Review: Prescription and Guidance mainstay Abacus has already done enough to assure his eternal legacy in the story of deep house. But thankfully he is still turning out superbly deep sounds that are as profound and emotive as they are heady and escapist. Here he is back on Phonogramme with 'Analogue Stories Vol. 2' which comes on a unique semi-transparent 12'' vinyl. The beats are warm and humid, thickly coated with a diffuse synth hue as the rooted drums roll on smoothly. 'How U Do It' is out pick - a musical odyssey with layers of instrumentation, piano and percussion all topped off with a Moodyman vocal sample.
Mystical Sunshine (Fred P Tribal dub version) (5:32)
Review: Private Society is the new, limited run, vinyl only, hand stamped white label series from the one and only master of the deep, Fred P. The American has been operating in this mode for many years but always finds great new territory, as he does again here. 'On The Beach' is a downbeat cut with jazzy cymbals and the sort of lush pads and heavenly vibes the artist is best known for. A short reprise is provided for jobbing DJs while the flip features two versions of 'Mystical Sunshine.' One is a colourful and synth laced jam and the other is heavier and more dubbed out.
Review: Rising Canadian guitar dexter Bobby Bazini presents the 7" vinyl edition of one of his latest singles, 'Waterfallin'', which features none other than Gilles Peterson on an even rarer remix. With source material from one of five of Bazini's Spanish guitar debuts - 'Waterfallin'' having emerged from the affective foams and mistings-up of a friend, Connor, whose performance in front of him on the nylon guitar conjured images of a waterfall in Bazini's head - Peterson brings a folktronic verve to Bazini's originally vintage, Latin disco vision, dousing it in evermore pipe reverb as if to liken it to a steep cataract's rapids.
Review: Diego Strausz's first outing on Razor N Tape, a seven-inch single released in January 2021, was a thrillingly vibrant and hard-to-pigeonhole affair, with the Brazilian joining the dots between Batacuda, Brazilian disco, boogie and deep jazz-funk. This belated follow-up features superb, never-before-heard extended versions of those two tracks: the Azymuth-esque drums-synths-and-percussion explosion that is 'Emancipacao' and '50 Anos Em 5', a TB-303 acid-sporting slab of Latin jazz-fusion with bonus spacey synths. Perhaps the package's most notable moment though is Ron Trent's inspired remix of the title track, which in typical fashion sees the legendary deep house producer add extra layers of musicality, sun-kissed positivity and plenty of killer house-not-house beats.
Review: Roberta is a producer inspired by the late great Motor City don that is Mike Huckaby. That is clear to hear in this new EP for the small but well-formed Sole Aspect label across a quartet of sublime deep house gems. Opener 'Excursions' is as smoky as they come with gorgeous but muted chords that bring warmth and diffuse light to the cuddly-deep drums and delicate percussive sprinkles. 'Forever Love' has a jazzy flute bursting out the mix next to more prominent drums while 'Love Mosaic' is a delightfully smooth and sultry late-night charmer with gorgeous soulful vocals and steamy sax lines. A classy EP all round.
Review: Nicola Conte and Gianluca Petrella follow up last year's beautiful "African Spirits / New World Shuffle" with two more lavish instrumentals. "Sun Song" lives up to its name with wave after wave of heated musicianship from the belting harmonies to the light-touch keys. "Nigeria" taps deep into the source too as it drives us through the heart of Lagos with full horns and sweeping keys. Spiritual, sun-splashed and vital.
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Gledd brings a great mix of funk, disco, Afro and plenty of extra special magic to this hot new 12" on Saint Wax. It opens with 'Papa Bel' which is a steamy cut with florid melodic leads and tribal percussion. 'Tanda' then brings wailing vocals and more organic and jumbled grooves that ooze summer heat. The Afro rhythms continue through 'Rewild' which has a lively broken beat that rides stiff drums and last of all is the most intense of the lot - 'Guado Loop' is heavily layered with drums and perc, vocals, congas and background chants that will get any dancefloor in a sweat.
