Back catalogue: House

Review: Ruvenzori makes the move to vinyl with four artists breaking new ground in the field of organic, spiritual house music. There's a Balearic tint to these harmonious jams, which melt into each other like one extended blend for the terraza of your dreams. 'Uluwatu' features Stan Tone and Izhevski collaborating on a swirling masterpiece with the steady tick of minimal tech house as an undercurrent for ascendant chimes, fluttering guitar licks and vocal murmurations. On 'Ayomi' Talemates joins the pair as they match emotive piano chords with sampled vocal loops, capturing an endearing, eyes-closed vibe in the process.

Review: Schuttle's latest invites you into a simulated realm of post-biological optimism. The voyage begins with 'Splan,' where a divine arp propels you through fractal landscapes and interlocking melodic polygons which splurge joyful machine funk. In 'Melonweed Musick,' there is a descent into swampy marshlands powered by a breakbeat groove while an angel cleanses with serene chords. 'Kitchen Sync' takes things to 120bpm where acid and glimmering keys create a fusion of the known and the otherworldly. Finally, in 'Inspo 2000' a playful percussive edge guides you to a soft landing and ends what is a brilliantly evocative EP.

Review: German duo Session Victim have always been about much more than just club tracks - their music draws on their playing skills and formal backgrounds so comes alive with meaningful melodies and rich instrumentation that elevates each track above the norm. This new EP on their home label Delusions of Grandeur kicks off with 'Screen Off' (feat Ras Stimulant) which is disco house with bubbly basslines and a retro feel. It also comes as an a cappella and on the flip 'Light The Way' is a seductively smooth cut with Balearic synths and floating pads that will levitate you off the floor. An Iron Curtis Illuminati mix brings starry-eyed electro vibes and his reprise closes out a lush EP.

Review: Two years ago, Italy's Balearic Gabba Soundsystem switched from remixing and re-editing their favourite cuts to curating compilation style EPs of similarly minded fare. They're in that mode again here, presenting a trio of cuts that combine the saucer-eyed warmth and loved-up musicality of Balearic music culture with grooves and rhythms firmly focused on the dancefloor. They begin by showcasing Wallace's sublime remix of Sewell & The Gong's 'Better Worlds', a locked-in, hypnotising fusion of semi-organic deep house grooves, new age melodic motifs and the dreamiest of ambient chords. Over on the flip they dip into slo-mo Italo-disco/acid house fusion via SIRS fine revision of My Friend Dario's 'Tell Aro', before treating us to a Pedro Bertho remix of Verdo's 'Belvourdier' in which sparkling Balearic house piano riffs, undulating acid lines and mid-80s "chorus" synth sounds rise above a fluctuating synthesiser bassline and hustling beats.

Review: Shat is a place in Yorkshire (well, the nickname a village called Skelmanthorpe). Shat is something you hope to never do. Shat is also the alias of an artist who makes progressive house with a 90s twist. This outing is a third on the Party Tricks label and it opens with some swirling celestial pads, dream-scape beats and dusty hits that get your head amongst the clouds. 'Dwingeloo' is a faster slice of progressive techno with freewheeling pads and raspy basslines. Two remixes on the flip that things into very different territory but both of them are going to prove effective in the right setting.

Review: The super French crew Hard Fist have got a brilliantly twisted new Balearic record on their hands here thanks to the work of Shkema in both original and remix mode. He goes first with the deep, dubby and post-punk moodiness of 'Tas Malonumas' then 'Room Of Men Eaters' is a chugging deep disco cut with a fine vocoder vocal that brings some trippiness. 'Sarka Syrkaza' on the flip is another dark one with twisted metal guitar lines and rooted drum drums, then he remixes Afrodelic's 'Je N'Aime Pas Les Fetes' into a loose-limbed and percussive dub disco delight with filtered and freaky vocals.

Review: Pont Neuf approaches its quarter of a century of releases with Shore serving up a fresh blend of the old and the new on this Life Is A Blur EP. It kick off in laissez-faire fashion with some heavenly ambient, then 'Constant Motion' is a synth-drenched house kicker with jazzy leads. 'So Low' is more progressive and a little darker, while 'Thinking Out Loud' cuts loose and slows down from some sunset downtempo bliss. 'Ascent' rounds out with kaleidoscopic melodies that have you gazing off to the stars.

Review: Originally released early last decade, Simoncino's four-part The Warrior Dance series boasted a mix of inspired original productions and superb remixes. This 12" contains four of the best remixes, all of which first appeared between 2010 and 2012. Ron Trent's EP-opening revision of 'The Warrior Dance' is little less than analogue deep house perfection - all sparse drum machine beats, bittersweet chords, sci-fi synth sounds and the producer's usual emotive piano motifs - while Gene Hunt's take on 'Do It Again' is hypnotic, bass-heavy and reminiscent of Larry Heard's most bittersweet early works. Merwyn of Virgo Four drops two takes on 'Mystery Girl': a raw, analogue-rich deep house main mix, and a sparse, jacking and groove-based Dub.

