Juno Recommends Deep House: August 2022

Review: First released way back in 2011 on one of Nick Anthony Simoncino's fine EPs for Metamatics, 'Jungle Dream' smartly joined the dots between turn-of-the '90s Italian dream house and the more jacking end of late '80s Chicagoan house. It was always ripe for remixing, such was the mixture of attractive musical elements on show, and we can't think of anyone more suited to the task than deep house legend Ron Trent. On the A-side 'Part I' remix, Trent tiptoes the fine line between attractive dreaminess and percussively weighty late-night house voodoo - all layered drums, groovy bass, whispered vocal snippets, languid lead lines and immersive pads. He goes for a more expansive, sunrise-ready sound - complete with fluid, Balearic house keyboard solos, sultry synth strings and sun-kissed chords - on the flipside 'Part II' mix.

Review: This week we've got a fresh label by Russian DJ/producer Anton Bogomolov aka Scruscru (SlothBoogie Jamz/Omena) with his friends on board for four DJ friendly tools for your pleasure. Inaugurating Scruniversal we have the label boss himself in collaboration with BR Selecta on the late-night mood music of 'Feel This Lov' followed by the deep and dusty poolside vibe of Replika's 'Hot Shapes' that's just perfect for the sunset. Over on the flip, there's the boompty bounce of Sweet Fruity Brunch's 'Basement Vibe' followed by the glassy-eyed and bittersweet 'S' by Meowsn.

Review: Theo Parrish and Marcellus Pittman's collaborations run deep, from those seminal Essential Selections 12"s some 20 years ago through to the T.O.M Project with Omar S, the 3 Chairs super group and on and on. In the usual Sound Signature style, a new link-up between the two Detroit legends arrives with a minimum on fanfare, just a killer jam with all the grit and soul you'd hope for from this pair. The drum levels push and pull in the mix from red line pressure to back seat driving, while a mellow blur of soul sampling comes calling through the mist until the titular low end glues everything together. It's understated and casual brilliance, everything a Sound Signature club drop should be.

Review: Limited edition reissue of the rare, sought after Boo Williams classic 'Fruits Of The Spirit' originally released in 1999, with four lush tracks completing the generous offering. The title track is blessed with a chugging rhythm, tinkling sonics and ascending, rushing synths, while elsewhere on the EP there's plenty of soothing, properly deep house all executed with a keen ear for melody and a knack for tempting feet floorwards. Don't miss this second chance to get your hands on a classic.

Review: Guesthouse Music is ecstatic to welcome the ultra-talented, chart-topping Joey Youngman back to the realm of classic house music with two officel remixese of Bobby D'Ambrosio's So Thankful, And Elevate Me. These stunning remixs, Youngman's first house productions in more than a decade, demonstrates with absolute clarity Youngman's roots in and love of the house music genre. As an added bonus we've got two more tracks from Peter Brown and label boss DJ Mes.

Review: Cardiff's Che Ahmed produces under many aliases such as Chesus, Earl Jeffers and Metabeats, but had only one release as Earls BOOOM!!!l It was widely sought after, leading to another much needed repress here - now the third since its original release back in 2016. 'Thank You' is a thumpin' disco house monster that's looped to perfection, and its vocal is just epic throughout. The dusty, late night heads-down stomp of 'Badadu' follows, while over on the flip he remixes some golden oldies you'll for sure know from the first beat, in the form of 'D-D-D' and 'The Paper'.

Review: NDATL continues with the return of Kayenne, Rain Fall Down originally produced by Chris Brann is the first single from Kayenne's forthcoming full length, produced by various Atlanta based producers, Kai Alce, Stefan Ringer, DJ Kemit, Salah Ananse & Chris Brann. This first offering bring forth Kayenne's sweet melody over atmospheric rhythms & pads over driving drums brought together on Anthony Nicholson's rewerk. Next an unexpected late night groover from Plastik Recordings, Marc Cotterell where his deep chords transport you deep into the dancefloor. This last mix comes from Groove Victim aka Jay Brown (whom we unfortunately lost late 2021) simple but elegantly effective very reminiscent of the early 90' MAW dubs! Once again NDATL blazes forward!

