Review: Lips & Rhythm cruises into Summer 2024 with a new EP by Residentes Balearicos. Based in Ibiza, Alessandro Doretto and Luca Averna craft sun-drenched dance music from their island studio. The title track, 'Paraiso,' merges slowed-down Acid and Flamenco guitar with claps, creating a timeless vibe. 'Polvo Mineral' offers mystery with ethereal pads, robust drum fills, and chanting. 'I Wanna Dance' pays homage to the Italian Dream House era with lush chimes, driving synth lines, and pitched-down vocals. Gaspar Muniz, with roots in Brazil and New York, remixes 'Paraiso' into a breaky electro track perfect for late nights in Rio De Janeiro...or whoever you are so long as you shut your eyes and dream.
Sundown (Chris Coco Sueno Mediterraneo remix) (7:08)
Sundown (Chris Coco To The Bone dub) (7:08)
Sundown (SIRS remix) (8:39)
Review: If you've ever wondered how much Balearic you can get on one 12" then this one might answer the question. Arriving on Cala Tarida Musica, it finds Residentes Balearicos pair up with bonafide Ibizan legend DJ Alfredo for a sizzling summer anthem. 'Sundown' is pure Ibiza house bliss with wavy grooves and majestic jazzy keys that bring the joyful good times. Balearic boss man Chris Coco then steps up with his wavy and elegant Sueno Mediterraneo remix as well as a To The Bone dub that is even deeper and more smooth and last of all is a SIRS mix with a more raw edge and urban atmosphere.
Review: Fresh disco edits outing Respect have essentially named themselves after just the right attitude they expect of their rave-goers. Continuing to embody virtues of respect and respectability with another limited edition white label release, this sixth addition to the pile hears whimsical collieries, chicken-pickin' rhythms, and lurching remixes, with the B-side doing especially well to re-ingest the essential War cut 'The World Is A Ghetto' and its DJ Spinna nu-disco rendition. The breakdown is especially performative and brilliant, with scatting mimicries of guitar heard expertly interleaved.
Review: Retromigration is the nom de plume of Malik Kassim, a DJ and producer from Amsterdam with previous releases on labels like Ravanelli Disco Club, GLBDOM and Healthy Scratch. The five tracks featured on the Bloom Street EP come to you courtesy of London's Wolf Music, featuring the sensual late night mood music of A side cut 'Brining It' and its velvety Rhodes keys that guide it all the way. Over on the flip, you have the urban influenced jam 'Free Spirit' getting that Berlin vibe going on that's reminiscent of Max Graef and Glenn Astro's work, and ending with the dusty jazz bar loops of 'Slick Walkin' that takes you deeper into the twilight hours.
Review: Given their confident style, the artist lurking behind the Retromigration moniker already has an impressive track record, and the take on U.S style deep house and J Dilla style instrumental hip-hop they show here is sure to please both DJs and punters alike . Check first the echoing strings, synth chords and twinkling pianos of deep and steppin' house jam 'Hafenluft', before admiring the swirling deep house jazz of 'Mad Fox' and the more driving but similarly jazzy 'Tinger'. Elsewhere, 'Be Alright' is a mid-tempo number that combines deep house elements with flashes of '80s synth funk, while 'Disk Yard' and 'Nur Weir' are dusty, stoner-friendly head-nodders.
Review: wewillalwaysbealovesong has very quietly become a much treasured outlet for classy hosue sounds by those who know. It is the on form Retromigration who steps up now following EPs on Handy and Wolf Music that deserve more attention than they seem to have so far got. He brings his sleek modern deep house style to the fore here with opener 'Secret Of A Pimp' layering up crispy boom-bap house drums with warm, whirring pads and smart vocal sample. The don Jimpster adds his textbook musicality to a fine remix, then 'Flying Lotus' brings a more airy and melodic vibe for outdoor dancing. The Franc Spangler remix is dubby and deep as you like.
