Back catalogue: Deep House

Review: "Mortal Trance" by Windy City legend Boo Williams was originally released on the Residual EP back in 2010 but gets some killer remixes now. They'd best be decent, because the original is a right classic! But rest assured, they do not disappoint. Local legend Jordan Fields' "Spacedub redit" doesn't deviate from the original too much thankfully. The man himself turns in the "Chicago Running Remix". We originally thought if it ain't broke, don't fix it but this version is pretty sweet, injecting a bit more energy and swing into it quite nicely. Finally the "Ricardo Miranda Mortal Trance rerub" sees another stalwart of the scene show off his vision of the track which applies more layers and complexity to it on this decent rendition.

Review: House doesn't get much more Chicago than when made by Boo Williams. The big man has been turning out the jams for decades, always with an irresistible sense of low-end bite and top-end fun. This outing on the French label Phonogramme comes on clear wax and is another crucial 12". 'Melodic Groove' is just that, with rolling drums and soft melodies perfectly intertwining while 'Nite Vision' is a more broken beat and percussive affair with swirling pads up top. 'Artificial World 2023' (feat Jamiel Patton) gets your head amongst the stars with its bright, lush keys and skipping soulful drums and last of all is another heady and cosmic house roller in 'Song & Dance' (feat Jamiel Patton - Planet mix).

Review: Boo Williams is in good company appearing here on Sushitech's sub label Pariter where he joins the illustrious likes of Delano Smith and Norm Talley in its ranks. You wait for a Boo Williams record and then, of course, two come along, 'Day Rise' being accompanied by the simultaneously released 'Night Fall', each with their own corresponding vibe. 'Day Rise' is definitely more upbeat of the two but it's a subtle distinction - it's certainly not full of 4AM bangers designed to keep you awake until the busses start running again. 'Talley Up' is a very straight forward affair, circling around a two note synth riff and gradually building percussion. 'The Take Over' is similarly spritely, another builder with crashing cymbals, jazzy chords and drum machine tumbles steadily building an insurmountable wall of funkiness. Breezy, bumping closer 'Teleport' completes the set, meaning three ultra-handy, raw but sophisticated tunes that house and techno DJs alike will find slipping into their sets with a natural ease.

Review: Chicago house artists don't come much bigger or more accomplished than Boo Williams. The man has a famous signature sound that is full of party but never short on class. His chunky drums are always the foundational element and they come embellished with superb synth work. This new EP on Pariter finds him lean into tech with the loopy acid squelches of '303 Effect' keeping you in suspense, 'Acid Smoke' layering soft 303 lines into a punchy deep house cut and then comes the EP highlight, 'Extension Time'. It's a zoned-out roller with tender piano chords turning you inwards for deep reflection as the rubbery drums keep things moving.

Review: Despite a sizable, high-quality discography that stretches back to 1994, Boo Williams has never been as hyped or celebrated as many of his Chicago deep house peers. Perhaps it's time we gave him some love because the Natural Service EP - his first solo 12" on Chiwax since 2014 - is undeniably excellent. Check first opener 'Ambushed', where twinkling electronics and sumptuous pads ride jackin' drums and a brilliant bassline, before turning your attention to 'Echoes of the Dance', an acid-flecked journey through dreamy, loved-up deep house that's as picturesque as they come. Flipside 'Zone' is even more hypnotic and trance-inducing, sitting somewhere between classic deep house and the techier end of Omar-S's output.

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: It's another family affair over at New York City's Razor N Tape label. For this edition, they have tapped the ever reliable Israeli indie-dance heroes Red Axes for a euphoric rendition of Nenor's 'Do You Remember' (feat Jenny Penkin) making for proper Balearic vibes, while the one-and-only Boo Williams delivers another ultra-deep house journey in the form of 'Besty Smith'. Over on the flip, we see the return of New Zealand-based producer Frank Booker who hands in the late night mood music of 'Time Won't Tell' followed by Peter Matson with a slinky and neon-lit rework of label chief JKriv's 'Something Else'.

Review: Boo Moonman presents The Best Of Boo Williams, a selection of quality deep house from the Windy City veteran's back catalogue of timeless work, featured on seminal homegrown imprints such as Relief, Diaspora, Farris Wheel and more. Whether it's the late night mood music of 'Classic Fingers', the spiritual charm of 'Tickle Me' to the hypnotic afterhours vibe of 2013's 'Piano Trance' or the high-octane boompty funk of 'Flashback' there's no doubt of Williams' valuable contribution to Chicago house music - an undisputed legend.

Review: A tricksters' release - in that it's almost certainly one of those that cleverly aims to look like an old late 80s house cut, but isn't - Boo Williams' newest deep house LP 'Depths Of Life' is a subtly head-swanging swayer through leagues of tunes that defy anxiety. One can almost be guaranteed an easy ride through this album thanks to its emphasis on vibe rathe than posey complexity. Echoic laughter, sonic reflections and delayed acid lines all pepper its omnipresent, rubbery basses, with baseball organs ('Creepy') and trance tropes ('One Step Closer', 'Mortal Trance') cropping up aplenty.