagnoli began his musical journey in Florence in 1995 and since then has been contributing to the region's rich scene under various different aliases. He has produced for labels like Disturbance and featured in Gigi D'Agostino's Progressiva compilation and now Evasione Digitale has partnered with Cagnoli to reissue his 2000 project 'Megaton - Essence.' It was originally released on Stefano Noferini's experimental techno label, Plate Records and is a superbly hypnotic, percussion-driven sound that perfectly captures the essence of Cagnoli's innovative approach. Highlights include the dizzying leads of 'Bloody Ears' and the more deep and mind-bending sounds of 'Essence.'
The World (feat Stavros - Kiko Navarro remix) (7:33)
Review: UK-born, Lisbon-based Megatronic has been deep in the scene for more than 20 years as a DJ, producer and activist. She now joins an equally important label in Razor N Tape with a bold EP, 'Do I Belong To You'. 'The World' opens with soulful and melancholic vocals by Stavros and a louche, journeying groove that is steeped in cosmic edgy thanks to the subtle pad work. 'Nuffin But LUV' has a more dusty US garage feel, and the Jimpster remix of 'Been Thinkin' gets as deep as you would expect. 'The World' (feat Stavros - Kiko Navarro remix) is a more tense and dense percussive tech sound and adds a different edge to this fine EP.
Review: This week in minimal tech house we have some wicked underground material courtesy of new label Syntaxx out of Leeds. If the tracks on Syntaxx Waxx Vol 1 are anything to go by, this crew are on to big things in 2021 and beyond. Features Mehlor with the hypnotic swing of "Wurk" reminiscent of local hero Jack Wickham, AWSI goes into UKG territory on the woozy "SPD" while over on the flip Parsec delves into druggy microhouse realms on the afterhours paranoid shuffle of "Error" and Nate SU delivers the mandatory Rominimal style track on the lean groove of "Trip".
Review: Florian Meindl keeps it real on a new one for Flash that strikes right at the heart of a strobe-lit dance floor. First up is 'Side Control' which hurries along with clipped drum funk and urgent synth loops that get the heat racing and the feet marching. 'We Grow At Night' gets more frenzies with a wall of squiggling acid and demonic vocals all washing over you to psychotic effect and 'Chaos' keeps up that synapse firing sense of arrest with pixelated synths spraying about the mix. 'Kimura' allows a moment to catch your breath and sink int a drawn out and dubby techno trip before 'False Worlds' closes with more mindfuckery and smart synth craft.
Review: Under the Melchior Productions name, German producer Thomas Melchior has committed some of his finest material to wax in the name of Zip and Markus Nikolai's seminal Perlon imprint. After an absence of some three years, Melchior's name is back on one of those distinctive Perlon 12"s with the first of two planned records under the Meditations banner. Don't get confused by the name though, the three "Meditations" are in no way meditative! Instead this is a record that finds Melchior fully channelling that classic Perlon vibe with the rowdy "Meditation 2" the pick of the bunch.
Review: And so the Perlon Meditations continue... Late last year German producer Thomas Melchior made his first appearance on Perlon in some three years with the exquisite Meditations 1-3, which naturally channelled the iconic label's vibe perfectly. The first Perlon release of 2015 presents a further three Melchior produced Meditations, 4-6, with the opening track something of an understated epic. At 12 minutes long, "Meditation 4" demonstrates Melchior's craft for slowly building a groove, adding elements in a fashion that sounds subtle on headphones and deadly on a soundsystem. Face down, the 5th Meditation is an infectious little house groover, with hi hats and vocal samples jousting playfully whilst the closing track is a sub heavy number rich in vocal abstraction.
Review: Weirdo minimal tech soul, anyone? Any takers should be directed towards this oddball release from Melchior Productions and Paul Walter. Two tracks of serious strangeness: timestretched vocals and repetitious yeahs blossom between the beat-thickets of Melchior's 'Yeah X 3', while many more percussive hits and cuts and clicks and pops and booms come courtesy of Walter's B-side, 'Xvive'. It's an impressive first foray for Maria Newyen's new imprint Scious; let's hope future 12"s stay just as weird.
Review: In short, anyone and everyone's idea of a feel-good chart topper. Synth brasses, piano weaponry and finger clicking pulses are all ingredients in its stew; Babert's Italo Disco mix, meanwhile, is a subtle departure from the original, but proves summerier and groovier, perfect for your next rooftop rave or beachside bash.
Review: Alberto Melloni is back on one of his home labels with a four-tracker that blends his signature mix of disco, house and Italo. The title track sets the mood with steady kicks and shimmering hi-hats topped with a rich piano melody that makes for a nice dynamic and atmospheric escape. 'Promised Land 'takes a darker turn with sharp beats and pulsating synth stabs in a late-night groove then 'Paradise Pie' layers sun-kissed chords with textured percussion and acid-tinged undertones. Closing the EP in style, 'Only You' brings a funk-infused finale with smoky vocals, vocoder effects and shimmering mirrorball energy that reflect Melloni's playful musical universe.