Review: The Master at Work that is Louie Vega has been a music-making machine all his life but in recent years has continued to reach new heights with various different projects. Here he is back on regular label Nervous with various different versions of his tunes 'Joy Universal' and 'Igobolo.' 'Joy Universal' (feat Two Soul Fusion) is classic Vega - soulful house music awash with Latin influences, loose-limbed percussion and funky basslines. And that template is tweaked over the ensuing tunes, with glorious pianos, jazzy grooves and tropical rhythms all making for a fine EP.
Review: London label Mysticisms knows how to dig out some truly lush house grooves whether that's in the form of unreleased house meets IDM, classic reissues or debuts from new school artists. N-GYNN falls into that latter camp having started to make waves on the likes of Hamam House Pleasure Club and his Superlux Records label. He explores a dreamy and cuddly house world here with rolling analogue drums, wispy new-age percussion and whimsical cosmic melodies that all make for otherworldly grooves. 'Journeys' has the feeling of an ancient ritual in the sky, 'Alistera' is a kaleidoscope of colour and 'Kebaya' has a more earthy Afro feel. 'Funk Break Beat' closes with a jumbled groove peppered with dial tones, string loops and bulbous acid.
Leftwing: Kody, James Hurr & I Jah - "Music Is The Medication" (4:58)
Review: The mighty and unmovable Toolroom offers up a snapshot of where it is at right now with a fifth volume of its Sampler series. The boss himself Mark Knight kicks off with a collaborative tune with Crusy: 'Daddy Shhh' is loopy, tribal, full flavour tech with jumbled drums and lots of buffed metal. Huxley's 'All I Need' is one of the UK producers warm house sounds, a smart vocal brings a sense of pain over simple but effective beats. Essel's 'Lennon' then brings peak time energy with strobe-lit synth sequences and churning drums, and Leftwing: Kody, James Hurr & I Jah shut down with 'Music Is The Medication', a muscular bumper with dub-wise vocals.
Review: Sometime Wisdom Teeth and Idle Hands contributor K-Lone has been digging drums of late, so he's decided to gather a load of percussionists, record some rhythms and serve up a six-track selection of 'Drum Tools' for discerning DJs. The key cut is lead track 'Drumz', a fine combination of drum circle style rhythms, trippy effects and dreamy synth washes. Fittingly, this is given an even heavier, pitched-up edit courtesy of Leod to round off the EP. In between these two sweat-soaked peaks, K-Lone cycles through sub-bass-enhanced Latin drums ('Cinco', the infectious 'Timbales'), weighty and tribalistic rhythms ('Bombo'), and handclap-propelled percussive deepness (the deliciously dreamy 'Clapper').
Review: Vick Lavander is on fire right now having recently minted Brett Dancer's new label Ethnic Blend Music and now comes back with more of his humid and authentic deep house. This one is also to start a new label - Sophisticado, his own new imprint - and first up is 'Deep Root,' a cosmically included deep house cut with gospel-style organ chords and chunky drums that work you into a lather. 'Hustle' then picks up the pace with more superbly warm chords and this time some Balearic acoustic guitar riffs and impossibly sunny grooves. Life-affirming tackle for joyous dancefloors.
Glass Slipper - "Unification Vibration" (Atjazz main mix) (6:32)
Diephuis - "Listen To This Drum" (feat Ursula Rucker - Turbojazz & Sean McCabe remix) (7:03)
Review: Reel People Music's latest Foliage Records sampler, the second so far, is another magnificent celebration of the deeper and more spiritual end of the house music spectrum. Freerange label boss and deep house don Jimpster opens up with a shimming and warm remix of Thakzin & Ray T's 'Don't Let Me See.' Atjazz also shows off his signature sound and deftness of design with his remix of Glass Slipper's 'Unification Vibration' and Turbojazz & Sean McCabe remix Diephuis's' 'Listen To This Drum' (feat Ursula Rucker) into a steamy house jam for cosy back room sessions. A rich EP for those who like their disco house musical.
