Tags: 90s House

Review: Leftifled's Leftism remains one of the great dance music albums of all time. It came back in the 90s when no one was making full lengths that really made the most of the format: This is not a collection of club tracks but a musical voyage through dub, techno, bass and house that is meticulously designed and all-consuming once you turn it up nice and loud. In fact, it is best enjoyed in one sitting rather than in the modern playlist fashion with tracks broken up because that way the pressure is built and released, the moods ebb and flow and the music really makes an indelible impact.

Review: Lo-fi house lovers Chaos In The CBD make their Fabric debut with a new mix CD and LP, contributing their wares to the latter's fresh mix Presents series, which came about after the end of the FABRICLIVE series and has seen to the likes of Sherelle, Octo Octa and Marbou State also feature. This 22-track extravaganza is noted to have been Fabric's most challenging licensing ordeal to date, having to polish a variety of sonic gemstones including by The Logic Box, Box Clever and Psychedelic Research Lab. Clearly, the relative obscurity of the names on the CD make this the duo's ode to 'hidden' house. Their original track 'Higher Elavation', meanwhile, cements this mysterious mood with surreptitious basses and smoggy pads.

Review: Groove Armada proven so adept at putting totters intimate late nigh sound tracks that they have made not one, not two, but three different entires into this legendary and long running series. And each one has its own equally special vibe. This one finds the pairing digging into the new York disco of Metro Area, the funk of Roy Ayers, the classic house of Mr Fingers and the gorgeousness of Shuggie Otis. It's as good an after the afterparty mix as you could wish to hear so we're delighted it is being reissue.

Review: Rebirth invites us to go back, way back, to the Italian underground techno scene of the 90s with this new selection of alternate versions, unheard gems and certified classics. Oneiric & Vortex open up with a tune that brings to mind the warmth of Motor City techno on 'Oasi' before GNMR layer up supersized hi hats and seriously weighty beatdown drums, Populous offers the loopy melodic delight of 'Barragan' and G-Connection heads into the cosmos with the dreamy ambient of 'Free Your Spirit', a perfect mood build if ever we heard one. Two further gorgeously blissed-out post-rave comedown sounds close out this gem of an EP.

Review: Quentin Sinclair Foster is a cult South African producer who mastered the art of downtempo and deep house across a series of vital cuts. Now, the Soundbath label has got together a first ever vinyl pressing and reissue of them which is sure to help them become classics all over again. That will certify be true of the one, Tsidi's 'Contagious' (Transcendal dub remix), which has everything required to become an anthem - the smooth female vocal, soft focus synths and subtle old school bass. Add in four other equally lush and romantic house sound and you have a real doozy.

Review: Amazing! has put together a very specific and worthwhile compilation here with Music For The Radical Xenomaniac Vol 1: Hedonistic Highlights From The Lowlands 1990-1999 offering up a wealth of zoned out and dreamy electric gems from lesser known artists. everything from house to trance, ambient to downtempo to progressive all comes through from these tunes which are unified by their subtle sense of uplifting joy and hopeful melodies. Dream Company's breaks-lead 'Space Page' is one standout as is Ramon & Theo's lush and percussive 'A Quest Of Thousands.'

Review: Dutch label Amazing! has been hard at work on a pretty sizeable project that now finally sees the light of day. Music For The Radical Xenomaniac: Hedonistic Highlights From The Lowlands 1990-1999 is a three-part series with each one offering up four sides of lush post-rave electronics that dips into influences from techno, electro, progressive, dance, pop and downtempo. Plenty of these artists are new names to us but the music is quality - from the lush deep house of The Connection Machine's opener 'Echoes From Tau Ceti' to the slick and emotive tech of 2000 & One's closing cut 'Crystal.'

Review: Lol Hammond is a former member of Spiral Tribe and early live techno act The Drum Club who now makes music on his own as Wah Wah Planet. Back in 1990 is when he penned this fantastic five track Balearic house EP alongside Russell Crone and with female vocal contributions from Lucy Sian. It very much lay out an early blueprint for UK street soul and the opener on the A-side 'Jewel' explores a romantic theme with hooky pop lyrics. Things get more left of centre on the 'Love FXU' with three trips into a smoother sound world perfect for sun kissed island dancing and with influences ranging from early breakbeat and trip hop to elements of dancehall music.