Review: A year after Ciao Italia: Generazioni Underground brought together plenty of rare and mega decent Italo house gems, Rebirth have put together another sublime collection. This one packs in plenty more Italian talents old and new and takes in all manner of lush house styles from deep and disco to Italo and Balearic. Beat Foundation's 'More' is an early standout with dusty but punchy drums and majestic chord sequences. Donato Dozzy & Rumi slip into mind melting territory with its elongated grooves and trippy vocals and Baia Club's 'Shine On' is classic old school jack for rich Mediterranean party vibes.

Review: Those of a certain vintage will know and most likely love Super Discount. Originally released in 1997 during French dance music's "French Touch" boom, the album offered a quirky snapshot of a vibrant Parisian scene in the centre of a creative explosion. Although credited to de Crecy, who compiled it (and mixed the CD version), he only produced some of the tracks, with others being collaborations with, or contributions from, the likes of Air, Alex Gopher and his then Motorbass partner, the late Phillipe Zdar. As this 25th anniversary edition proves, the album has lost none of its allure, offering a delicious mixture of loopy peak-time house, sample-rich deep house, horizontal lounge grooves, trip-hop, dub and rubbery jazz-house.

Review: Following a great one by local veteran Jason Hodges, the third vinyl release on Demuir's Toronto-based label Purveyour Underground Limited presents a brilliant two-tracker by Detroit legend Rick Wade. On side A, there's the sublime Detroit Beatdown vibe of 'Can't Be Beat' with positive vibes abound, followed over on the flip by the dreamy Sunday afternoon feels of 'Soldier's Story' that's perfect for those eyes-closed moments on the dancefloor. Tip!

Review: Craig Smith and Saleem Andrew McGroarty are longtime stalwarts of jazzdance, having both been active on the scene since at least the mid 90s. They're still at it; here they team up with keyboardist Steve Christie and bassist Cameron Bradley to form Sound Signals, a hybrid live house affair set to serve only the spiciest of sonic hors d'oeuvres. First on the platter comes 'Stevie's Groove', titularly referring to the keys player who utterly owns the house A-side. Meanwhile on the B, Unlike Soul Signals, comes Soul Renegades, the longtime moniker from Craig and Ricky Reid, who deliver a spiritualized string-dub version.

Review: Michigan's John Beltran has done it all over the years, from pioneering and ground breaking ambient albums to serene and soulful techno. This time out he lands on Turkish label Oath with four majestically musical tracks that go from Same shuffles to hi-tek soul. It is 'Em Trancoso' that opens up with a percussive Latin swirl, while 'Danca Da Manha' brings more electronics and punchy drums for the club. 'Kumbatia (Hold Them Close)' is exquisite lounge music with alluring vocals and dancing rhythms under smeared synths and 'Mallorca' closes on a perfectly Balearic comedown.

Review: Chicago's dance music history isn't exactly short of legends, but Spencer Kincy has to be one of the most enigmatic. Beyond his well documented struggles in life, his music beguiles and surprises in the way truly innovative house should, and that comes through in abundance on this reissue of a mystery joint from somewhere around the 1996 mark. There's a techier slant to tracks like 'Ginko B', especially compared to some of Kincy's best known work as Gemini, but it's still fizzing with an angular flair that could only come from one as funky as him. Just drop into the bubbling, melodious joy of 'Moodz' and let his inimitable sound take you away.

Review: Victor Simonelli made many terrific house records in the late '80s and early '90s, though few are quite as sublimely loved-up as his sole single as Cloud 9, 1992's 'Do You Want Me'. Brilliantly, Simonelli has approved this 30th anniversary reissue, with presents all four mixes from the original 12" in freshly remastered form. In its original 'Club Mix' form, 'Do You Want Me' is an unashamedly loved-up NYC deep house cut built from pleasingly skippy beats, saucer-eyed female vocals, smooth bass and prominent samples from Surface's boogie-era classic 'Falling in Love'. It comes backed by a tough drum dub (the 'Bonus Beats' mix), the accurately titled 'Deep Dub' and the rather luscious and lovely 'Dream Instrumental'.