Review: Chad Pulley makes his first solo appearance on John Beltran's All Good Music label, although keener eyed spotters will know that Pulley and Beltran previously collaborated on a track under the Bel-Pull Productions moniker. He steps up to the task ably, slipping into All Good style comfortably with the calm and melodic, gracefully coasting techno of 'Through My Eyes', before the flip side reveals the wistful 'Mesmerizing Blue', where pianos and synths call and respond over exotic rhythms. 'Sticks' completes the set, slightly harder and funkier than its two predecessors but again with an emphasis on musicality, off kilter danceability and originality. On this showing, a name to watch.
Review: Discotecas keep it catchy with another firey missive that delves deep into disco, funk and Afro. 'Heavy Dub' opens up with loose-limbed grooves that come with horn stabs and plenty of percussion, then 'LFA' gets a little deeper. Here the drums stay low and the mood is more menacing. The groove is detailed with just as many hots and toms, with diffuse chord stabs adding some warming soul and hints of Moodymann cool. As the grover unfolds it gets ever more funky and party starting with some great spoken words finishing it in style.
Mami Wata (Joaquin Sacred Arts Story version) (16:40)
Mami Wata (Joaquin Deep dub) (6:02)
Mami Wata (Joaquin Cosmic Arts Future instrumental) (9:24)
Review: This new Brian Jackson package 'Miami Wata' brings together traditional African sounds and modern Latin house music in a captivating fashion. Jackson's rendition of a traditional African song draws on the sacred lands of the Dogan in Mali and the rich rhythms of Ghana, paying tribute to all the different African cultures that have made for such a diverse tapestry of world music. The original comes with serval remixes, dubs and cosmic reworks from the one and only Body & Soul man Joe Claussell who takes it into all new but equally spiritual realms. It makes for an epic double 12" from BBE.
Review: Nervous will forever be etched in the heart of house music lovers. And even after all these years the legendary New York labels continues to serve up the gems. This time out they call upon the one and only Kenny Dope, one half of Masters At Work and a legendary DJ and producer. He adds his famously characteristic warmth and soul to Kenny Bobien and Wheeler Del Torro's 'The Sun Will Shine Again.' It is a gloriously sunny tune with lively, skipping and South Hemisphere tinged beats, a great vocal and plenty of percussive action. The instrumental strips it back to more direct beat work. Both sides bang.
Time To Let Go (Two Soul Fusion Afro House instrumental mix) (8:35)
Time To Let Go (beats) (8:34)
Time To Let Go (Two Soul Fusion Afro House mix) (8:11)
Time To Let Go (Expansions NYC remix instrumental) (4:05)
Review: Last summer, veteran singer/songwriter Mike Lindup dropped 'Time To Let Go', a delicious fusion of synth-pop, Afro-pop and dreamy soul that was set to feature on his long-promised follow-up to 1990 album Changes. Now Masters at Work man Louie Vega has got his hands on it and delivered a suite of fresh, club-ready reworks. Vega's EP-opening 'Expressions NYC Mix' does a great job in wrapping Lindup's original vocals, fluid pianos, chords and squelchy synth-bass around a snappy house groove, subtly re-framing it for peak-time floors. The 'Two Soul Afro House Fusion' mix is arguably even better, with Vega adding layers of delicious instrumentation to a Tony Allen-inspired Afro-house beat. Throw in a couple of instrumentals and a handy 'Beats' version and you have an excellent package.
Review: New Digital Fidelity has been making sweet moves recently with a debut on the lauded Moods & Grovers label out of Detroit followed up by a single on his own Scopic Records. Now he brings his class to Crush On The Beachside and again shows off his love of Detroit house vibes. Opener 'Crush On The Beachside' is raw and intense with humid chords and jacked-up drums, then 'Shattered' brings more loose and jumbled beatdown grooves and 'Crush On The Beachside' (K15 remix) is then bubbly, jazzy and cuddly. 'Cracking' rounds out with more rich chord work and bristling drum funk.