Da Houze Maroon - "All I've Got" ('93 Dope mix) (6:06)
Formular X - "Swing Ting" (Jazzy Flute mix) (6:22)
Review: Classic house anthems from the Club U Nite Records archives here, compiled on Deep Trax Volume One. Features some unreleased material from label chief Andreas Marek aka Mellow Man on the sensual mood music of 'I Need A Rhythm' (Re dub), in addition to the unmistakable Stateside shuffle on Reign Of Rhythm's 'Reign Of Swing' bringing some more heat on the A side. Turn over and you've got the deep down and dirty 'All I've Got' ('93 Dope Mix) by Da Houze Maroon and ending with the rather Frankie Knuckles influenced 'Swing Ting' (Jazzy Flute Mix) by Formular X with its infectious flute melody.
Seargent Pepper - "Dub & Rub Ina Imitation Way" (7:44)
Review: Mellow Rose and Seargent Pepper's 'Imitation Love' proved a big-hitting reggae 45rpm when it first dropped and so now it has been reissued on this sweet, limited edition red vinyl 12". It first came on Studio 16 back in August of last year and is already worth a pretty penny on second hand markets. The A-side is a super sweet lover's rock sound with falsetto vocals up top, acoustic guitars and fleshy low ends sinking you into a romantic rhythm. On the flip, Seargent Pepper gets to work on 'Dub And Rub Ina Imitation Way' which is more sci-fi and futuristic in its sound designs, all with a hazy and stoner edge.
Review: Classic alert! This sure-fire party starter is a timeless gem by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes originally released in 1973. It features the powerful vocals of Teddy Pendergrass and is a heartfelt expression of regret and longing over a lost love. With its upbeat tempo and lush orchestration it marked a significant shift in soul music as it blended traditional r&b with the emerging disco sound. It's built on an infectious groove with soulful harmonies and emotive lyrics which will always resonate with audiences and that is why it was such a chart-topping hit back in the day that remains a defining moment in the group's career and a timeless anthem of love and loss. It is backed here with the equally catchy 'Wake Up Everybody.'
Review: Disruptive Chicago house rule breaker and revered noise mangler Hieroglyphic Being aka Jamal Moss is back with more of his suitably entitled Weirdo Edits. The seventh volume dives headfirst into deranged disco territory and channels the frazzled, unpredictable energy of Ron Hardy's iconic Muzic Box tape edits across three heavily warped cuts built for dancefloor chaos. Moss leans into the lo-fi grit and psychedelic swirl he's known for on the hard-edge disco stomp of 'I'm Gonna Beat U This Way', then flips vintage grooves into a hypnotic, otherworldly club tool on 'Get Off Blast Off '. It's freaky, jacking, and unmistakably Jamal and then comes 'Clouds On The Rain.' off-kilter funk for heads who like their disco weird, raw, and full of soul.
Dashiell - "Lectroniq Love Affair" (Menage remix) (6:58)
Eugene Pascal - "Late Night" (8:50)
Review: Australian dance outfit Menage all go it alone for three thumping new cuts on Naarm, Melbourne-based label Merriware Records, while they also unite for a remix of the title cut. 'Lectroniq Love Affair' is dance floor bait - twisted bass and heavy drums with nice freaky hooks. Sam Brickel then taps into a cosmic tech house vibe with his future-facing and subtle acid-laced 'Vespene Dreams' while Eugene Pascal's 'Late Night' is a deeper and more downtempo exploration of dubby rhythm. Lastly, The Menage remix of 'Lectroniq Love Affair' is a slamming bit of machine-made house with skittish synths pinging about the mix. Lovely stuff.
Review: Italian producer Mennie lands on EYA Records here with an EP that hits plenty of contemporary touchstones: techno, retro synths, trance and faster rhythms. 'We Are Not The Plan' has a tech house edge but with cosmic pads and bright melodies, while 'Make It Easy' has playful top lines and a fizzing, textural synth bassline powered by crisp kicks. 'Engine' gets more physical with faster drums and snappy percussive layers, and 'The Story' grinds it out with mechanical stiffness and bleeping synth sequences that bring a retro-future flair. It's all perfectly colourful body music for knowing clubs.
Review: DJ Phantasy and DJ Lee way back in good old 1993. Now here's a mind-blowing collaboration from the past. Reissued on Phantasy's old Liquid Wax imprint, it captures where both acts were at during this formative point in jungle drum & bass history. Phantasy was retuning into the frequencies of jungle coming from a hardcore perspective while DJ Lee was up to his neck in residencies at some of the most important spots in d&b history. Made at Jack Smooth's legendary Sound Entity studio and engineered by Alex Reese, the history on this record is palpable. And it still sounds pucker to this very day.
Review: This is a mad decent debut release from veteran musical assistant Meroe "G," also known as Record Shop Roy. This original composition, 'Can't Pay Won't Pay,' was penned by A.G. Marshall and the package also features the legendary Big Youth who delivers the powerful 'Sufferers Cry' vocal in a single striking take- he manages to capture raw emotion with seemingly effortless ease. Next to him, the track boasts an impressive lineup of talent including drums from Horseman, Steven Wright aka Marley on guitar, keys from Henry Holder, saxman Richard Doswell and David Fullwood on trumpet with Paul Kelly adding percussion next to Meroe "G" on vocals and bass. This is a deep, rootsy package crafted with care and spirit that demands to be pumped loud through your best amps.
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