Back catalogue: Funky/Club House

Review: Adeen Records returns with a superb EP that blends a classic with three new and fresh unreleased tracks. Deep house don Chez Damier's Panorama Bar Remix kicks off and is a a 2021 standout with a killer baseline and Spanish guitar that brings some sunny soul and makes for some top level house grooves. Makez then shines with 'Rocket Music' which has a chunky low end and glistening, golden piano chords making it a late night favourite. On the B-side, Adeen regular Alkalino delivers a tropical-infused edit for the peak time and Gledd closes with a classy cut 'Sere Yo' that is all about the drums. Lovely stuff.

Review: Gala's iconic dancefloor hit resurfaces with a sharp, modern edge, proving that true anthems never fade. Nearly three decades after its debut, the 2024 version injects the track with fresh energy, weaving crisp electronic textures into the unmistakable melody that first captured hearts in the 90s. There is a balance of nostalgia and reinvention that amplifies the hypnotic chant we all know, providing an infectious rhythm with new layers that feel built for contemporary club sound systems. What's remarkable is how the essence of the original remains untouchediits euphoric pulse still as irresistible as it was on its first spin. It's a celebration of a track that continues to unite generations on the dancefloor.

Review: 'Departures' is one of the most renowned singles by the Japanese band Globe, originally released in 1996. The track achieved significant success and became the group's second number-one hit on Oricon's weekly chart and went on to sell a total of a rather astonishing, especially in comparison to these digital times, 2.2 million copies, making it one of Japan's best-selling singles. Now the tune gets reissued on 7" and is a raw, dense pop-rock tune that comes with a bonus cut on the flip.

Review: Harmonics, the latest album from Hot Chip's Joe Goddard, is a celebration of warmth, instinct, and collaboration. Spanning 14 tracks, this record weaves through UK garage, house, hip-hop, pop and disco, bringing together a diverse array of voices. Eno Williams of Ibibio Sound Machine energises the afro-house groove of 'Progress,' while UK rapper Oranje adds flair to the starry-eyed 'When Love's Out of Fashion.' Hayden Thorpe's expressive vocals elevate the low-slung house track 'Summon,' and Hot Chip bandmates Alexis Taylor and Al Doyle lend their talents to the shimmering 'Heal Your Mind.' Goddard, known for his 2012 hit 'Gabriel,' revisits that focused energy here while capturing the carefree spirit of his earlier solo work. Tracks like 'Mountains' and 'Follow You' echo the Hot Chip sound, while collaborations with artists like Falle Nioke and Alabaster DePlume bring in elements of Afrobeat and jazz house. 'Destiny' and 'New World' showcase Goddard's mastery of house music, making Harmonics his most fun and genre-spanning solo album yet, proving his versatility in crafting compelling dance music.

Review: Belgian-born producer Gratts and pioneering Chicago vocalist Robert Owens first collaborated on 'Brighter Future' back in 2021 after meeting in the streets of Kreuzberg years before. The pair now join forces again for follow up 'Today', a powerful and emotive, 90s inspired deep house cut with layered backings and Owens' lilting affirmations soaring above. The extended club version takes you straight to house music's ecstatic heydays, while the twelve also includes an acapella tool for those singalong moments. On the flip, Mark Hand's slower, soulful rendition takes things into sideroom territory. Finally, 'Mount Olympus', home to the Greek deities, fuses a rattling drum machine, arpeggiated synth lines and a potent analogue bassline - with added bonus beats to bang the box and get weird!

Review: The iconic soul anthem receives a fresh spin in the Lockdown remix, offering a vibrant, dancefloor-ready twist on the beloved classic. The remix maintains the smooth, emotive essence of Al Green's original while injecting a pulsating, upbeat rhythm that elevates the track to modern club standards. The seamless blend of lush instrumentation and contemporary beats enhances the groove, making it irresistible for both longtime fans and new listeners. This 12" version brings a fresh energy, keeping the soulful heart intact while adding a dynamic, infectious edge that's perfect for today's dancefloors.

