Acid Charlie - "Nuclear Era" (orchestral mix) (6:51)
Review: Plasticity Records launches with a bang on its debut release, which is a various artists offering with our fierce and floor-ready tracks. Nulek & Roto open with 'Eternal Space,' a shadowy techno-electro hybrid laced with eerie vocals, then Flhez follows with 'Study Nights' stylishly channelling Uruguay's deep-rooted rhythmic heritage through gritty analogue texture. On the B-side, Mar.C drops 'Not Normal,' a pounding EBM-inflected banger built for dark rooms and late hours. Closing things out, Acid Charlie brings warped percussion and twisted structure on 'Nuclear Era,' which makes for a fractured, futuristic workout. A bold first statement from a label with serious potential.
Review: As you can tell from the title of this ongoing series, System Error likes to serve up only 100% party bombs. The third volume lives up to that once more with Parchi Pubblici kicking off with the acid-laced bumps of 'Perfect Vacuum2Disco' complete with zippy synths and snappy percussion. Lanzieri's 'Twisted Tango' hits just as hard with an electro-techno fusion that rides on psychedelic synth loops with jacked-up drums. Raku's 'Valle Dei Templi' has a more pared-back sound with a menacing and rubbery low end and creeping synths that keep you on edge. Phill Prince's 'Indigo' shuts down with something tripped out and retro with 90s techno vibes colouring the drums.
Review: No nonsense analogue house champions the notorious R-A-G team are back once again with more goodies on their home label M>O>S. For this one, they drop four outstanding and acidic deep house jackers. Featuring the skills of Aroy Dee, MaSpaventi and G-String, it is the former who kicks off with 'Touch', which is dusty and far-sighted. He then features with Maspaventi on 'Horizons', which is a dreamy and low-key sound with backlit chords. R-A-G then hook up for 'Wired', which is a twisted and trippy after-party mind melter and 'All Forgotten', which is moody, shadowy and traces a line to the best Detroit house from their long-running Amsterdam studio sessions.
Review: Rayonas is both an artist and a record label founded in 2021 that has dealt in some smart underground house sounds. This new one from the imprint begins a sub-series called Speedy House that is about, well, speedy. 'Things As They Are' pairs pensive ambient piano and a recognisable melodic motif with thumping and driving drums. It works well, frankly. 'Liquid' is another chunky, pacey house thumper with 'Labas Rytas ' then veering more into uptempo, funky techno that never quits. 'Laser Tag' has a loopy, underlapping bassline and gloppy pads and 'Dreaming' shuts down with a richer array of non-melodic colours for peak time trips.
Review: Original Chicago house music hero Ron Hardy used to make and break tracks with ease. Decades on, we're still getting treated to them with this ongoing series and the latest opens up with a familiar sound. 'Love' is fairly stripped of its original vocals and is a casuistic, textured and intense electronic disco cut for peak times. 'The Night' slows down with some freaky vocals and heavy dub disco drums then '1-5-1' brings some jacked up acid house with monstrous 303 lines ripping up the groove and ice cold hi-hats keeping time. 'The Bass' is a raw drum track with moody Windy City vocals and dark energy.
Review: Refreshers is a little-known alias of Lukid, an underrated producer who has previously explored murky lo-fi sounds on cult labels like Werk Discs. With this alias, though, he makes drum & bass and jungle, and crafted the original featured here back in 2021 and dropped it into his Dekmantel mix. It was heard by the Future Retro label head who reached out to release it and we're glad he did. It's a hidden treasure that is dark, intricate and perfectly crafted. The surprise release feels like uncovering a secret moment in jungle history and it comes with Phineus II's powerful remix, which adds depth and drum rawness, which makes this a vital pick up.
Review: A curious artefact of Northern Soul history, this limited one-sided 7" by Eddie Regan was pressed by Anchor UK with two conflicting release dates, though 1978 is believed to be correct. Dropped during the peak of the Northern Soul explosion in the UK, 'Playing Hide & Seek' delivers a potent dose of heartfelt vocals and dancefloor-ready soul. Its raw, urgent energy and emotive delivery have made it a cult favourite, with two Northern Soul classics featured back-to-back on some issues. Do not sleep, because this will fly.