Review: When Osunlade first conceived and released Pyrography in 2011, it was meant to be the closing chapter of his house music journey. Of course, his attitude has changed since, but the album remains a fine statement from one of house music's most singular producers. This reissue from BBE puts the original set on vinyl for the first time, packaging it inside a brilliantly presented book featuring images, prayers, and information on the Yoruba culture that has long inspired the producer. Musically, the set expands on his usual spiritual house blueprint, fusing elements of jazz, broken beat and soul with influences as diverse as 80s talk box funk, hazy disco and 90s NY house. It remains one of Osunlade's finest works, so it's great to see it on wax at last.
Review: Some years back, Ben Norris AKA O'Flynn looked set for a major breakthrough, with his EPs on Blip Discs and Ninja Tune getting singled out for praise. Since then, his career has stalled, though we wouldn't be surprised if this impressive debut album propels him into the spotlight once more. It's a wonderfully fluid, evocative and enjoyable set that attractively sashays between languid ambience, Afro and Latin-influenced cut-up club cuts that cannily fuse disco, nu-disco and deep house, drum dubs and percussion jams, and off-kilter affairs that defy simplistic categorization. Highlights are plentiful throughout, from the dreamy dub disco flex of "Tru Dancing" and jazzy deep house warmth of "Painted Wolf", to the huggable dreaminess of two-step shuffler "Celestine" and the loved-up haziness of enveloping closing cut "Neptune".
Souled Out (Joe Claussell The Cosmic Arts interpretation mix) (8:10)
Souled Out (Joe Claussell Joaquin Sacred Rhythm version) (13:59)
Souled Out (Joe Claussell Joaquin Deep version FNL) (8:20)
Feed The Fire (Atjazz remix) (5:28)
Feed The Fire (Musclecars Dream dub) (9:05)
Review: Audrey Powne's eagerly anticipated debut album already had us all 'Souled Out', and now we find ourselves served more soul food than our dharmas can handle, with this new remix bundle from Atjazz, Joe Claussell and Musclecars. First comes Claussell with three exquisite and spiritual remixes, each highlighting unique elements of Audrey's original production. Joaquin's Deep Version is quintessential Claussell, merging the bassy textures of a vintage King Tubby dub with vibrant percussion and entraining beats. The 'Sacred Rhythm Mix' is especially apical and peaktime, weaving a threnody of layers that culminate in a boogied-out crescendo. Then come two new versions of Powne's album cut 'Feed The Fire', first by jazzdance maven Atjazz, then by the New York duo Musclecars.
Nigeria (Tall Black Guy Boogie Love remix - feat Broken Keys) (4:05)
Nigeria (Tall Black Guy Boogie Love remix - instrumental version) (4:05)
African Spirits (Andres extended remix) (5:33)
Review: Nicola Conte is one of the central figures in the Schema story, and his nu jazz and broken beat partnership with Gianluca Petrella has yielded some golden music in recent years. Nigeria originally came out in 2018, and then last year popped up on the duo's People Need People LP, but now it's getting a proper remix treatment which sees Tall Black Guy twisting the track out as a heady disco house roller for sundown moments when you need a little jazzy flair in the proceedings. That version comes in vocal and instrumental versions, and then the mighty Andres steps up for one of his simmering groove escapades as he delivers an extended remix of 'African Spirits'.
Review: Belgian DJ and producer Gratts have joined forces with London-based vocalist Mr. Beale to follow up on to success of their well-received 'Sun Circles' release last year. Here, on the sublime 'Submerge Me', they are in fine form once more with a brooding sound that features the uniquely mesmerising mantras of Beale and plenty of raw, compelling and percussive grooves that full lock you in and get you going. Versatile Records' own Gilb'r then steps up on the flip and manages to take things even deeper with some fine liquid dub excursions to complete a top 7"
Solu Music - "Fade" (feat Kimblee - Eric Kupper remix) (9:19)
Eric Kupper Presents K-Scope - "Electrikiss" (8:50)
Review: While not as celebrated as many of those he has worked with over the years (most notably his late friend Frankie Knuckles), Eric Kupper has built up a mighty discography, with untold production, remix and engineering credits to his name. A Lifetime in Dance Music celebrates this, picking out eight highlights (with more to come on subsequent volumes) from the New York house great's long and successful career. There's plenty to set the pulse racing throughout, from a fine revision of Depeche Mode's 'Wrong' and the classics organ-and-piano-heavy US garage flex of Degrees of Motion's 'Shine On', to a soaring house makeover of Diana Ross disco classic 'The Boss', a delicious tribal house take on Fuminori Kagajo's 'The Blue', and the immersive, loved-up deep house lusciousness of 'Electrikiss', a cut originally released under his occasional K-Scope alias.
