Review: Kai Alce's faultless NDATL label brings us more goodies direct from his base in Atlanta, which might be best known for its rap but also packs a punch when it comes to house music. This one is from Rasheeda Ali, a new name that might be familiar to anyone who heard Kai's 'Sheed's Move' tune from a previous EP. She has also been on stage with none other than Jeff Mills and here her flute skills come to the fore with production from Kai. 'Libra Ascending' has a snappy bounce, then 'Sheed's Rising' showcases Rasheeda's gymnastic flautist abilities. A fine debut.
Review: B2 Recordings rolls out more of its quality-assured deep house here with Label head Bengoa stepping up next for a new three-tracker that comes with featured guests Kristina Berger and Brothers' Vibe. 'Idyot' kicks off with deep and pulsing synths and clacking hits that bring an early Chicago vibe next to the libidinous and erotic vocals which really tease. 'Meet Me Halfway' sinks into a super silky groove that is deep as you like and driven by stylish drum hits under a muttered vocal. 'Come On Now' then sinks into a more acid-laced atmosphere with sustained chords keeping you on edge next to loose and jumbled percussion. It's a stylistically diverse EP, this one.
Review: Rebirth kicks off its 2024 with a remix EP that serves as "a tribute to the Brescian music scene in its many facets and declinations." The full original project is a complete 12-track album that brings together many different sounds, scenes and generations, with the best bits now assembled on this new 12". The revered deep house master Fred P opens up with some texture spiritual synth depths, K-Lone brings some nice house swing to his version of 'Paline' and edit maestro Rahsaan also keeps it paired back and late night on his soulful take on 'Scent Of An Old Life'. A great reimagining of some moving musical adventures, then.
Review: Kiko Navarro kicks off 2024 with his Afroterraneo label's first release, presenting a fresh rendition of 'Mama Calling', his enduring collaboration with Buika. Originally released in 2004, the track was revitalised during preparations for a November 2023 live show, becoming a standout performance. Retaining its signature horn stabs, this updated version injects new energy into the vibrant, life-affirming anthem. With a remix by Tedd Patterson included, the release promises to ignite dancefloors well into the New Year, offering a perfect blend of nostalgia and contemporary flair.
Alex Burkat - "Take It Away" (Kalyptra remix) (6:14)
Kalyptra - "Young Indigo Theme" (5:44)
Alex Burkat & Matt Cif - "Magneta" (4:53)
Review: For their second 12" release - which comes on the heels of a great debut - the Only Child label presents a fresh soundscape for a fictional Manhattan neighbourhood. It takes the form of a split EP on which Alex Burkat offers his interpretation of modern deep house on 'Take It Away', while Kalyptra brings a distinctive Ecuador-meets-Philly influence with his remix. The label hopes that the fusion of these styles creates an ethereal, body-moving soundtrack that captures the essence of walking through the streets of New York City in 2024, while 'Kalyptra' adds his own heady and dreamy tech house sounds and Matt Cid steps up to collaborate on closer 'Magenta' which glistens with melodic radiance.
JKriv - "Better Than Her" (feat Saucy Lady & Tortured Soul) (4:39)
Kim Anh - "In The Stars" (5:06)
Cody Currie - "Ghost" (4:48)
Review: Razor-N-Tape's Family Affair series makes a welcome return here with a third great instalment. This series is something of an annual end-of-year tradition by now (OK, it's arriving a touch late) and this one hits as hard as any with five tracks taken from the full and standout compilation. It is two great remixes of classic RNT material that gets things underway with Ezel offering a dub of Cor.ece and Bruce Leroys sublime deep hose mix of Guinu, then JKriv's 'Better Than Her' is a fat bottomed bit of deep cut electro funk and elsewhere Kim Anh gets raw and cosmic, and Cody Currie's 'Ghost' is broken beat perfection.
