Rogue D - "The Vibe" (feat Joe Le Groove - Job remix) (5:47)
Ruff Stuff - "The Gathering" (5:53)
Ruff Stuff - "Brighter Mood" (6:50)
Review: For the sixth transmission from Stolen Goods, two artists in Rogue D and Ruff Stuff step up to take charge of one side each. The former goes first with 'The Vibe' (feat Joe Le Groove) and it is a smoky, low-key and deep basement house cut with razor sharp hi-hats and dusty drums overlaid with a sensuous male vocal adding the soulful vibes. A Job remix is much more cosmic as it travels through starry night skies on shiny synth lines, then Ruff Stuff douses you in rippling synth melodies on 'The Gathering' and lays down clipped, funk-fuelled house on 'Brighter Mood'.
Review: With Yoyaku's record shop staff handling A&R, the YYK No Label imprint has become impressively unpredictable. Recently, they've served up 21st century progressive house from Varhat, a killer collaboration between Chez Damier and Ben Vedren and an experimental synth-pop album from People People. Here they turn to Swizz jazz drummer Samuel Rohrer, an artist with extensive experience of delivering hybrid acoustic-electronic tech-house and minimal techno excursions. That's what's on offer here, with Rohrer blending vintage electronics and his own drums and percussion with synthesiser sequences, machine beats and intoxicating aural textures. This approach is best exemplified by the Tangerine Dream-goes-tech-house flex of 'Rewired Paradise' and the sludgy, pitched-down 'Memory Reset', though ambient jazz number 'Into The Void Where Things Go (Part II)' is also brilliant.
Review: Tom Roland impresses once more with this precision-tooled selection of minimal and tech house gems. They manage to find a perfect sweet spot between devastating club functionality and soulful flourishes. 'Exposure' kicks off with some smart samples that infuse and r&b feel into the snappy drum and colourful melodies. 'Free Ride' then bumps along with some nice fat bass and lithe percussion while 'K2000' is a stripped-back groover that sways back and forth as acid lines grow ever more wild in the mix. Last but not least is 'Zero Control' which is the punchiest of the lot with some nice psychedelic colours over dusty drum loops.
Review: Bristol party and label Just Jack welcome unsung Detroit hero in the form of Gari Romalis. He brings all the sounds you'd expect of a Motor City artist - depth, soul and warmth. 'Panic In Detroit' (Goos Life Mix) is a mid tempo jam that will warm up early evening floors. 'Final Fronteer' (Brain Block mix) is a deep and cuddly cut with hip swinging claps and splashy hi hats and last of all comes the best fo the lot, 'Hard Rain.' It has smooth drum loops that rock back and forth and draw you in beneath balmy cosmic pads and far-sighted sense of melancholy. This is tasteful, subtle dance music for the heads.
Review: Detroit legend Gari Romalis is as productive as ever, offering up a strain of deep house that feels classic without trading on past glories. In a year when he's collaborated with DJ Minx on Women On Wax, landed on Just Jack, Wild Circus and Secret Society, he's now rubbing shoulders with Boo Williams, Orlando Voorn, Vincent Floyd and more for breakthrough Italian label NICEPEOPLE. There's quality oozing out of every bar of this EP, but 'Black Diamondz (Africa Mix)' is especially classy, capturing a subdued but purposeful mood which rightly turns the mind to the empowered theme of the record. Don't sleep on 'Purpose Reprise (Motivate Mix)' either, in which the pointed speech samples give you food for thought atop another of Romalis' impeccable groove.
Review: Gari Romalis makes his long-awaited return to the Rawax imprint. The 'Another World' EP features four deep house cuts for the club atmosphere. 'Dance Wit Me' is perfectly suited for a DJ to level up the energy on the dancefloor. The melodic title track strides a more soulful approach while harnessing a nostalgic 90s aura. 'Down The Drain' is the most upbeat and serious one of the bunch. Certainly, a prime time groover that screams to be mixed by a house DJ. 'Iz You' rounds out things with the most epic piece on here. Showing Gari's versatility, this track is the way to end the late night perfectly. Four tracks for every point in a DJ set, you have Gari Romalis and Rawax together. Is there anything else to say?!