Review: REPRESS ALERT!: For the latest release on his consistently impressive Mate Records imprint, Madrid stalwart Rafa Santos has turned to Parisian twosome Groove Boys Project. Their take on house tends towards the nostalgic and musically expansive, and the four tracks assembled here fit that description. They begin by joining the dots between Kerri Chandler style garage-house and dreamier European deep house on 'Keep On Dreamin' (Club Mix)', before expertly fusing elements of new age house, Italo-house and solo-laden US deep house on 'Sunrise (Underwater Mix)'. Over on the flip, 'The Jazz Palace (Long Ride Mix)' is a vibraphone-solo laden chunk of rolling deep house warmth and Rawai hook-up 'Djoon Trax (937 Classsic Mix)' sees the duo add delicious jazz guitar solos to a sun-soaked deep house groove rich in rubbery synth-bass.

Review: GU (which is of course an alias of Chicago favourite Glenn Underground) is back with a 20th volume of his Classiques series. It once again finds him adding his own special studio magic to come stone-cold classics from the funk and disco world. First, he flips Le Cop's 'Move Your Body' into a funky percussive sound with steamy vocals. Then Machine's 'Marisa' becomes a jazzy and expressive sound with busy leads and funky guitars and Loose Joints's 'Tell You Today' is a wild horn-led sound with a busy arrangement and pumping drums. Last of all are the sunny and soulful sounds of The Isley Brothers's 'Hurry Up & Wait' with cool house drums.

Review: Four artists with a taste for classic deep house infused with more than a touch of house line on the Silver Walker label's sixth release. Following releases on the likes of Local Talk, Balance, Traxx Underground, Mate, Quintessentials and upcoming projects on Nervous and NDATL, Shaka opens proceedings with a flurry of Hammond and plenty of exotic percussion, lie Alan Hawkshaw riffing with Underground Resistance. Glenn Davis (Wolf, Yore Records, Deeper Groove and Selections Records) delivers a deeper house workout on the A2 house track, the jazzy keyboard chords, fluttering flute and restless synths working real magic. One of the masterminds behind the Silver Walker label, Diego aka DFRA, comes on all perky with the saxes and soloing Rhodes, on the second side's opener, 'Nitewax'. Then we close with Damien aka Keymono (founder of several labels including Monocturne Records and Funkyshirts) laying on the handclaps of classic disco strings, the snippets of funk guitar and vibes the cherry on top.

Review: The first notes of Strength In Numbers pull you in with the immediacy of a tightly wound groove. 'Team Spirit' sets the stage with sharp percussion and a bassline that feels as if it's pushing against a restraint, only to give way to an effortless swing. 'Gear Up Rudi!' follows with a cool, almost cinematic feel, as Gibin's intricate rhythm patterns dance around the space between the beats. The pace slows slightly on 'Come Mornin' (featuring Sandra St. Victor),' where the warmth of her vocals transforms the track into a soulful, melodic anchor. Yet, it's on 'No Matter What' that the LP really finds its strideian undulating groove, building steadily before its final, emotive release. The album balances thoughtful restraint with moments of release and in that, Gibin creates something that moves through time without losing its pulse.

Review: History of House is a remarkable collaboration between the Soweto Gospel Choir and DJ Groove Terminator, blending the soul of gospel with the pulse of house music. This album reimagines iconic dance tracks, tracing the genre's deep roots in African rhythms while introducing fresh, vibrant interpretations. Tracks like 'Good Life' and 'Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)' are given new life, with the choir's powerful vocalsioften sung in Zuluiadding layers of cultural richness. The album is a celebration of global music, seamlessly merging Afro house, Amapiano, and classic house beats into a cohesive and uplifting experience. The production is impeccable, maintaining the essence of the original songs while infusing them with an authentic South African flair. The live musical performances throughout the album add a dynamic energy, making each track feel both intimate and expansive. History of House not only honors the legacy of dance music but also shines a light on the talent emerging from Southern Africa. It's a joyful, soulful journey that has a timeless connection between gospel and house music.