Listen Love (original Funkhut instrumental) (6:44)
Listen Love (Funkhut dub) (5:02)
Review: Funkhut Records is proud to bring to you the anticipated release by DjPope & The Funkhut All Stars Feat. Kenny Wesley "Listen Love". With all the live instrumentation along side Kenny's extraordinary interpretation of the great Jon Lucien's original, "Listen Love' makes this release a must have for any music connoisseur. Produced, Mixed and Arranged by DjPope. Additional Mixing by David Sussman, Mastered by Joey Hernandez, Bass : Irv Madden Guitar: Karlos Brickhouse Drums: PJ Spraggins Congas: Kevin Pinder Keyboards: Charles Dockins.
Review: Aaron Siegel's Fit moniker links up with the considerable talents of Gunnar Wendel (better known as Kassem Mosse) for this killer two-tracker on FXHE, and even Omar S gets in on the action with some mixdown assistance. "Track 1" works around sizzling drums, emotive bass and a diverse spread of melodic sources for a simple and direct slice of analogue house. "Track 2" is a real carpet-burn of a track, taking the quality up to a new level with a gorgeous line in lead synths moulded into a thoroughly sexy concoction while the drums stay pert and primed for all manner of sultry floor action.
Review: It's ten up for the FrescoEdits Iabel with this latest entry into their esteemed series and as always there are plenty of irresistible beats on offer. The in-house FrescoEdits add their touch to the glorious, string-laced and funky disco of 'Little Love' and bring bumping beats and funky guitar riffs to 'Philadelphia'. Rogue D's 'Pensi A Me' is a super smooth heart melter for dancing in the open air as the sun begins to fade, while Kings Of Groove's 'You Got The Funk' is a soulful, slapping house cut with cosmic synth energy and hooky vocals that will always bring the good times.
Review: The prolific Kieron Ifill continues to gift us with truly expressive, elevated house music drawing from the well of soul music and Black innovation that birthed the genre in the first place. After a recent 7" drop on Sounds Familiar, he's back on his own Esencia label with Rituals, a four-track meditation on sweet, synth-led grooves with melodious expression, harmonic interplay and a certain melancholy magic in its bones. The 12" is bookended by mellow, beatless reveries, with 'Ritual IV' in particular closing the record out in a beautiful flourish of piano and trickling water, but the jams at the heart of the EP have more than enough presence to get a floor moving in unison.
Review: Many years after the first instalment we are now treated to a second volume of the Culross Close project from K15, a one time Wild Oats graduate, artist, DJ, producer and deep thinker who mixes up house, hip hop and jazz. He assumes his usual alias for the opener 'Pulse' which dances on dusty drums with nagging melodies in the middle and plenty of swing. On the flip he becomes Culross Close for 'Dawn' which his less club ready and more expressive, with heart melting pianos and a real jumble of drums and perc that is brilliantly loose.
Nordhouse (Luke Hess & Brian Kage Reference remix) (5:51)
Galaxian (Max Watts remix) (6:02)
Review: Detroit's Brian Kage is back with more Motor City goodness, this time as a remixer alongside a fine selection of peers. It is his Timeless Times album that gets reworked here and for his remix of 'Nordhouse' he works with fellow Detroiter and dub techno don Luke Hess to cook up a warm, shuffling sound. Elsewhere Delano Smith brings his signature smoky loops and plaintive keys to 'Detroit Techno City', Milton Jackson steps up with a buddy deep house roller and 'Galaxian' gets an electro remix from Max Watts to make this a classy, quality collection.
Review: With releases already clocked up on Carl Craig's Planet-E, the Omar S-run stable FXHE and Rob Modell's Echospace, Detroit house/techno fans with a keen eye (and ear) will already know Brian Kage. Michigander is his own label and this EP - that kicks off with Taho and Kage joining forces again on its A-side - was a success when it first emerged on marbled vinyl in March 2023. So much so, in fact, that's it been given a repress. With traces of acid and uplifting piano notes undewrwritten by deep chords on the opener '909 Nights', 'Warehouse Vibes' then brings driving kicks and dubby techno bliss before the closer 'JAX' goes in the style with its fist pumping rhythms. Motor City musical magic at its best.
