Review: Many Hands is a fresh label helmed by Jona Jefferies and Kava that here kicks out an eclectic EP with four tracks from various members of its musical family. Dan Aikido opens with '0800 TXT4 Herb,' a smooth fusion piece that builds a laid-back groove, blending fretless bass, jazzy keys and soulful vocals all reminiscent of Rare Silk's 'Storm.' Ernie Ruso's 'Stroke It' offers slow, sensual r&b infused with P-funky wah-wah effects while DJ Nomad's 'African Boy' brings upbeat pop house next to funky organ and a female reggae MC.Jefferies' closer 'A Change Will Come' samples Dr. Martin Luther King Jr with a rave-inspired beat and soulful piano. Cracking stuff.
Aquasky & The Breakfastaz - "Good Sound" (instrumental)
Review: Passenger have embarked on a limited edition run of instrumental 10" releases. These will be issued in strictly low quantity for the DJs who prefer their tracks without vocals. First, we strip down the first two tracks from the Teamplayers series which did global damage on original release. Grab them while you can because there will never be another chance.
Basement Space & Mans Glaeser - "Spacer Glaezer" (6:01)
Eric OS - "Timeout" (5:11)
Baby Rollen - "TwentyTwenty Home" (8:23)
Anna Kohlin - "What Time Is It?" (7:06)
Review: A releaser that crackles with an energy that could only emanate from the shadowy corners of the Swedish electronic underground. Anna Kohlin, label co-head and architect of hypnotic soundscapes, guides us through a diverse sonic landscape, her own 'What Time Is It?' leading the charge. Built from the evocative textures of the Roland JV-1080, it shimmers with a sunrise glow, ethereal pads interweaving with delicate melodies. Kohlin, a master of contrasts, doesn't shy away from the shadows, injecting her creation with sharper, dynamic elements that add a touch of grit to the dreamlike atmosphere. Eric OS throws down a challenge with 'Timeout', a sonic time capsule that transports us back to the early 2000s. Analogue warmth collides with the raw energy of digital sound, vintage synths intertwining with crisp beats in a nostalgic yet undeniably fresh sonic tapestry. Baby Rollen, armed with a looped double bass sample and the crisp snap of a 909, crafts a hypnotic groove with 'TwentyTwenty Home'. A warm 303 bassline snakes through the mix, adding a touch of acid-tinged euphoria to the already infectious rhythm. Basement Space and Mans Glaeser, never ones to shy away from the unconventional, deliver 'Space Glaezer', a sonic maze that twists and turns through intricate textures and unexpected rhythmic shifts. Kohlin's curation is nothing short of masterful, showcasing the diverse and ever-evolving landscape of the Swedish electronic music scene. Inside Out 002 is a testament to the power of electronic music to transport, inspire, and defy expectations.
Review: Norm Talley's Upstairs Asylum label only arrived in 2021 but is already up there with the great Motor City imprints. The boss has been busy putting together a trio of new EPs for the first half of 2023 that showcases a wealth of Mid-West talent. House hero Boo Williams kicks off this one with his typically tight drum programming and party-starting synth work on 'Tickin Clock.' Eric Johnson keeps it raw, deep and loopy on 'Melodic Gruv' then Reggie Dokes brings his signature Atlanta house sound to 'Mother's Child' with its melancholic lead sax and 'End of Time' is a broken beat bliss out.
Review: Brazil 45s hit the quarter century in their run and show no sign of stopping. It's an all-girl affair on this one as two hugely popular and prolific singers take a spin under Mr Bongo's spotlight. Elizabeth (often known as Elizete) lays down a steamy samba flavour that gets raunchier as the track develops. Elza, meanwhile, gets busy on a Bossa tip as a carnival of percussion and horns go toe-to-toe with her sharp, sexy staccato vocals. Powerful.
Review: Johnny Clarke and Earth & Stone cooked up some real magic with 'Babylon'. It's a sumptuous sound that offers a symbolic representation of societal oppression and injustice. With Johnny Clarke's haunting vocals and Earth & Stone's mesmerising rhythms, the tune becomes a poignant commentary on the struggles of the marginalised and the quest for freedom. Through those lyrics and hypnotic melodies, it confronts issues of systemic inequality and political corruption, urging people to rise against oppression. As such it is anther great tune that proves the enduring relevance of reggae as a voice for the oppressed.