Review: London label/clothing line Handy has already put out a fine EP in collaboration with Bristol's Shall Not Fade while Retromigration has had big 12"s on Last Year At Marienbad and We Will Always Be A Love Song this year. Now the two on-form forces come together for a fresh EP of dusty, woozy, seductive house. 'Also Durag' has classy skip in the drums and steamy sax motifs while 'Earl Jeffers' flips it into something heavy and sweaty. 'You & Dion' is a freeform house jam with squelchy bass and atmospheric vocals then 'Stop The Presses' rounds out with dreamy, carefree house goodness.
Review: Amsterdam-based producer Malik Kassim aka Retromigration has been turning out a steady stream of beautifully soulful infused house eosins on several key labels over the last few years. Now he lands on Last Year At Marienbad with another delightful EP rich in melodies. 'B O' starts with a mid tempo groove that is embellished with the joys of a new spring day then 'Lapras' is lead by a mystic flute lead while the loose limbed drums make you move below. 'Dead Tech' slows to a jazzy late night crawl and then two flip side joints bring 70s fusion flutes and diva vocals to organic house drums. Sublime EP.
Review: Retromigration's Cloudin is a deep house 12" that offers a great blend of fun, jazzy, and serious tracks. Sometimes, all in the same track. It opens with the title track, which is a proper deep house effort that is techy and fresh, with tribal and psychedelic elements. This is followed by 'Only Well,' which is a jazzy funk track with a nice melody. The third track, 'Just Take It,' is a catchy, slick house track with an addictive melody and hints of disco. Side 2 of the album opens with 'They Hatin',' an urban groove track with cool sound effects, an old skool jazz feel and a 70s sound. The album closes with 'You Win,' a clever, different and unique track. Overall, Cloudin is a great 12" that shows that house music can be much more than just an evolution of disco.
Review: Marseille-based label Ravanelli Disco Club welcomes back Amsterdam-based producer Malik Kassim aka Retromigration for the evocative sunset groove of 'Jeffa' which is perfect for poolside vibes, which then heads inside to the club for some deep, late-night mood music courtesy of Ron Basejam on the remix. Over on the flip, Nephews serve up a slo-mo heater reminiscent of French deep house from the turn of the millennium on the sultry 'Reingelaxed' which gets a re-rub by Razor N Tape main man Jkriv on the flip.
Review: This is a mega rare 12" version of a classic tune which will never not get big reactions. 'Get Ready For This' is a proper Philly disco soul delight with stirring vocals that are deep and powerful over fine instrumentals and funky bass effects. On the reverse is a flip by the one and only Paradis garage legend Ron Hardy. He upped the drums and allowed the vocal plenty of room to shine while tweaking the synths and melodies to sit not so loud in the mix and allow horns room to shine. A real gem from the glory days of early club culture.
Reverendos Of Soul - "Love Will Set You Free" (Micky More & Andy Tee mix) (6:06)
Right To Life - "Give It Up" (Micky More & Andy Tee mix) (6:04)
Soulista - "Love & Life" (feat Karmina Dai - Micky More & Andy Tee mix) (6:28)
Serge Funk - "Disco Hustle" (6:11)
Review: Groove Culture's ongoing 'Jams' series continues to deliver disco-house excellence with its fourth edition. This high-quality compilation features standout tracks from Micky More & Andy Tee, Reverendos Of Soul, Soulista, Serge Funk, and Right To Life. Highlights include: Reverendos Of Soul - 'Love Will Set You Free'(Micky More & Andy Tee mix): An all-night disco spirit track verging on Hi-NRG style, bringing big energy and a lively atmosphere to any dance floor. Another great one is Soulista's 'Love & Life" (feat. Karmina Dai - Micky More & Andy Tee mix): A perfect blend of piano disco and house, featuring a heavy beat and great horn sounds that create an infectious groove. Closing things out on a classic leeven is Serge Funk's heater 'Disco Hustle'. This fantastic edit of the classic disco track is a filtered gem that is sure to knock the roof off the discotech. Groove Culture once again proves its reliability as a source of top-tier disco-house with this stellar collection.