Review: Planet Trip Records calls Millos Kasier one of their favourite DJs on earth so they are buzzing to have him next up. He is a Brazilian talent who brings plenty of the energy and style of his homeland to this EP. 'Te Quero Perto' has woody, knocking beats and an old-school Chicago bassline setting the tone before glistering and retro-future keys arrive to bring light and hope. A Latin vocal and Italo chords then take things to the next level and make this a real summer sizzler. A Paco Cabana is more percussive and Lipelis & Orion Agassi offer two different versions that rework it for the club.
Review: House and tech futurists Mindhelmet is back with more of its probing club cuts thanks to this five tracker from Andy Kas. It embodies everything this label has become known for amongst cultured DJs and diggers, namely effective tracks that are more than mere tools. 'Dyn-O-Myte' has synths that bring a life of their own to the shuffling beats and digital melodies, 'Wonder Bread' has a cosmic glow in the neon synth motifs and steely tech drum work and 'X-Presso' is a shot of broken beat energy with spoken word samples adding a sense of fun. 'P-Cake Palooza' and 'Brekky Sensation' see things out with more industrial space-tech sounds.
Review: Berlin-based musician, producer, and DJ Alex Kassian is well known for his solo works but also his work as Opal Sunn. Here he leaves behind the gritty and sweaty dance floor and heads out into the sun. 'Leave Your Life (Lonely Hearts Mix)' pairs live sounding drums and nice Balearic riffs with care-free feels that lift your spirits. The dance mix is more weight and propulsive and then 'Spirit Of Eden' again sets off through a clear blue sky, with twinkling chords and soft, pillowy drums. The Bill Laswell dub layers in the reverb and slows things down to a nice lazy tempo.
Got 2 Groove (feat Devorah & Ida Burroughs) (7:28)
Review: US house music producer Dana Kelley's 'Beta' was originally released in a 1999 and became a late era tech house classic just ahead of electronic music moving towards big trance and prog sounds. It is an expensive original to find nowadays so this Chiwax reissue is welcome indeed. 'Beta' exudes a hypnotic energy that is driven by pulsating rhythms and intricate layers of synthesizers to make for a fine fusion of techno, house and ambient elements that will still captivate the dancefloor today. 'Left With Nothing' is a deeper opener, then things get more raw on 'Nastiness' and 'Armageddon' is drenched din soulful pad work. 'Got 2 Groove' is a stomping percussive groove with a busy and cosmic lead.
Tu Tak Tu Tak Tutiyan (Elado's Gulab Jamun rework) (4:10)
Tu Tak Tu Tak Tutiyan (Elado's 4 AM mix) (4:48)
Review: Elado Gulab Jamun did a fantastic job with his edit of this Bollywood gem to the extent that it has become a real dancefloor gem that's been much loved all around the world for the last two years. Now it makes its way to a 7" vinyl pressing and is backed with his 4am mix of the same tune. This one is a sublime and dubbed out, acid tinged electronic trip that comes with original CD artwork that pays great tribute to original artist Nadim Khan. Another tasteful outing from Razor-N-Tape for this fresh edit.
Review: A top value for money opportunity here, as Moiss Music deliver the latest in their sweet and sticky Jam series of various artist 12" line ups, bringing you no less than six bubbling, vivacious disco triumphs from six artists. Khemir's 'Disco Bandit' kicks off proceedings, a production that sounds like it was made by a band of around 45 musicians, a proper cavalcade of strings, brass, brazen disco thump and beautifully bold vocals. Wurzelholz's 'Prince' goes for a bit more economy but with a slinky funk bassline like that - not to mention the occasional exclamation from the purple overlord himself - it's equally devastating in dancefloor terms. Among the other highlights, 'Golden' by I Gemin has the feel of a lost Daft Punk flip tune and Cosmocomics' 'Glamorous Garcon', boasting 70s-style synth bubbles that are as cute as they are retro. Tasty as ever.