Peter Seiler - "Timebend" (feat Sheryl Hackett) (4:32)
Eoism - "Ultraverse" (5:00)
Voertuig - "Cego" (5:19)
Voertuig - "808 Ambient Jazz" (3:45)
Eoism - "Even Flow" (5:45)
Review: Colkin from Raw Soul and Mauke Club sets the tone on this new FUTUR compilation, which has been curated by Benedikt Meger with a spherical acid house meditation. Peter Seiler's track, a standout from the reissue of his debut album Flying Frames, features Sheryl Hackett's soulful vocals and merges song structure with jazz improvisation. Eoism from Pulse Drift, Undersound, and Inch By Inch delivers low-swung electro flavours perfect for sunset vibes while the B-side opens with Voertuig of Tonal Oceans and Cobra Club who presents a seriously raw acid jam followed by an experimental, jazzy piece, reminiscent of the 90s downtempo era. 'Eoism' closes things with a floating, futuristic banger, going to make a well rounded (in more ways than one) and ultimately very useful piece of vinyl.
Joseph Cotton & Earl Heptones - "Misty Morning" (4:00)
Room In The Sky All Stars - "Smoking Horn" (feat Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton) (4:21)
Review: The latest from the Joe Gibbs label features a powerful roots rockers reinterpretation of The Sensations' classic rocksteady tune 'Everyday Is Like a Holiday.' The new version from Ruddy Thomas brings a different kind of energy while honouring the soulful essence of the original. It's packed with plenty of mad mixing desk effects and endless echo while warm vocals and deep basslines lock in a steady, hypnotic rhythm. On the B-side, Joe Gibbs & The Professionals deliver 'Holiday Style' which has happy horns and melodies that sparkle in the hot summer sun. Real roots authenticity and dub mastery make this another vital 7".
Review: Private Stock Records is slowly but surely building up a golden catalogue of funk magic. This fourth EP is another high-class double dose that opens with Cutso's 'Fallen Love (Woo Woo)', a swirling slow burner of a tune with heavy, languid drums and twisted vocal samples that eventually coalesce into a warming party vibe. Excel's 'Had To Shut You Down' is a glorious soul gem with lush Philly strings and ornamental arrangements that raise your spirits and elevate your mood with its seductive grooves, not to mention a classic r&b vocal sample.
Dead Man's Chest - "Living Real" (Artificial Red remix) (5:41)
L Own X Response - "Rumination Cycles" (7:59)
Eusebeia - "Affinity" (5:44)
Esc - "Hot Hands" (7:11)
Review: Dead Man's Chest is about to unleash all kinds of breakbeat mayhem with the third volume of Western Lore's Blunted Breaks series and here's a little taster of the full flavour experience to expect. Artificial Red kicks off with a hazy-but-heavy remix of DMC's 'Living Real' before L Own & Response's 'Rumination Cycles' enshrouds us with rasping tendrils of acid and loose live drum breaks. Flip for two more breath-taking moments in (blunted) breakcraft as Eusebeia captures that early Good Looking magic on 'Affinity' and ESC closes the EP with the powerful, cobweb blast celebration of hardcore's influence on 'Hot Hands'. Get blunted!
Review: On a mission to "make d&b great again", Finland's Straight Up Breakbeat pass through once more with the second of three EPs formed to showcase modern junglism. Kicking off, 'Mystery Machines' sees Glastonbury's Dead Mans Chest slam down some deadly amen choppage reinforced by haunting vocal FX and paranoid drones. Aeon Four & FFF's 'Look Inside' is a jungle-tekno roller, served with chunky hardcore style amens and a side of warm old-skool pads. Keeping the mid-90s vibe alive, the tripped out 'Green Fields Forever ' from Fanu - which drops hot on the heels of his greatly received remaster of Source Direct's 'Stars' - delivers airtight amen trickery, weaving synth washes and blissful dubby basslines. Esc & Mineral round things off with 'Photosynthesis', a pensive stepper highlighting cut-up breaks waltzing with cheeky synth nudges and a wide, rugged bassline. If the pioneers had buried some beefed-up tracks in a time-capsule to inspire future generations, they would probably sound a lot like 'States of Art II'.
