FLORENCE Vinilo y CD

Review: The Florence label is back with more of its high grade funk here with the eponymous artist or artists behind another healthy dose on this new 7". 'Dancing' is a raw sound with slapping drum hits and plenty of noodling synth lines that elevate the whole thing next to big horns. But the icing on the cake is of course the raw vocal lead that is offset by some more sooth female coos. A more funky and bouncy break is the foundation of the flipside joint 'Be My Baby' with its alluring vocals and raw 60s aesthetic serving to get you up on your toes.

Review: The Florence label actually started a decade ago back in 2023 and it has not rushed things in that time, so only now is it making its way to a 15th outing - although it also now has a 7" funk off-shoot. This one is another cultured deep house sound that recalls the work of Hamburg's Smallville crew. It comes for the in house production outfit and is cuddly and deep to start with, then disco laced and utterly feel good on 'Bphect' and dark and more tech edge on the trippy 'Cphect'. Last of all is the curiously hard to define but swaggering deep house of 'Dphect' which we think samples... Cliff? Four beguiling tunes.

Review: Florence is back on their own self titled label for a fifth outing that once again brings hardcore funk groves laden with great samples. 'Get Down' is raw and driving with hard hits and bouncing bass all delivered in a lo-fi style under guttural vocals. 'Dirty' is more sleazy and low slung with a more seductive vocal sound and plenty of modern synth lines next to the authentic rhythm section sounds. Whoever is behind this project sure knows how to cook up the funky goods and then some.

Review: Not to be confused with Stefan Robbers' early alias, this Florence 12"series reaches back to 2013 amidst a string of low key club cuts with an emphasis on quality and originality. On the 14th in the series, we lead in with the snappy, mellow electro tones of 'Modmood' with its poppy vocal hooks in the midst of the 808 jamming. 'Crazy' offers another strong singalong moment as we get snatches of a Beyonce classic set to a brooding electronic backdrop. This series is a unique enterprise exploring the divide between underground dance music and mainstream pop and coming up with something truly compelling which might just create an unforgettable moment in the club.

Review: The fourth EP from Florence on their own Florence label is simply entitled 'Funk.' And that is what we get in two different variations on this limited 45rpm' There is an old swing feel to the opener which has vocals that Elvis would be proud of. 'Bossa Nova Baby' is lovely and hard-hitting with hand claps and steel drums adding fuel. On the backside is 'I Got You' which is a more sweet soul sound driven by funky brass and prickly bass motifs. Two golden oldies for sure.

Review: During the early-to-mid 1990s, Stefan Robbers released some of the most inspired techno to come out of the Netherlands during the period, mostly under the Florence pseudonym on the Eevo Lute Muzique label he co-founded in 1991. This fine triple-vinyl compilation from Delsin tells the tale of both artist and label, drawing together the best of Robbers' work for the label. You'll find extensive liner notes from fine techno scribe Oli Warwick on the accompanying insert, but it's the music - a mixture of sci-fi flavoured club cuts, dreamy and melodious electronica, heady ambient techno, and tactile, loved-up rhythmic soundscapes - that makes "Analogue Expressions" such an essential listen.