Review: All Day I Dream has been rolling out the most cuddly and serene house music you can imagine for a good while now but still Lee Burridge's outlet continues to keep us hooked. Khen is an artist whose sound fits in well here and barely a bar has passed before you're gazing up to a cloudless sky and dreaming of outdoor dancing. 'My Pure Soul' is escapist bliss and 'Lyup' then gets a little more direct with some busier percussion and more textured surfaces. 'Uchi Mata' closes out the trip with yawning synths and deft, delicate drum patterns that are impish and mindful.
Review: Soul Departure clicks up its fifth EP here with Kikko Esse the able producer at the helm for the occasion. 'Deep Mind' is indeed deep but it's fulsome too - warm pads rush through the air waves as the drums and kicks establish the groove below. '4 PM' is more stripped back to the thudding kicks and lo-fi synth leads but diffuse chords bring plenty of late night soul. There is an upbeat energy to the surging house warmth of B-side opener 'Take It Easy' then 'Make It' shuts down in devastatingly emotional fashion with heart-melting chords and nagging little vocal hooks.
Train Music (Andres Aguirre Spicy Paracousia remix) (7:05)
Review: It is over to Sapporo's Jun Kimata aka BirdMan for the Forbidden Colours imprint out of Bilbao (Spain), who've previously delivered great work by the likes of label boss Aitor Etxebarria aka EL_TXEF_A, Eduardo de la Calle and Andres Aguirre. The Shape Of My Voice EP starts off with the driving and tunneling deep electro workout "Two Billion Light-Years Of Silence" that's dripping in futurist aesthetic, while "Track 2" is a more dystopian affair on this dark ambient/drone piece. On the flip, we have got "Train Music" which effectively bridges the gap between hypnotic techno and deep house (the label's preferred aesthetic of late) and rather inventively indeed. The "Spicy Paracousia remix" by the aforementioned Aguirre takes the track on wonderfully spaced out deep house journey over its glorious seven minutes. Nice one!
Review: The short-lived moniker of Kingpin Cartel comprised techno titan Mark Broom and lost legend CJ Baker. Their output spanned a 5-year period starting in 2005, on which the release of 'Moogie Nights' laid down their methodology; funky abstinations from Broom's usual style of hard, gritty techno. The 'Ghetto' EP was their second and most famous release. Best known for its lead title track, a triumphant techno-funk piece and a prototype for the bright, swanky mode repopularised by the likes of KiNK in recent decades. Also came 'Fishfunk', a wacky cut dipping its on motifs from French house to g-funk, and 'Bottle', a raspy house number replete with bitcrushed chords and domestic, found-sound samples.
Sound's Good Inc - "Masen'hamba" (David Morales Red Zone mix) (6:07)
FNX Omar - "Ghomari" (feat Said Rifai) (6:36)
Re You & Soheil - "Mapawani" (main version) (7:33)
Review: After kicking off the year with the stellar MoBlack Gold Vol. 2 VA, Mimmo Falcone's label does it again with a crucial cluster of spiritually charged, Afro-rooted house jams from on-point producers. This 12" kicks off with Manoo's remix of KingSfiso, creating a delicate, melancholic trip out of 'Ilanga' with Mbuso Khoza's vocals front and centre. David Moralez gets seriously deep into the groove with his Red Zone mix of Sound's Good Inc's 'Masen'hamba'. FNX Omar offer up a brooding cut driven by organic tones on 'Ghomari', and Re You & Soheil bring a more electronic palette to bear on their own Afro-house throwdown, 'Mapawani'.
Review: Kitchen Plug is a Parisian trio that seeks to combine "the rebellious energy of punk and the synth-driven chaos of electro." This new EP on Chat Noir does bear that out with some playful and quirky cuts packed with fresh sound designs and charming vocals over some effective drum programming. 'A New Kind Of Peace' is a hooky opener with a carefree vibe, 'L'amante (feat Vica)' brings some disco licks and 'La Nuit' gets more raw and direct. 'Confusao' is a balmy and widescreen number that encourages you to daydream and 'Captain Nikouze' shuts down with some pixelated synth madness.