Review: Moiss Music released a hot pair of EPs in February and repeat the same trick in May with another quality double drop. It is a various artists offering as always with DJ Delivery's 'Never Gonna Give You Up' a sure-fire floor-filling anthem to start things off. It's got loopy drums and string samples as well as sumptuous vocal harmony then Borka & The Gang keep the feel-good vibes alive with 'Kidding Feelings and Even Funkier's' Dance With Your Feet' is another smile-inducing bit of disco warmth with withering sic-fi synths and hip swinging claps. Jordan Reece's 'Prayer' has hints of gospel in the vocal while noodling keys and tight kicks all get looped to perfection.
Review: Eagles & Butterflies has had plenty of notable tunes over the years. No doubt that is why he gets the nod from Gerd Jansen's legendary Running back label to offer up Retropolis Vol 01. It is a four-track EP that shows off the producer's well-realised sounds. The title track is the real standout - 'Retropolis' brings electro-styled synth work with brilliantly future retro euro-disco energy. It's packed with hints of Italo and is sure to light up any club scene. Says the producer of the EP, "Retropolis is the past meets the future. I love influences and technology from the past and making music that sounds like it could be from a time yet to arrive." Mission accomplished.
Review: Earl 16, renowned for collaborations with reggae icons like Lee Perry and Augustus Pablo, delivers a standout slice of early 90s digital roots here on the crucial Partial label. Originally featured exclusively on his 1992 album Boss Man (or, as it was known on the CD release, "Roots Man"), this track showcases Earl's distinctive production prowess. 'African People - HIM Speech' pairs conscious lyrics with a sleek digi dub vibe and future atmosphere. For this reason, Earl 16's influence extends through the reggae universe thanks to partnerships with Mikey Dread, Leftfield, and Dreadzone, all of which help to cement his legacy in the genre.
Review: Roots and reggae masters Partial know which EPs need reissuing and once again they prove that this month by casting it back to 1992 for Earl 16;s revered Natural Roots. For those who were there back then, it is well known that Jah Shaka played the tunes of this EP at every gig for almost 10 years and they never failed to get you moving even though you knew he was still only warming up. An original copy will set you back 50 odd quid so don't sleep on this great sounding reissue, which features the exact same play list as first time round.
Review: Many of you reading this may recognise this song from Dennis Brown's rendition on his iconic Visions LP, but this version actually predates that one. It was originally penned by Winston MacAnuff, also known as the Electric Dread, and features vocals by Earl Sixteen. It has previously debuted as a 7" on Gibbs' Belmont label in 1975, while Sixteen went on and recorded it again for Derrick Harriott on the Wild Flower label a year later. This rendition is often considered the definitive cut, but we shall leave you to decide on that one.
Review: Legendary guitarist Earl Slick is well known for his long-standing partnership with David Bowie and now he releases a remixed version of a track featuring Bowie on vocals. It comes on 7" coloured vinyl and celebrates a collaboration that produced plenty of iconic rock music that was well detailed in Slick's recent autobiography Guitar. In it, he recalls how Bowie spontaneously offered to sing on the track and that led to an unforgettable recording session. The remixed version honours their creative chemistry and brings Bowie's voice back to the forefront.
The Sun Will Shine Another Day (Jeffries & Early main mix) (7:19)
On & On (Jeffries & Early main mix) (7:31)
Review: Jeffries & Early step up here to add a contemporary spin to a stone-cold classic sound. The original is a rather iconic tune that now gets a modern update: 'The Sun Will Shine Another Day' brings lung-busting vocals and colourful pops of synth colour to liven up the dusty beats. 'On & On' (Jeffries & Early main mix) then has big synth energy from the stabs and a sense of cool funk in the drums that roll on down low. The likes of Keinemusik, Black Coffee and Damian Lazarus have already been hammering this one so expect to hear it all summer long.
Rhythms Of Africa (Jazzphonic instrumental) (7:20)
Review: There ain't much that Matt Early and Lee Jeffries cannot do, and they have more than proven that with the music they have dropped this month alone. There have been four or five essential 7"s on Sonic Wax In Da House and its new sister label Disco Edits and this latest one is another bomb. It finds the duo taking Afro banger 'Rhythms Of Africa' and flipping it with their own Jazzphonic mix. It takes the original into new sonic realms with jazzy, dancing keys, restless drum funk, lashings of percussion and plenty of manic flutes. The instrumental is no less busy nor effective.
