Review: ACME is Jerome Isma-Ae and WJ Henze and they first wrote their 'Soul Of Life' EP in 1998, back when tech house was still new and exciting. It was one of the genre's biggest tunes at the time and has remained ever popular in the years since for the way it draws on sped garage and techno for its vibes. This faithful reissue offers up the tune in three related but distinctive parts so that you have whatever you need at whatever point in the night you may be. We like 'Part II' with its more balmy and heady cosmic chords.
Review: Naarm-based producer Sam Alfred shows no signs of slowing down as we continue to be impressed by the material coming out of Australia right now. After releasing the energetic 'Suzuka' EP, completing a sold-out headline tour and playing a packed set at MODE Festival, he's now back with more full flavour beats. This one disk off with a real house anthem inspired by 90s club music with punchy piano, airy synths, and a driving cowbell rhythm. 'Care 4 U' has carefree garage house vibes a la salute, 'Keep It' brings some euro dance and trance energy and 'Distance' is a peak-time acid-laced pumper. Brilliant stuff.
Review: Fresh deep garage house stylings from B From E, who's able to demonstrate they know how to do it just right. The Danish producer/DJ is evidently a treasured fixture of their label Happiness Therapy, who specialise in this kind of stuff, but rarely find so much talent or passion for the styles condensed into a single six-tracker. Topping up the label's 'Just At Night' series, cuts like 'Nirvana' and Niles Cooper's remix of 'Just At Night' and are shuffly piano-housers on the emotive side, recalling the tearjerking and dub-dued feelings of early house artists like the Wamdue Kids, but with an arguably much defter 4x4-garage flair.
Review: It's always a good day when the Blahh label rises up from the streets to drop a new bit of true school garage. This is a various artists release which brings together core label members Beforethebeatsbreak, Ronaldo and Crazy Bank, who have all served up their own solo EPs before now. It's the latter who kicks off with the tightly coiled bump n grind of 'So Good' before Ronaldo gets your feet moving on 'Get My 319', another dry, clipped garage shuffler with pent up energy to spare. There are good time piano-led vibes to Beforethebeatsbreak's B1 then 'Why You Wanna' from Crazy Bank is defined by its pitched up vocal sound.
Review: Bang on trend grooves from the Vivid camp, exploring the current fascination for all things that intersect both the garage and breaks genres. Lead track 'Wicked & Wild' is the one that leans furthest into UKG territory, its bumpy bassline and MC-style vocal giving it heaps of energy and attitude. Flip side instrumentals 'Push Past It' and 'Ronin' meanwhile, evoke the early 2000s spirit of breaksteppers such as Horsepower Productions, the latter especially maintaining the bassline pressure and adding it to the more hardcore vibe of rawer, sampled percussion. Maximum respect!
Review: Diffrent makes a powerful entrance with his debut 'My Sound' EP on Bristol's Time Is Now label, building on the success of his summer hit 'A Little Closer,' which had clubs across Europe buzzing in 2024. Here, he dives into the UK's rich foundations of garage, bass and breaks, delivering a weighty yet finely tuned sound that's unmistakably his own. It's the kind of chuggy, speed-garage flavour that's capturing everyone's craving right now. For a debut, 'My Sound' lands with impressive force as each track brings fresh flair and a distinctive character. From the first drop, it's clear Diffrent is carving out a unique spot in modern dance music, positioning him as one to watch.
Review: A melting pot of UK garage, house and bass, DJ Swagger's latest release on Berlin-based label, 777, is a fascinating exploration in structure and chaos. Opening track, 'Thanks Felix', moves at lightspeed - a thrilling race through a gritty arrangement of blunted kicks, shifting in and out of focus, moving between order and disorder. 'Fingerclut' emerges with an instantly more house-facing feel - a satisfyingly hypnotic groove spirals in a circle motion, featuring a cyclonic gathering of subtle flecks of percussive variation over the course of the track. Offering a spliced, glitched-out take on contemporary bass, 'Final Bout' journeys through moments of airy weightlessness before being thrown back into the growling, driving bass section of the track. The perfect tension builder, 'Full Cycle', is an ingenious tease of a track, skillfully building up to, you guessed it, even more build.