Review: Edinburgh-based Peacey had a little help from label boss Martin 'Atjazz' Iveson and the latter's old pal Clyde on debut single 'Hold Me Back'. He's gone solo on 'Culture Bandit', which like its predecessor is a taster for Peacey's forthcoming debut album. In its original form (side A), the track blurs the boundaries between 21st century Afro-house, the liquid, melody-driven fluidity of Atjazz's early works, the spoken word-sporting mid-2000s nu-jazz of Ursula Rucker (an effect heightened by Vanessa Hidary's brilliant beat poetry) and the dancefloor spirituality of Osunlade. It's fitting, then, that the latter delivers a typically percussive, musically rich and tech-tinged Yoruba Soul remix, with Martin Iveson delivering a typically fluid, deep and tactile Atjazz revision.
Vente Pa Ca (feat Jimena Angel, Jah Sazzah & Poirier) (4:34)
Vente Pa Ca (feat Jimena Angel, Jah Sazzah & Poirier - Poirier remix) (3:47)
Review: This is a global single with a great story that starts with an afro-funk groove made by Italian Jah Sazzah. He wanted a vocal for it so turned to Nickodemus who handed his own touches and then sent it Grammy-nominated Colombian vocalist Jimena Angel. The result is a vibrant Afro tune with vivid melodies. Remixer Poirier is a legend in Latin music circles. The Montreal man has formerly been associated with Ninja Tune and is synonymous with lots of classy remixes and fresh takes on a modern Afro-Caribbean sound. This is another one that reworks the ring into a more bouncy and infectious sound with gorgeous vocals and a clean arrangement that allows the drums and perc to shine.
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: Alkalino's follow up to the 2021 release of the second installment of the Make Up series comes with all original production from the man himself. The first comes as the thumping tribal vibe sounds of "get ready' with the second on the A-side is a banger with 'Heavy as stone' with it's lush vocals that would work in any set. On the flip, 'Jack area' is classic sounding body jacking music that'll make you do just that. jack your body. and rounding out the ep is the gritty bass of 'reproduction'. This latest installment from Alkalino is a true testiment that he is a true master of making you dance.
Review: The French feel-good maestros over at Treasure dig up another pair of gems from the vaults. This time F.R delivers two more killer reworks of certified classic cuts, each of which will hear you requisition the dancefloor, be that the opening cinematic trip-hop-jazz-house smoothings of 'Pearls' or the ensuing tribal spaces and wobbly washes of 'Makes Me Wonder'.
Elegua (feat Jose Cochise Claussell Of Rebel Tumbao) (3:45)
Makussa Part Three (Afrikan Basement extended demo mix) (9:14)
Diyi Mayo (live Jam extended mix) (9:32)
Afrofunkjazz (extended demo mix) (8:36)
Review: Edit king and remix master Joaquin Joe Claussell's 'Ancestral Food & Healing Medicine' 12" first dropped in 2020 and became another one of his instant classics. It found him taking things to an all-new level with the reuses all best heard on loud systems when it is impossible not to be enraptured by a religious experience of gel and soul-infused sound. The therapeutic grooves heal you to your core with their uplifting synths and meaningful messages. For that reason, an original copy has become rather experience but fear not as this new reissue allows you to cop these sounds in nice new red wax.
Review: Italian Danilo Braca offers up a superbly summery deep hose single here that is alive with bird calls and beautiful ambiance. There are hooky Balearic guitar riffs stitched into the smooth, shuffling, dusty groove. Breaking waves and seductive sax motifs add further color to the most serene and seductive sounds. After that 12-minute-plus epic on the A-side comes the flip side DJ Spinna Journey mix. It has fleshier drums, and muted acid lines but just as much of an escapist beauty feel. Two classics here that will fit into any open-air set with style.