Review: Last year, Pamela Records launched with a fantastic EP of cosmic club music from the late, great Andrew Weatherall and his long-time production partner Nina Walsh. For release number two, they've turned to another long-serving London producer, former Aloof collaborator Jo Sims. Lead cut 'Bass - The Final Frontier' (track two on the A-side) is definitely one that Weatherall would have played: a psychedelic, mid-tempo chugger with trance-inducing electronics, twinkling synthesiser lead lines and a throbbing groove. David Holmes remixes, slowing it down further while adding undulating TB-303 'acid' lines and plenty of cinematic textures. Elsewhere, 'Demons of Dance' is a moody dark disco throb-job (Richard Sen would approve), while 'Mumbo Jumbo' is a deep Balearic breaks number tailor made for sunsets and sunrises.

Review: One of the more surprising trends of the early 1990s was the fusion of contemporary club culture - or at least the slow-motion end of it - with what would have once been considered 'church music'. While it was made famous by Enigma's global hit 'Sadness', Sloopey G's 'Domine' EP was reportedly recorded and released first. Certainly 'This Is The Day (Notre Dame Remix)', which naturally heads this THANK YOU reissue, sounds like a prototype of the Enigma sound - think British street soul beats, dreamy ambient pads, sampled monk chants, tactile bass and spoken word vocals. The EP also includes both similarly formed original bonus cuts, 'Victime' and the house-influenced 'Cathederal Dance', as well as previously unheard bonus cut 'Love In Heaven', a deliciously, shuffling and saucer-eyed affair.

Review: After a debut release that got plenty of people talking, Heels & Souls now serve up a reissue 12". It explores the work of Frankfurt's under the radar production trio Manfred Holz, Michael Buchner and Jurgen Blomke who work under two different names here. The EP is a real treasure trove of gold for deep diggers, with obscure synth and electro disco flavours on the 80s tinged ''Steal It An Deal It'.' It comes as two different versions and both are hugely characterful. 'Amazonia' that draws on dreamy Italo house and Balearic bliss bout beats for a new age trip that is first class.

Review: Stavroz returns after a year of creative hibernation with the 'Kick Up the Dust' EP, marking a refined yet experimental journey through sound. The title track takes a direct route to the dancefloor, blending remorseless beats with an elegant trumpet and saxophone duet that's as healing as it is intense. Her Eyes Were Red offers a unique emotional blend of melancholy and power, while Dae-El, featuring Poltrock, brings a dreamy fusion of synths and duduk into an ethereal, spaced-out listening experience. The EP's depth is further showcased in Valente, a collaboration with Castello Branco, where Sade-like vocals meet acoustic guitar and horns. An inventive EP that masterfully straddles the line between the club and the couch.

Review: The final edition of Aksel Schaufler's ambitious Golden Ravedays project is finally upon us. For many this series will be remembered as one of the most defining musical aspects of 2017, where each month one tremendous 12' after another would come our way and essentially creating a wonderful soundtrack to a very special year: a zeitgeist, if you will! From balearica to new wave Krautrock and cosmic psychedelica to straight up house bombs: the series encapsulates Schaufler's unerring dedication to his craft which has spanned close to 20 years and his seen him become synonymous with the the famed Kompakt imprint and enduring success with his Hippie Dance label. On the A side is the dreamy spaghetti western feel of "Late Night Skanking" with its mesmerizing orchestral sections and otherworldly instrumentation taking you deep into the exotic. On the flip there's some bold and stylish indie-dance on the low slung tip with "Punky Reggae Party" which really nails that Cologne/Dusseldorf style vibe because after all - that was his former stomping ground, before he relocated to Paris.

Review: Terrestrial Funk reissues a lost gem with the 'Summertime' EP by System Exclusive, a UK white label classic from the late eighties and early nineties. This four-track EP, featuring Jacqueline Foster aka Jacquoda's stunning vocals, includes the downtempo hit 'Summertime,' the dubbed-out 'Jennifer,' and two versions of 'Let's Climb.' The 'Come To Me Mix' and 'Glad You Made It Dub' are perfect for festival nights, showcasing hypnotic and powerful grooves. Simon Akers and Jason Brown's production, now brought to light by Terrestrial Funk, highlights their unique blend of downtempo and electronic bangers, making this perfect for crate diggers and new listeners.

Review: The mighty Balance series has been around for a while now and is one of the few remaining mix series that still managed to excite. Everyone who is everyone has made their own entry into it over the years and now it is the turn of Henry Saiz. His Balance 032 is a masterclass in balancing drive and emotion across no fewer than three CDs of tasteful progressive house. It marks a real high point for the Madrid-based artist and features the shimmering riffs of 'Kickboxer', his own collaboration with Imalgi.

Review: Titled after Marvin Gaye's soulful 'After the Dance,' Detroit producer Scott Grooves delved into a realm beyond the dancefloor with his contribution to an exhibition by Elysia Borowy in September last year. It showcased six installations that explore experimental expressionism in visual arts and electronic music. Grooves' work critiques capitalist culture and draws from afrofuturism, creating a captivating dialogue on consumerism and futuristic themes across six thought-provoking installations: Sweet Dreams Anakin, Foot Work, Vinyl, For All-Dee People, Yellow Sun Bricks and Found Sound. These pieces challenge viewers to reflect on modern humanity, bridging the gap between observer and artwork and now the deeply absorbing, cathartic ambient music from the show arrives on CD.