Don't You Worry Baby The Best Is Yet To Come (part 1)
Don't You Worry Baby The Best Is Yet To Come (part 2)
Review: Eight years ago, Super Weird Substance unveiled a cover of Bessie Banks' classic 'Don't You Worry Baby The Best Is Yet To Come' - a hybrid nu-disco/classic soul interpretation that was credited to The Reynolds (twin sisters according to press releases circulated at the time), but produced and mixed by Greg Wilson and regular studio buddy Peza. This timely reissue marks the first time the track has appeared on a 45. Just like many classic soul sevens, it features 'Part 1' and 'Part 2' versions, which seem to be edits of the near nine-minute 'club mix' that appeared on the original 12" release. Both are great, with the Reynolds' gorgeous vocals being joined by rubbery synth-bass, simmering synth-strings, tasteful synth-horns and unfussy, floor-friendly drums.
Review: This top-drawer reissue digs into the vaults of the legendary UMM Records label. It comes from 1992 and is an impassioned, steamy deep house by Rhythm 3 Request aka Carlo Montagner, Gibo Rosin, Maurizio Sacchi and Paolo Verlanzi. They released just three EPs, all within about a year of each other, but this one has more than withstood the test of time. 'Desafinado' comes in several forms with an After Hours mix laced with lush chords, the Hastenia have more drive but no less romance to it and the Red Zone is only a subtle tweak before Tribal Tracks gets more trippy.
Review: Since donning the Rhythm of Paradise alias in 2010, in the process helping fellow Bari resident Cosmic Garden to launch the Cosmic Rhythm imprint, Michele Lamacchia has delivered a warm, deep and colourful take on house music indebted to Italian greats of the past. That saucer-eyed, sunrise-ready tactility is naturally evident on 'Afterlife', the chunky but deliciously dreamy opening track from Lamacchia's new EP for Housewax, and the huggable, analogue bass-propelled headiness of the more intergalactic-sounding (but no less kaleidoscopic) 'Aural Spiral'. The storied producer recalls the piano-rich, White Isle-friendly end of the Italo-house spectrum on the gorgeous 'Drive Me', while the 'Spritual Emphaasi Restless' mix of 'Afterlife' is ultra-deep, woozy, jazz-flecked and Ron Trent-esque.
Review: Irish-born producer and DJ Rhythms Of Prescott steps up to Phonica Am with an EP that is steeped in the sort of quality that makes Pepe Bradock and Derrick Carter such legends in the game. 'Beat Heat' is hot and steamy, percussive house music that locks you into a rickety rhythm. 'RGRT' brings more scruffy drums and curious pads next to the sounds of water droplets and 'The Instigator' is a disco-licked closer with warm synths smeared throughout the mix and filtered percussion brings a psyched-out feel. This is another accomplished outing from this promising new school wizard.
Review: Pedro's House swings open its doors again for another joyous party soundtracked by the label founder himself, Pedro Ricardo. He has a well-crafted brown beat style that draws great energy from the sun and gives it back in the form of loose-limbed and well-worked grooves. 'Solway System' is a busy, kinetic opener and '28 Or 5 To 4' then luxuriates in smeared pads. 'In The Attic' brings some Detroit soul to cuddly but heavy kicks and 'Knockup Stream' adds a little swing into the mix. 'Maracuya Matanzas' is the big finish with wonky chord work.
Review: Cosmocities returns with a sizzling six-track remix package of 'How It Feels To Be Loved' by American artists Erik Rico & C. Boogie. These jams are all ready for deployment in the club but come with a soulful signature that fans of Rico will quickly recognise. Tracks 'How It Feels...' and 'Love Everlasting' both get reworked by the one and only Josh Milan while Marc Mac, and Rico himself also step up with their own fresh twists. Milan's 'Honeycomb' mix infuses slap bass and acid-leaning grooves, his 'Floor Radio Vocal Mix' adds late-night soulful funk, Rico's 'Trench Coat Tribute Remix' delivers seductive P-funk vibes and Marc Mac's take on 'Love Everlasting' brings Balearic house magic.
