Review: London's 1-800 Girls brings cleanly garage and bright breaks to his All My Thoughts label, riffing on the combo of infectious aural hooks and brutalist sonics fashionable among the present chart doyens of UK dance music and techno. 'How I Feel' sounds like an innocent admission of affection in techno-garage form, pairing the flunky inter-jabs of 2-step garage with the cute-aggressive seethes of a repetitious sampled vox; the track centres on a nostalgic, airtight sequence of parapractic phonemes, onto which the listener may project their longings and amours. 'Signal' embraces both big beats and biomech squeaks verging on sports-whistles, while 'Like You Do' returns for a comparatively brooding burbler. Finally, 'Guy's Salmon' rounds things off on a dense sequence of yeahs and ohs, as ever building up a slow-burn of cool wonderment and openness.
Review: Watergate, the cult Berlin club known for its riverside location and legendary LED ceiling above the dancefloor, is also a reputable tech house label that deals in fresh names only. Here it is 8Kays that makes a debut with Falling Down, a selection of superb collaborations including 'Matematica' with Glowal which is tense and electric tech with indie vocals and with Juan Hansen he cooks up the medically hopeful 'Falling Down' which then gets two remixes. Colyn & Beswerda make it into a moody and deep groove, Chris Avantgarde brings some peak time prog energy and solo cut 'Lyra' has a warm, paddy broken beat to cruise on through the stars.
Review: If you were a young production twosome growing up in Cologne, you'd aim high and send your demo recordings to the city's most storied techno label, Kompakt. That's exactly what Mourad Kehalia and Sebastian Fischer AKA 90ASE did, and it led directly to this quietly impressive debut EP. The headline attraction is 'Streetpoet', a dreamy and colourful slab of breakbeat-house gorgeousness smothered in elongated church organ chords, tactile pads and auto-tune enabled Arabic vocals. The mighty Axel Boman remixes, delivering a 'Trancehall' mix that ups the dreaminess levels further while employing squelchy synth bass and pumping, tribal house style beats. To complete a rock-solid package, Kehalia and Fischer offer-up the maximal deep house headiness of 'New Ballad', which is as gorgeous as it is dancefloor-ready.
Beautiful You (Danny Krivit 7" edit Of Hex Hector's Lush remix) (5:20)
Beautiful You (4:34)
Review: The revered songstress that is AK is back on Most Excellent Unlimited for another hot and soulful single that comes on the heels of a special 7" release of her seminal 'Say That You Love Me.' This one, 'Beautiful You' is making its vinyl debut here and comes with strong messages of empowerment and affirmation. The lyrics and vocals are uplifting as is the music which comes in the form of a 7" edit by Body & Soul legend Danny Krivit' of GRAMMYr award-winner Hex Hector's Lush remix. It's a perfectly paired back sound with the original on the flip, and both tunes really make their mark. This is a great package that's exclusive to wax.
Review: Jiaolong returns this week with the proper debut release titled Compciter by Tucson native Mike Sadatmousavi aka Altrice, who first turned heads back in 2010 with a remix of 'Sun' by label chief Caribou. It features five dusty and lo-fi house jams that are sample based and aimed squarely at the dancefloor. Whether it's the dreamy and sunkissed mood music of 'Bda Creature' (Feay Blue Dust Archive) and its infectious T.T. sample, the off-kilter shuffle of 'Places Faces' or the stomping club ready cut '1609km' and its Mood II Swing influenced rhythm department - 13 years was sure worth the wait.
Review: Superfriends is a new label project from German tech house duo Andhim. They take care of the first release and export outside the usual realms on opener 'Tosch (feat Piper Davis).' It has an air of DJ Koze's hazy nostalgia to it with gentle tumbling drums, broad bass notes and plenty of lo-fi texture. 'German Winter' is not as harsh and cold as the season it is named after, instead layering up subtly hopeful, sustained chords over a groove that's not too heavy, not too airy. 'Mond' brings smeared and smudged melodies, flutes and pianos together over a dubby, delightfully deep house low end. 'Horse Society' closes with the distant sound or bird tweets, a hooky percussive lead and plodding kicks for day-time open-air dancing.
