Back catalogue: Deep House

Review: Troop Music Works is back with a second platter of timeless house sounds. This one from Japanese artist Masafumi Onishi takes its cues from Mid Western-house and techno of the 80s and 90s but adds a little extra Far Eastern magic. 'Heart Breaker' ha a marching beat with lush, pixelated melodies encouraging inward reflection. 'Flight To South' has lovely analogue drums and percussion a la Dream 2 Science and 'Dramatic Call' layers up flat, flappy kicks with time-keeping hi-hats and smeared vocals. The mystic vibes continue through 'Java Dream' (with Munir) and 'Afrikan South' which both bring some twinkling late-night melodic energy.

Review: Open Secret is a brand new label and production alias that kicks off here with four unnamed tracks. Whoever is behind this clearly wants to remain in the shadows but the music is going to make a splash amongst deep house heads who will no doubt be keen to work out who could be responsible. The opening is wrought in tension with screeching synths over rockety beats all convening some sort of intergalactic drama. 'Track 2' layers up old school 8-bit video game melodies and mid-tempo drums and 'Track 3' then brings Afro vocals, rhythms and percussion to the party. Last of all, 'Track 4' is a zoned-out and multi-layered track with acoustic strings and shimmering organic rhythms that will lock you into a trance.

Review: Opolopo is a machine when it comes to serving up superb disco, funk and soul sounds. He's done so for two decades on plenty of top labels from Toolroom to Version Galore to Gamm. This time out he finds himself on a self-released tip with X Machine which is a mash-up of James Brown. The original vocals cut through funky basslines and lots of big percussions as the loose drums rumbled on next to warming organ chords. The instrumental is a more direct to dancefloor jam.

Review: Any long-time underground devotees will know that Romania is most often associated with ornate minimal and tech but there is a sublime deep house vibe to this inaugural outing from the Chameleon label. 'Royalties' is a delightfully dreamy cut with balmy pads swirling over rubbery, rolling kicks. 'Vishwar' is another elongated and drawn-out pleasure with undulating grooves and melodies intertwining in hypnotic fashion. The epic 12-minute plus 'Royalties' (Paul Walter remix) has an upright, militant feel to the marching drums. All three of these are classy outings.

Review: This compilation is a sonic tapestry woven from the threads of diverse electronic soundscapes, each track carefully crafted to evoke the liminal space between dreams and reality. It's an invitation to immerse oneself in a world of intricate textures, hypnotic rhythms, and evocative melodies, where the boundaries between genres blur and the music takes on a life of its own. Jonny Rock's 'Legenda' sets the tone with its purposeful groove, its driving energy balanced by a sense of introspective depth. Thanksmate's 'Take A Chance' adds a meditative touch, its gentle melodies and atmospheric textures inviting contemplation and reflection. Dobao's 'Oceano' plunges into a deep, liquid dimension, its swirling synths and hypnotic rhythms creating a sense of weightless immersion. Giammarco Orsini's 'Whirlwind' picks up the pace, its pulsating energy and infectious groove propelling the listener forward. Hiver's 'The Frontier' explores the tension and release of electronic landscapes, its dynamic shifts and evolving textures keeping the listener on the edge of their seat. Sam Goku's 'Lucid Oscillation' closes the compilation with a sense of ethereal beauty, its airy melodies and floating notes leaving a lingering sense of wonder.

Review: Ophan, formatively a festival hosting talents the likes of Onur Ozer, Hicham, and P.O in Cyprus, now branches out into deeper and increasingly original sonic territory with the launch of its own label. They kick off with a four-track EP from Turin's Otis, who joins a new throng of V/A releasers alongside Innershades, Derek Carr, Munir Nadir, Lvca, and Dawl. Synthology, the debut release under Ophan's label (Oph001), recaptures Otis' ability to finely balance peak times and rolling intervals, with 'Techno Rock'n'roll' in particular marking an especially perfuse detour through high school hair metal synths set against cosmic riser stabs. The release also introduces Lithos, a new subseries.

Review: The fourth chapter in Childhood Intelligence's alternate sub-division, Sunrise Inc, features five neo-braindance artifacts from Outer Order of the Planetary Instinct Alliance. These tracks feature mystic analogue rhythms and vintage sounds that blend haunted synth landscapes with Latin grooves and heavy SH101 low-end frequencies. Intimate and hypnotic melodies and voices create a homage to the past and a prophetic vision for the future and betray a producer with a great musical heritage. Ad in hints of early, dark but soulful Chicago house and some deep and heady moods and wet acid lines and you have a real pearler of an EP.

