Review: Acid Pauli and Nico Stojan, the masterminds behind the Ouie label, reunite for another collaborative effort, this time delivering a two-track EP that embodies their signature sound. 'Vola' is a hypnotic and psychedelic journey, its spongy rhythm and eclectic samples creating a lush and meditative atmosphere. The track's intricate textures and subtle melodies invite the listener to get lost in its depths, a perfect example of the duo's ability to craft intimate and evocative electronic music. 'Tensione', the B-side, builds upon this foundation, incorporating modular arpeggios and tasteful pads to create a more dynamic and expansive soundscape. Hypnotic rhythms, intricate textures, and psychedelic flourishes - job done.
Review: Planka Records continues to solidify its underground credibility with its third release which offers up a group of international producers. The EP dives into electro grooves and stripped-back, hypnotic rhythms designed for the raw, gritty corners of the club and Aka Juanjo kicks off with the neck-snapping pressure of 'Modo Electro.' Jesse You brings some proto-trance synth work then Stefano Andriezzi gets freaky with ice-cold drum machines and --burrowing basslines on 'Teknica'.
Review: Nail is one of UK house music's most vital contributors. His raw sound pioneered a new style of tech house in the 90s and here he reappears under a different alias, AM Vibe. 'Vibe With Me' kicks off with nice loose drums and perc and jazzy keys adding the warmth and soul. 'I'm So High' brings some loopy and filtered fun and phased vocals for a sleazy feel, then 'Dried Fruit' gets more upbeat with lush synth swirls and effortlessly cool drums and rich r&b vocal samples. 'Powder' closes out with some thumping kicks and more tender vocal stabs. As always, this is brilliantly heartfelt and effective tackle from Nail.
Review: Especial is a label always on a mission to unearth left-of-centre perspectives on club music. This new EP, Be Honest, is just that from long-time friends Lipelis and Arsenii, who are based in Belgrade and New York but seek inspiration in the New York sounds of the 80s and hook up with Gayana for some woozy and lovelorn vocal additions. 'Be Honest' is a dubbed out and swaggering deep disco groove that comes as long, dub and cappella versions on the A-side. The 12" dance mix brings some superb house drums into the picture and the Dubplate VIP is a fresh jungle rhythm. This is an EP with something for all.
Review: The only known diplomatic dance musical dialogue between Leeds and Barcelona can be found in the cross-national collective MASS, whose principal aim is to connect the two cities as identified hubs of the next-gen dance musical underground. Here the personae grata in question are a crack team of trusted delegates, known by the respective codenames AS Groove, Driahn, Monile and Nikon; each artist-negotiator delivers their own firebrand sonic missive in quick, electrific unison, appeasing the collective ear through a four-point transmissive treaty. Either breaks-laden or bleep-laden sound is stipulated depending on which fine-print line you read and/or which finely-etched groove you play; only track four, 'Seismic', trigger the break(beats) clause.
Review: French label D3 - which when pronounced in French sounds like their word for Detroit - is a decade old and celebrates the milestone with a special three-part EP series. As has always been the case over that 10 year period, the sounds it serves up are deep and housey. This various artists affair kicks off with AsTreJinkins' slow and propulsive 'Terror' before some nice airy and live sounding broken beats from New Digital Fidelity. Moroka picks up the pace with some hi-tek soul that sounds straight from the Motor City and Byron The Aquarius shows off his mastery of the keys again with a dreamy deep cut 'Tua Su Ra'. Nico Lahs shuts down with a heavyweight beatdown in the form of 'It's Spelled BARI.'
Review: Tony Black's latest single, 'Sexy Lady,' released on FullTime Production, is a vibrant blend of disco, funk, and house. The track features standout vocals from Nadyne Rush and Jacob A, adding a soulful touch to its infectious beat. 'Sexy Lady' is instantly memorable, capturing the essence of each genre it fuses. The remix contributions by Italian producer Da Lukas deliver powerful club-ready versions, with the Da Lukas remix and Da Lukas vocalize remix both offering distinctive grooves. Souls Groove's mix brings out the funk and soul elements, showcasing the more musical side. Each version of the track adds its own unique flavour, making 'Sexy Lady' a versatile release.