Review: The brand new Mush Trax label makes a head-turning debut here with some naught garage and house cuts from the depths of Dorset. Footprint opens up with the straight-up shuffler that is 'Light It Up. It's got old school flavours all over it - the piano stabs, the original Chicago house vocal and the melodies. It's the same story with Dunman's 'Hot' with its filthy backless bass stabs, yelping vocal cries and steel-plated US garage drums. Completing this highly effective EP is Ash Brown with another throwback garage anthem in 'Whompa.'
Review: French electronic icon Laurent Garnier returns with the FABRICLG4 EP to celebrate the 25th anniversary of London's legendary club. This release showcases Garnier's signature range and opens with 'Playing with the Low-End,' a fierce 2-step track that nods to the heritage of UK club sounds. The journey then shifts to techno with 'Resonances from the D' barrelling along with great force and then on the flip side, 'Odyssee Maison' features deep house grooves with Dan Diamond and last but not least 'On the Way Home' rounds out the experience with ambient sounds. This one comes with "augmented reality artwork" by Atelier 14 and is another doozy from the already untouchable Garnier.
Review: Back in 2022, James Burnham aka Burnski started a White sub-series of his much-hyped Instinct label and the first one sold out as quick as a flash. Now he is finally back with a follow-up that will likely do the same. This limited one-sided 12" slab of sonic filth features just one tune, but what a tune it is. '02' is a house cut with elements of garage percussion, old-school dirty bass, and even some trance-infused chords that chime with what's going on in the dance world right now. Some return horns at the breakdown really send it into overdrive and it's not hard seeing this one blow the roof off many a club this summer.
Review: Londoner Jeigo has always had a knack for intricate and melancholic production. His emotive sounds span breaks, garage and dub and gave rise to a superb album Cerulean back in 2022. This new outing on Air Miles is another sophisticated one that shows some different sides. 'Fig' is a dusty and lo-fi mix of knocking, woody broken beat patterns and pitched-up vocal snippets that bring a sense of pain. 'Act Like You're Strong' is heads down, lip-curling UKG with shuffling and weighty drums and naughty bass. '3-5 Working Days' is somewhere in between - both club-ready but also with post-Burial vocals that tug at the heartstrings. There is a blissed-out feel to the optimistic melodic bubbles and angelic vocals of 'Found Me' that means the EP closes in lush fashion.
Review: Described as a release "made by wrong'uns, for wrong'uns", Wrong'uns 001 hears artists JoeJoeMojo, Oward, Rewi De Kooney and Mehlor join forces for some serious bassweight united. Exemplary 2-step, speed garage and bass compiled into a single EP for the modern zeitgeist, and packaged under the visage of a stoned, grilled bucket-hatter, the likes of 'Crackz' and 'Meet With The Devil' stick out like throbbing sub-bled ears, hardcore-continual conches for a next gen eager to prove their mettle.
Review: The Craft Music label is back after a one year break with some fresh new cuts by resident Marco Lazovic. It's an EP inspired by the sound of the English club scene in the nineties and noughties, labels like Good Looking Records and artists such as Mike Millrain. Opener 'Losin Control' sure is a compelling mix of electro and breaks that soars on cosmic lines with euphoric vocals in the distance. 'Come To London' has a distinctly garage feel to it with its crisp broken beats and there is more high energy but melody-rich breakbeat action in 'Dark Gravity' while 'Space Jazzy' is s super sweet and deep jungle cruiser.
Review: The Full Circle label is building up a fine head of steam early on and this third EP is a throwback garage classic. It's a re-release of a cult gem from Danny J Lewis with the steamy vocals of Danielle Gaga. 'Spend the Night' has it all - the hooky and soulful vocal, the dry percussive drums, the infectious swing and the lush chords. As well as the H-Man dub, there are other versions including one from tech house tian Archie Hamilton, a super smooth VIP dub and a Disco Edit that layers in some cosmic arps and leaves the great original vocal intact.