Review: While he generally doesn't get the plaudits lavished on some of his Motor City contemporaries, Gari Romalis has long been one of Detroit's most reliable deep house producers (remarkably, he released his first EP 29 years ago). His latest four-tracker, for the reliable Phonogramme Records, is packed to the rafters with spacey, immersive, ultra-deep body music of the sort that moves the heart and head as much as the feet. For proof, check the dub-flecked deep house/tech-house fusion of 'Detroit V.I.P' - all subterranean bass, ghostly chords, rolling house beats and delay-flecked spoken word vocals - and the similarly minded but more percussively energetic 'Scatter Dance'. Elsewhere, 'Stay Ready' is thickset, trippy and hypnotic, while 'City Under Siege' is marginally brighter and breezier whilst remaining formidably deep.
Review: Lost City Archives was a vital label back in the 1990s and now founder and Motor City urban legend Gari Romalis has brought it back from the dead. He has been crafting fine house and techno for 30 years but lots to the future here with some new school stars. 'Dendo Mojo' is first up as Joey and Ron Head Back combine for deep and dusty drums, molten synth lines and plenty of traditional US house goodness. The Gari Romalis Special mix is more heavy and laced with subtle acid, then 'Belle Gruv' slips into a gorgeously skipping groove with leggy bass and brushed metal snares. 'Dance Worthy' closes out with another deep, cuddly, aloof groove of timeless appeal.
Review: Chachi Romero's famously magic fingers are back in full force on the latest release from Open Air 72. This project dives into the nu-funk movement and do so by mixing up retro-funk vibes with futuristic synth sounds reminiscent of the likes of MoFunk, Zackery Funk Force and Dabeull. A-side jam 'Sunwave Space' rings endlessly nodding and funky basslines to withering sci-fi motifs and blissed-out vocal coos. It's a nice and catchy sound while 'Arm Candy' is a more deep and dusty house groove with libidinous vocals and rolling beats topped with some well-chosen vocal samples for an extra steamy allure.
Review: House music legend Harry Romero, a man who's soundtracked countless late nights and sweaty dancefloors, makes his Rekids debut with a two-track EP that's as timeless as it is energetic. 'Nice To Meet You' is a masterclass in classic New York house, its hypnotic groove and raw low-end providing the perfect foundation for Romero's signature blend of infectious rhythms and soulful melodies. The title track is a standout, its bold kazoo melody and hypnotic breakdowns a testament to Romero's ability to craft tracks that are both instantly recognizable and utterly unique. But the EP doesn't stop there; 'Danny's Groove' is a high-energy affair, its layered rhythms and catchy whistle melody creating a sense of joyous abandon that's impossible to resist. This is house music at its finest, a reminder that sometimes all you need is a killer groove and a touch of soulful magic to ignite the dancefloor.
House music legend Harry Romero, a man who's soundtracked countless late nights and sweaty dancefloors, makes his Rekids debut with a two-track EP that's as timeless as it is energetic. 'Nice To Meet You' is a masterclass in classic New York house, its hypnotic groove and raw low-end providing the perfect foundation for Romero's signature blend of infectious rhythms and soulful melodies. The title track is a standout, its bold kazoo melody and hypnotic breakdowns a testament to Romero's ability to craft tracks that are both instantly recognizable and utterly unique. But the EP doesn't stop there; 'Danny's Groove' is a high-energy affair, its layered rhythms and catchy whistle melody creating a sense of joyous abandon that's impossible to resist. This is house music at its finest, a reminder that sometimes all you need is a killer groove and a touch of soulful magic to ignite the dancefloor.
Review: Harry Romero returns to Crosstown Rebels as he links with vocalist Shyam P for 'Mind Games'. With a catalogue as rich as any and continuing at the top of his game two decades after his emergence within New York's fabled nightlife scene, Romero continues to serve up his own take of Latin-inspired and percussive-driven house music via a long list of the industry's leading imprints. Crafting a slick and heady groove before launching into a hypnotic haze accenting by a bubbling bassline, 'Mind Games' is an infectious and vibrant house cut as Shyam P's alluring vocals take hold amongst emotive builds and breaks. 'Mira', after, is a classic Romero offering as the focus shifts to crisp organic percussion arrangements, carnival-esque whistles and hooky Latin vocals for a bustling terrace number, before 'Analog Bugz' takes cues from its title as crisp drum shots and sharp stabs unite to create a no-nonsense builder made for the main room.