Review: Riccardo's a master of dance floor grooves that blend minimal, techno and electro into always fresh sounding new worlds. This latest release arrives on El Milagro Records and has a distinct edge and introspective moods that adds up to a reflective journey of depth and drive. 'H Dimension' is a speedy space-tech sound with nostalgic synth work and evocative mid-to-high frequencies echoing the spirit of '80s melodies. 'Hologram' is wrapped in a mysterious, emotive atmosphere with smart synth sequences and snappy low ends and 'Die Ritme Vertel' is a mechanical rhythm with blurts of synth, neon colours and freeform drums. 'Cosmodanza' shuts down with soft acid lines lacing up a more dreamy groove.
Review: This new one from Stefan Ringer on his FWM Entertainment combines two distinct releases in one: 3 tracks from his 2021 Meta Music EP and his darker alias Black Sued's 'Rogue' EP. It's a yin-yang journey of sound that shows his range and quality. 'Monotone' pairs signature deep chords and soulful vocals and distorted bass with minimal drums, while 'New Plan' is a driving, rhythmic workout of persistence and groove. 'YIA' offers meditative chords and affirmations set against a thunderstorm backdrop and the flip, the title cut explores shadowy jazz textures with a mysterious groove, 'Maze' marches forward with urgency and layered rhythm, while 'Deep Dirt' closes with gritty, broken-machine chaos. Together, these EPs make for a powerful emotional and sonic contrast.
Review: Motion Potion Records returns with a second release from the Australian label founded by Jono Xidias, Mehmet Alpdogan, and ritmiq. This collaborative project sees ritmiq teaming up with Lewba and Louis for the 'Signals' EP, a heady exploration of spacey club sounds. Standout track 'Transmitting From Space' (with Lewba) glides through cosmic synths, subtle breaks and hypnotic melodies so is sure to become a certified late-night burner. On the A-side, Louis and ritmiq deliver 'Interplanetary Prisoner' and 'Parallax,' which are both rich in mood and groove. ritmiq's solo cut 'Nebularae' closes the EP with high energy and dancefloor heat. Signals is a stylish, cosmic journey worth taking.
Review: Clixx Records is a new Berlin-based label from Rocco.fx that makes a striking debut with this new four-tracker that dives deep into the complex, dub-laced edges of modern techno, guided entirely by modular synthesis. Side A delivers two floor-focused cuts: 'Amazonas' is speedy dub techno with chords that bounce up top but have great restraint, while 'Jungla Analogica' is an unstoppably direct and bouncy dub techno classic that showcases the Argentine producer's knack for sound design. Side B shifts inward, offering a more introspective exploration of texture and atmosphere without losing momentum. 'Fauno' is an anxious, psychedelic workout for body and mind and 'Our Travel Destination' is a more traditional dub techno cavern a la Basic Channel.
Gari Romalis - "Electronix (I'm Ya Dancer)" (7:31)
G Major - "Metro To Downtown" (6:27)
Chuck Daniels & Hazmat Live - "I Want You" (6:25)
Max Watts - "Velocity" (6:35)
Review: Norm Talley's Detroit label Upstairs Asylum comes through with another various artists gem here: Gari Romalis kick off with the sort of smoky house depths you always expect from this imprint. 'Electronix (I'm Ya Dancer)' is dubbed out but dynamic, then G Major's 'Metro To Downtown' brings an injection of soul warmth and percussive looseness. Chuck Daniels & Hazmat Live's 'I Want You' is a darker, more heads down affair with freaky vocals and digital synth patterns over gritty, US garage styled low ends. Max Watts then cuts loose with the undulating dub techno depths of 'Velocity' to round out a varied EP.
Review: This new VA from the young Swiss label Covered compiles four forward-thinking artists pushing sonic boundaries in their own way but united by detailed sound design and refined instrumentation. Olivier Romero opens with bold, wave-driven rhythms while Luise brings intricate sequencing and crisp minimal percussion. Maik Yells follows with atmospheric depth built from lush pads and ghostly harmonies, weaving a moody narrative. OneKnock closes with a hypnotic blend of shifting rhythms and sub-heavy foundations. These tracks form a nice listen when played together and are rooted in rich texture, tone and subtle storytelling.
Review: Bielefeld's RR has been rolling out house sounds for the last five or so years on labels like Story About You, Feuilleton Germany and Ad Sol, but this time lands on Eat More House. He kick off his latest with the sweaty, humid and chunky deep house dynamics of the title cut before 'Rolex' has more thudding low ends but wispy, fuzzy synths and plenty of funky percussion. 'Dienstags Disco' ups the energy further then '81 12' sinks Ito a deeper vibe with smooth chords and rolling, dubby drums. 'DUNDR' leans into a serene sound with Motor City machine warmth and cuddly low ends. Plenty of ground is covered here, all of it with a stylish touch.