Review: Lee Jeffries and Matt Early kick off Sonic Wax Records' new Disco Edits label with a deep dive into 'Lady' which is something of a classic, sought-after gem that will reportedly cost you over a grand to find in decent condition. First up the pair elevate the original with their Disco Dust mix which is perfect for main house rooms and the inks of the glammed-up Glitterbox crowd. It features bold production and diva vocals and then Opolopo delivers a moody, pulsating disco remix that infuses the original with some stylish grooves and quality production. Both tracks have been played plenty already by heavyweights like Opolopo, Kenny Dope, Bobby & Steve, and Wade Teo.
Review: 'Tribute To The Flowers' is one of those tunes that is often considered to be a part of the holy grail cannon. It's loved up and irresistibly catchy and now it gets a sublime new house make over with Rocky Washington on lead vocal. It is another great drop on the Sonic Wax In Da House label and comes from the great pair of Matt Early and Lee Jefferies on green marbled wax. The For Real mix is all soulful and airy grooves, there is an instrumental mix and also a more bumping club mix version.
Review: REPRESS ALERT: What hasn't been said about this timeless classic that hasn't been already? We'd be preaching to the choir but for what it's worth: Pal Joey's 1990 released, Chic sampling classic "Dance" is one of those tracks that never gets old and always sets the dancefloor alight. In all these years it has been thrown down by NYC house legends and Detroit techno's finest alike. Likewise, your record collection isn't complete without it! Features the energetic original version on the A side, as well as the dub with that nice bass solo section that comes in. Finally, on the flip is the wicked bonus beats version that was favoured by techno DJs and sampled by everyone from Jeff Mills to Jerome Sydenham. Reissued on Joey's own Cabaret Records.
Review: The Holding Hands label is back to pressing up vinyl after a pause during the COVID years and this EP is perfect to be spun nice and loud. Earth Trax deals in big dance sounds and opens this one with 'Amnesia' (dub mix) which has a thudding kick and big bright chords. 'Stars' then brings more euphoria with lush pads and grinding basslines and 'Someday Soon' locks you into a zoned-out vibe with its rich arps and retro stabs. Last but not least is 'Dislocation Blues' which rides on dubby broken beats with swirling cosmic pads.
Review: Earthtones have got a new albumin the way and this is the very first and very tasty teaser single from it. This one is actually a collaboration with longtime friend and co-producer Oliwa and it has a stunning lead vocal that is full pf passion and heart ache and comes from Colombian-Canadian talent Lido Pimienta. The drums are slow, heavy and cumbia influenced extra bass synths, keys, guitars and drums all making it feel contemporary as well as traditional. We're told "the vision of this track is one of upliftment of womxn and femmes everywhere."
Review: Having built his reputation via a regular series of self-released 12" singles, East End Dubs is now beginning to make guest appearances on selected labels. Here he pops up on the long established, vinyl-only INFUSE imprint with a trio of club-ready concoctions. On the A-side you'll find "Gradual Steps", a rolling and attractive fusion of bouncy deep house drums, spacey, Motor City chord, thickset bass and glitchy tech-house flourishes. As usual, there's a wonderful swing to his drums and the stretched-out chords are hazy and evocative. You'll find more of these sumptuous pads and chord progressions on similarly-minded flipside cut "Mind Traps", while closer "Enhance" is another deep house/tech-house hybrid blessed with a notably epic breakdown.
Review: A pivotal moment for this label, Easy Going marked a milestone in Italian disco culture. In the late 1970s, nestled in Rome's Piazza Barberini, a vibrant gay club thrived as a meeting place for cultural icons and DJs. Founded by Claudio Simonetti, the group paid homage to this iconic spot with their eponymous debut album, originally released in 1978, which is now remastered and reissued on glossy white vinyl by FullTime Production. The album's standout track, 'Baby I Love You,' with its hypnotic keyboards and captivating melody, epitomises Italian disco brilliance. Other tracks like 'Do It Again,' a dancefloor anthem reminiscent of Studio 54, and covers like Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Suzie Q' and the ballad 'Little Fairy,' are sure to ignite parties around the world once more.