Review: Originally part of an exhibition curated by Elysia Borowy last September, Scott Grooves' contribution to After The Dance transcends the dancefloor, exploring experimental expressionism in visual arts and electronic music. Critiquing capitalist culture and drawing from afrofuturism, his work prompts reflection on consumerism and futuristic themes. The CD release features deep ambient pieces that caccaompnied six thought-provoking installations: Sweet Dreams Anakin, Foot Work, Vinyl, For All-Dee People, Yellow Sun Bricks, and Found Sound. It shows another side to the deep house don's work and is just as essential.

Review: Over Under marks a vital moment in Secondo's artistic evolution as he mixes up the functional with the experimental in-house and techno. Reflecting two decades of exploration, this new album recalls his early production style while incorporating lessons from the years. It opens with the kosmische pulse of 'Occhi Nuovi' and moves through various tempos and moods, from club tracks like 'Unlikely Companions' to deeper, reflective moments such as 'Solar Funk'. The album's progression weaves a carefully crafted narrative, blending alien funk, mid-tempo grooves and jazz-inspired texture that all shine bright.

Review: If you hadn't heard this one back in '92, where were you? Probably not even born yet, but that's just us showing our age. Undoubtedly one of techno's first forays into the mainstream, Snap! represented a wave of artists alongside the likes of 2 Unlimited, Technotronic, The Shaman and The Grid who provided many an anthem which now a true zeitgeist of this golden era. BMG presents this much welcome vinyl reissue of the German Eurodance outfit's now legendary sophomore effort The Madman's Return; a Michael Munzing & Luca Anzilotti production featuring vocalists Penny Ford, Turbo B and Thea Austin and the hits 'Rhythm Is A Dancer', 'Exterminate' and 'Colour Of Love'.

Review: Soela, the DJ and producer alias of Elina Shorokhova, channels her deep musical roots into Dark Portrait, an album that reflects both personal and global turmoil. Transitioning from her classical background into the electronic realm, Soela crafts a sonic journey that resonates with emotional depth and technical precision. The album begins with 'Unsuitable,' a track steeped in melancholic trip-hop vibes, setting an introspective tone. As Soela navigates the complex emotions surrounding her country's invasion of Ukraine, her music becomes a therapeutic outlet. This emotional intensity flows through tracks like 'Through the Windows' (featuring Francis Harris and Philipp Priebe) and 'Drowning' (with Module One), where intricate beats and ambient textures intertwine seamlessly. 'Spirits' and 'Lost In The Fog' offer haunting soundscapes that draw listeners into Soela's world, while 'February Is Not Going To Be Forever,' a collaboration with Lawrence, brings a dancefloor energy laced with a sense of urgency. The title track, 'Dark Portrait,' melds dubby rhythms with poignant melodies while the lead single, 'Even If I Ask You Stay,' showcases Soela's poignant vocal delivery amid a lush arrangement, addressing themes of escape and healing. The album concludes with 'The Darkest Hour Before Sunrise,' a hopeful and ethereal piece, blending subdued keys and strings with a sense of renewal. Dark Portrait is a deeply personal and powerful album, where Soela's rich musicality and emotional insight shine through, offering listeners both solace and inspiration.

Review: French producer St Germain laid down a pretty untouchable deep house blueprint with his debut album Boulevard, then managed to go one better with Tourist a couple of years later. It had even more instrumental magic and jazz class to it, over the deep, driving yet cuddly house beats with plenty of spoken word tributes to house legends, hummable top lines and iconic flutes that have endured for more than 20 years since its release. The whole thing has been remastered and now arrives on translucent orange vinyl. A true classic that will never go out of fashion and works both at home and in the club equally well.

Review: Ben Sun is a London-raised but currently Margate-based producer who is now back on Razor N Tape with his full-length offering The Henge. It draws on his love of cooking up introspective analogue electronic textures and traverses several different moods and grooves with ease. At times bright and melodic, at others dark and brooding, it offers moments of euphoria and times of reflection. Stand cuts include the downbeat sounds of 'Moon Lion' and funky rawness of 'The Khan's Reverie'. Fact fans should note that the superb artist with the album was also designed by Ben himself.

Review: The Mellophonia label offshoot Fusion Sequence won us over with its well-presented and great-sounding first EP, and now a quick follow-up does the same. This one is another various artists affair that starts with some nice futuristic robot disco from Vanity Project. There is more organic and lush Balearic from Bobby Bricks and Pacific Coliseum follows that spine-tingling Ibiza sunset vibe. On the flip side, there is everything from late-night electronic house to lazy disco via Sorcerer's blissed out 'Just For Love' which would entrance any dance floor. There's as much quality as there is variation on this one, which makes it a useful EP indeed.