Mark Knight & Armand Van Helden - "Don't Abuse It" (extended) (5:47)
Cloud One - "Disco Juice" (Fabrikate rework) (4:47)
Full Intention - "Sky;s The Limit" (6:37)
Ewan McVicar - "Plain Outta Luck" (5:59)
Review: KooKoo offers up a sampler of what it is all about here and it spans some big-name house talents and equally big tunes. Mark Knight & Armand Van Helden open up with 'Don't Abuse It' (extended) which is a full-throttle house sound with diva vocals and plenty of raw fills. Cloud One's 'Disco Juice' (Fabrikate rework) brings some 70s disco energy to modern production and Full Intention's 'Sky's The Limit' is a celebratory house cut with loose grooves and freewheeling pads. Last of all is the party-starting disco house pumper 'Plain Outta Luck' from Ewan McVicar.
Review: The Club Mix crew rolled out a third impressive new 12" here and once again it tapes into some old-school house values but with new-school perspectives. Known Artist serves up the one original, 'El Ritmo Fatal' which is a dark house cut with analogue drums, menacing horn blasts and moody vocals. The Fantastic Man remix brings some comic energy and more free-flowing house rhythms and then the Baldo remix is a more tribal techno sound with dense grooves. Last of all is a psychedelic rework from Matisa that brings some yelping vocals and raw analogue drum pressure. All are club weapons, make no mistake.
Review: Matt Edwards's label Rekids continues to do a brilliant job of curating innovative and interesting techno sounds that work in the club but never lack character. This time it looks to Hilit Kolet who kicks off with 'Snap Talk' (feat Kameelah Waheed) - it's a buoyant and bass-heavy bit of bouncing techno with chattery claps and Afro rhythms. On the flip side, 'Gate 33' is another bold club sound with great vocals worked into the busy broken beats as a peppering of percussion up top adds further layers of rhythm. Both of these will make a real mark in any set.
Review: Johannes Kolter is Kolter and is also a producer who went under the name DJOKO. He's been busy this year with plenty of goodness dropping including an album and three EPs. Now comes hit sone, again on his home label Pilot. It is inventive stuff that functions well on the floor as it straddles the worlds of breaks, house and plenty more. 'Got High Again' is lively and dynamic with its squealing leads and dusty breaks, then 'Weirdo' layers up leftfield melodies and blurts of playful synth modulation. 'Prospekt' is a wild fusion of rock riffs and high-speed funky breaks and 'Duck Concert' closes with hardcore drum breaks and soulful synths next to mad scratchinG.
Review: PIV Is a Dutch label that has done a fine job of moving the deep house dial onwards in recent times. Although its output has a healthy reverence for the classic sound, it also brings a fresh energy, spaced-out feels and tech house kick. Kolter nails that contemporary vibe once more here with the new single 'Come On Back With Your Love,' a super sweet and soulful sound. The vocal is buttery, the drums laid back and the vibes flow free. After that Sunrise Mix comes a more kicking and direct Sunset for when the darkness descends and the party switches up a gear. Class stuff.
Kolter & Leo Pol - "Please Come To My Show" (5:52)
Up In The Sky (5:53)
Up In The Sky (Cinthie remix) (5:59)
Review: Kolter has been busy, as always, and has a couple of fine outings dropping at similar times. This one on Bristol's always-wealthy Shall Not Fade is on nice orange vinyl. It opens with the feel-good synth chords of 'DX7 Together' which also has something of an early Chicago house feel to the cowbells, but plenty of future-facing tech vibes too. The pace picks up for the warm and breezy 'Please Come To My Show' (feat Leo Pol) then it's more chord-laced joy that comes to the fore on 'Up In The Sky'. Berlin fav Cynthia makes those chords have a distinctly old-school feel with her remix.