Review: Ethos is a brand new label from Athens that follows up its notable debut with another classy deep house offering from Jose Rico, who has long been synonymous with such things. 'Dubplates' opens up with slow, patient, warming dub house that is lo-fi and coated in misty pads. 'New Life Galactica' is another richly atmospheric deep house sound with muted acid lines and humid chords while 'Fade Out' gets a little more driving with a jumble of woody hits and golden soft focus chords. 'Future World Dreamoon' shuts down with fine broken beats and jazzy synth work for cultured and cosy backrooms.
Hold On To My Love (Micky More & Andy Tee mix) (6:04)
Blow Your Mind (Micky More & Andy Tee mix) (6:05)
Love Blind (Micky More & Andy Tee mix) (6:49)
Review: Italy's Groove Culture has really done a fine job of winning us over since it started out and this 14th EP is another one that is sure to slide into your affections. It's a quartet of disco-tinged house cuts from Right to Life, Micky More and Andy Tee that kicks off with the hip swinging and lush feels of 'Subway'. 'Hold On To My Love' then layers up the loops and rickety organic drums with some rousing strings and vocals. The good time vibes and carefree sense of soul continues on the flip with 'Blow Your Mind' and the more heartfelt 'Love Blind'.
Review: With an arsenal of releases on labels like NDATL, PPU, Black Catalogue, 2MR, and Harsh Riddims, Atlanta artist Stefan Ringer presents the first release on his own imprint FWM Entertainment. This contribution contains a fluid spectrum of sounds . "Southside", is a soulful, sexy summer house cut. "Great Beat" follows up in a similar vein; jazz inspired, introspective, and upbeat. While "Wanna Be Bad" is a freaky skating rink inspired track. "Got Me 123" is a Hypnotic 2 step groove, and rounding it out is "FR Shawty" a slowed vocal stepper.
Review: Atlanta house mainstay Stefan Ringer finds a perfectly complementary bedfellow in Marquinn Mason on this new EP for the venerated UK label Eglo. His mastery of deep house and broken beats is a great foundation for the jazz chops of Mason. 'Bounce Lesson' is the first to win you over with its loose, leggy bassline and funky, jazz, cosmic chord work. It's a seamless fusion of different worlds and after the brief jazzed-up piano dance of 'Alltogethernow' comes the standout cut 'Lead Walk'. Another wandering bassline locks you in while heavy, knocking broken beat patterns and gloriously life-affirming chords all warp and weft around one another.
Review: Semi Delicious return for their 19th outing in label head Demi Riquisimo's 'Perilous Joy' EP. The five-track release effortlessly meshes the classic influences synonymous with the now set-in-stone Semi Delicious sound with a nonetheless singular expression unique to Riquisimo themself. On the A come 'Sinewinder' & 'Direct Fix', a pair of four-to-the-floor tools. 'Sinewinder' brings a more diva-ish, big-room affected track, while 'Direct Fix' errs on the side of depth with a head-turning bassline. The flip kicks off with 'Perilous Joy', offering a nod to the sonics of the dreamy, progressive Italian house of yesteryear. Up finally is 'Thyme After Time', and with it more psychedelic house delvings. Finally, the artist lowers the pace on the Balearic chugger 'Autoglide'.
Review: Detroit-raised, London-based Demi Riquisimo assembles a dynamic mix of label favourites and fresh talent on Love State, the 22nd release from his Semi Delicious imprint. This six-track V/A hears offerings from Demi himself alongside Clint, Swoose, Lulah Francs, Dukwa, Anastasia Zem & Asa Tate, blending club modernity with classic analogue dance influences, sampling every sonic cate from Italo to tech house. Best among the bunch has to be Swoose's 'Re/Vision' and Anastasia Zems' 'Eternal Beauty', which bring together wasted electro, Italian new beat and trance for well-measured tinctures of dreaminess.