Review: In Taijiquan, the principle of "fang song" represents balance, with heaviness sinking and lightness rising. Littlelake, who is a devoted Taijiquan practitioner, brings this concept to his new EP across four tracks that blend deep, heavy bass with playful, light elements. 'Tonight's the Night' kicks off with a nimble 2-step beat over weighty bass and playful vocal cuts. 'Passing By' delivers a monster speed garage vibe and 'Watch Your Mouth' mixes funky tribal breaks, soulful strings, and clever sampling. 'Lost' contrasts jackin' 909 rhythms and dub sounds with a dark Reese bassline for a gripping groove.
Review: It can be hard work keeping up with the myriad of different labels that Burnski aka Constant Sound aka Instinct heads up. This one leans more into UK garage and welcomes Main Phase for another succulent selection here. 'Gotta Maintain' kicks off with a nice dusty garage sound that will get your lip curled, and then Buckley brings broken beat rework with dubbed-out low ends. 'Soul Mirror' is a clean, bouncy sound with a cool synth breeze and 'Breather' brings some olds school references - the raga vocals, the bleeping synths and the monstrous bass. Brilliantly filthy.
Review: Burnski's agenda-setting garage label Instinct is back with killer new beats from Mance. 'Atmos101' gets things underway with sparking melodies zipping about the stereo field over chunky drums and with a filthy bassline. There is more of a throwback feel to the dusty drum loops of 'Stone Cold, Baby' complete with great vocal samples and spiralling pads. 'All Night' shows another look again with dry, stripped-back beats and big hits under warped synth stabs and more brain-melting bass. 'I Can't Help It' shuts down with silky pads work and soulful vocals.
Review: A rich exploration of minimal and tech house sounds with a nostalgic twist. The EP kicks off with 'Istinto,' blending futuristic techno with elements of house music and early 90s bass vibes, all wrapped in spacey sounds that evoke a sense of cosmic adventure. Next, 'Aura' delivers a stomping, darker beat designed to capture attention and drive energy on the dancefloor. Side-2 features 'Potenza' which channels raw techno reminiscent of 1991, incorporating trance elements for a nostalgic feel. The track's energetic vibe and vintage touches make it great for old skool sets. 'Essenza' ends the EP with a great groove and atmospheric feel good melody. A devastating blend of beauty and brawn. Dynamic, engaging tracks that will resonate with techno enthusiasts.
Review: Squid Recordings is a dead new label that is only onto release number two with this one but a great one it is too. It takes the form of a remastered reissue of James 'Nylon' Thomas aka Nylosphere's 'Kalahari Sunrise' which first landed more than two decades ago. He has released on the likes of Rush Hour, Velocity and his own Nylon Recordings, and is now back with new music having first retouched this classic. It features a pair of quite different tunes, both well produced and punchy with twisted sonics and analogue driven sounds that still cut it today.
Review: The latest from Burnski's Vivid label is a three way split, six track affair with Oldboy, Xander and Longeez each dispatching a pair of tunes in the label's trademark roughneck breakbeat style. - Oldboy kicks off proceedings with the speedy junglisms of 'Blackbird' before the chunkier, funkier and a little more traditionally paced breaks heft of 'Walrus Party'. Xander's 'If I Tell EM' and 'Get To The Point' both plays off two step rhythmic twists and menacing bass against dreamy synths and more breakbeaty flourishes, before Longeez closes proceedings with the slightly sparser 'Evermore' - super sharp hi hats and echoing rasta dialogue - and the appropriately spinback-peppered 'Wheel Up'.