Review: German progressive house duo Andhim specialize in bringing out the genre's sentimental side, and their latest single 'I Love You' is a masterful case in point. Describing their sound as "super house", the pair evidently only choose the most serene and gut-punching sounds and samples going in, and 'I Love You' exemplifies this, with its knife-edge, repetitive vocal and swellingly pink chords, which recall the French house climaxes of The Paradise or Daft Punk, and/or the more recent, well-rounded post-10s uplifts of Bicep. Of course, the B-side must provide the mirror image, on which the equally powerful emotion of hatred is explored. Hatred isn't exactly a house music go-to, but the psychologist in us feels compelled to remind the reader that love and hatred, aren't binary opposites, and are closer together than we often think!
Review: Passed Out On A Persian Rug might be the best names a label we have heard in a while, as well as being the perfect way to any big weekend. Once this one is lined up on the decks though the party will be far from over - Hayedeh's 'Gol Vajeh' brings exotic vocalisations over deep house beats that get you in the zone. Shahyar GhanbarI's 'Forbidden' is another steamy and enthralling house cut with depth and soulful synth craft. There is playfulness in the chords and funky bass of Shahram Shabparesh's 'To Mitooni' and Hassan Shamaeizadeh's 'Telesm' closes with crisp, breezy tech.
Review: Madorasindahouse is one of the labels that sits right at the forefront of the latest Afro house revival - music that is deep, spiritual, and with fresh kick patterns. This new 12" is a sublime one from Awen and Caiiro whose 'Your Voice' is a spine-tinging sound with delicate pads, whispered vocals bring the tenderness and heartbroken chords. Adam Port ups the tribal vibes with chattery percussion and wet claps, while the Enoo Napa remix takes things down a darker path with moody pads. The vocal too has a different edge as the steel-plated kicks march on.
Review: 'Make Me Feel' is the first release from Miami-based duo Bedouin since the acclaimed Temple Of Dreams album. Featuring Iveta and arriving on their Human By Default label, the single captures their deep, organic house sound and ice again it blends their cultural influences into enchanting grooves characterised by dramatic minor chords, wavy drums, and wooden percussion. Iveta's soulful vocals add emotional depth, making the track a standout in the organic house world. Known for their SAGA party at Pacha Ibiza, Bedouin's new material has already proven to be a staple in their summer sets and will likely sound great long into winter.
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: Beyonce's last album was widely heralded as a triumph by all. It found her diving into house music and working with scene stalwarts like Luke Solomon and Honey Dijon. It won a Grammy for its efforts. Now, even though plenty of the originals were ready to work a club dancefloor, we get treated to some remixes. They all focus on the standout single 'Break My Soul' and we get funky and soulful stuff from Terry Hunter, broken beat from Will I Am, house thumps from Honey Dijon, and filter-heavy stuff from The Queens. Add in the Nita Aviance club mix and the original version and you have a useful package indeed.
Review: Beyonce Knowles' most recent LP 'Renaissance' took pop heads by storm with its appropriation of dance styles like Jersey club and deep house, and the lead single 'Break My Soul' was arguably its strongest, with Robin S organs, slapping beats and soul-feeder lyrics all combining to form a fierce statement of psychic integrity. Now comes the track's full remix EP; along with the instrumental and acapella, we've got a star-studded cast of remixers for Will.I.Am to Honey Dijon to Madonna to Nita Aviance, each laying down alternative takes on the cut.
Nobody But You (feat Bisi - Sidney Charles remix) (7:18)
We Will Not (5:38)
Review: Hot Creations has always dealt in a crowd-pleasing and sleazy house sound whether in full-on deep house creamy mode or more driving tech. This new EP from Black Hawks of Panama is in the latter camp - the drums of 'Nobody But You' are crisp and physical, but the BISI vocal is pure butter up top. Sidney Charles brings his rock-hard house style with rigid kicsk and spangled bass sure to make the floor cut loose, then 'We Will Not' is a tense peak time tech house tune with lots of synth texture.
Review: Ben Bohmer recorded this new single on Ninja Tune live at Brooklyn Mirage on October 6th 2023. It comes as a limited edition and hand-numbered 180-gram vinyl 12" with an extended and alternate mix. Both feature Felix Raphael and both have a subtly uplifting prog-house effect that unfolds slowly over the rich, silvery drums and deft synth drones that are all constantly on the rise. The vocals are spine-tinging, soft and tender whispers that help make this a most angelic of sounds.