Review: For its latest release, revitalised New York house stable Nu Groove (now part of the Defected empire) has decided to showcase two tracks apiece from NY legend Harry Romero, whose first 12" was released 30 years ago) and long-serving Berlin house stalwart Daniel Steinberg. Romero handles side A, delivering a mind-mangling, 21st century take on acid house ('The Monk', one of his strongest cuts for some time) and the warehouse-ready, acid-flecked slab of peak-time nostalgia that is 'Shoot Your Shot'. Steinberg starts by peppering a swinging, low-slung deep house groove with jazzy electronic piano licks and pots and pans percussion on 'AC TC', before doffing a cap to the sleazier, more bass-heavy end of the jazz-house spectrum (and classic Switch/Solid Groove productions) via EP highlight 'Do It For The Music'.
Review: .Ron Basejam has always cooked up a wealth of characterful cuts across the house and disco spectrum. This unknown label is now home to a load more starting with the lovely soft focus chords and gospel tinged vocal bursts of deep house meditation 'We Need Change'. A house dub ups the energy a little with more cosmic sprinkles raining down over percussive grooves. 'BFG' then ups the disco quotient with elastic bass and leggy drums, a nice organic vibe and carefree chords. 'Blue' shuts down with some feel good soul and funk house fusion work.
.Ron Basejam has always cooked up a wealth of characterful cuts across the house and disco spectrum. This unknown label is now home to a load more starting with the lovely soft focus chords and gospel tinged vocal bursts of deep house meditation 'We Need Change'. A house dub ups the energy a little with more cosmic sprinkles raining down over percussive grooves. 'BFG' then ups the disco quotient with elastic bass and leggy drums, a nice organic vibe and carefree chords. 'Blue' shuts down with some feel good soul and funk house fusion work.
Review: For decades, the humble disco re-edit has offered wannabe-producers a way into music production. In recent years, there's been an upsurge in house 'edits' too - a trend that has seen countless producers combine bits of classic and obscure cuts with their own peak-time ready grooves. This debut from the previously unknown Jay Rook fits into that category. Check first opener 'Master Wonnin', where Rook turns what appears to be a classic Highlife jam into a bouncy, bass-heavy Afro-house workout, before further refining the same attractive, sun-splashed formula on 'Eme (Yeah Yeah)'. Over on side two, Rook changes tack on 'Do God a Favour', adding a touch of hip-swinging, disco-flexed gospel-house flavour to a bluesy old soul-jazz cut, while 'Jesus Saved Me (Glad)' is a filter heavy disco-house re-wire of a righteous gospel number.
Review: Acqua Di Sale, the debut mini-album by the enigmatic Rosa, captures the essence of boogielicious synth-pop from Napoli. Recorded at West Hill Studio and produced by the renowned Neapolitan team behind Mystic Jungle Tribe, this album inaugurates the Pegaso Series on Periodica Records. With its velvety funk bass, smooth saxophones, and Nigel Rodgers-inspired guitars, Acqua Di Sale effortlessly evokes the polished synth-pop sound of the eighties. Rosa sings enigmatically in the Neapolitan dialect, adding an air of mystery to the already seductive melodies. The album's six tracks are tastefully artificial, featuring drum machines and other quintessentially eighties elements, perfect for a sophisticated cocktail evening. The music feels timeless yet modern, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in a continuous loop of evocative soundscapes. 'Acqua Di Sale' is not just another nostalgic throwback but a fresh take on synthpop that honours its roots while embracing contemporary production. It's an album that invites you to experience the romantic and clandestine Napoli of the heart, where vivid emotions and forbidden desires intertwine seamlessly.
Review: For the latest in their ongoing series of remastered reissues, FRL Classic Edition takes us back to 1992 and the sought-after debut EP from Long Island producer 'Big' William Rosario. Double Intensity, as it was originally entitled, did an excellent job in joining the dots between the deeper, jazzier and hazier end of the NYC house spectrum and the loose-limbed swing and organ love of New Jersey garage-house. Highlights include the sax-sporting shuffle of the notably atmospheric 'London Fog', the tactile, warm and dreamy 'Decibels', the head-nodding golden era hip-hop instrumentals 'Mo-Mo BEATZ' (very Craig Mack) and 'Take Me Out (With The Fader)'. Classy!
