Back catalogue: Funky/Club House

Review: Whereas the first volume of Italian house pioneer Don Carlos's retrospective of Italian house, Echoes of Italy, largely stuck to the picturesque but chunky and organ-rich "Italo-house" template, this second volume expressly focuses on "paradise house" - what Young Marco and Christiaan MacDonald dubbed "dream house" on their superb Welcome To Paradise series. As you'd expect given his association with the sound, Carlos's selections are notably different (and arguably less well known) than theirs, even if some of the same artists feature. It's cultured, tactile and loved-up dancefloor dreaminess all the way, with highlights including the slow-build wonder of Onrico's saucer-eyed 'Echo Gimini', the low-slung groove of Alex Neri's 'The Wizard (Hot Funky Version)', the piano-laden, breakbeat-driven shuffle of Moto Grosso's 'Titanic', and Carlos's own gorgeous, organ-heavy 'Boy'.

Review: Italian house didn't need the glitz of Ibiza or the muscle of Chicago and Detroit. It carved out its own spaceismoky, dreamlike, and effortlessly cool. This collection captures the full spectrum of that golden era, from the hypnotic tribal rhythms of Progetto Tribale's 'The Sweep' to the shimmering, euphoric synths of Onirico's 'Echo'. There's the deep, rolling pulse of Don Carlos' 'Boy', the jazz-infused elegance of Lady Bird's 'Jazzy Doll (Odyssey Dub)', and the raw energy of Green Baize's 'Synthetic Rhythm'. Elsewhere, 'Titanic' by Mato Grosso offers an atmospheric voyage, while 'The True Underground Sound of Rome' delivers deep, sophisticated grooves. These weren't just club tracks; they were portals to another world. Whether it was the funky shuffle of Alex Neri's 'The Wizard', the soulful pianos of Carol Bailey's 'Understand Me (Free Your Mind)', or the after-hours pulse of MCJ's 'Sexitivity', this was music made by studio obsessives who understood that house wasn't just a soundiit was a feeling. Underground, inventive, and deeply emotional, this collection is a snapshot of an era where the Italian touch brought warmth, sensuality and an undeniable groove to dancefloors worldwide.

Review: The seventh and final installment of this vinyl series hones in on tracks that are sure to keep the dancefloor packed. Pressed on striking transparent blue and green vinyl, this 2LP set is a pulsating collection of club classics that defined the era's nightlife, bridging disco, funk, house, electro, pop and hip-hop into an irresistible sonic melting pot. Side-A starts off with winner and Inner City's euphoric house staple 'Good Life', setting the pace for an album steeped in dancefloor euphoria. Kym Mazelle and Robert Howard's soulful 'Wait' and Coldcut's 'People Hold On' with Lisa Stansfield show the decade's seamless blend of house and pop, while 'Pump Up The Volume' by M/A/R/R/S redefined sampling's role in dance music. S'Express's 'Theme from S-Express' and Bomb The Bass's 'Beat Dis' bring explosive energy, while Technotronic and Rob 'n' Raz keep the tempo high with their club anthems. Late-'80s remix culture shines as Chaka Khan's 'I'm Every Woman' get a modernised update while PWL's glossy, synth-driven touch on 'Sandra' shines brightly. 80s dance legends Bananarama and Samantha Fox are also have vital appearances to the collection. LP2 dives into hip-hop-infused dance with Soul II Soul's 'Back To Life', Ten City's deep-house masterpiece 'That's The Way Love Is' and Neneh Cherry's genre-defying 'Buffalo Stance'. The finale is pure club gold: 'The Only Way Is Up' by Yazz, the thunderous 'Blue Monday '88', and 'Fools Gold' by The Stone Roses. Closing with 808 State's 'Pacific State' and The Beloved's 'Sun Rising', Floorfillers is a flawless time capsule of dance music's late-80s evolution. This double pack is steeped in history while being an excellent range of styles that made the 80s so remarkable.