Nicola Brusegan, Camilo Gil - "Take A Groove" (6:27)
Nicola Brusegan, Camilo Gil - "Take A Groove" (Jorge Caiado remix) (6:12)
Review: Renowned producer Bodeler makes his mark on the newly emerging Minimal Brooklin label with a masterful display of minimalism on his A1 cut, then respected Argentinian Franco Cinelli remixes and delivers something immersive. On the B-side, Nicola Brusegan and Camilo Gil unite to create a soulful deep house track complete with lush chords and pulsating basslines, and this one is paired with a remix from Jorge Caiado that is sure to electrify dance floors thanks to his knack for crafting statement-making sound and pulsating acid vibes.
Review: The second various artists EP from the Merkwurdig label is another tasteful collection of up front sounds from a clutch of inquisitive underground names. Body opens up with some nice cosmic tech powered by rasping bass and reverberating synths. Nate SU's 'Neutrino' is a busy jam with hooky synths and splashy cymbals that takes on a twisted sense of cyborg funk. OBG very much smooths things out with the heady house roller that is 'With The Wave' and Fabiano Jose shuts down with the rock solid kick patterns and subtly rising joy of his diffuse piano chords on 'Discotale.'
Review: ***B-STOCK: Warped, otherwise plays fine***
The second various artists EP from the Merkwurdig label is another tasteful collection of up front sounds from a clutch of inquisitive underground names. Body opens up with some nice cosmic tech powered by rasping bass and reverberating synths. Nate SU's 'Neutrino' is a busy jam with hooky synths and splashy cymbals that takes on a twisted sense of cyborg funk. OBG very much smooths things out with the heady house roller that is 'With The Wave' and Fabiano Jose shuts down with the rock solid kick patterns and subtly rising joy of his diffuse piano chords on 'Discotale.'
Review: Curious, various-artistic lo-fi techno from the OCFD crew, celebrating the label's tenth release in total. Striving to showcase timeless music that they feel to be appreciable as much now as in the future, here they focus on the sweats of producer Nikol, and his new duo collaboration with Vrsion for the alias known as Body Copy. Emergent from the fecund grounds of Leeds and bringing an OG's ear to the mix - both artists have been at it since at least the early 2000s - the likes of 'Pictures', 'Context' and 'The Approach' bring a subtle but motivating force to the dance.
Review: Following Ohm Hourani's infectious 'Barbara' featuring remixes by Ricardo Villalobos and Amir Javasoul, We R The Aliens presents a standout various artists compilation with an all-star lineup of Boronas & Snad, Bartaub, Mountain People, and Nesta. Boronas & Snad's 'Affliction' is rich with haunting synths, rolling MPC percussion, and mind-bending delays. Istanbul's Bartaub pays homage to the '90s with 'Orbit The Dance Planet' which blends bumpy breaks, robotic voices, and ghastly chords. On the flip, Mountain People delivers 'I Am The Void,' featuring shuffled drums and dubby stabs. Finally, Beirut's Nesta closes with 'Tarte Citron' a late '90s tech house track with crisp percussion and catchy vocals.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Philipp Boss - "Die Schone" (feat Gianluca) (6:52)
Gabriel Belabbas - "Dance With The Speaker" (6:57)
Muelsa - "The Future Is A Trap" (5:36)
Nico Lampariello - "Antes De Tiempo" (7:16)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
The second release on 3 Mats features a cast of emergent artists dealing in the vibrant seam where electro synthesis and techno focus collide. If you rate labels like Partisan and EYA you'll be into this record, without a doubt. Frankfurt producer Philipp Boss opens up the record with 'Die Schone', a collaboration with Gianluca, while Gabriel Belabbas creates a rolling warm-up delight of electro breaks with an iconic sample on 'Dance With The Speaker'. Muelsa's 'The Future Is A Trap' is a raw, boxy machine workout and Nico Lampariello finishes the record off with an acid laced workout for the darker side of the dance.
