Back catalogue: Deep House

Review: ***B-STOCK: Warped, otherwise plays fine***


The second various artists EP from the Merkwurdig label is another tasteful collection of up front sounds from a clutch of inquisitive underground names. Body opens up with some nice cosmic tech powered by rasping bass and reverberating synths. Nate SU's 'Neutrino' is a busy jam with hooky synths and splashy cymbals that takes on a twisted sense of cyborg funk. OBG very much smooths things out with the heady house roller that is 'With The Wave' and Fabiano Jose shuts down with the rock solid kick patterns and subtly rising joy of his diffuse piano chords on 'Discotale.'

Review: We're promised Mellow Magic and that's precisely what we get, across four tracks emerging from disparate corners of the globe but united in a common mission to provide beats that work on the more relaxed end of the dancefloor. Belgian duo Charlotte & Reinhard of Rheinzand fame kick things off with a slow motion Balearic version of a well known 80s MOR classic. Ollie Loudon's 'L.M.T.' finally makes it to vinyl after long being a secret weapon in Gratts' DJ sets, where handclaps and languid strumming meet a gentle but infectious groove. Flip it over for the more tracky affairs, as Japan's Lily Ko makes an impressive debut with 'Pure Rubber', an original mix of disco foundations and always snazzy but never showy 80s synth play. Melbourne's Biancolato finishes things off with understated deep house shuffling that adds just a touch jazzy keys and dreamy, wispy pads.

Review: After years spent serving up tasty, digital-only singles, Polish imprint That's Right Dawg Music finally makes its vinyl bow via a six-track mini-album featuring some of their most-checked catalogue cuts. Demarkus Lewis kicks things off via the carefully crafted disco-house release of 'TGIF', before Federfunk slams down the jazz-sampling peak-time punchiness of 'We Keep It Groovin' and Jazzmik offers up the funky deep house bounce of 'Get Him Outta Here'. Over on the reverse, Oggie B cannily combines mind-mangling electronic stabs, pumping beats and orgasmic vocal samples ('Steady Old Foot'), Makson makes great use of vintage rap and disco guitar samples on the energy-packed house thump of 'Last Man Standing', and Casserta and Jonny C join forces on the bass-heavy garage-house bump of 'Party #1'.

Review: Orlando Voorn and Blake Baxter deliver a powerhouse collaboration that channels the raw vitality of house music's formative years. Driven by a relentless bassline and crisp, propulsive rhythms, the production is both punchy and atmospheric, striking a balance between grit and groove. Baxter's unmistakable vocal style adds depth and urgency, weaving seamlessly into Voorn's dynamic arrangement. There's an immediacy to the track that feels alive, capturing the spirit of dancefloor culture while paying homage to the genre's roots. This is a meeting of two titans, where history and innovation collide with thrilling results.

Review: Hotmix deliver another two-track slaying from an aliased ambassador of the label itself, this time the first edition in the new 'Obscure Bad Dreams' series. An homage to Sauro Cosimetti (the Italian house and techno mastermind whose credits include releases on Frequenza, Natura Viva and Beatfreak), six acolytes of the artist bring six, discoic house hosing-downs to the table. Most exciting among the selections are the lively African trad chanter 'The Beginning', the dreamy soulful house 'Inflight' by Rohan Delano, and Montano Orchestra's freestyle-inspired dub-electro-disco 'Tribal Love Beats' version of their own 'Esto Parese Amor'.

Review: Occibel cranks up the decibels on this new outing for the fledging label Playful. The artist taps into a fresh tech and minimal sound from the off with 'Behind The Walls' spinning out on disco stabs and phased basslines. The kinetic 'Look Around You' then pangs more prickly drum programming and spaced-out synth work with sensuous spoken words and 'Freak' layers up balmy pads and bright, shiny and sugar melodies for a nice colourful exploration. 'The Mess' shuts down with more menace thanks to its monstrous bassline and snappy drum hits.