Review: Guy J's Early Morning label continues its impressive run with a sophomore release from acclaimed producer Roy Rosenfeld. This two-track concept showcases Rosenfeld's ability to transcend genre boundaries, offering a captivating blend of electronica, tribal rhythms, and vintage synth textures. 'Forgotten' unfolds with a measured intensity, its hypnotic groove and indigenous-percussive influences creating a ritualistic atmosphere. The track builds to a resonant climax, punctuated by deep chords and a melodic break before culminating in a tribal-inspired crescendo. 'Hello' takes a different approach, juxtaposing an 80s arcade aesthetic with high-fidelity beats and ethnic percussion. The result is a mesmerizing blend of old and new, a sonic tapestry that evokes primal imagery while pushing the boundaries of electronic music. Rosenfeld's latest offering is a testament to his creative vision, a captivating journey that will appeal to both home listeners and dancefloor enthusiasts.
Review: Roy Rosenfeld has ben a mainstay of the All Day I Dream label for a while now, but he keeps on serving up the goods, so why not? His latest outing is another balmy and breezy house meditation that arrives just in time for lots of outdoor dancing, which is where this music best suits. 'Simi' is the long form opener which takes up the while of the A-side with its rolling beats, wispy melodies and gently uplifting atmospheres. 'Sansi' offers more dreamy and hypnotic sounds as does 'Moonshine', which might be the most enjoyable of the lot.
Review: A neat slice of UK house with unorthodox and bleepy elements courtesy of fresh producer Rossi here. 12" 'Feel It' spans everything from breaksteppy hard house to UKG, urging the floorbound masses to "feel alright" through an unapologetic, repetitive insistence in vocal sample form. The instrumental is just as effective, revealing a drummy, hi-NRG underbelly. Garrett David's version is the final garage number, adding curious bell chords and a garage swing.
The Rotating Assembly - "Seasons Of My Life" (feat Billy Lo)
Green Pickles - "Feedback" (feat Billy Lo & M Pittman)
Review: Sound Signature kick off the new year with a pleasing reissue of some smoky soul from Theo Parrish's outlet for his most jazzy tendencies. On "Seasons Of My Life" Billy Lo croons over a muted trumpet while a surprisingly rough stomp gets hammered out of a live kit. It's a dreamy, sunkissed jam with all the loose, free-flowing elements you would expect from something with Parrish's stamp on it. Marcellus Pittman helps out on "Feedback", as a sparser, meandering groove does the nasty with some restrained keys. For that Detroit beatdown flavour away from the dancefloor, this is as good as it gets.
Letters From Home (feat Eleonora - Mass Digital remix) (6:53)
Letters From Home (feat Eleonora - DSF remix) (7:57)
Letters From Home (feat Eleonora - Slow Hearts remix) (8:16)
Review: Letters From Home is a gorgeous new single from Rowee and Flowers On Monday. The original is a deep and shimmering late-night house lullaby with soft drums and shakers all sinking you into a reverie. The keys and synths are impossibly delicate and innocent up top as the groove unfurls and you fall ever more in its spell. The Mass Digital remix is an even more zoned-out affair with the addition of some angelic vocal sounds and the DSF remix brings a more prominent but still smoky and heavenly vocal over more percussive drums. Slow Hearts closes down with a last magnificent rework.
Review: Six years have now passed since cuts from Roy of the Ravers' brilliant '2 Late 4 Love' cassette made their debut on vinyl, via a highly limited EP that's now fiendishly hard to find. This '2023 Edition' of the in-demand EP offers two tracks from that 12" - pleasingly lo-fi acid jack-track '2 Late For Love (Part 1)' and the fuzzy, machine-driven deep house-goes-acid minimalism of 'Emotium' - plus a pair of favourites featured on the cassette version but not the previous vinyl release (the brain-melting acid electro jam 'Cwejman Acid (Part 2)' and the hissing, distorted TB-303 and TR-909 weight of 'Melchester Acid (Part 1)'. Throw in a bonus cut recorded in the same period ('Track 5') and you have an indispensable reissue.
Review: The Paper Cuts label has been doing a fine job in putting out head-tripping club and chill-out styles for a fair stretch now and following the Ivy mixtape released earlier this year they're back with this outstanding split release from Roza Terenzi and Furious Frank. Terenzi takes the A-side with her trademark line in electro-minded machine funk rhythms powering gorgeous back room moods, keeping the mix dubby and with plenty of ambient sparkle on top of the punchy drums. There's even space for a little d&b trippiness on 'Total Recall', which also features Noff. Furious Frank gets busy on the flip with 'Splash', a blissed out beatdowns with more than a little Balearic magic in its bones, while 'Moss Rock' turns the heat up for a distinctly 90s slice of acid trance. 'Dripp' seals the deal with another low slung roller from the chill-out room of your dreams.
