Back catalogue: Progressive House

Review: Berlin's Exit Strategy began their 12"s game releasing EPs in browned sleeves, shortly before branching out into digital-vinyl combo releases with original artwork in the 2020s. Now with over ten years of experience under their belts, they welcome five new artists for a playful bricolage in deep and minimal techno, privileging elite, razor-sharp additive sound design and future-soulful vocal tasters. Ivory's opener 'Rain' epitomises this, while Jimi Jules squelchifies the same formula, and Aera's 'Future Holdings' rolls out the same logic to its ultimate conclusion, veering towards complex, 3D-graphic melodic techno composed entirely of climbing saws.

Review: Neptune Discs specialise in progressive downbeat, upbeat and acid convections, and as a label theme themselves after forgotten marine kingdoms. Though Poseidon has thrusted his trident at us here, there's actually a fourth track/prong on this tenth edition in the Dutch label's V/A catalogue, adding extra implosive impact to an already power-packed depth charge. Standouts here, in our estimation, have to be the faster currents of the bunch, taking shape as Tifra's 'Headspace' - whose breath-of-life melodic sequencings and CPAP pads allow us mammals a moment to come up for air - and DJ Life's 'Carapax' - whose gnatty lead buzz is like a desiccant for contaminant waters.

Review: Italian house lover Fabio Monesi returns to his Wilson label - named and styled after that unforgettable volleyball in Castaway - with a collab EP next to Tom Carruthers. It's rooted in traditional tropes from the 90s and US scenes starting with the kicking, retro flavours of 'Mi Amor' before 'The Bass Theory' brings on, yep, some more heavy bass-driven grooves. Last of all is the more synth-laden 'Killer Fruit' which is a triumph in drum programming that will enliven any crowd.

Review: Planet Trip returns with its twelfth release which is by Tempo Temple aka label staples Caravan & Lord Safari, with a heavy 12' of elevated machine jams and dancefloor ready heaters. It begins with the celestial acid of 'Spell' followed by the deep and tunnelling chugger 'Enter The Temple' (Outstanding Invoice mix). On the flip, venture deep into the exotic on 'Days Of Chandra', be further entranced on 'Nights Of Chandra' before the break of dawn that sets the stage for some sunrise breaks on the Transit State remix of the A1 track.

Review: Six dance tracks skillfully blending old-school vibes with contemporary sounds, spanning acid, breakbeat, electro and house, inviting listeners to dream of underground raves and enigmatic gatherings where ethereal battles against soulless algorithms unfold amid nocturnal dance. Highlights include Trabuco's 'Happy Spliff, a vibrant mix of New York house and early 90s-inspired techno, setting a nostalgic yet fresh tone. Trabuco's 'Signals' follows, delivering a spacey techno experience that feels both futuristic and retro. Yepecc's 'UFO Camp' seamlessly combines electro and acid for a sci-fi romp that transports listeners to otherworldly dimensions. Kevin Kendall's 'Volca Three' stands out with its rich analogue bass, adding depth and warmth to the compilation. The album closes with Victor Reyes' 'Inspired By Nature,' which offers a cool, bouncy finale that leaves a lasting impression. Overall, The Sciences of the Artificial is a refreshing take on retro styled techno and it is perfect for those seeking a blend of nostalgic and fun.

Review: Highly exciting, futuristic trip hop by Helsinki's Trickpony (Maria Korkella). With her EP 'Pillow Talk', she nails an always difficult-to-capture aesthetic, lying somewhere between the glassy future-metropolitan sonic parkour of Mirror's Edge, and the driving whispers and zoneout beats of Bowery Electric, adding yet another ingenious addition to the unparalleled label that is Roza Terenzi's Step Ball Chain. Opener 'Room To Breathe' revels in stretched-out breaks and blithe half-whispered vocals - which vaguely talk of an adversary being unable to stop Trickpony from going with the flow - while the synaptic dirges of 'Shiver' and its 'On Ice' dub version recall an ideaspatial collusion of Tipper and Skanna, seguing seamlessly from IDM downtempiques to drum & bass. Closer 'Pillow Talk' closes on a note of watery montage trance; it's the brightest statement of the bunch; Doss meets Motion Ward.

Review: American Danny Tenaglia is a legend, make no mistake about it. From his marathon 24-hour sets to his legendary Twilo residency via the fact he has a club sound system set up at home to listen to his vast record collection he is dance music through and through. As such he is just the sort of person you want to helm a mix series as long-running and influential as Global Underground. This is a special gatefold red, white and blue vinyl version across three 12"s that perfectly embody his driving sound - part prog, part techno, part tribal, it's a textbook musical trip one from of the best in the game.

Review: From his marathon 24-hour sets to his legendary Twilo residency via the fact he has a club sound system set up at home to listen to his vast record collection American Danny Tenaglia is a legend, make no mistake about it. As such he is just the sort of person you want to helm a mix series as long-running and influential as Global Underground. This is a double CD version that perfectly embodies his driving sound - part prog, part techno, part tribal, it's a textbook musical trip one from of the best in the game. Do not sleep.

Review: Dutch electronic outfit Tinlicker hails from Utrecht and is made up of Micha Heyboer and Jordi van Achthoven. They have been serving up the heat for more than a decade on labels such as Anjunadeep, mau5trap and Armada, which gives you an idea of their accessible, medically rich sounds. Back during ADE 2023, they hopped on stage with the renowned Metropole Orchestra to play the opening concert. You can relive it in all its glory now with this limited edition release featuring plenty of progressive house highlights from the show, all of which bring together the acoustics and the digital in a seamless fashion.

Review: The UK's Grammy Award-winning Tourist aka William Phillips is back with a fifth studio full length. It comes not long after last year's hugely emotive Inside Out and is another escapist delight that, true to the artist's intension, transports you to another place. It's an album that features ten tunes written in a new way that instead of being rooted in the artist's own personal emotions instead appeals to everyone, in that it depicts imaginary places you want to visit. It's just the sort of soundtrack you need to melt your woes away.