Review: Newly signed to Ninja Tune, Ebbb debuts with a five-track EP that shows great intent. Emerging from the same London avant-garde live scene that birthed black midi and Black Country New Road, the band has quickly developed a unique sound in just a year. Their music blends pulsing rhythms, immersive electronic production, sparkling melodies, layered vocal harmonies, and beats that range from ambient to industrial. Described by the band themself as "Brian Wilson meets Death Grips," the EP is experimental and unpredictable yet deeply considered and precise with an idiosyncratic hybrid of sounds that showcases Ebbb's innovative and tightly crafted music.
Review: You can always rely on Super Disco Edits for exactly that. The long-running label's 68th such serving is from the Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign and features a couple of their previously unreleased joints. Opener '69 Cents' brings slick and sleek afro drumming with some splendid horn sections powering things along. A smooth and soulful vocal ride in amongst the drum grooves and takes you on a fine trip. On the reverse is 'That Is Why,' which slows things down a little and gets more loved up. The backing vocals lend the whole thing an air of class as the lining trumpets soar and the mellifluous chords sink you in deep.
Review: Rising London talent Echo One jumps aboard the good ship Silent Force with four star-gazing slammers that all take root in the golden age of hardcore, jungle and that early Headzian wave of stark futurism. Highlights include the ice cold pad blasts of 'You Don't Know' and the cosmic brutalism of the title track but all four cuts will crush any rig in a 50 mile radius. Limited to 200 copies, ready for take-off?
Review: Riddim Tuffa's Echoboy follows up releases on Moonshine and Solway Dub with this exceptional triplet of soundsystem jams on Soul Ex Machina. Cosmic, meditative but kicking like a sub-loaded mule, there's a gentle progression throughout the EP. 'Roots Of Dub' immerses us like a Smith & Mighty blueprint, 'We Lock Down The Block' is a little more dancefloor focused but still heavily restrained and pared back (similar to Tipper at his deepest and most star-gazey) while finally 'Chords Trip' closes on a much more traditional digi dub tip. Beautiful.
Andrea Bertoli & DJ Bogdan - "Extremely On Line" (5:36)
Review: Exxtra Beats Records backs up its commitment to pushing things on with a new four-tracker of minimal and tech cuts. Edo Ecker's 'Extraluxxo' has warped synth lines that encourage introspection while the snappy beats make you move physically. Leff's 'Future Problems' has hazy and positive arpeggios that toot away over sustained chords and move at a nice inviting pace. Little Sea offers the snappy drums and gurgling acid lines of 'How I Wanna Feel' while Andrea Bertoli & DJ Bogdan's 'Extremely On Line' is a snappy and upbeat cosmic tech cut with wonky lines adding the charm.
Review: It's coming home, it's coming home - house music is coming home! A second instalment of the Groove Access: series Chicago Is Home offers us five fresh tracks from the windy city landing in a glorious cavalcade of razor edged snares and hypnotic jack house. Ed Nine & Kid Enigma's 'Bandleaders' opens side one in spectacular fashion with spoken mantras lying deep in the mix, distinctive phasing arpeggios, poking keyboard riffs and ringing cymbals. JSquare's 'Get Wicked' kicks with even more power, tribal rhythms bouncing of bleepy melodies, before 'Move' by Geto Mark rounds off the side with the strutting, beautifully brutal 'Move', a proper 3AM peak time pleaser. Steve Noah's 'The Hater' opens side two, a wily acid line worming its way across a raw, stripped down backing before exploding into serious gnarliness when you least expect it. AFTR's 'Undercover' rounds things off with another knuckle duster of a tune, leaving no doubt that Chicago is still the place to be when it comes to house.
Review: Ed Black, aka "edbl," is an increasingly prominent hip-hop and R&B artist and composer who has emerged from South London's indie music scene alongside luminaries like Jorja Smith and Jamie Isaac. His sound, a blend of lo-fi soul and hip-hop akin to Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch, garnered attention when Spotify UK featured him on their New Music Friday cover. Additionally, Music Business Worldwide Magazine nominated him as one of The Hottest Independent Artists In The World and now he backs up that potential with 'The Way Things Were,' featuring the mellifluous vocals of Isaac Waddington.