Review: Fresh from releasing his "Sagittarii" album on Bear Funk, the ever-prolific Ilija Rudman is back on his own label Imogen with two stellar remixes from the mighty Ron Trent. First up is the vocal mix of the track, keeping Andre Espeut's passionate voice front and centre around a classy cascade of pattering rhythm and swirling deeper than deep keys. On the flip you get treated to the Imogen Soundsystem edit of Trent's instrumental, which finds the track charting a course for the stars in the most delicate and elegant of ways. Truly life affirming, soul-soaked stuff.
Review: The latest one on Faze Action's label comes from Robin Lee in his Rudy's Midnight Machine guise. This is where Lee's disco funk fantasies run amok, with 'Dyane' in particular coming on strong with the sound of the early 80s. This is blissfully melodic, good time stuff throughout, steeped in classic motifs but delivered with a fresh, modern panache. There are downtempo Balearic moments like 'Crystal Dragonfly' to get lost it as much as there are plenty of invigorated calls to the dancefloor, making this a five track EP to really get your teeth into.
Review: Manchester character Ruf Dug has never shied away from poking fun at the sone and its all too often safe sounds. He really backs that up with his own music here as this Asking For Trouble EP is a brilliantly weird and wonderful concoction. 'Buttoned Down' has gun shots, curious melodies, ambient pads and hulking great kicks that are hella fun. 'Pomegranate Dub' is red hot island music for blissed out afternoons blazing in the sun and 'Open Air' brings sleazy rock riffs and chubby disco dub to the party. The flipside explores digi-dancehall-dub vibes on 'Watching', carnival house on 'Pipes' gorgeously melodic deep house shuffles on 'Night Blossom'. What an EP.
Review: Raf Dug has always been outspoken when it comes to the less favourable aspects of 'the scene' which if course means more eyes are on him when he steps out with new music. Fortunately he has more than enough skills to keep criticism at bay as this new one on the legendary International Feel shows. He kicks off with the epic electronics and dubby rhythms of 'Casita Mas Alta' which unfold over nine fine minutes. After that dancefloor workout comes the blissed out downtempo of 'Cala Vedella', steamy Balearic of 'Las Cicadas' and innocent new age melodic charms of 'Niu Blau.'
In The Light Of The Miracle (Ponytail club mix - parts 1 & 2) (14:10)
Review: These legendary remixes of Arthur Russell's 'In The Light Of The Miracle' receive their first commercial release having long been deemed transcendent masterpieces and worthy of the title "holy grails." Clocking in at almost 30 minutes, these mixes fulfil long-held desires for their eternal presence in the music world, now accessible to every Arthur fan worldwide. Originally discovered by Phillip Glass for Another Thought in 1993, these remixes, overseen by Steve D'Aquisto, never saw a proper release until now. Both extending and enhancing the original, they elevate the music to new heights, defying genre labels and delivering pure sonic beauty.
Review: Tokyo-based artist Ryota OPP is launching his own label, Encrypt Nude, to showcase his unique sound having worked before with greats like Meda Fury/R&S and Le Temps Perdu. With extensive experience as a buyer and curator at Tokyo's Coconuts Disk Ekoda, Ryota draws influence from his favourite non-dance music artists like Santana, Jaco Pastorius, and Herbie Hancock and infuses that with jazz, minimalism, experimental, and ambient elements into a unique take on deep house. The A-side 'Palace' blends ambient, ethnic percussive sounds with cosmic Detroit vibes, while the B-side offers a psychedelic deep house trip inspired by Terry Riley's minimalism and Motor City's raw machine soul.
Review: Konfus Records continues its impressive early work with a fourth vinyl edition that sees them welcoming Matthias Schildger to the family. Together with Rupert Hartick, he cooks up the powerful Dudes EP which offers a nice blend of tracks that explore different moods and grooves. Schildger appears under two of his well-known aliases - MS and CNTRL - first with the bubbly and deep minimal loops of 'Lose Control' and then with the airy, subtly uplifting and high-speed smoothness of the dubby 'Tranceparents'. For his part, Hartick offers two nice and punchy kicks for when the floor needs a jolt.