System T aka Bs As Deep - "Linear Waves" (New York mix) (7:30)
Bs As Deep - "Love For The House" (7:31)
Nicola Brusegan - "Colour Tea Time Vox" (6:32)
Nicola Brusegan - "Miniature" (6:25)
Review: The well-formed young Mostly label continues to stride onwards into fresh deep house territories with its latest various artists EP. System T aka Bs As Deep kicks things off and toys with classic tropes but brings some newness to the rhythms, while the same artist then appears under his other alias for 'Love For The House' which is a percussive, slinky number with molten synths and smooth bass. Nicola Brusegan's 'Colour Tea Time Vox' is a more dark and heavy dub house cut and 'Miniature' shuts down with more techno energy and forceful kicks.
Review: Fantastic Friends reaches out to welcome us into its inner circle once more with another tasteful tech house outing. this time a various artists affair with some tasty talent. Christian Burkhardt opens up with 'Rytm Mod' with its wide vocal sounds and chunky, funky low end. Chris Llopis's 'Dubster' us a bubbly number with fluid bass and liquid rhythms and Nils Twachtmann's 'Space Odyssey' get cosmic with a spaced-out and late-night ambient vibe. Filou shuts down with 'Sophe' which is a skittish number with dubbed out and rolling low ends.
Review: He may have been at it for more than 30 years, but New Jersey hero Kerri Chandler is still capable of delivering fine, life-affirming music with soul. 'Caged Bird', featuring vocals from South African rising star Nae, is one of the legendary artist's most ear-catching and soul-enriching efforts for some time. For proof, check his 'Full Vocal Media Mix', where Nae's pretty, picturesque vocals, bittersweet piano refrains and sultry strings rise above a crunchy, unfussy, hot-stepping deep house beats. The accompanying remix package is predictably strong too. Italian producer Moplen steps up first, opting for bouncier, NJ-influenced beats, squelchy synth bass and some rather lovely electric piano chords. Atjazz handles the B-side, delivering vocal and instrumental takes that up the tempo, showcase tech-tinged deep house sounds and cannily loop up Chandler's simmering strings.
Review: The Spanish Hypnotic Collective label attempts to capture its take on the Detroit Legacy with what looks like a new series of various artists' EP. There is plenty of Motor City soul in the gorgeous synths of Cignol's muted acid and deep house opener 'Distance' which is a soothing and reverential groove, but then its pure party from Barce, Alex Martin offers up 313 style tech and three further tunes on the flip explore blistering electro with high-speed funk and cosmic intent. Mission accomplished and we're already looking forward to the next one.
Coflo, Steve Howerton & Niya Wells - "Ecru" (9:51)
Review: A San Francisco house producer who is taking jazz influenced house music to another level is Coflo aka Cody Ferreira 'Syncopatience' is a stunning deep house release that highlights his signature blend of soulful rhythms, intricate grooves, and rich musicality. Each track brims with personality, that blend clever and creative vocals and lyrics to a deeper level than just for the dancefloor. Side-1 starts off with 'Get Down, Show Love', a collaboration with Fenyan that exudes a hip, jazzy charm. Playful yet refined, it features catchy vocal work and a high-level jazz flair, effortlessly blending house with improvisational energy. Next, Coflo's remix of 'Cee.Side's Elektrify' brings atmospheric depth, wrapping Latin influences around a funky, sultry groove that's as hypnotic as it is danceable. Side-2 delivers Ecru, where Coflo, Steve Howerton, and Niya Wells craft a deeper, tech-tinged house cut with sharp, clever lyricism. Its polished production and layered instrumentation elevate it to a higher plane of jazzy house, demonstrating Coflo's versatility and artistry. 'Syncopatience' has the solution on how merge soulful textures with dancefloor energy in a unique way.
AudioChain - "Back To The Time" (Tm Shuffle Myotatuuli dub remix)
Celestial Sphere Aka Hirotaka - "Concept Depth"
Review: Swiss label Introspection Audio Limited hist 12" number five with some exceptional techno workouts from producers based in Switzerland, Finland and Japan. Each track delivers a distinct atmosphere and emotion, perfectly crafted for the dance floor. Alessandro Crimi's 'Always' keeps it deep, dubby and minimalist, Needless layers up delightfully smooth drums and dub chords and a Tm Shuffle Myotatuuli dub remix is frosted with icy static and chilly winds. Celestial Sphere Aka Hirotaka shuts down with a more textured and snappy dub tech vibe.