Review: It's time to don your leathers and strap in for another ride on go-slow master Eddie C's Read Motorbike. This time out the Canadian deep disco specialist kicks off his latest 7" with 'D8 With The Rain.' As always it is a super smooth groove that is smartly embellished with dusty old samples that tug at the heart. 'Sweet Honey' is a sunny one with plenty of joyous little chords and a carefree groove that flaps and slaps away down low. Easy to love, hard to pull-off grooves once again from the evergreen Eddie C.
Review: The FunkyJaws Music label invites us deep into their world for a third time here with another delicious 12".It's a various artists EP that features one of our top disco favourites - Eddie C. He opens up with 'Do You Wanna Dance' which has vocals pacing about the mix and old school acid bass twangs under raw house drums. Elado's '25.4 Millimeters' is a Middle Eastern funk workout with spangled drum hits and the flip side brings twisted acid disco and the cosmic trip that is 'In Your Ear With It' from Funkyjaws themselves.
Review: Inhale Exhale will have you doing just that at a fair pace once you've dropped the needle on their latest record. It's a sweet trip into the depths of house and disco with seasoned artist Eddie C igniting the dance floor with a disco-infused anthem sure to set your hips swaying. Tilman crafts a delectable nu-groove track evoking the essence of the 90s with 'Forevermore' and then debuting on vinyl, Julius Renner embarks on a soulful journey to the heart of the dancefloor. Fresh talent Toomy Disco offers a funky, introspective bomb, Ron Brown serves up a deep, Latin-infused organ piece brimming with melancholy and optimism. Last of all, Meeshoo delivers a soul-stirring fusion of strings and disco brilliance.
Review: Freestyle Records has got a brilliant and rather rare bit of boogie here in the form of Eddie Capone's 'I Wont Give You Up.' This is the first officially licensed reissue of this 1985 gem by the reggae, funk and soul mainstay of that decade. He played with various noted outfits such as Chairmen of the Board, Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come and Edwin Starr and was also in the short-lived band Casablanca. He founded the Treatment band in the early 1980s and played with a rotating cast of musicians. The tunes included on this 7" are some of them with Diane Jones providing vocals on the A-side, which is the standout gem.
Review: Akka & BeepBeep is a new label from the US that is dropping its first two EPs simultaneously on Valentine's Day. Joradesilver is behind one, and also feature sin collaborative mode on this other 12". It opens with 'King David', a hi-tek house sound with soul drenched pads and tightly programmed drums and bass. 'Mango Strut' slows right down to dubbed out house with clattering percussion and the sound of spacecraft, then 'June Buggy' gets funky with more twitchy cosmic synths and a nice organic house groove. 'Callin' Dybbs' is a deep and smoky closer for the backroom with a sublime sax line drifting throughout.
Review: The Edge of Me series operates in the shadows, offering a mixture of sample-heavy cuts from a producer (or producers) who wish to remain nameless, and unauthorised (but often rather good) remixes of familiar and lesser-known cuts. Volume four in the series is, like its predecessors, another mysterious beast containing four untitled tracks. Opener 'Track 1' wraps a well-known hip-hop/r&b acapella around a deep, drowsy, bongo-rich tech-house-tinged groove, before 'Track 2' opts for a more druggy dancefloor take on an analogue-rich, synth-heavy cut of unknown origin. Over on the reverse, 'Track 3' is hypnotic, deep a d trippy with added r&b vocals, while 'Track 4' is dreamy, shuffling and pleasingly sunrise ready.
Burning Up (feat Oliver Night - extended edit) (4:34)
Review: MotorCity Wine out of Detroit looks to the other side of the planet for its next release as Sydney, Australia-based artist Edseven steps up with his Burnin Up EP. It's that title track featuring Oliver Night that opens up with a smooth and seductive sound, leggy drums and warming chords. 'Soul Takes Flight' is another cuddly, deep and late-night lounge sound full of emotive vibes and another amazing vocal from Oliver Night. Things get even more chill on the flip with the mid-tempo sounds of 'If I Let You' featuring vocals from Cinta, all pressed up in a limited picture sleeve 12".