Review: A powerful deep house journey with standout tracks blending tech house, soulful garage and house vibes. Side-1 kicks off with 'Do You Think' by Ben Silver and Boogs, a piano-led house stomper with a deep groove that sets the tone for the collection. The second track, 'Valentino (feat. Emerson Alexander)' by Jason Hodges and Joey Coco, brings soulful vocals and crisp production, perfect for fans of vocal-driven house music. Side-2 dives into a more tracky vibe with 'Skippy Disco Track' by Elijah Something, offering a 90s-inspired house sound, ideal for late-night dancefloors. The compilation closes with 'Historia (La Decima Remix)' by Ritmiq, a tech house banger that's addictive and deep, creating a sweaty, floor-ready atmosphere. Overall, this compilation effortlessly blends soulful and techy house elements, providing a dynamic experience for deep house lovers.
After building up a nice head of steam with its first few releases, French label Groovence now starts a new series, Amour Deep, with volume number one. It's a various artists affair that kicks off with the deep and sensuous sounds of Moonee's 'Amour Deep' (feat Simple Request) which has swirling and romantic pads and a great r&b vocal sample. Milk & Honey picks up the pace with the more raw and bumpy 'Chi Train' and Armless Kid goes deep into an electro workout complete with bittersweet piano chords on 'Night Ride'. Roy Vision's 'What's Your Name' rounds out the release with a more glitchy and stripped-back house sound for the dub lovers.
Max Sinal Vs KingCrowney - "Intentions" (feat Liv East) (3:24)
Slxm Sol - "NYBB" (5:40)
Hitch 93 - "Uno, Dos, Tres, Four" (8:00)
Rob Redford - "Garden Party" (6:19)
Soul Groove - "Blues Kitchen" (6:29)
Flying Moth - "Edith" (2:55)
Review: Since its inception in 2023, Soul Quest Records has released some superbly deep and soulful records. To prove the point, the Hackney-based label has decided to serve up a compilation style EP featuring fresh cuts from current artists and new signings. Max Sinal joins forces with King Crowney and vocalist Liv East on the ultra-deep, super soulful warm-up sounds of 'Intentions', before Slxm Sol cannily combines loose-limbed drums, warming bass, sensitive chords, tactile Rhodes keys and soulful vocal snippets on 'NYBB'. Hitch 93 doffs a cap to Chez Damier on the excellent 'Uno Dos Tres Four', Rob Reckford delivers some bright MPC-house action ('Garden Party'), and Soul Grooves goes deep, gently dubby and spacey ('Blues Kitchen'). The gentle broken house sunniness of 'Edith' by Flying Moth completes a fine EP.
Review: Aaron Andrew's Chubby label doesn't rush things. Since launching in 2018 and now only just hitting its sixth release though the music sure is worth the wait and is proof that quality will always win over quantity. Leonid's twin brother, Al Smith opens up with the cuddly and cosmic depths of 'Drama Room' before getting more dark and unsettling with his twisted synth modulations on 'Full Of Music', which then becomes a gorgeous downtempo cut with star-gazing pads and splashy hits within the Specter remix. Dan Piu picks up the pace for some delightfully warm deep house dynamics on 'Days Gone' and 'Snows Of Solaris'. Last of all is the more scuffed up, heads down deep house murk of Rai Scott's remix of Dan's intro tune, 'Day's Gone'.
Review: If you like your deep house lovingly crafted and exquisitely musical, Quintessentials' Deep & Raw & Real rarely disappoints. This latest instalment features four more fabulous international cuts to contend with, each delivering a distinctly different take on deep house. Ricardo Miranda's "Rush Hour" is wonderfully sleepy, offering hissing cymbals and super-deep chords. Toby Tobias, meanwhile, works the filters and backwards effects on "Love Papers", a real string-drenched sweetie. NO Milk's "Bubble People" ups the atmosphere again thanks to some choice double bass loops and distant jazz piano, while Marcello Napoletano's "All My Things" brilliantly recalls early St Germain and Aqua Bassino.