Archie Hamilton - "Let The Light In" (feat HQA) (7:05)
Ferreck Dawn - "Better" (feat Jena) (5:45)
Review: Some of tech house's biggest names feature on this new Defected 12" alongside a trio of more contemporary talents. Butch & Nic Fanciulli are very much in the first category and they offer the happy hosue and big samples of 'I Want You' before new schooler Hannah Wants rolls out a chunky house groove with blissed out Ibiza vocal energy on 'The One' (feat Ara). Archie Hamilton pairs old school Chicago energy with a fresh vocal on the anthemic 'Let The Light In' (feat HQA) then Dutchman Ferreck Dawn shuts down with the crossover dance sounds of 'Better' (feat Jena).
Deeper Purpose, Jalja & Lazy Joe - "One By One" (5:38)
Tony Romera & Crusy - "The Unknown" (5:37)
Review: This sampler offers four main floor house tracks with each bringing a unique flavour to the dancefloor. On Side-1, Chaney's 'I Choose You' blends soulful house with rhythm and blues elements, featuring a pop-infused vocal that's both catchy and uplifting. Gene Farris and Basura Boyz's 'In My Heart' is a powerful house track, designed to keep the energy high. On Side-2, Deeper Purpose's 'One By One' continues the momentum with a deep, driving groove, while Tony Romera and Crusy's 'The Unknown' delivers a big, peak-time anthem perfect for the height of any set. This collection is great for house music fans seeking diverse, impactful and popular sounding versions.
Review: The Manchester producer, already known for his work with Hot Creations and Cuttin' Headz, channels a refined, magnetic energy here that solidifies his rising-star status. Back for his eighth EP since breaking on to the scene, AJ Christou makes a triumphant full EP debut on Crosstown Rebels with Desire, a sleek two-tracker that feels both sharply contemporary and deeply rooted in classic house vibes. The title track is a smouldering cut built around a throbbing bassline, crisp, polished percussion and a teasing, seductive vocal that coils through the mix. It's a slow, deliberate burn that feels primed for those moments deep into a set when the dancefloor is locked in and the lights are low. Flipping over to 'Patience', Christou leans into a more textured, intricate sound. The drums are playful yet tight, driving a track that's equally effective but more subtle in its progression, with layered synths and understated melodies gliding beneath. Both tracks show Christou's talent for crafting grooves that are as detailed as they are danceable.
Queen Of Ice (feat Dizzy - Pet Shop Boys extended mix) (5:29)
Queen Of Ice (feat Dizzy - Pet Shop Boys Moody mix) (3:29)
Queen Of Ice (feat Dizzy) (3:59)
Queen Of Ice (feat Dizzy - Pet Shop Boys 7" mix) (3:14)
Review: Record Store Day Black Friday edition gifts us this unlikely pairing of artists as Different offers up some Pet Shop Boys remixes of Claptone's 'Queen of Ice.' The extended mix goes first with a nice pop-tinged and subtly Balearic rework with warming electronic drums and the original emotive vocals. Their Moody mix then breaks up the beast a little into tumbling affairs that are perfect for summer festival deployment. On the flip is the heart-wrenching dance pop nugget that is the original of 'Queen Of Ice' (feat Dizzy) before the best of the lot - a nice and breezy 7" mix that is clean and catchy.
Review: Crackazat's 'In The Sky' EP offers a dynamic blend of jazzy and future house elements, delivering an engaging experience for both the dancefloor and the soul. The title track, 'In The Sky', is an uplifting tune driven by infectious piano breakdowns and jazzy undertones, creating a perfect mood for a carefree night out. It's a track designed to elevate, with its airy vibes and feel-good energy. On Side-2, 'Burnin'' brings a surge of 90s-inspired energy, with a high-octane piano banger that channels classic New York house vibes. The track is a nod to the genre's roots, brimming with nostalgic energy while still feeling fresh and relevant. The closing track, 'Dark', shifts to a deeper, hypnotic groove with rich bass notes and tribal influences. Its deep, pulsing rhythm creates a captivating atmosphere with Crackazat's versatility and range within the deep house spectrum showing brightly. With its compelling mix of energy and soul, this EP is going to be a much needed dancefloor go to.