Review: From Kon's forthcoming compilation on BBE entitled Kon & The Gang, this 12? sampler features two cuts taken from the LP and an exclusive remix from Boston producer and mix engineer Caserta, namely "Timeless" (Caserta mix)" a tasty serving of super deep and low slung disco goodness. A more functional edit for DJ use follows on "Timeless" (remix - Caserta mix)". On the flip Truccy (better known as Compost's Rainer Truby and Corrado Bucci) present "Closer", a gorgeous slo-mo house jam with a rolling groove fetauring all the good stuff: swirling Rhodes keys, groovy congas and hypnotic vox.
Review: "Fresia Magdalena is about activism" says Berlin based Peruvian Sofia Kourtesis. It comes after a breakout 2020 that saw her get props as far and wide as The Observer and Mixmag as well as playing in NME's Top 100 list. She builds on that success with another EP that marks a big step up and features her singing properly on her own music for the first time. The sound sources here owe a lot to Peru, with jingling bells and rumbling bass, rich melodies and also explicit field recordings collected from around the city of Lima. The grooves are rooted in house but explore the every edges of the genre in personal and absorbing ways.
Review: Mule Musiq regular Kuniyuki is undoubtedly one of the surest bets for delicate, considered deep house music from Japan, and he makes his first appearance on his home label for 2015 with the sumptuous tones of the Newwave Project #2. The title track is a patient stalker that lets the percussion shuffle in a skittish manner, while strings dangle nervously over head, and yet the whole experience is a soothing one. Musk turns in a remix of the track which heads into more obviously spaced out territory with some decidedly cosmic bleep tones, before Kuniyuki switches up his styles for "Newwave Project #4" with a track clearly fuelled on the heat and passion of early synth pop arpeggios and industrial experimentation.
Review: We're happy to report that the music on the 'Son of a Biscuit' EP from Kuwahara aka Mick Wilson and Scott Gray is every bit as colourfully eccentric as the title it bears. 'Ginger Cut' is dubbed up cloud of sound billowing over choppy hip-hop breaks, with an old skool female MC poking her head out of it to have her say every now and again. Rich Tea's edit of the track takes it into housier territory but, like one of those old Orb ambient singles singles on Wau Mr Modo, still gives plenty of work to the studio's echo chambers. 'Jaffa Quake' goes for snazzy, jazzy overtones and off kilter breaks, 'Kustard Cream' offers up reggae skank, again served up with plenty of sonic exotica, and there's even a more relaxed, Balearic bonus mix of 'Ginger Cut'. A thoroughly nutty record, but a genius one at the same time.
Review: West Yorkshire's finest house label Hudd Trax - named after Huddersfield, of course - kicks out more essential and timeless jams here with Eddie Leader at the helm. Kids in The Streets feature on this package which includes a single and several different versions. The original form of 'Pressure' is a lovely deep house groove with warming chord vamps and smoky vocals. There's a subtle skip to the drums that really locks you in, then comes an Instrumental Mix that makes more of the starry synth work. The dub has fatter, heavier low ends and a 90s New York vibe, then a Dubstrumental closes out another tidy package.
Kirill Matveev - "Never Losing That Track" (Genning remix) (7:00)
Tm Shuffle - "Artist" (6:00)
Nicolas Barnes - "Outro" (7:50)
Review: MixCult Records' latest release offers an atmospheric journey through deep and dub techno, featuring standout artists like Eric Louis, Kirill Matveev, Genning, TM Shuffle and Nicolas Barnes. Eric Louis's 'Voice Memo' opens the compilation with a haunting blend of soft bass pulses and ethereal vocals, setting a reflective tone. Kirill Matveev's 'Never Losing That Track (Genning Remix)' layers sweeping synths over a driving beat, creating a euphoric yet wistful energy that's perfect for early-morning dancefloors. On the B-side, TM Shuffle's 'Artist' dives into the dub techno world, its solid groove grounding listeners. Nicolas Barnes wraps things up with 'Outro', an ambient masterpiece that fades into introspective calm.