Review: Omar S is back on FXHE with a seriously sassy piece of ballroom house vamping crying out for someone to walk. 'Miss Hunn'nay' features an insanely catchy vocal hook which loops out over some killer organ flex and a bassline guaranteed to get everyone grooving low down and nasty. It's Omar S at his party starting best. 'Money Hit Da Floor (Instrumental Mix)' brings it tough and deep, all snappy 909 beats, sharp stabs and those thick, immersive pads he does so well. 'Ice Cream (Instrumental Version)' closes this stellar 12" out with another finely chiseled workout which has all the hallmarks of an FXHE staple, rooted in the Motor City tradition but delivered with a panache that belongs to one man and one man only.

Review: Say hello to Global Swing a new label which says, "We present to you a vision of the future, informed by the past, for the here and now." It kicks off with a head turning, foot tapping new EP from Garrett David that joins the dots between plenty of classy electronic styles without paying too much heed to any in particular. 'Emergency' (feat Simone Green) bounces nicely with an old school house vocal that will bring good vibes to the floor. There is a similarly feel-good energy to 'Game Over' with its infectious drum skips and 'Watch Dis' then zones you out on nice balmy pads and crunchy drums.

Review: You can always count on Berlin by-way-of New York City's Fred P (Soul People Music) for music of the most deep and emotive nature, and you can bet that's on display for the fourth edition of his Private Society series. There's truly spiritual feelings abound on the mesmerising 'Wonderful & New', followed by the evocative mood music of 'Loft Jazz' on the first side. Over on the flip, feel positive and sunny vibes on the high hi-tech soul journey 'Grateful For Life'. Tip!

Review: Two months after the vinyl release of 'Big Beat Manifesto Vol V', the 6th installment of New Zealand producer Eden Burns' Big Beat Manifesto series is a melting pot of key features from Trance, Future Bass and Deep House, stirred and baked together in a playful and refreshing way. Side A features 'Hands Off My Beat', a joyous piece of tribal house that is sure to be a people pleaser, and 'Beat The Chart' which heel turns into a chiptune techno workout anthem - not the most severe genre 180 that Burns has ever done. Side B is the real treat. 'Hands On The Chart(Pad version)' is the masterclass in genre-fusion that keeps us coming back time after time to Burns. The track does what it says on the tin, the thumping pacemaker of a techno beat combined with airy percussion of 'Hands Off My Beat' and its tribal house borrowings. Following this release, Big Beat Manifesto is becoming more and more like an actual manifesto for deep house in all its shapes and sizes. In time the work of Eden Burns will prove to be incredibly influential on the house scene worldwide, and yet another banging release goes to show just that.

Review: It would be fair to say that C.M Toni is not one of 4 Hero man Marc Mac's best-known aliases. It was originally a pseudonym he used in the early '90s when delivering smooth, slick and warm house tracks - cuts that were very different from the hardcore and proto-jungle he was renowned for at the time - and it was only ever utilised on one obscure 12" single. This must-check 12" showcases six tracks he recorded for the project in 1993, but for one reason or another were not released at the time. There's much to savour, from the organ-rich, New Jersey-goes-to-Dollis Hill swing of 'Like it Hot', the deliciously deep, Mood II Swing style 'Oh So Special', 'Feelin' Jazzy' and the piano-rich brilliance of 'Rock U All Nite'.

Review: New label Taf Kif kicks off with this classy VA package from some cool cats who know how to lay down a slick groove or two. First up on this distinctly 80s-styled package is Axel Boman, who brings some of his signature sparkling melodies to a synth-pop indebted jam entitled 'Oasis'. Meanwhile Velmondo follows up with something a little more trippy and adventurous on 'Echo Welt', before MLiR inaugurates the B-side with the sultry tones of 'It's Baby Time'. Lusille completes the set with the hazy Afro house deviations of 'Une Longue Route', riding a swung groove that offers something different from the everyday cookie cutter house we know so well.