David Hasert/Nicone - "Wasting My Time With You" (6:11)
Review: Kompakt have billed their latest collaborative spiritual house release - three groove sandwiches shared between Deer Jade, David Hasert and Nicone - as an antidote to the all-to-prevalent late-winter blues and lack of sun, an affliction that seems to blight ravers in particular. Aside from canvassing for more outdoor and/or glass-roofed venues, all we can do in the meantime is weight the tonearm and jog-start the disc; 'Jukurpa' and 'Wasting My Time With You' are just the course of sonic vitamins us daywalkers need. The former is a deep, righteous blur of just piano tritones and circumscribed handholds around fires, as weighted knee-slaps and impacts evoke the feeling of a collective ritual come out-of-body experience. 'Cosmic Dream' returns to the very same rave spot at nighttime; at this point, it's all gone a bit lunar-psy, but the desert winds and temperate nighttime heat allow ample energy for continued soul flight.
Review: Berlin producer Ede returns after their 2023 Innervisions debut 'Poptroit', this time for another melodic techno forward-facer. With a papillary front cover - resembling the suckers of an octopus or the polyps of a fantasy coral - we doubt the trypophobics out there will be at ease with this one. That is, at least until they hear the soothing progressives of 'I Am Wavy' and 'Odyssey', which build through and cleanse classic acid, rave and bleep motifs. The latter track has an incredible vocal breakdown, saturating and processing its stabs and chirp-hits just right.
Dee Gorgeous - "Better Than Sex" (Dirty Channels edit) (4:22)
NY House’n Authority - "Ravenswood House" (Honey Dijon & Luke Solomon edit) (5:42)
Review: Four tracks of peerless Nu Groove jack attack, rejigged by a stellar roster of producers including Honey Dijon and the late Soulphiction, whose mardy remix of Rheji Burrell's classic stompa 'Come 'N Get It' opens proceedings in sleazy style. The Acid Jerks dub of Tech Trax Inc's eponymous 1990 banger is also a highlight, with driving, introspective organ basses underpinning snappy piano action and whispered proto-producer tags. These two are followed by a rushy, beefa-ready remix of Dee Gorgeous' 'Better Than Sex' by Dirty Channels, and an excellent spartan percussive acid flip of Ny House'n Authority (Burrell at it again)'s Ravenswood House by Honey Dijon and Luke Solomon.
Review: Fazack, Not Even Noticed, NairLess and Henrik Villard battle it out on the fourth Terrazzo disc, unleashing a contagious arsenal of acid and proggy tech house in the process. From the opening hip-swangs and filter-pinched laserblasts of 'Slung Low' to the more ecstatic midi-synth plucking ends of 'Zuzswang'; and last but not least, the more overt acidifications of 'Reflective Tears' and 'S11'; there's something on here for every raver.
Review: Last year's superb Pura Lempuyang album has been pulled apart and served up on a couple of separate 12"s and this is the second one. It comes on limited turquoise vinyl and offers four cuts of stylish deep dub and techno. Fletcher's 'It's A Virtue' goes first with taught, twanging bass and grubby basslines then Mike Schommer's 'Kingmaker' offers liquid dub funk with watery pads and hissing static. Nicolas Barnes picks it up a little with a darker but still warm dub techno roller in 'Sonic Dial' and Redrop's 'Genesis' is the more driving of the lot but again exists right on the ocean floor.
Exclusively (Alton Miller remix instrumental) (7:23)
Review: Mark Francis teams up with Nimiwari to deliver a soulful house gem in 'Exclusively', a track that brings the Newark DJ's signature sound to the forefront. Known for his residency at Club Shelter, Francis expertly crafts a lush soundscape, with Shawn Lucas on keys adding a rich layer of depth. Nimiwari's vocal performance, blending soul and house influences, elevates the track with emotion and finesse. On remix duties, Detroit legend Alton Miller steps in with a groovy rework, featuring his trademark keys and a bassline that glides effortlessly. Miller's take is an elegant nod to his deep roots in the scene, co-founder of The Music Institute club and a key figure in Detroit's house history. Both the original and remix are backed by instrumentals, offering DJs ample space to work with on the floor. Francis and Nimiwari have created something special here, a soulful, timeless track with just the right amount of modern flair. It's a testament to their artistry and the production skills of everyone involved, especially in how the music flows so naturally from one version to the next.
