Back catalogue: Minimal House/Tech House

Review: Henri Bergmann and Wennink's Guardian Angel marks an impressive debut on Crosstown Rebels, delivering a track that expertly fuses melody with depth. Bergmann's knack for sculpting rich, atmospheric landscapes is matched by Wennink's haunting vocals, creating a piece that feels both expansive and intimate. It's the kind of collaboration that hints at a shared vision without ever losing individual identity. The original track opens with textured percussion, slowly unfurling into an emotive soundscape as Wennink's vocals hover above like an ethereal guide. There's a melancholic undertone, but it's balanced by an uplifting drive, showcasing their ability to blend light and dark seamlessly. The remixes take Guardian Angel into uncharted territories. Stimming strips things back, opting for a more minimalist approach that sharpens the focus on rhythmic intensity, while his subtle use of effects amplifies the track's ethereal quality. It's a remix that feels lean but still full of intent. Hardt Antoine, on the other hand, plunges deeper into the shadows, pushing the bassline forward and letting synths stretch into eerie, sci-fi realms. His reworking is darker, stranger, and ultimately a satisfying close to the EP. With this release, Bergmann and Wennink add another strong entry to the Crosstown Rebels roster, proving that their partnership is one to keep watching.

Review: Aterral Limited has taken things slowly to start with but that's fine because the quality of the label's first few releases has remained high. Carlo is behind this one and opens up the EP with 'Hungover', a tune that features Black Loops, who has previously released his own EP on the label. It's lithe, funky deep house with silky synth work and classic drums. 'Lelazo' (feat Emanuele Barilli) carries on down the same path but this time has a darker bassline and more garage tinged skip in the grooves. On the flip side things slow down to a sunset sound on 'Maison' (feat Hauke Freer) and 'Poops' Feat O is a tight, well swung bumper with jazzy keys. Robust and emotive house music from front to back, then.

Review: We can't fault anyone for calling their EP Four Really Good Tracks just so long as it does indeed feature four really good tracks. This hand-stamped 12" from Terrazzo does just that with contributions from four different artists. Remotif's 'Ludovician' kicks off with a nice zoned-out tech roller for 4AM. Jay Gadian then steps up with 'Crisscrossing' which has a busier rhythm anymore searching synths smeared over the face of the groove. Reflex Blue's 'Mystic' is a busy workout with spiraling melodic refrains and a constant sense of cosmic takeoff. Wilt's 'Fractal Ceiling' then shuts down with acid laced deep techno.

Review: Velvet Velour's new outlet, Silky Beats, is back with a second brilliantly tasteful EP of superbly silky deep house and minimal sounds. This time out for top notch beat makers all feature with Tiago Walter kicking off. His wispy melodies and neon pads detail a feathery minimal beat while James Andrew's 'Turbo Shandy' is a playful mix of rasping synth textures and sci-fi synths over a loopy beat. Mtty pumps things up a little with a nice warm garage house shuffler in the form of 'The Elongator' and Duncan Thomas shits down with the dreamy pads adn laidback feels of 'Edzy & Eggsy.' A superb 12".

Review: Classy dancefloor-slaying action on 10" vinyl no less from West Norwood Cassette Library, combining a thumping four to the floor beat with nifty percussion, a fairly well known snippet of hip-hop vocal and ravey stabs. The results are as hard to resist as they are to classify, except to say it leaves absolutely zero prisoners. "This one had been previously doing the rounds as a 'dubplate only' exclusive," WNCS told us, "cut especially for the Futurepastzine tenth anniversary bash just on the cusp of lockdown ... so it seemed only appropriate to ask FPZ head honcho and fellow Cassette Librarian, Rawtrachs, to attend to remix duty." So flip it over for that equally excellent reworking from Rawtrachs and stand well back - we predict not only a riot, but an awful lot of spilt beer too.

Review: Amsterdam-based duo Weval, known for their intricate and richly layered electronic music, return with a new EP titled Night Versions via Ninja Tune's Technicolour imprint. This EP presents club-ready reimaginings of key tracks from their critically acclaimed album Remember, which was celebrated for its high-energy blend of nostalgia, euphoria, and genre-blurring creativity. On Night Versions, Wevalicomprising Harm Coolen and Merijn Scholte Albersifocuses on enhancing the dancefloor appeal of their original tracks. The EP includes dynamic versions of tracks like 'Remember' and 'I Saw You,' now infused with the pulsating energy reminiscent of artists like Max Cooper and Apparat. The result is a five-track journey that amplifies the frenetic, danceable elements of the original album while maintaining Weval's signature complexity and emotional depth. A compelling evolution of their sound, designed to ignite the dancefloor.

Review: For ravers of a certain age, Wighnomy Brothers are real heroes. They made such weird and wonderful sounds that afterparties were never the same without them. It's great to hear some new music from the pair and even better to know it is just as out there. This one starts with some found sounds that will freak you out, then slips into a nice synth laced minimal groove on 'Moppal Kiff.' 'Dukktus' has a more airy feel, with sunny pads lingering up above the beats. 'Something For Your Majo (Mind Ging Bis Dato Noch Nicht)' is an experimental loop for adventurous DJs.

Review: Constant Sound is one of the very many labels that is headed up by Burnski and one that he reserves for club-ready tech house and minimal. Wodda steps up for the latest outing and brings some future garage energy to the opener, 'Reggae Fusion' (Deep mix) which is lit up with lithe synths and smart vocal samples. 'On My Way' has more infectious garage vibes to it with the squelchy drums and hits and some nice heady melodies up top. 'Changing Faces' gets more twisted and brings intergalactic drama to the ass-wiggling cyborg tech beats and last of all, a Tuff Mudda mix of 'Reggae Fusion' shuts down with a silky thump and throwback UKG bass.

Review: Ralph Lawson's legendary Leeds-based label 20/20 Vision is in the middle of celebrating 30 years in the game. Part of that now extends to this reissue of a record that played a huge part in establishing the imprint back in the day. It comes from the co-founders' production alias Wolf n Flow and though it was recorded more than 20 years ago, this record still bangs. 'Messin' With My Mind' is a perfect mix of squelchy tech and vocal loveliness that calls to mind early Fresh & Low. The Oliver.r dub is more sleek and blissed out and two Electric Press remixes close out with some late-night heft.

Review: The Worm burrows deep with this evocative new outing on Deep Cub label, which continues to turn plenty of heads before it has even got to release number 10. '12 Days Of Squirm' is dubby, mid tempo and slow motion techno for early evening warm ups. 'Lisa' brings a more cid laced and percolating sound to up the energy levels and '808 Verb Talk' is darker, more heavy, with bright acid leaving a menacing mood in its wake. 'Pytch1' is another deft and atmospheric wedge of slow, purposeful techno.