Review: The unstoppable and irrepressible Louie Vega has commissioned a bunch of remixes of Tony Touch's 'Sacude' for his own Vega label. The man himself opens things up with a Brooklyn mix that is heavy on raw beats, percussion and Latin rhythm. Manoos goes for something a little more smooth and shuffling, while Oscar G's 305 remix is a deep, elastic groove with eerie synth work. He also serves up a dub, Tony Touch reworks his own original into something full of fire and a dark Louie Vega Bronx mix closes out the package.
Review: Timmy and South African songstress Toshi Tikolo, who hails from Kwalanga Township in Cape Town, collaborate on this powerful Afro House track that showcases a deep, spiritual side of the genre. Known for its impact on Shelter Heads and beyond, the instrumental mix alone packs a punch. Joaquin Joe Claussell elevates things with his signature and sacred style that transforms the original Afro roots into something entirely unique. His remixes, including the wonderful Cosmic Arts Afro and Drum Gathering versions, add plenty of depth to an already captivating original. This is as authentic as Afro house gets.
Review: Frederick Jorio is a mainstay of tribal house's long and winding legacy, with classics as Lectroluv reaching back to the early 90s. 'Dream Drums' was originally tucked away as a B2 on an Eightball 12" in 1993, and went on to become something of an underground hit for those in the know. Now Afternoon Delight are revisiting the track with some high grade remixes which stay true to the heads-down club heat of the original. Joeski leans in on a moody, percussive rhythm section version while Eric Kupper and LRX slip in some on-point DX7 bass and seductive arps. Roberto Rodriguez whips up a gleaming Detroit-styled version, and then Marc Cotterell fires off a typically sprightly garage house anthem to get the crowd out of their heads and back into the room.
Review: Sacred Rhythms invites us back into the deep and mystical world of Roi Azulay who returns to the label for a third outing here. This outing finds him serving up a real focus on his more acoustic leaning sounds. This multi-dimensional producer shows he is adept at laying down tribal drum sounds overlaid with enchanting percussive lines, dancing strings, hypnotic leads and vocal chants that add to the ancient allure of these most hypnotic sounds. Add in a Kuniyuki remix and you have a truly mesmerising new package.
Review: Following on from his recent collaborative outing with Jonasclean, James Curd now finds himself working with the deep house legend and Yoruba master Osunlade on a new track for Get Physical. 'Chocolate Puddin'' is a joyous and organic cut with life-affirming vocals that borrow heavily from gospel while Afro-house synths and drums unfold below. Three remixes take it into different territory with Kai Alce offering his signature smoothness, a Yoruba Soul mix going big on the lush chords and FNX Omar getting tribal. All in all, it adds up to a varied package and another great outing for Curd.
Review: Set your phasers to chug - Multi Culti are back with a new compilation which follows their astrologically charged series from 2021's Multi Culti Solstice II. As ever, the Canadian label deals a strong line in globally-informed dance music with cheekiness in its bones and an inherent spirituality, faithfully upheld by their assembled disciples. Across the eight tracks there are many highlights, but a few for us include Jamie Paton's sinewy 90s dub house workout 'Sub Ritual' and Kunturi's rhythmically-elevated ritualistic acid joint, 'Eclosion'. Strap in for another wild ride far and wide with the most adventurous label in town.
Mowgan - "O Pa Mi Titi Deabe" (feat Jah Baba - Armonica remix) (7:08)
Yass & FNX Omar - "Fema" (6:15)
Review: Four cruel and bewitching dances are conjured on this split EP from MoBlack Records, the chart-topping Afro house label whose music has found itself on the well-used USBs of the likes of Dixon, Black Coffee and Ame. Immediately, one can hear the incipient threads of kwaito and amapiano on this shared vinyl slab, as traditional verbed-out Afro-style vocals hear neat processing along modern EDM production. Expository dreamers like 'Rahamah' segue calmly into headier and doomier cuts like 'Amanga' and 'O Pa Mi Titi Deabe'. All are replete with rare African call-and-response vocal samples lifted from evidently obscure sources.