Review: Luv Shack's compilation style 'Disco Biscuits' series is the very definition of reliable, with each new EP delivering killer cuts aimed at the more cosmic end of nu-diusco dancefloors. Volume five in the series arrives with four more tried-and-tested workouts and little in the way of forgettable filler. Check first Rising Seed's 'Back For More', a driving slab of spacey dub disco/cosmic disco fusion in which intergalactic electronics and samples sitars ride a Prins Thomas-esque bassline and beats, before admiring the chugging and squelchy nu-disco shuffle of 'Suffering of K.P' by B.Visible. Over on the flip, Peletronic's 'Drifting' is a glassy-eyed slab of immersive deep house/nu-disco fusion, while Jon Gravy's 'When U Leave' is a stomping slab of peak-time house headiness rich in bustling beats, memorable melodies and hands-aloft riffs.
Do U Love Me (feat Vanessa Freeman - The DJ mix) (7:08)
The Party (feat Hannah Khemoh) (6:08)
Review: This EP marks a sixth outing for the always fresh Stereo:type which deals in soulful house and disco fusions with a timeless edge. Risk Assessment is behind plenty of them, including this lovely 12" which opens with the deep house throb of 'The Way I Feel'. A dub version strips out the soulful vocal hooks then the flip opens with 'Do U Love Me' (feat Vanessa Freeman - The DJ mix) which is a proper bit of house music songwriting with US garage drums and soaring vocals. Last of all is 'The Party' (feat Hannah Khemoh) which is more upright and intended to get the floor pumping.
Review: UK artist Risk Assessment is back once again with some potent sonic weaponry that is designed to make a big impact in the club. All four of the disco cuts are peak time sounds starting with 'Something New' which is awash with some crystalline synths and gloriously lush pads. 'Party People' is nice raw and live-sounding disco with lo-fi drums, slapping hits and a James Brown-style funk vocal. 'Like This Like That!' brings some funky little guitar motifs and a jumble of percussion while last of all, 'Girl At The Disco' shuts down with a more sensuous sound and slinky grooves that worm their way into your affections.
Review: Lauren Ritter revisits her musical origins with the two new singles on her latest EP for Rift Vision. The two evocative, nostalgic, and melodious tracks, 'Antigone' and 'Sarus' are sure to resonate with fans of her debut Lark EP from 2015 with the former being a suspensory jam for 5am wig-outs, and the latter has more drive but no less synth elegance to it. Then comes a remix from Zone+ from labels like All Day I Dream and his version is delightfully airy and deft in its nimbler rhythms and Powel closes down with a remix that incorporates dynamic grooves and soothing vocal elements.
Vicino O' Mare (The Shapeshifters Piano Bump extended remix) (6:00)
Vicino O' Mare (Louie Vega extended remix) (6:14)
Vicino O' Mare (Louie Vega dub remix vinyl edit) (6:16)
Review: Summer may still be some way off, but it's a fair bet that Riva Starr's latest single on his own Snatch Raw imprint will feature prominent in festival sets and at open-air dances. In its EP-opening 'extended vinyl mix' form, 'Vicino O Mare' is a chunky, disco-fied house jam rich in rubbery bass guitar, warming Rhodes riffs, reverb-laden male vocal samples, swirling synths and just the right amount of disco-house style filter trickery. Fittingly, disco-house veterans Shapeshifters deliver the first remix, cannily adding hands-aloft piano stabs to the Californian producer's infectious disco-house groove. Louie Vega takes over on the flip, first delivering a joyous, samba-soaked Latin house 'extended mix' before stripping his rework back to the heavy tribal drums on the excellent 'dub remix vinyl edit'.
Nata Alma (feat Sidsel Endresen & Bugge Wesswltoft - club Smash Hit version) (8:38)
Venq Tolep (Hit club version) (6:25)
Review: Veteran German producer (and one half of Wighnomy Brothers) Robag Wruhme returns to Pampa Records with two delightful servings of his idiosyncratic sound. The glassy-eyed and bittersweet daydream fantasy of "Nata Alma" (Club Smash Hit version) features some right legends of the Norweigian jazz scene: Bugge Wesseltoft on piano accompanied by a heartfelt vocal performance by vocalist Sidsel Endresen. On the flip, "Venq Tolep" (Hit club version) is equal parts melancholic yet utterly evocative, and is the title track of his first album-length release on DJ Koze's label in eight years.