Review: Frizner Electric label head and Detroit talent Ladymonix brings plenty of fine summer sounds on her new EP which comes not that long after last year's still fresh Steppin' Out EP. This newline is a chance for her to show her many different styles. It combines jazzy, bright, deep, big house grooves with plenty fo well dug out samples and layered percussion. 'High Notes' kick off with gorgeous synth work and breezy sax motifs next to seductive vocals and 'Blow Your Mind' then bumps that bit harder and deeper. 'A Bop' is classic Motor City house with squelchy bass and loose drums and Big Beat' brings the vibes with more swirling chord work and crisp boom-bap drums.

Review: Worldship Music recruit a varied and vital crew for this new series entitled Herald Traccs Volume 1. It's stuffed with interesting deep house for the more classy dance floors. Perennial favourite Santiago Salazar opens things up with some brilliantly jazzy and balmy chords over soulful beats, then Kelvin K comes through with 'En Echo' which skinks into a warm, cuddly and timeless groove with spoken words to send shivers down the spine. On the flip is Teflon Dons with 'Movements In The Opium Den Act III (Reston's Flat)' which stretches its legs booming kicks and then Westcoast Goddess brings a tender touch with 'First Tear.'

Review: Kerri Chandler has been described quite correctly as "the Stevie Wonder of house music." What he brought to the world of deep house was real musicality, as well as hefty, signature kicks that have a seemingly impossible amount of weight and bounce, but also funk. He is back with a first album in years later on in 2022 but first he is teasing us all with plenty of samplers from it. We get two more tunes here - the first 'Never Thought' with those trademark kicks, a nice vocal and some peak time tech energy. 'Get Lost In It' is a more soulful tune with big diva vocals and raw, stripped back beats.

Review: A timely reissue of an eternal Detroit house classic, and one remastered by Yossi Amoyal and recut at MMM Berlin at that. Carl Craig and the late Mike Huckaby (RIP) remix of Delano Smith, with Craig taking on 'Midnight Hours' with dreamy synths and light, bouncy grooves blazing and some subtly dubby effects up his sleeve, and Huckaby's version of 'What I Do' typified by a cute keyboard motif and some crunchy, crunchy snares. Another tour de force from Sushitech.

Review: French DJ and Producer Jacques Bon teams up with fellow Parisian, underground DJ and producer Drux for his 5th EP. The subtle deep house LP incorporates techno elements, especially in the subliminal sub-bass lines on tracks like 'Celeste' and 'Mirage', borrowing from the exclusive rave and party atmosphere the two became famous from. Whilst the record does have high points in 'Space Ways' and 'Sandstorm', 'A Long Way' is a mellow raving experience, with the duo's clever use of percussion and tubular bells to create a laid-back, sophisticated atmosphere throughout. This record is the perfect background soundtrack for parties that last long into the night, and all the way through the morning.

Review: Heidelberg native Dave Moufang aka Move D had a recent reboot of Source Records (which he ran from 1992 - 2005 together with Jonas Grossmann) with a series of 12's documenting his set of live video streams recorded during the first year of the pandemic. It's now into its fourth edition which features the woozy hi-tech jazz beats of 'Tides' and the lo-slung groove of 'Freedom From The Mask' on the A side. Flip over and things go deep and introspective on the sunset groove of 'The Golden Pudelizer' (feat Ruftata110) followed by the blunted off-world beats of 'NoqqiN'.

Review: Veteran Detroit producer Javonntte returns to New York City-based Coloring Lessons with a full solo EP, featuring five groove-driven house tracks of the highest order. Features the deep late night jam 'House Grammy' featuring label head Musclecars, and the dusty, heads-down jack of 'Matheny May' on the A side, as well as the lo-slung mood music of 'Get It Up' over on the flip. What's more, there's a remix from Brooklyn's Toribio, known for his BDA party and his work as the brains behind Conclave (Love Injection Records).

Review: Notorious internet motormouth Thomas Cox dropped the first EP on his own new QED label back in 2020, but only now is the vinyl arriving with us. It was worth the wait, however, because as much as it would be fun to find the sort of faults in his music that he does in everyone else's, these are three raw as you like tracks that go direct to the soul. Detroit influences of course loom large throughout, with each cut layering up dirt and grime, dusty drums and rusty synths to hypnotic effect. The standout might be the unresolved loops and cosmic-gaze of 'Starry Ave,' but any of these will make an impact on the right dance floor.