Kimi No Tamenara Shineru Kanzenban (Super Zunzun mix) (2:51)
Review: Originally released in 2004 to a hot reception, this iconic soundtrack from the beloved Sega game Feel the Magic XY/XX features Tokoi's unforgettable blend of eclectic, funky and also smartly experimental compositions. The music complements the game's quirky, surreal themes with catchy rhythms and vibrant colours. This anniversary edition offers remastered tracks with enhanced sound quality so is a guaranteed nostalgic journey for longtime fans or a superb introduction to the brilliance of Tokoi's work for new ears.
Review: The Peppermint Jam label is buzzing to be serving up a true house music classic from 1991: Urban Soul ft. Roland Clark's 'Alright!' is an iconic track that was originally written and produced by house legend Roland Clark. It now has been revamped for today's house lovers with some modern production heft. Vocal credits go to Roland and the late Ceybill Jeffries of course as both voices remain prominent here but the remixes are massive, with DJ Spen and MicFreak delivering a soulful masterclass featuring fresh chords and an irresistible bassline. Mellow Man, one of Peppermint Jam's early artists, adds a jackin' groove that takes things back to house music's glory days. These mixes are vinyl only so do not snooze.
Review: Another Face launches with a fierce various artist affair here that showcases some of Italy's finest production talent. Luca Vera kicks off with 'Feel Better', a raw and texturally rich cut that brings angst and energy to the dancefloor. DJ Rocca explores a much more horizontal and heady house groove steeped in classic dreamy Italo melodies on 'Epsylon Club' then Rame's 'Bow Down' carries on with colourful synths bringing to mind a sunset dance by the Med. Luca Distefano shuts down with shuffling, dusty, jazzed-up deep house funk on 'Be Kind' to close out a diverse first EP.
Review: The effervescent Robert Owens, a man whose vocals have blessed countless killer house records since the second half of the 1980s, remains as committed to his craft as ever - as a slew of recent appearances on excellent new releases proves. Here he's the featured guest on Depth of My Soul founder Nat Wendell's debut release on German imprint Eclipser Chaser. In its' original form, 'Easy' is a deliciously warm, loose and soulful house jam of the kind that the late, great Phil Asher used to serve up under the Restless Soul alias. Naturally, Owens as it his effortlessly slick and soulful best. Wendell offers up an instrumental, before West London stalwart Kaidi Tatham re-frames the track as a shuffling, samba-soaked slab of broken beat/jazz-funk fusion.
Review: Surely even he has lost count of how many tunes he has sung on now, yet still Robert Owens remains the most in-demand vocalist in the game. His smoky tones feature on Nat Wendall's 'Easy' and they come with a brighter tone than usual next to the nice piano chords which are draped over upright beats. As well as an instrumental, Kaidi Tatham remixes with his brilliant broken beat style and sunny synth disposition, and he also adds his own spin to the instrumental. A timeless package.
Review: Bobby Donny's ACE series is mostly a digital-only affair, though periodically the Dutch label will round up choice gems and stick them out on compilation style vinyl EPs. This is the third of those and contains six stellar cuts. There's much to admire, from the infectious, James Brown-sampling deep house bounce of 'Space Animals' by Bob Bonadis and the Kerri Chandler-esque excellence of Nanky Nimbo's 'Peony', to the hip-swinging intergalactic house retro-futurism of 'Nitro Bass' by ZZ Banks and the rolling New York house warmth of 'Clear Sky' by Wim Waldo. The EP also boasts a typically impressive collaboration between Frits Wentink and Malin Genie, the undeniably classy deep house excellence of 'Tongue Kiss'.
Review: Individuality, Harmony, Wit.
Originating from the heart of Asia - Taipei, Taiwan, Zy The Way is a fusion collective spear-heading a new musical movement in a digital age. As the offspring of a film director, entertainers and multi-genre musicians, Zy The Way aims to create artistic content that will rock your socks. We believe that true balance is achieved not through the uniting of different social groups, but when we come together with our stories as an individual. Voices and vision, musical styles, personalities, and our own beliefs, Zy The Way is the fabrication of our collective imagination, where no one is left out.
Review: While not as widely known or celebrated as those who came in his wake (and cite his work as an inspiration), Rephlex alumnus Bogdan Raczynski makes music every bit as alluring - and, like one of those he influenced, Richard D James, a fan of playful press releases and eye-catching interview quotes. He's variously described his amusingly new title as an AI-made attempt at EDM, the soundtrack to a rejected Tesla infomercial, a collection of ten-year-old tracks and a bid to crack "the lucrative coffee shop playlist market". Whatever the truth, it's a melodious, warm and ear-catching collection of cuts that flits between cheery electronica, off-kilter IDM, immersive and maximal club cuts, joyful ambient soundscapes and short, sweet numbers that refuse to outstay their welcome. Another winner from a master of his craft.