Review: Wax Classic presents a collaborative 12" from French duo Groove Boys Project and Novaj, which maintains the label's sharp instinct for the finest deep house money can buy. Across four tracks they explore the depth and breadth of the sound, touching on early Italian dream house vibes on the gorgeous 'Amore' before bringing a sweaty late night exuberance to 'Night In Rimini'. 'Taste Of Heaven' returns to the sweet, soulful sway of grandiose pads and twinkling piano lines primed for the warm up, and 'Mondo Paradiso' taps into the deeper end of the Nu Groove legacy without missing a beat.
Guy From Downstairs & Nu Zau - "Vibe Shift" (6:55)
Nu Zau - "Let's Deal With It" (7:32)
Guy From Downstairs - "Enerjaeo" (6:25)
Review: Those with a penchant for sleek Romanian minimalism are already locked in to the output of Guy From Downstairs. He is the latest in a long line of producers to emerge from that scene and has released on a range of labels before kicking off his own GFD outlet. This is a repress of its latest outing. Same Hood EP Part 2. The first two tunes are next to Nu Eau - 'Den Sing' is all bubbling bass and supple lines with a tripped-out cosmic feel, then 'Vibe Shift' gets more gritty with its basslines while smooth chords soothe the soul. Nu Zau then goes it alone on a kaleidoscopic cut awash with melody. He goes solo to close down with the rasping and rolling 'Enerjaeo'.
Review: Foliage has some respectable heritage in the realm of upfront house music for deep-digging heads, having released work from the likes of Mood II Swing, Mark de Clive Lowe, Jimpster and Jesus Gonsev. This new sampler brings together four immaculate joints which reach from a recent Atjazz reworking of Halo's 'Glory' to Moon Rocket's powerful Afro house throw down 'Reciprocity', Jimpster's immersive remix of Funkky to the Fka Mash 'Re-glitch' of N'Dinga Gaba's 'Summer Breeze'. It's all bursting with soul and perfectly tooled for the floor, so slip one in your bag and you'll have four gems just waiting to give your party a proper lift.
Review: Fresh French label Attention Spin! flaunts the talents of the Parisian underground in its freshest incarnation. Currently turning their focus towards cosmic house music with hints of Italo and new beat, as well as aiming to prioritize dance music that uses vocals as an instrument, their first release here is a four-track EP from rising star DJ Dawidu. The likes of 'Une Nuit A Paris' and 'Mad Game' detail the wilder, undergrounder ends of after-hours nightlife in the Capitale de la Mode. 'Half On A Room', meanwhile, spans dub- and hip-house, while 'Lil'Drama' is the most vocal and catwalk-worthy of the bunch.
Nicole Moudaber - "Rise Up" (feat London Community Gospel Choir) (8:13)
Armand Van Helden & Mark Knight - "Down To Earth" (6:37)
Review: NEM 100.1 Vol 1 isn't your standard deep house compilation. With heavyweight contributors like Danny Howard, Nicole Moudaber, and Armand Van Helden, this release feels like a meeting of minds with a shared purpose: to push familiar boundaries into unexpected places. Danny Howard and Eli & Fur's If You Were sets the tone with a blend of understated house rhythms and finely layered vocals. There's nothing overblown here - it's precise, refined, and confident in its restraint. PAX and Rui Da Silva's Touch Me follows, reviving the iconic anthem with modern production sensibilities. The track is driven by its deep, chugging bassline and stabs of melody that feel like a nod to the original, but also refreshing in their approach. Nicole Moudaber brings a more atmospheric element to the fold with Rise Up, featuring the London Community Gospel Choir. It's expansive, combining gospel depth with Moudaber's signature techno edge, resulting in a track that demands attention without feeling heavy-handed. Closing things out is Armand Van Helden and Mark Knight's Down to Earthia production that melds classic house tropes with a contemporary spin. Its punchy, syncopated rhythm and laid-back groove avoid the typical tropes, instead offering something warm, slightly off-kilter, and entirely captivating. This is a collection that doesn't fall into the trap of overused house formulasiit's bold without overstating, intricate without being pretentious. A strong reminder that these artists still have a few tricks up their sleeves.