Review: KMA60 Prozektiva's exploration of a mutant, electrified take on tech and house continues with Ocean T taking the mantle across four future-facing new cuts. The opener 'Never Enough' has steely drums that slap hard while the twisted, glistening melodies and 90s stabs bring a rave feel. 'KO' is a darker and more gritty sound with dubby low ends and vocal aspirations adding a touch of human soul. 'OBSSSD' has more old school vocals buried in a shimmering mix of synths and snappy drums and 'Been There Too Long' flips the vibe with a much more soft, rounded, warm deep house jaunt with deft vocal fragments and neon colours all making it the best of the lot.

Review: This reissue brings a pivotal piece of Detroit techno history back to life. The EP, originally released in 1990, is a five-track journey that showcases the Burden brothers' early sonic explorations. From the sinister, acidic techno of 'Sonic Fusion' to the deeper, melancholic moods of 'Nicolette', the EP captures a pivotal moment in the evolution of Detroit techno. 'Octivate' and 'Paradise' offer driving rhythms and infectious energy, while 'Epilogue' provides a reflective conclusion to this sonic adventure.

Review: Serenity is a mental health charity label that is now back with more sonic gold, this time in the form of a reissue of Marco Bernardi aka Octogen's 'The Journeyman' from 2008 on Soma Recordings. It is an immersive, emotive sound with lush and ethereal pads and a moody bassline that keeps you locked. The B-side offers two original tracks from Bernardi 'Travelling to the Sun' is one to hypnotise floors with its hypnotic chimes and raw drums, while 'Little Tiny Crickets' delivers a fast-paced IDM twist with some killer synth work. As always, proceeds go to charity this time Papyrus UK who support youth suicide prevention and MusicSpace.

Review: It feels like most every week Burnski starts a new label that is immediately as good as all his others, and here is this week's case in point: Reliance is a new outlet from the super producer and it kicks off with ODF who you may know from a brilliant remix of Special Request. 'Yeah (Uh!)' opens with bubbly basslines and neon melodies and is a timeless garage bumper. '2 Turn' then brings the funk with tight bass and lovely silky drums, 'Rattlesnake' is more dark and menacing thanks to the trippy samples and low end and 'Back To 98' is a stateful shot of garage nostalgia direct to the veins.

Review: Avidya is back with a third EP to build on the head-turning success of the first two and it is another trip to the outer edges of the dancefloor. Odopt from Born Free and 777 Recordings kicks off with a snappy cut that is deceptively simple but devastatingly effective with its gurgling and acidic bass. Remotif is a fast-rising talent who impresses with the heavy techno sludge of 'HAJKSD15' and Full Circle aka Alexis Le Tan and Joakim link with Kris Baha to offer a remix that is all twitchy electrons, busted drum loops and fizzing pads before 53X's 'Simulaatio' is another brilliantly loose jumbled of wiry electronics, sci-fi effects and techno chug for a fantastic closing beatdown.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Odopt is back on Especial and this time is in collaborative mode with Sebastian Hoyos aka Sano, who is a regular on the likes of Matias Aguayo's Comeme and Munich's Public Possession. The pair cook up a fine globally-minded club trip that comes with another label return, this time from remixer Jamie Paton. The original 'Picha' first started as a sketch in 2016 then became a demo in 2019 now finally arrives on wax. It's a raw percussive workout with razor-sharp snares and plenty of cowbells. Next to an instrumental comes the Paton remix and it is a trademark deep and dubwise piece of work with widescreen dynamics.

Review: Fantastically frisky broken beat, jazz and ambient fusions from new Vessel signee Jacob Ohrberg, with the fresh EP 'Vinyl Vanity'. Promoted simply with the tagline "deep tracks, open minds", this one's accompanied by a pensive metatext: "vinyl and physical media represent preservation acts committed in vain... the true, ever-changing form becomes frozen, an unchangeable product which serves our vanity." Evidently not bereft of social consciousness, Ohrberg spotlights the unavoidable vanity of music releasing - the megalomania, the leveraging of identity for personal gain, the sating of an irrational need for recognition - where other artists may never dare to, for fear of coming across cynical. Ohrberg is unafraid of the pratfall of vanity, assuring us there's 'No Respite' with two ten plus minute progressions in dance-soul. No matter our reservations, our idealisations, the music will keep flowing in one way or another, whether on vinyl or another medium (provided the former is proven unsustainable in due time). The digital bonus 'The Naughty Edit' brings delicious vocal chill-light, fidgeting between piano house and soul jazz, toeing the line between them so that you're not quite sure of the track's "liveness" going in.