Review: Zinc was a busy busy boy in the 90s. Especially those foundation years. His work with Hype and Bizzy B around this time was legendary but besides his UKG moniker Jammin' years later, less is spoken of his various aliases. Jack Ruby had a cool run of cuts in 94 and 96 including this almighty slab of breakbeat drama 'Ophelia'. Big pads and a breath-taking arrangement. It's your quintessential deep or atmospheric jungle cut that has all the hallmarks of a Good Lookin jam. 'Beyond Reality' (which came out in 95 under his Tyranny alias) follows a similar sweeping sense of triumph but a little jazzier and cooler in its roll-out. Timeless.
Review: Each release on the Vacuity label follows a spiritual journey inspired by the chakra system. This third EP focuses on the solar plexus chakra, which represents self-confidence, action and inner power. Titled 'Chiron Key,' it also references the astrological symbol of healing and resilience and embodies a coming together of spirituality and rhythm that, hope the label, encourages you to connect deeply with your own inner strength through music. Cakkou's 'Missed Call' has tribal techno leads and trippy neon lines and Luca Ruiz's 'Safari FM' is a twitchy and futuristic world of minimal tech with sprawling bass.
Review: LowMoney unites fresh global talent for another big serving of their signature club sounds. Ukrainian producer Rustam kicks things off with 'Happy Comby,' a gritty acid-tinged groove built on deep, dreamy basslines. On A2, Jordan Lakofski delivers 'The Heat,' which is a nostalgia-soaked roller with a punchy 8-bit synth and infectious bassline. Glasidum nails the warm-up vibe with his trippy, groovy and perfectly deep opener on the flipside. Closing it out, Dutch duo MASI serve up a lush, introspective house cut that floats into the sunset. From acid edge to dreamy depth, this four-tracker has got something for everyone, which makes it a hugely useful 12" from the LowMoney camp.
Review: Razor-N-Tape's white label series serves up its first-ever various artists collection here, and it opens with Windy City master Glenn Underground. His 'Happy House' is a joyous disco stomper with florid strings and lung-busting vocals. Rahaan adds his own edit to 'Be Cool', which is a jazzy dancer with magnificent guitar work and brassy horns. 'Hot Damn' (JKriv edit) keeps the love flowing with funky disco house energy and an air of hands in the air celebration and The Patchouli Brothers flip 'Love Explosion' into a strident, front foot wafered and pumping disco funker with gorgeous vocals. There I so much sunshine and joy in these tunes that they melt even the stoniest of hearts.
Review: Grand Central Records founder and Manchester mainstay Mark Rae is back with New Town Ghosts, a powerful novel four years in the making that is set during the sweltering summer of 1976. This emotionally rich coming-of-age story is told through the eyes of ten-year-old boys navigating friendship, responsibility, and growing up and is paired with a nostalgic soundtrack of ten original songs performed in four-part harmony with strings, horns, choir and live instrumentation. The music evokes the warmth of a radio playing in a sun-drenched garden with themes of nature, wheels (ie via skateboards, wheelchairs and prams) and youthful rebellion echo throughout.
Royksopp - "Ice Machine" (exclusive Depeche Mode cover version - Godlike edit)
Johann Johannsson - "Odi Et Amo"
FR David - "Music"
Prelude - "After The Goldrush"
Richard Schneider Jr - "Hello Beach Girls"
Acker Bilk - "Stranger On The Shore"
Thomas Dolby - "Budapest By Blimp"
Byrne & Barnes - "Love You Out Of Your Mind"
Andreas Vollenweider - "Hands & Clouds"
John Martyn - "Small Hours"
XTC - "The Somnabulist"
This Mortal Coil - "Til I Gain Control"
Popol Vuh - "Aguirre I Lacrime Di Rei"
Review: Second time around for Royksopp's superb contribution to the popular, post-club focused LateNightTales mix series, a beloved volume that first hit record stores back in 2013. For the uninitiated, it sees the long-serving Norwegian twosome offer up an attractive blend of synth-heavy Scandolearic shufflers (their own cosmic pop number 'Daddy's Groove'), dubbed-out soul (Rare Bird), swelling synth soundtrack fare (Vangelis), neo-classical (Johann Johannsson), reverb-laden accapella beauty (Prelude), sun-soaked blue-eyed soul (Richard Schneider Junior), nods to the KLF's Chill Out album (Acker Bilk), seductive slow jams (Byrnes & Barnes), vintage Balearica (Andreas Vollenweider, John Martyn) and atmospheric new wave (XTC, This Mortal Coil).
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