Review: Functional house experts Toolroom are back with Toolroom Sampler Vol 11 which is again packed with maximal club cuts for big dancefloors. Martin Ikin's 'Make U Sweat' is indeed sweet tech that never stops pumping under libidinous vocals. Flashmob's 'My Body' is loopy and manic tech with peak time intent and Nathan Barato and Matheo Velez offer up the macho grooves of 'Weapon.' Last of all, Jenn Getz & Alfie offer another slight tweak on try Toorloom sound with the grey and gritty white knuckle beats of 'Vibration.' A great EP for working DJs looking for instant impact.
Review: Emerging artist Jona, together with Nutownproject, release "Turning Point" on Resopal. Their upcoming 12" is so hot that this EP will almost melt the vinyl that it's pressed on! The rocking new double effort is pure house magic with micro-loop design. Both tracks reflect the past and the future at the same time. They are inspired by old school house but boast a modern, yet reduced techno approach into producing and editing. The deep basslines build and build along with the evocative chords to create tunes that will raise the roof on any club during the peak-time. This is music for the head, the feet and the heart.
Review: Anita Baker, quiet storm legend and balladmaker, gets two of her most heartwarming classics remixed by Krewcial, with Texan vocalist Sheelah Monae filling in for Baker's original vox. 'Sweet Love' hears a lounge and club mix respectively, both versions heavy on the most broken housey, piano-centric moods. 'Whatever It Takes', meanwhile, gets a club mix and an intriguing version of the original acoustic, rapidly homing in on disco strings and deep-hit bass licks.
Review: Five years after launching (via a fine EP from Vitess), Chat Noir Records' offshoot Chat Noir Tools - a self-styled 'club oriented experiment lab' - notches up its 15th EP. It's a split affair, with two tracks apiece from label regular Lungo and French graffiti artist/graphic designer turned producer Numero 6. The latter kicks off the EP with 'Do It Again', where woozy, pitched-down vocal samples, drowsy deep house chords and spacey electronic noises ride a crunchy, formative Chicago house beat, before returning to round off the EP with the analogue-rich nu-disco quirkiness of 'Choubidou'. Sandwiched in between you'll find Lungo's contributions - the electro/deep house hybrid 'Bem O Bom', and the synth-heavy nu-disco squelch of 'I Have Some Bad News', where Mr Oizo style electronic motifs and colourful chords catch the ear.
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".
Asylum - "Guitarz" (Honey Dijon & Luke Solomon edit) (5:32)
Review: You will of course know if you are reading this that Nu Groove was a seminal New York house label that lay a blueprint for deep stuff back in the 80s and 90s. This fresh 12" serves up a third volume of label edits from various artists from across the spectrum. Metro's 'Turnstyle Turbulance' is tackled first by NiCe7 who brings bumpy drums, then Mark Broom's Vox Flanger Mixx of an N.Y. House'n Authority classic is a steamy jacker with lovely old-school vibes. Our favourite though is Asylum's 'Guitarz' (Honey Dijon & Luke Solomon edit) which is a nice mid-tempo workout with seductive claps and excellent hi hats.
Review: Minimal electronic house tour de force here as Border Com's James Holden teams up with the UK's Jon Tye (aka Milky Globe) here on the A-side, while on the flip Nathan Fake and Milky Globe join forces for the Dusty Cabinets mix of "Lava Flow". The "Sun Spots" cut is a deep slice of electronic dub combining Holden's ever-shifting palette of abstract tones and crisp percussion. "Lava Flow" takes Nathan Fake's signature keyboard work and stretches it out over a sweet low-end groove.
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