Review: A great exploration of deep house that seamlessly blending classic influences with a modern, dancefloor-driven touch. Luca Olivotto is a German producer who back in 2020 opened his own label which this EP now celebrates the tenth release or the label. The title track starts off with an infectious energyiits uplifting piano chords and driving groove create a euphoric late-night atmosphere, embodying the essence of a peak-time house anthem. 'I'm (Not) With You' follows, maintaining the momentum with a strong, party-ready groove that leans into a love for classic house rhythms and vibrant melodies. Side-2 shifts into more soulful and emotive territory. 'Don't Need To Know' delivers a warm, uplifting feel, ideal for early morning sets where the energy softens but the vibes remain high. The closing track,' Givin' All My Love', is a jazzy, atmospheric piece, wrapping up the EP with deep, melodic richness sure to put a smile on your face.

Review: Motor City great Omar S is not just a don when it comes to programming drums and laying down his irresistible synth lines and heart aching melodies. He can also play a wide array of instruments, and in fact does just that here as he plays all instruments played you can hear across all three cuts of this new one on his FXHE label. Things kick off with the wonderful 'Featuring Omar S (instrumental)' and then 'Sayoungaty Nig' is a hazy, lo-fi ambient sound with occasional synth smears and a barely-there rhythm implied by the odd kick drum sound. 'Featuring Omar S' is a signature deep house joint with bristling metal hi-hats, rickety drums and edgy drones that keep you on edge as more soulful chords rise up through the mix.

Review: New Omar S alert! The FXHE label boss wastes no time in dropping heat this New Year as he once again hooks up with vocalist Desire for this latest house gem. Up first is 'Something Real', in the classic Omar S mould of laying down a deep, heartfelt drum line and then topping it with a mad emotive vocal hook that is filled with r&b goodness and joined by the most subtle cosmic chord motifs. 'Hard Leaf Rag' follows next, so raw it will make your ears tickle with its busted drums and serrated stabs. Then flip it over for 'Conant Leaf Rag', which pairs warbling synth sounds with dusty hi-hats and tight kicks for a nice, full mind and body workout.

Review: It has been a rather remarkable three years since Yuko dropped its first release, but finally, they are back with more. It is co-founder Emo Omar who features both solo and in collaboration with Luje from Club Pizza while two exciting new French talents Chud and Vivant also make their mark. 'Pollen' is a bright and hooky melodic electro sound then 'You & Me' gets more percussive, with old school cow bells staying busy next to all sorts of wonky synth work. 'Tomorrow's Made Of Breaks' is built on rigid funk and trippy synth bleeps and 'Zeus' shuts down with some retro-future vocoder vocals. This is a great return from a label we hope now pushes on.

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: Conoley Ospovat's 'Transcontinental Trip' on Continental Drift captures a lush, bass-driven vibe that's both grounded and explorative. The title track kicks off with a jazzy, rhythmic pulse, setting a warm atmosphere that flows into the loose drumming and field recordings of 'Hold On,' evoking the understated style of Ricardo's Sei Es Drum. 'Sunbreaks' showcases Ospovat's melodic touch with a moody, layered groove, while the EP closes with the hazy, atmospheric 'Pacific Coast Rain'ia sparkling finish to an EP that bridges ambient textures with club-ready energy.

Review: The new EP from Image Recordings makes up their third release since their start in 2023, marking out an impressively chill but still poised undertaking in surreal funky techno. Evidencing on their part a keen understanding of the meditative instillations sought by DJs at the early outset of the UK techno explosion. Every track is swung and prescient of the UK funky sound that would emerge later, though this record doesn't quite qualify as UK funky since the latter sound is marked by a soulful (often vocal) influence of jazzdance; rather the likes of 'Same Being' and 'Life In The Shade' are strange ones indeed, with a strangely nocturning, mechanic, speechless quality.

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.