Review: "And the award for best named album of the month goes to..." No prizes for guessing, Rephlex alumni Bogdan Raczynski delivers yet another record as manifesto. A collection comprising warm melodic 'electronic sketches', to borrow from the official release blurb, You're Only Young Once But You Can Be Stupid Forever is complex lo fi businesses, and immediately engrossing. Short and incredibly sweet, the tracks here are cute and unconcerned with imposing themselves on the listener. Instead, they invite us in from the cold of pretentiousness to play and connect with our inner child. At times, it feels like we're bouncing along the levels of a platform video game. In other moments, it's less, more minimalistic. Those thinking of chip music should move on, though, as this is none of the above.
Review: On the debut EP 'We Are The Ones/Fire/Forever', Chicago DJ and all-out living legend Rahaan collaborates with an equally talented group of musicians: Marcus J. Austin on lead vocals, Nancy Clayton on backing vocals, Carnell C. Newbill (also known as Spike Rebel) on keyboards and backing vocals, Todd Swope on guitar, and Lou Terry on bass. Together, the outfit known as The Ones create an extended three-track EP of transcendent proportions, drawing on the avaricious world-passion for music and life heard in the joyous chasms between psychedelia, Afrobeat and disco. Bridging these precipices by way of a vast, suspensory dancefloor held together by firmly mixable kick drums serving as rivets, Rahaan produces and mixes a viscerally eye-popping set of devotionals here. From the impassioned beatitudes and thanksgivings of 'We Are The Ones', to the desirous chic-funk drum circle envisaged on 'Fire' and the eternal gospel-rock-tinged disco-soul ablution 'Forever' (a special favourite of ours), this is a holy chrism in record form.
Ship Of The Desert - "Count Of Monte Thisgo" (6:00)
Frank Hatchett Dance Explosion - "Super Hero" (1:51)
Cherish - "For You" (3:26)
Jaze - "Wanna Get Down With You" (7:21)
The 21st Century - "One Of These Days" (5:23)
Porno Disco - "Go Down Moses" (4:19)
Cousin Ice - "Catch Your Glow" (feat Zack Sanders) (6:18)
Boobie Knight - "Juicy Fruit My Love" (6:27)
John Lamkin - "Ticket" (6:21)
Review: You can always count on Z Records to bring a deep-digging, dedicated approach to anything they put out, and that goes double for their flawless Under The Influence series. The 10th volume in the series sees them inviting the incredible Chicago-born DJ Rahaan to select some seriously headsy cuts from his collection, carefully cleaned up, de-clicked and remastered for the best listening experience. Given the nature of the series, don't expect the usual suspects, and instead savour the discovery of some of Rahaan's most treasured cuts, presented here on a double LP comp brimming with discoid magic.
Review: Phoebe Guillemot's world-building as RAMZi has yielded us a plethora of exquisite albums since she first emerged in the tape-oriented scene around 2013. She's gone on to helm different projects, tour the world and generally blossom as a singular and gifted artist. After a string of self-released LPs, she's popped up on Music From Memory with one of her most refined works to date. Hyphea unmistakably belongs in the RAMZi-verse, full of the same mystical, softly shaped flora and fauna which makes her music so inviting, but there's also a sense of structure and purpose here which suggests she was honing her expressions - a natural progression for an artist who can make electronic music sound so very natural indeed.
Review: It's been a while since we've heard from ethereal music doyenne Ramzi. The release pace has run steady since 2022, with 'Feu Follets' being the last to come out via her own FATi Records. But now she lodges unto the cubbyhole a quick but unassuming reminder of her talents with Moon Tan, a cheekily sweet new album themed around the harnessing of so-called "World Fuzion Music" frequencies, and the resolution of the apparent Gremlin's Paradox (the existence of which in our timeline we cannot verify). Moving through every stylistic avenue from vintage dub to chirrupy 2-step - many of which experiments sounds as if they were made on a possessed Tascam four-track - there is an arresting mood of experimentation in limitation here, as Ramzi leans deeper and deeper into colourfully psych-ish but not grandiose moods.
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