Ora Che Non Ho Piu Te (Benny Benassi club mix) (5:01)
Ora Che Non Ho Piu Te (Deborah De Luca remix) (5:47)
Ora Che Non Ho Piu Te (DJ Ralf remix) (8:37)
Ora Che Non Ho Piu Te (Samuele Sartini - Nicola Zucchi remix) (4:41)
Review: Amasser of over 100 million streams in 2024, 'Ora che non ho piu te' ('Now I No Longer Have You') was one of Italy's top electropop hits of 2024. Attracting a panoply of remixers for use in their own DJ sets, Mondo Groove now commit four of the choicest of said redoings to a vinyl press, enlisting such first magnitude stars as Benny Benassi and DJ Ralf. Progressing through fine layers of burbling synth and cooing sentiment, we're most taken, however, by Samuele Sartini's closer, which the roar of crowds into descending synth beneficences, causing all heaven to break loose.
Review: Cody Currie has long been one of Toy Tonics' most reliable artists. Over the years he's developed a trademark sound that combines his skill as a multi-instrumentalist with a penchant for high-quality house grooves. Currie is on top form on this EP, serving up songs that blend elements of neo-soul and jazz-funk with club-ready house sounds. Check first 'No ice', where bittersweet chords, emotive blue-eyed soul vocals and clipped guitar licks ride a simple drum machine beat and fluid bass guitar, before admiring title track 'Touched', a more upbeat and sub-heavy house workout. Elsewhere, 'Warp Zone' (featuring Ally McMahon) is an all-action slab of boogie-house brilliance set to dominate dancefloors over the winter, while 'Fool' is a fine blend of jazz-funk colour, Andreas and Oscar smoothness and infectious house grooves.
Review: D:fferent Place started life back in 2019 and key a low profile and has done the same ever since. We still are not sure who or what is behind these releases but they keep coming at an unhurried rate but always with great style. This sixth offering is another club-ready mix of house, tech and minimal starting with the dry, stiff beats of 'Mr Science' before bringing more loose feels and broken beats to the deft 'Funkadelic.' 'U Got Me UP' is pure backroom house tackle with dubby undercurrents and last of all is the bumping, acid laced 'Analog Tales' for a nice mid tempo workout.
Review: Dutch pair Dam Swindle have shaped the underground house sound through their Heist label which has always dealt in timeless, fad-free sounds that blend disco, tech, and more. This EP marks their third release on Aus Music and is part of a four-part series celebrating the label's 200th release. It opens with 'The Last Time,' a blissful deep house track with heartfelt vocals. 'Come Back' follows with infectious house grooves and garage-inspired kicks. K-LONE contributes a deft remix of 'The Last Time' in which he layers soft chords over punchy garage beats. Chloe Robinson & DJ ADHD deliver a stripped-back remix of 'Come Back'' which has low-end oscillations and playful drums to round out a vital slab of wax.
Review: Dutch duo Dam Swindle have spent much of the last 12 months masterminding the 10th anniversary celebrations - and numerous releases - of their popular Heist Recordings imprint. This excellent and wonderfully nostalgic four-tracker is a great way for them to return following a near 12-month gap between EPs. On opener 'Touch Me Again', they add eyes-closed, early Orbital style female vocal samples, breakbeat blasts and bubbly acid lines to a joyous, piano-powered house groove, before going deeper into chunky and dreamy house retro-futurism on the heady and life-affirming 'Hang On'. Their love of strong melodies, memorable chords and rubbery basslines comes to the fore on the joyous 'The Joy of Melancholy', while 'Forever and Ever' is an organ-rich, gospel-tinged fusion of vintage US garage sounds and colourful synth sounds.
David Hasert/Nicone - "Wasting My Time With You" (6:11)
Review: Kompakt have billed their latest collaborative spiritual house release - three groove sandwiches shared between Deer Jade, David Hasert and Nicone - as an antidote to the all-to-prevalent late-winter blues and lack of sun, an affliction that seems to blight ravers in particular. Aside from canvassing for more outdoor and/or glass-roofed venues, all we can do in the meantime is weight the tonearm and jog-start the disc; 'Jukurpa' and 'Wasting My Time With You' are just the course of sonic vitamins us daywalkers need. The former is a deep, righteous blur of just piano tritones and circumscribed handholds around fires, as weighted knee-slaps and impacts evoke the feeling of a collective ritual come out-of-body experience. 'Cosmic Dream' returns to the very same rave spot at nighttime; at this point, it's all gone a bit lunar-psy, but the desert winds and temperate nighttime heat allow ample energy for continued soul flight.