Review: Many years after the first instalment we are now treated to a second volume of the Culross Close project from K15, a one time Wild Oats graduate, artist, DJ, producer and deep thinker who mixes up house, hip hop and jazz. He assumes his usual alias for the opener 'Pulse' which dances on dusty drums with nagging melodies in the middle and plenty of swing. On the flip he becomes Culross Close for 'Dawn' which his less club ready and more expressive, with heart melting pianos and a real jumble of drums and perc that is brilliantly loose.
Review: We don't know much about the freshly minted Worm Records, but we can tell you that proceeds from the imprint's debut release will be donated to the Livetolove campaign, which raises funds for food banks. The EP itself is a corker, with a mix of rising stars and established heads providing genuine dancefloor goodness. Bristol-based Gallegos kicks things off with 'Rockin', a deliciously dreamy fusion of Balearic deep house loveliness and snappy, Chicago house-influenced machine drums, before long-serving producer The Mole goes deeper, smoother and jazzier and the wonderfully tactile 'Festern'. Over on side B, Tartan Records chief drops the extra-percussive, off-kilter drum workout 'Booster', while Ruf Dug drops a previously unheard rework of his Italo-disco inspired fave 'Manctalo Beach'. Top stuff!
Review: The fledgling Pamela label hits release number three with Anthony Teasdale the man charged with taking us on a sonic trip. He kicks off with a gorgeous cut that pairs breezy grooves with flamboyant keys that sound like they come from a theatrical moment in a play. It is a super symphony that sweeps you off your feet while 'A Pavement In Palma' is a humid and sundown gem, 'Deep In The Forest Something Stared' is layered ups with retro-future synths from a band like ELO and 'It's 5am Somewhere' then has more slick kick to it, but no less a majestic sense of melody which seems to be Teaseale's calling card.
Review: Afroterraneo Music founder Kiko Navarro steps up for his label next release, but not before enlisting the help of friends and fellow Balearic and house dons DJ Pippi and Willie Graff. Their classy Tempistica Mistica EP offers up a pair of richly percussive and Afro-Latin tinged house cuts that are primed and ready for deployment on the most cultured dance floors. 'N'Fumbei' is a warming shuffler that echoes the work of Fred P, 'Esanah' is more heavy and percussive with its weighty kicks making a lasting mark. 'N'Fumbeats' closes down with a fat, bouncy rhythm brought to life with loose and organic perc.
Review: Cult Edits are specialists in pushing a certain kind of heater, working in a mode landing something between edit and original. Six producers - Mario Bianco, Tomoo Hata, Roe Deers, Radial Gaze, A Tweed and Oltrefuturo - lay down a blend of sampledelic, ecstatic, multi-tempo'd tribal moods. Channelling everything from chic Tulum rituals to the brutalism of Eastern-European underground clubs, and rounded off by doses of Italian rasta and Japanese re-imagining of Hungarian folk song, all come to the label's exquisite brand of mandala-esque vinyl.
Nucleus Scene 1 (feat Miles Bonny - Yoruba Soul mix) (7:40)
Nucleus Scene 1 (Cee Elassaad remix) (8:05)
Nucleus Scene 1 (feat Miles Bonny - Yoruba Soul Suite) (7:42)
Review: American Anthony Nicholson is one of the underground's most noxiously outspoken characters, especially during his days with the Dope Jams record store where he would right diss notes on 12"s and LPs he didn't like. Thankfully his own work is up to scratch and now the veteran becomes part of the Yoruba family. 'Nucleus Scene1' is his contribution - a signature deep house cut laced with real soul, jazzy chords and life-affirming melodies in a vibrant arrangement. The Yoruba Soul Mix gets even more soulful and mind-expanding with its funky guitar riffs and then Cee ElAssaad brings the Afro house vibes with some extra piano. Great stuff.
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