Review: Mark Mellor and Paul Murphy, two key figures in West London's burgeoning house music scene of the late 80s, have left an indelible mark with their timeless track 'Beyond The Ego.' Inspired by the explosive sounds of early American house and the vibrant energy of clubs like Shoom and Tonka, the duo's instinctive approach to music-making led them to create a piece of UK house history that defied formulaic norms. Released under their alias The Outsiders on Mainline Records in 1995, 'Beyond The Ego' is a exciting mix of luscious pads, catchy basslines, and the eerie gospel of Timothy Leary, whose speech serves as the centerpiece of the track. By eschewing trends and staying true to their artistic vision, Mellor and Murphy crafted a record that continues to resonate almost three decades later. Now, remastered for modern standards and accompanied by revamped artwork, 'Beyond The Ego' returns to the spotlight courtesy of Moonworks.

Review: We've got some of that naughty and irresistible white label madness here from new and mysterious label and production outfit Outtaface. It comes with a label that references the energetic cartoon stylings of the late Keith Haring and a bassline that will melt your face. The 'Vocal' track mixes up disco, skank, rave, The Prodigy references and outer space designs into a truly unusual blend that will bring colour and craziness to the floor. The flip side dub slows it down, fleshes out the low and and allows the cosmic synth work more room to shine. A handy 12" for sure.

Review: The righty much venerated Kelly Lee Owens has tracks from her recent Inner Song album remixed on Smalltown Supersound here. Loraine James opens up with a take on 'Wake Up' that is all broken beats and abstract electronic sounds. 'Re-Wild' then gets a Breaka remix which layers in plenty of UK continuum vibes, skittish perc and bass heavy drums. Last of all is 'Corner Of My Sky' as reworked by Coby Sey, and it is a busy drum workout for tribal dance floors that will pin you to the ground.

Review: Robert Owens has literally, actually literally, been around as long as house music itself, first voicing hits by Mr Fingers and now decades on still being one of the most in demand singers in the scene. It's not so often he serves up his own solo sounds, though, but that's what we have here with 'Tonight' on US label Sophisticado. It is a classic of his from the off, with the deep and steamy drums and spiritually imbued synths lifting you off your feet and heading into the cosmos before the vocals arrive. There is a more soulful and jazzy version on the flip as well as Vick Lavender's uplifting Time Traveler remix.

Review: When Robert Owens and Glenn Underground appear on the same record, you just know the results will be magic. They are both long-standing titans of the house scene, especially Chicago, with impossibly soulful sounds. This reissue of their timeless 'Tonight' is a real heartmelter. It has lush, soft focus chords draped over cuddly and deep drums, sustained pads bring that sense of cosmic infinity and of course the smoky tones of Owens layering in the human emotion that makes this one so irresistible.

Review: A follow-up to last year's successful compilation 'Faith Presents: Ain't That A Groove', is given to us by the London-based label Faith ran by DJs Terry Farley, Stuart Patterson and Dave Jarvis. The high energy house party sound kicks off with Nolan who features the legendary house voice of Sir. Robert Owens. Hilit Kolet isn't shy with the extended remix of 'POV Siren'. This sound is synonymous with Feller and Heller DJ sets of the mid 90s. Philippa's extended remix of 'The Night' by Roach Motel backs that one up with another prime floor filler with hardly any let up. Lastly, Terry Farley, Wade Teo & Kameelah Waheed brings he deep groover "Dancing After Dark" to the party. These tracks will have you and the nightclub crowd out dancing all night.

Review: Rebirth's fresh new 12" is a various artists affair that looks back while striding forwards. It is full of the sort of bliss out, dreamy, soft-edge deep house that is perfect for the warmer months and outdoor dances. Paolino & Gianni Bini lead the way with the effortlessly hazy and lush feeling 'Love' (Classic mix) while Sasha's 'Key To Heaven' is a perfect prog house tune that harks back to the heyday of Renaissance. Paramour & Adrian Morrison then link for the more dark and driving 'Transmutation' which has train track drums and suspensory chords always building but never bubbling over. Open Spaces run out with the widescreen and chunky dub house of 'The Far Side Of The Mood.'