Review: Our second sound-clash instalment sees Panix lock heads with DJ Snowy Buffet. Based out of South London, Panix made a name for himself in the dubstep scene, before emerging as one of the most exciting producers of UKG and breaks. The A1, 'Premium Dubz' combines moody bass-lines with ravey stabs to make the ultimate 2-step dance floor killer. The A2, 'Hefty' does exactly what it says on the tin.. Hefty basslines and squeaky clean 4 to the floor drums. DJ Snowy Buffet is another veteran of the dubstep game, producing under the well known WZ. Surfacing as his new alias, the Czechoslovakian producer shows depth to his game with a bouncy UKG sound. The B1, 'Can I Tell' provides skippy garage drums and synths certain to light up any set. The B2, 'Club Life' showcases the darker side of UKG, with warping basslines and amen breaks.
Review: Floorbound body-occupiers from Papa Nugs and The Trip for Tessellate, blanching wildstyle hip electro and irky rave sounds. With the A-side totally taken up by 'Keep Rocking' in two versions, we've a modish street style version in 'Casa Nova' form and a 'Hip House' breakbeat rendition. Then come the underside dread ones: 'Fearsome' tilts in the direction of ever more raviness with tuned, sandstorming stabs and gated voxes, while 'All Night' takes a dash of speed garage to the mishmash, air-raid sirens sounding through held chords all around.
Review: Rayonas is both an artist and a record label founded in 2021 that has dealt in some smart underground house sounds. This new one from the imprint begins a sub-series called Speedy House that is about, well, speedy. 'Things As They Are' pairs pensive ambient piano and a recognisable melodic motif with thumping and driving drums. It works well, frankly. 'Liquid' is another chunky, pacey house thumper with 'Labas Rytas ' then veering more into uptempo, funky techno that never quits. 'Laser Tag' has a loopy, underlapping bassline and gloppy pads and 'Dreaming' shuts down with a richer array of non-melodic colours for peak time trips.
Review: Constant Black is one of the numerous labels in UK artist Burnski's orbit. He's been a man on form on all fronts in recent years and here he snaps up Retrospect for a trio of super slick and funky minimal house cuts. 'Ay-up!' is a cheeky opener with subtle northern welcomes hidden in the mix as the lithe bass and 2-step tinged drums do their thang. It's reet good. 'Schneebly' gets more pacey and balmy, with silky and oily bass and kinetic drum work all underpinned by a sick bass tone. Last of all comes '4 U' which has something of an upright garage skip and downright irresistible groove. These are high functioning, charismatic cuts to pump up any floor.
Review: .Aussie DJ/producer Monika Ross delivers a stellar EP of deep and groovy house music on London-based Discotech, a label dedicated to underground sounds. The 'Space Is The Place' EP features four tracks that showcase her talent for crafting smooth and hypnotic rhythms, warm and soulful chords, and subtle and playful vocals. From the uplifting title track to the funky closer 'The Way', Ross takes you on a journey through the cosmic realms of house music on this limited 12' vinyl.
Review: Renowned Curacao-born electronic duo Shermanology are back with a new four-tracker on their cutting-edge label, D'EAUPE. Known for their dynamic sound and genre-blending prowess, Shermanology have become a real force in electronic music with infectious beats and soulful vocals that exemplify their ability to unite diverse influences on the dance floor. This EP underscores that with a quartet of fresh final tunes, innovative rhythm and the sort of characterful sound designs that always make their tunes pop out in any setting.
Review: The Practical Rhythm crew are back with a third vital new release here. It's another trip back to the old school days of 90s garage but with a sufficiently stylish modern update. Sky Joose & DJ Perception are two of the scene's finest players and both come through here with a new single each. Sky Joose's 'Skin Teeth' is a dry, stripped back and minimal cut with darkened bass that becomes even more naughty with the Interplanetary Criminal SPZL remix. Perception then brings some light to the EP with his 'Oh Yes', a soulful cut with a magic lead and loose, tumbling drums. DJ Jason then flips it with some smeared, reversed bass and skeletal perc.
Review: A new spoken word track with Smokey him self on vocals featuring the talents of Smasher, reminiscing of late teen years going raving and the love of fashion, record shopping, and most importantly UKG culture! This is a smooth 2 step banger that will make you want to put your Moschino shirt & Gucci loafers and head to Camden Palace!