Review: Disco Segreta unveils a mesmerising tale from late 1970s Italian disco that spotlights Sicilian maestro Franco D'Accardi. Leading ASA (Artisti Siciliani Associati), Franco blended genres including disco, folk and rock when, in 1979, he collaborated with American model Adrienne Edwards, releasing 'Mystic Night' and 'Disco Dancing' on a limited 45 RPM record. 'Mystic Night' electrifies with its fusion of drums, congas, and Adrienne's vocals creating a seductive disco masterpiece. Disco Segreta revitalizes these gems, including the B-side's vibrant rendition of Stanley Turrentine's 'Disco Dancing,' preserving their allure for contemporary audiences. These reissues celebrate the twilight of Italy's golden disco era in impeccable remastered form.
Review: Jackie Edwards' 'His 'Do You Love Me' is a pure good vibes only roots reggae roller, with laid back drums and bass that sit in one another perfectly. Plenty of rousing organ chords ring out with great self delight as soothing melodies take off to the stars. Flip it over for a head melting, knob twirling remix that makes use of a vast mixing desk to bring out the dub goodness.
Review: Admittedly, we are always a bit excited when more cheeky bootleg remix action from East End Edits come in. Following up the groovy yet tough rolling tech house of EEE09 and its jazzy flourishes, the subsequent release is an edit of 'Fever' by Peggy Lee, and it's a pretty good one if we do say so ourselves. Deep, sensual and mysterious mood music that's perfect for the warm-up slot, it features a lurking Reese bassline beneath clipped rhythms to support the sensual vocal of the original, not to mention its sombre clarinet solo. Class!
Review: If you dig tried and tested tech-house grooves fused with elements from classic cuts, there's a fair chance you've already snagged copies of numerous volumes in the popular East End Edits series. We'd suggest taking a listen to the clips of the imprint's latest single-sided missive, which not so subtly pitches up and beefs up one of the greatest summer sing-alongs of all time: Bill Withers' 'Lovely Day'. Built around a restless, non-stop house groove - all hissing cymbals, crunchy snares and locked-in kick-drums - the rework builds impressively after introducing the track's famous bassline before introducing the sweeping strings and Withers' iconic vocal. A simple idea executed impressively.
Review: We're now up to a 15th transmission on the EEE label from whoever the EEE artist is or are. Each one offers killer tech house material designed to get a floor bouncing but also hooked in with some smart samples. To kick off here, it's Suzanne Vega's silky and soulful tones that add soft edges to the razor-sharp tech drums and perc of 'Track 1.' It's fun and functional in equal measure. 'Track 2' is a succulent jazz house groove with instantly recognisible sax melodies and surging drums. The third and final piece of this irresistible puzzle is 'Track 3', another accomplished and effective house sound that has all the right ingredients to cut through and make its mark.
Review: The ever reliable East End Edits return with more anonymous white label minimal house shenanigans. On their eleventh edition in the series they have a surefire UK tech house number that rolls tough, is packed full of swing and with classic NYC house tropes all the way. A chord progression fuelled by glistening keys, bumping bass and familiar RnB vocals from the early 2000's that all come together for something pretty special. Again, it's anyone's guess who's responsible for this one, but the label is tight lipped as always - tip!
Review: More from single-sided specialists EEE, a shadowy crew that specializes in sneaky contemporary club reworks of well-known tracks (many of which are, in their original form, about as dancefloor focused as your average miserable indie band or veteran cabaret crooner). What's on offer this time round is a heavily electronic tech-house groove - all Romanian style beats and bubbling, mind-altering synth notes - onto which is laid cut-up snippets from a famous old blues cut that's previously been sampled on a club cut to great effect. While the vocal does sit slightly awkwardly at times, there's no denying the heaviness or effectiveness of EEE's track. In other words, it's another winner from tech-house's most shadowy crew.
Review: EEE stands for East End Edits and beyond that, we know nothing about this white label and production outfit. So far they have seven up their own takes on Madonna, Depeche Mode and Kelis, St Germain stye deep house and smoky late night minimal. This is a one-track wonder on one side of wax and it is a thumping and steamy deep house cut with driving drums and swirling pads. A vocal sample is littered through as the crispy percussion adds texture. It's tasteful and well-designed but also set to do plenty of damage to the dancefloor.
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