Review: GLBDOM Classic drops a second vinyl release here in the form of a various artists' selection of vintage house sounds. Manuold's 'Hey Sunshine' gets things underway with some back-to-the-90s kick drums and playful horns with uplifting vocal samples making for a sweet vibe. Evenn's 'Inner Dance' is a nice raw house bumper with vamping chords and some soulful Detroit chords in the background. Scart Lead then keeps things silky with the smooth pads and muted melodies of 'Everglades' and Esspee and Kid Only close out with two more ageless house gems that pair dance for clout with heartfelt soul.
Review: Omar S teams up with Atlanta based producer Kai Alce for this killer new 12", with the FXHE boss openly suggesting the second B-Side offering is 'ringtone worthy'! The Jive Time EP features three original productions - "Not Phazed", which takes up the whole A Side, while the EP's dancefloor-friendly eponymous track shares the flip with ambient house track "Incognigro". Alce, a Detroit native who now resides in Atlanta, has had a fine year, releasing a tidy little 7" on FXHE back in April as well as a collaborative EP with Englishman Phil Asher and Atlanta vocalist Kayenne. Killer release.
Paul Rudder & Kresy - "Along With You" (Kresy Continuum mix) (6:06)
Paul Rudder - "Her Dream Road" (7:09)
Paul Rudder - "Her Dream Road" (Kresy Mellonized mix) (6:46)
Review: Exploited is one of those ever-present labels that have never made big headliners or had breakout anthems, but that's probably helped it stay relevant rather than getting chewed up and spat out by the hype cycle. Label head Shir Khan is back here to present a 36th Black Jukebox EP, with Paul Rudder & Kresy serving up the tunes. Their first collab is warm Euro-centric deep house which then gets remixed by Kresy into a 'Continuum mix.' On the flip side, Rudder goes it alone with another warm, well-designed and catchy house roller in the form of 'Her Dream Road'. This time, Kresy serves up a heady Mellonized mix to close out.
Allstar MotoMusic - "Not A Place I Call Home" (feat Roger Versey) (6:32)
Alton Miller - "Italio Love" (6:09)
KemeticJust - "Taking Flight" (7:10)
Review: People Of Earth hits release number 20 with Part 2 of The Elements series again offering some super deep sounds from Patrice Scott, Allstar MotoMusic aka Dan Piu, Alton Miller & KemeticJust, which is a cut first released on the old SOCO Audio label. Scott's 'Cycles' kicks off with super deep kicks and heady pads swirling up top, 'Not My Home' (feat Roger Versey) then brings some majestic jazz keys and spiritual vocals and Miller's 'Italio Love' is a strident cut with leggy kicks and celestial pads. KemeticJust's 'Taking Flight' shuts down with more heavy beats but still romantic moods.
Review: Top producer Sweatson Klank and the critically acclaimed Kondi Band collaborate on the powerful new single 'Money Face' on this fresh 12". This deep, mid-tempo Afro house track features Sierra Leonean legend Sorie Kondi who tells a poignant story of how the government used his image on newly printed currency without consent and left him uncompensated and struggling in Freetown. A modern protest anthem blending Afro beat and world music influences, it's also a dance floor-ready disco track. The EP includes remixes in the form of a slow disco dub, an amapiano remix by Sweatson Klank and an Afro future dub by Will LV.