Review: French producer Jerome Barresi as Robert's Diary delivers a superb EP on Is It Balearic? Something a little different. Dinky Bird is delicate pianos and an atmospheric vocal sample subtle beats and melodies reminiscent of Eple and classic Moby. Legendary Norse God Bjorn Torske keeps the atmosphere and adds creates a more percussive 4/4 shuffler. Six O Six has the trademark vocal sample and piano but a more dance floor feel. KXP which sounds like it could a long lost Gene Love Jezebel B -side rounds things off.
Review: While she has released on NDAL Muzik, People of Earth and Innermoods, Roberta Jennifer Lopez tends to put out most of her music on the Night Moves Records imprint she established a decade ago - and it's to that label that she returns with her first EP of 2025. The Brooklyn-based produced begins with 'Heart Feelings', a jazz-house adjacent slab of piano-rich nu-jazz positivity that reminded us of the great Kyoto Jazz Massive, before opting to smother a sparse, ultra-deep jazz house groove in extended piano solos on the similarly inspired 'Your Power'. She takes to the mic on the Kai Alce style deep soulful house workout 'Make It Right', while closing cut 'The Score' is a warming, sunset-ready instrumental free of kicks and snares.
Review: John Roberts, arguably best known for his numerous outings on Dial and all caps Twitter account, can rarely have made anything quite so joyous as the two tracks showcased on this first Brunette Editions 12". "Orah" blends a cheery main melody with crystalline synthesizer lines and watery electronics with a sticky, densely programmed groove and should resonate with any fans of the Future Times label. "Renata", meanwhile, begins with an extended build up of almost overwhelming beauty, before flowering into a similarly melodious, rubbery deep house groove. Both tracks are packed full of emotion, and sound like they were composed in the midst of a period of intense happiness.
Review: Have there been any remixes that have been more impactful and influential than StoneBridge's famous re-rub of Robin-S's 'Show Me Love'? An enormous crossover hit when it was first released in 1990, the track's blend of bold organ hooks, bumpin' beats, dreamy chords and big vocals later helped inspired the birth of what was then known as 'bassline house' or 'northern garage'. As this reissue proves, it remains a timeless dance anthem that transcends genre. This time round, it comes backed by a lesser-celebrated StoneBridge rework of another Robin-S track, 'Luv For Luv'. This is a bit deeper and sweeter, but mostly utilises the same musical ingredients (gravelly stabs, Korg M-1 organ lines, lush pads and so on).
Review: The latest from The Robinson - that'll be Milan-based brothers Marco and Riccardo Augeri to you - opens with the jazz, live-sounding and improvised 'Life Decisions' with its cosmic synths reaching up to the stars over raw beats. 'Unconscious Habits' follows on, bringing deep, dubby drums, organic percussive lines and a deep jungle vibe while 'Running Algorith' is another humid deep house closer with warm, diffuse pads and a spiralling of deft percussion.
Review: The Robinson and Takahiro Fuchigami take a side each on this compelling exploration of house music infused with diverse jazz influences. This release effortlessly blends genres, creating a rich and textured soundscape that bridges lounge, disco and blues. Side-1 opens with 'Passion Is The Key', a track that leans into lounge jazz vibes, pairing smooth melodies with a laid-back house groove. Following this, 'A Satisfying Day' injects disco elements into the mix, creating an uplifting fusion of rhythm and melody. Side-2 deepens the jazz-house connection. 'Jazzing Bird' delivers an intricate, jazz-forward interpretation of house, balancing vibrant improvisation with danceable beats. 'How's That Sound?' captures the essence of a smoky jazz club, blending sultry brass lines with a steady house pulse. Closing the release, 'In Motion' incorporates bluesy undertones into a chilled-out vibe, offering a soulful, reflective end to the journey.