Review: Demujna keeps it class as always on this latest offering on the long running and reliable Permanent Vacation label. His Bring Back Love EP kicks off with some twitchy acid modulations and smeared strong samples, thumping kicks on 'Will You Hate Me' then picks up the pace with some cruising house beats and metallic synth sounds that twist and turn in evocative fashion. 'Back For More' is a winky one with sugar chords and blurts of melodic colour and 'What To Do With That' shuts down with some slapping hits and mangled vocals for an emotive finish.
Review: Robert Dietz continues to impress with his latest EP, Rejuve-Nation, demonstrating his versatility and skill as a producer and DJ. The standout track, 'Crane Song,' explores proggy house territory with a sophisticated touch, offering two distinct mixes that captivate the listener with their intelligent arrangements. 'Deranged Self Therapy' takes a different turn, blending IDM with new wave drums and poignant synths, resulting in an excellent composition perfect for lovesick robots. 'Centro Di Gravita' builds upon the qualities of 'Crane Song' while infusing it with an acid lines to push boundaries and experiment with different sounds. Closing the EP, 'Any Plan(t)s This Weekend' provides a soothing ambient experience, like a confident sketch for the end of a beautiful summer. Rejuve-Nation offers a bouquet of bangers catering to various musical preferences.
Review: It may have been seven years since DJ Koze last delivered an artist album, but in defence the popular Hamburg producer had his hands full working with other artists (most notably Roisin Murphy). He has managed to put out the odd single, though, to which you can add this typically interesting and off-kilter two-tracker. A-side 'Buschtaxi' is deep house with a subtle Latin tinge - rhythmically at least - and layered with dreamy chords, African vocal samples, twittering melodies and attractive, sun-soaked synthesiser sounds. The long-serving producer flips the script on side B, reaching for crunchy, house-tempo breakbeats, moody bass, rising chords, what sound like mangled electric guitar motifs and effects-laden vocals courtesy of Marley Waters. More, please!
Review: Ninja Tune favourite and sometime lo-fi house pin-up DJ Seinfeld continues to prove he was always about so much more with a new collab alongside Confidence Man that he describes as "quirky, naive and an ode to all the summer flings out there". It came about after the pair hung out a few times and enjoyed each other's company and the tun itself has already been something of a mini classic during festival season. As well as the original with its catchy drum loops, pop leaning vocal hooks and lush strings, there is a cheeky UK garage version that has even more irresistible bump and a Carlita remix that reworks into something different but equally essential.
Review: Kornel Kovacs and HNNY's Puss imprint has another brilliantly unhinged offering here with DJ Space Heater making what appears to be his debut release. The a-side is a speed garage flip with forceful drums and speech excerpts spliced in next to sentinel vocal breaks. It's silly, but seriously fun. 'Go With The Flow' (HMT VIP) takes care of the B-side and is a funky beat with a pained male vocal and warped synth spin back sounds. It's another mad use of a vocal sample that in the wrong hands would be terrible, but is here oh so right.
Review: Dusky enjoy lofty status in the UK underground after many years of putting out streams of assured deep-house goodness. They have done so on plenty of well-regarded labels and now return to Gerd Jansen's mighty fine Running Back for Life Signs Vol 3. Opener 'Wildfire' is a fizzy one with intense synth lines layered up next to ambient pads and dreamy vocal mutterings that all make for a fine post-rave comedown. 'Tea Cake' also harks back to the 90s with a dusty breakbeat rhythm powered by a fat bassline and twinkling keys. Flipside jam 'High' brings piano energy and 'Hawthorn' has an old school Chicago feel. Dusky cover plenty of ground in good fashion here.
Review: This EP from a rising force in the French electronic scene seamlessly fuses club energy with deep emotion that she represents. Side-1 opens with 'Do You Need Me?', a driving, 90s-inspired French house cut packed with nostalgia and groove. 'Natural High' blends electro and house, crafting a pulsating yet fluid rhythm, while 'Listen To Yourselves' introduces melodic breaks and atmospheric textures, striking a balance between introspection and dancefloor euphoria. Side-2 keeps the momentum highi'Good Times' rides on an EDM-leaning breaks groove, engineered to move festival crowds. 'On A Sunday' takes a left turn into funky drum & bass, rich with melodic funk and liquid energy. Finally, the extended mix of 'Do You Need Me?' shifts toward a Euro-house aesthetic, expanding on the track's euphoric essence. This EP is an example to her ability to blend classic influences with contemporary sounds.
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