Crosstown Rebels Vinilo y CD

Review: Crosstown Rebels compere Damian Lazarus teams up with fellow musician and singer-songwriter Jem Cooke, with new track 'Searchin'': a primeval precognition of the big bad boss man's upcoming fifth album on the label, Magickal. Though it's been released digitally with a focus on Bullet Tooth's remix on the B-side, this blue-innered vinyl edition compiles all three of the track's versions, also clocking a sure-to-be much-spun Radio Slave remix on the B. The original is an FM-led brooder with posterities of bleep techno and darkside fidget house. Cooke's vocals belt searchingly against burbling synthwork, while Bullet Tooth's remix takes a tempting dark garage turn, risking briar-shod paths of bass as Cooke's refrain is made gothic. Slave's version is, as ever, hardly slavish, preferring a more tensile daytime vibe of subtle piano and muted vox.

Review: Damian Lazarus's fifth studio album is another left-of-centre exploration of house and tech, often with a spiritual twist and hints of voodoo magic. It is heavy on collaborations and finds the Crosstown Rebels boss hooking up with the likes of Hem Cooke for the spine-tingling downtempo opener 'Searchin' while 'R U Dreaming? (feat Mathew Jonson)' is a more deep and bubbly late-night tech sound. 'La Hija De Juan Simon (feat Mestiza)' is laden with percussion and warped bass, and 'Sunrise Generation (feat Fink)' is a deft and progressive melodic roller that is sure to be huge this summer and beyond.

Review: Damian Lazarus and JOJO ABOT's work here is a powerful collaboration that pushes the boundaries of what we expect from the Crosstown Rebels label. On the surface, it's a pulsating dancefloor track, but there's so much more lurking beneath the surface. Built on a foundation of driving rhythms and intricate textures, the track weaves JOJO ABOT's bewitching vocals with hypnotic grooves and subtle amapiano influences, creating something that's both immersive and unpredictable. The Major League Djz remix elevates the energy, turning up the intensity with a deep, groovy progression that feels like it could keep the party going for hours. Meanwhile, Raxon's rework introduces a darker, more atmospheric edge with his signature off-kilter bassline and sharp, rolling percussioniadding depth while still maintaining the track's core essence. Warrior Dance shows Lazarus' unerring ear for talent and his ability to curate soundscapes that speak to both the mind and the feet.

Review: Mita Gami and EREZ unite for 'Where's My Voice?', connecting thrilling Tel Aviv, nighttime NYC and lit LA. Their debut on Damian Lazarus' Crosstown Rebels follows earlier releases on Borders of Light, and also introduces EREZ to the fold. Mainstay Gami, a fixture on the Tel Aviv scene, also here returns a lauded remix of Parallelle & Nicolas Masseyeff's recent single 'Renegade'. EREZ too reiterates his productive intricacies, rejoining after standout releases on Get Physical Music and Discotexas. 'Where's My Voice?' blends EREZ's entrances with rhythmic infections, scaffolding organic percs about a vocal formwork. Samer Soltan's remix deepens the mood, lengthening the three-word motif across a brooding extension.

Review: Secret Echoes, the Mexican trio of Estefani Brolo, Diego Cevallos and Marco Balcazar, are back with 'Particles', a release that builds on their promising 'Bring My Beat Back' debut with Crosstown Rebels. The first track is a deep, groovy journey, led by Brolo's ethereal vocals which blend seamlessly with wonky synths and a rolling rhythm. It's a track that effortlessly flows from introspective moments to dancefloor-ready energy. On the B-side, Greek DJ and producer Angelos gives the track a fresh spin. Known for his Grammy-winning work with Black Coffee, his remix brings a new level of drive and emotion, layering pulsating beats with rich melodies, making it perfect for the late-night crowd. Particles is a great follow-up, offering a glimpse into the trio's upcoming LP. With their unique sound and growing presence, Secret Echoes are showing they're ones to watch in the electronic scene.