Review: The second Abstract Cuts release is an EP split four ways, but with new, unconventional approaches to the dancefloor at the heart of each submission and all using vintage drum machines and samplers. The Robot Dance Connection's 'Powers Of Ten' (R2d2 live edit) kicks off side one, shiny high frequency polish played off against a gorgeously stubborn techno beat, before the slinkier and smoother 'Gold Saucer' by Brunzi offers an equally danceable but less angular counterpoint. Flip it over and Tomska's 'Lethal Overdose' (Touch dub 2022) offers rushing sonics, off kilter snare damage and four to the floor thump, before Emile's 'Jeu Froid' completes the set in grimy basement style.
Review: London producer Scott Ferguson, aka Robot84, continues his superlative run through 80s speckled gear on his own label. This time he's cooked up a killer slice of proto house with an Afro vocal boost from TAMA. From the slick reverse edits to the warm thrum of the bassline, the classic drum machines patter to the spangled arps, this is feel good business rendered with reverence and love for the roots of dance music as we know it today. Stick on the A side for the vocal version, flip it over for the dub, or better still bag two copies and get creative in the mix.
Review: This new and heavyweight 12" from Robot84 is a fresh fusion of Italo and house vibes that are defined by lively percussion, lush pianos, 808 drum fills, and an irresistible vocal hook. The original of this has already garnered attention with high praise from Manchester legend Justin Robertson who dropped it at a Hacienda 51 gig for its 30th anniversary. Sean Johnston, Heidi Lawden, Laurent Garnier and more have all also been playing it out recently which tells you all you need to know, really. Flip it over for a dubbed-out headwrecker that is just as good.
I Want It To Be Real (Late Nite Tuff Guy edit) (7:44)
I Want It To Be Real (Farley Hot House Piano mix) (7:03)
Review: In its original 1984 form, 'I Want It To Be Real' was Freeez founder John Rocca's debut single a soulful slice of cutting-edge vocal electro that rocked clubs from Brooklyn to Bradford. This welcome new edition boasts a fresh rework from edit-not-edit specialist Late Night Tough Guy, who utilises some of Rocca's original elements the killer bassline, synth solos and so on while adding dreamy deep house chords and a restless 4/4 beat. It's rather good, but even better is Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk's flip-side 'Hot Piano' mix, which originally appeared on Rocca's 1987 set Extra Extra. A breezy, life-affirming chunk of early Chicago house brilliance with added extended piano solos, it's arguably the definitive mix of 'I Want It To Be Real'.
Review: As Paolo Rocco sees in 10 years releasing music in the depths of the tech house scene, he's dropping this surefooted slice of peak time club gear on Up The Stuss. 'First Night Out' is an ear-snagging cut with crossover potential, and Malin Genie knows just how to tease out some Lately bass and swirling pads to make for a smoky, early morning roller embellished with a few tasteful bleeps. 'To The Stays & Beyond' sounds resplendent as an after hours jam in its 'Dub Mix' form, and then 'Chi Chi Boogie' closes the record out with a refined, mellow kind of swinger that should appeal to the minimal crowd.
Paolo Rocco & Red Meat Therapy - "Better Dayz" (8:04)
Paolo Rocco & Lessi S - "This That" (6:04)
Paolo Rocco, Lessi S & Pijynman - "Sacred Place" (8:32)
Review: Paolo Rocco's back catalogue speaks for itself across the past decade of deep house. Iconic labels like Real Tone, Saved and Hot Creations have all put out his 12"s and in 2021 Fuse London carried his album Life In Pieces. Now he's back with a new release on his own RAWMoments label, which has been platforming the work of Rocco and his close pals since 2017. These same pals are the ones he jams with on these four tracks, which span the subtle new wave Balearic touches of 'Release Me' with Pijynman and the slinky funk of 'Better Dayz' with Red Meat Therapy.