Review: Tricky UK garage via tech house from Moxy Muzik's ongoing V/A series. The seventh top-up hear harks back to a little-sung stylistic moment, when UK garage carried with it an unpolished flair, and focused purely on the elements that made up the form. Sosa's 'Bring It Back', which leads, swings between two femme vocal incantations - "to the beat" and "take it back" - against a sparse but for that reason effective balance of drums; this starkly contrasts to Jordan Peak's 'Disco Nights', which deftly weaves samply vocal science around a future disco tool, an unusual method to be sure. Adam Lance's 'Hip Movement' is the bass-heaviest tune we've heard all year, while Darius Syrossian's 'Tear The Club Up' does just that with its lo-fi, jukey hip-house mantra and a suspenseful string sostenuto.
Review: The Time Is Now label continues to lead the way in new school garage sound with a fresh platter that matters from Mass Transit System. As ever this is hefty, bass driven tackle with plenty of throwback sounds like the reversed bass and yelping vocals stabs on 'Need Someone' and it is absolutely irresistible. After that face melter is 'Hold U Tight' with its whirring bas sounds and dark grooves, the crispy 2-step naughtiness of 'Fever' and 'Tasty' with its badman lyrics, withering sci-fi synth sounds and gritty warehouse sounds all primed and ready for maximum impact.
Review: Mint Condition is exceptionally good at reissuing genuinely buried treasure, with their frequent vintage UK deep house and formative tech-house selections being particularly potent. They've hit the spot once more here, too, raiding the vaults of legendary UK tech-house imprint Oblong and returning with a killer 2002 single from Spincycle (AKA Dave Clements and Andy Davies). A-side 'Making Faces' is a great example of London tech-house from the period - all starry, echoing synthesiser motifs, dreamy chords, smooth bass and hypnotic beats - while flip-side 'Twister' sees them reach for bowel-bothering hoover bass, speed garage-influenced drums and undulating, Swag-style melodic motifs.
Review: Tuff Culture displaying a love of original UKG, back from the Sunday session days of the genre's infancy. 'Day Dream' has masterfully dry drums and hits and a classic vocal sample that packs in the soul. Smart filters and effects build tension before the big drop, gun fingers and pinging bass all explode to life. Irresistible. On the flip, 'Perpetual Motion' is another stripped-back, scuffed-up, low-key but high-impact garage shuffler with plenty of pent-up energy and a wicked Erykah Badu sample.
St Germain - "Alabama Blues" (Todd Edwards dub mix) (5:39)
Indo - "R U Sleeping" (Todd Edwards mix) (5:59)
Sound Of One - "As I Am" (Todd Edwards mix - version) (6:13)
Kim English - "Tomorrow" (Todd Edwards dub) (7:31)
Daft Punk - "Face To Face" (4:02)
Todd Edwards - "Shut The Door" (7:24)
Todd Edwards - "Push The Love" (7:46)
Todd Edwards - "The Dream" (6:49)
Review: Todd Edwards is affectionally known as Todd the God because of his skills. Those skills are two fold - he famous fomented this own style of garage with quick beats and cut up vocals used like an extra instrument in the mix. But he is also a badass DJ who can slam through house and garage with high energy and plenty of charger. As such, he is rightly celebrated here with an overdue entry into Defected's long running House Masters series. All his most famous joints make the cut, from the bumping remix of St Germain to the lively vocal soul of his dub of Kim English via originals like his jazzy, chord laced anthem 'Push The Love.'
Review: If there is a more hyped artist in the world right now than Fred... again we aren't sure who it might be. The lad who grew up close to Brian Eno and has since worked with him in the studio is a global star who has also collaborated with Four Tet and Skrillex, played all over the world, won various awards and dropped several albums now presses up his acclaimed USB to gatefold double vinyl. It is a collection of his early singles that captures his lo-fi, lived-in, diaristic sounds across a range of experimental electronic styles.
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