Review: Choosing favourites among the prodigious creative outpouring of Omar S isn't easy, but this one from 2009 is usually riding high on any list. 'Here With Me' is the one - a twitchy, futuristic house cut with detuned chords tumbling about the mix while a heart-aching vocal from Diviniti rings out with raw soul. Elsewhere is the raw minimalism of 'Three Blind Rats', the deep throb of 'Stop Running Around' and the forlorn synth work of 'Sign & Drive.' A timeless EP for sure.

Review: The unique thing about Omar S's music is that no matter how much later you listen to it after its initial release, it still sounds mad futuristic. His dusty grooves and otherworldly synth sounds take on many different forms and atmospheres and for this one back in 2010 it was all about occult cosmic worlds. 'Kosmos 1402' has rickety kicks and hits that spit and fizz with grit and grime, while 'Plesetsk Cosmodrome' then sinks into deep astral worlds with rubbery bass bouncing beneath warped pads and 'Skynet 2 B' has a more playful feel with cute chords and a nice skipping rhythm.

Review: This EP from 2010 is an oldie but a goldie, which is pretty much something you could say of everything that this Motor City maverick has ever put out. It finds the former Ford factory worker in techno mode from the off: 'Ultra Fine One' is a pounding mid-tempo cut with airy hi hats and kicks that never quit. The whole thing is marbled with fuzzy synth sounds and a corrugated acid line that pries ever deep. 'Ultra Fine Two' is, in essence, the same cut but with broken beat patterns and different filters applied to the acid line. 'Mid 90's' is gloppy acid techno with warped bass and loopy kicks designed for 5 am freakouts.

Review: This second Yellow Jackets double A sider feautures Chicago's royalty Ron Trent and the extra talented multi instrumentalist Other Lands. Again one track per side and full powerful cutting to maximize the sound impact in pure YJ philosophy. Ron Trent 'The Medi' was actully constructed while riding trains and in hotel rooms through Italy, used as a secret weapon in special occasions...and we can hear why: a mind expanding suite that keeps evolving and going in places and spaces while constantly beating you hard! On the Flipside Other Lands brings things down to more abstract realms with the floating almost Kraut inspired jam 'Matter'.A very special release and a hint of what Yellow Jackets has in store for us in the near future...

Review: The glorious Dobro label gets to double figures in fine style here with a new album that finds Iner both going solo and collaborating with Oiuna on four new cuts which then get remixed. The originals are summery, airy, organic worlds of gentle deep house rhythms, feathery synth melodies and gentle hooks that have a subtle future feel. The remixes rework the tunes for more direct vibes in the club with Frank Music label head Johannes Albert going first and then Crowd Control also stepping up. Great artwork, too.

Review: A few eyebrows were raised when Omar-S announced the title of his latest album. While clearly meant as a controversial talking point, the title should not distract from what is one of Alex 'Omar' Smith's strongest collections of cuts to date - and one with an all-star cast of Motor City collaborators (Rick Wilhite, Norm Talley and OB Ignitt all feature). Musically, it's pleasingly diverse, with Smith effortlessly drifting between 21st century P-funk ("In My City"), cowbell-powered deep-house funk ("Don't Leave Me Standing Yeea"), sparse and synth-heavy house hypnotism ("Mell'like Boom Boom In'dair"), disco-house jack ("Washtenaw County Horn Section"), sub-heavy Detroit-meets-Sheffield minimalism ("You Gotta Beat The Clock") and sunrise-ready dancefloor dreaminess ("Simply"). This CD edition also includes four cuts not available on the vinyl edition.

Review: Omar S has always been something of a maverick, but even by his own high standards, surprise second album It Can Be Done, But Only I Can Do It is something else. Like much of his work, it's an album of acute contrasts: tough and aggressive on one hand (the ragging acid of the opener and "Ganymede"), soft, calming and blissful on the other ("Nite's Over Comption"). Along the way, highlights are plentiful, from the heady deep house of "You Wish", sparse porno beatdown of "Look Hear Watch" and hypnotic rhythms of "Bobien Larkin", to the next generation Motor City techno of "Over You Two" and near-anthemic simplicity of "Here's Your Trance, Now Dance".