Review: The mysterious Karnak On Acid imprint launched last year via an EP featuring four suitably trippy tracks by emerging Egyptian talent Ramez. This frustratingly delayed follow-up comes from long-serving DJ/producer/editor - and all-round lover of Arabic and Occidental flavoured electronic dance music - Jonny Rock. We're not sure whether the two 'Versions' on show are original productions, edits or reworks, but either way they're excellent. 'Version One' features echoing Arabic vocals and jaunty, echoing lead lines rising above a thickset, sequenced bassline and delay-laden, proto-house style drums. 'Version 2', meanwhile, sounds like Egyptian EBM - should such a thing exist - and will delight all those who love sleazy chuggers and seriously psychedelic club cuts.
Review: The third release from Soul In The Horn features tracks from Rockwilder and KingPros, the former's 'Love In Need' proving to be a captivating mid-tempo house rendition of a classic tune by the esteemed hip-hop producer, blending the original melody with the soulful rhythms and textures of mid-tempo house. King Pros' 'You Had to Know' is a powerful mid-tempo rework of a very well respected voice. The result is two stunning tracks that demonstrate the versatility and vitality of the genre.
Review: Roddyrod is a key player in contemporary hip-hop who gained recognition alongside East Coast pioneers like Kev Brown and Oddisee as part of The Low Budget Crew. His new release on Dirty Tech is a fine testament to his genre-blending skills as he combines hip-hop, broken beat, deep house and soul with real studio finesse. The standout track for us is 'Servant Royal' with unquantized drums and a jazz-inspired piano riff that will capture the attention of house heads everywhere. 'Fendi Foot' expands on his earlier work, while 'Skin Pride Deep' features Grammy-nominated Wayna and offers a powerful exploration of self-love and empowerment to add depth to the EP's overall sound.
Review: Deep house fans can rarely go wrong with the work of Praising mainstay Frank Rodger. He's on a good run of late and now he keeps the going with a return to Seasons Limited that again taps into his signature and timeless sound. A side 'Deep Squares' is one of those long and winding sounds that slowly but surely seduces you and sinks you into its deep, evocative groves. 'Sandton Skys' then brings heavy kicks and subtle pad work while rickety percussion brings off-balance goodness. The highlight might well come last with 'Come Together', which is playful and louche, smartly sampled and underpinned by a dusty deep house vibe.
Review: Franck Roger recently impressed with a vocal project alongside Arnold Jarvis and is now back on Seasons Limited with some of his signature house depths. Opener 'Don't Look Down' kicks off with louche, lovely drums and swirling pads and vocals that soon melt the heart. 'That's Alright' is a more thumping kick but is no less heartfelt with its warped bass and prickly hi-hats. 'Proscription' closes out with smooth, serene grooves that have your head in the stars and your heart locked into the romantic melodies. .
Review: If you know house music you know Franck Roger. The towing French figure has been part of the underground for many years and has a timeless sound that by now is expertly refined. His own Real Tone is where're he saves up some label classics now starting with a delightful deep and breezy Talk remix of 'Remember' (feat Jovonn). There is a hint of humidity and sweat to basement swinger 'Wanna Be With You' then 'Don't Ever Luv Me' lifts your head with its classic vocal samples subtly woven into a light and airy house skipper. 'Keep Yo Self' brings more classic vocal house hints to a disco-coloured house groove.
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: This new 12" on US label Seasons Limited brings together two of deep house's most accomplished and tasteful names in French legend Franck Roger plus Arnold Jarvis who he last collaborated with in 2007, while UK mainstay and Freerange label boss Jimpster remixes. It is one the label has been cooking up for a while but proves more than worth the wait. 'Living My Life' is the one original collab and is smooth, buttery deep house with lush vocal tones. Jimpster brings a little more bounce and a fat bassline on one mix, then dubs things out to prefect for the second. A timeless set of grooves that will level-up any collection.
Review: Seasons Limited made a welcome return in 2024 and now keeps up that good momentum with another big single from French house mainstay Franck Roger with some fine vocals by Paul B. It's a super smooth sound with drum swaying back and forth, molten synth adding late night and tissue soul and the tender vocal adding intimacy and late night romance. Rocco Rodamaal steps up for remixes and first of all he pairs things back to a sedate, seductive deep house roll then fleshes out the drums with some dubby weight to finish.!
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