The True Underground Sound Of Rome - "Secret Doctrine" (feat Stefano Di Carlo) (6:08)
High Tide - "Time Unlimited" (5:32)
Keytronics - "A Little Piano In My House" (5:01)
The Montego Bay Experience - "Music All Night" (5:28)
Review: Rebirth serves up the first in a mini-series uncovering hidden gems from Italian house music's recent past, after the popular Ciao Italia Generazioni Underground compilation they recently presented. Bonus EP Uno features the deeply emotive 'Secret Doctrine' by The True Underground Sound Of Rome Ft Stefano Di Carlo with its Marc Kinchen style vibe, which was the A side highlight. Over on the flip, you've got Francesco Montefiori's Keytronics Project with the low slung mood music of 'A Little Piano In My House' followed by the mesmerising, kalimba-led island dream of 'Music All Night' by The Montego Bay Experience - aka Carlo Troya & Stefano Tirone.
Review: Following a run of quietly impressive singles on Boitte Music, Nicolas Saavedra brought his Kabinett project to Internasjonal back in 2022. A couple of EPs later and the Bogota-based DJ/producer is ready to deliver his debut album. Taking cues from fellow Colombian Felipe Gordon, the tracks on offer blend vintage and contemporary synth sounds, electric piano motifs, MPC-driven lo-fi beats, a few choice samples and his own vocals to create a set of tracks that variously draw inspiration from deep house, lo-fi pop, jazz-funk and space disco. Highlights include dreamy pop number 'Volatile Love', the Prins Thomas-esque 'Owl Disco', the decidedly psychedelic and hard chugging title track, and stellar cosmic funk head-nodder 'Don't Rush'. An album that's well worth your time and money.
Review: Let The Light will be KAMM's final album - and its most poignant - as it is a tribute to late member Alland Byallo, a beloved name in the underground who suddenly passed in 2023. Surviving members Marc Barrite aka Dave Aju, Kenneth Scott and Marc Smith dip into new sounds here, including jazz, psych funk, soul, golden-era hip-hop and textured electronics, and work them all into a heartfelt final statement that does a fine job of honouring Byallo's creative spirit with real emotional depth and warmth. From the serpentine tones of opener through the bossa-infused boom-bap of 'No Deal', the politically charged jazz burner 'Your Honour' and the sleek electro rhythms of 'How Long?', the album traverses plenty of ground. It also features Byallo's artwork and closes with a chorus of loved ones that makes it all the more poignant.
Review: Ever a treasure trove of house goodness, Toy Tonics Music is back with Para Mytho Disco, the second album by label founder and creative director Mathias Modica who is also known as Kapote. His work as Munk on Gomma Records might be his best-known stuff at the moment but this album goes a long way to redressing that with its fresh take on disco house, experimental electro, jazz fusion and Afro-American grooves. All of that is distilled through a futuristic mix of keys, bass, synths and percussion inspired by 1970s jazz and 1980s synthwave. As such this record reflects Kapote's vision of bringing diverse musical styles together to create a positive, inclusive vibe and is own that yields more rich detail with each listen.
Review: Since delivering his debut album on PNN a decade ago, Matt Kent AKA Matt Karmil has proved adept at adapting the club-focused sound of his EPs to the long-playing format - as his inspired and wonderfully atmospheric sets for Idle Hands and Smalltown Supersound prove. He continues this notable run of form on this Studio Barnhus released set, crowding ultra-deep, dusty grooves in opaque chords, cut-up sample snippets, lo-fi crackle, hazy ambient textures and nods towards a myriad of ear-pleasing electronic styles and sounds. Highlights are plentiful, with our picks being the dubby, mind-altering late-night hypnotism of 'Still Something There' and the becalmed, meditative ambient deepness of superb closing cut '15 Mins' (which, confusingly, is just 13 minutes long).
Review: With their debut album on !K7 Records, Kassian (aka the pairing of Joe Danvers-McCabe and Warren Cummings) return to the warm, sample-based house sounds that originally brought them together. Over five years, they revisited early ideas, refining their craft to create a record that explores emotional depth beyond their club-focused tracks. The album has been, we're told, shaped by time, loss and reflection so weaves through various atmospheres with live instrumentation, field recordings and percussion that evolve over time. Featuring Joe Armon-Jones from Ezra Collective on keys and Timothy Kraemer on cello, Channels makes for a tender and introspective journey.
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