New releases last eight weeks: Deep House

Review: Bari's Deepshakerz return to key UK label Crosstown Rebels with a tight, percussive three-tracker rooted in the crossover between Afro-tinged house and punchy, early Chicago rhythms. Opener 'Give It 2 U' throws down a sinewy blend of filtered vocal chops and tumbling drums, straddling jacking minimalism and maximal groove with characteristic flair. On the B-side, 'The Beginning Groove' slows the rush slightly, working a heady, looping motif into a more restrained late-night hypnotiser. Closer 'Green Light' features a crisp vocal from Dennis Wonder, building up a more melodic high with bright chords and bouncy swingiless brooding, more pure release. It's the Italian duo's second release for Damian Lazarus' label, and a strong showcase of their versatility within a signature sound.

Review: Yorkshire-born producer Franky Wah joins Crosstown Rebels with a polished, emotionally resonant four-tracker that fuses vocal-driven depth with peak-time muscle. Collaborating on two cuts with Brighton-based trio Kuuda, he leans into a widescreen sound that's equal parts club-primed and cinematic. 'Disconnect' sets the tone with icy synth washes and a dramatic vocal line, while 'Off The Wall' pushes further into afterhours haze, Kuuda's warped harmonies curling around a muscular rhythm section. The B-side delivers weight and tension: 'Desert Dance' channels trance and techno into a low-slung, hypnotic throb, while 'Freak In The Sheets' snaps and growls with basement energy. Wah's affinity for the big-room emotional payoff remains intact, but it's paired here with restraint and atmosphere that makes each drop land with greater intent. With years of major bookings and releases behind him, this feels like a confident, sharp-edged update from one of the UK's more melodic voices.

Review: Boston pair Soul Clap land on UK staple Crosstown rebels and bring their signature E-funk sound across a quarter of tunes that also draw on garage and deep house. 'Gone Stumblin' is effortlessly breezy with swirling, aloof vocals up top, a knotted bassline and dusty drums and percussion making a nice late-night vibe. The dub version is bigger, with twisted stabs and frazzled leads rewiring the energy and 'Unifying Force' is a swirling, gooey sound with an old school FM bassline and classic vocal sample bringing the heat. 'Gone Stumblin (bonus version)' is a second take on the original with some fun drum patterns and big raw snares to amp up the vibes.