Young Pulse & Fleur De Mur - "Smooth Sweet Talker" (6:53)
Review: Get yourself geared up for festival season with some fierce party starters certified with the Glitterbox stamp. Melvo Baptiste leads the charge with 'Sweat', a sizzling disco house stomper with Dames Brown giving the biggest diva energy on her show-stopping vocal. Lovebirds bring unbridled joy on the Philly string swoon and slinky b-line funk of 'Burn It Down', while Art Of Tones & Inaya Day keep it peak time on the sassy strutter 'Give My Love'. Young Pulse & Fleur De Mur complete the set with 'Smooth Sweet Talker', another bright and bold vocal cut par excellence.
Mark Brickman & Yam Who? - "Shined On Me" (feat Venessa Jackson) (7:30)
Wayfaring Strangers - "Get Your House In Order" (6:12)
Platinum City - "Holy Spirit" (7:35)
Yam Who? & Brian Lucas - "Yah Mo B There" (6:16)
Review: House music's roots are in the church and this new a celebratory various artist collection pays homage to that. The grooves are laced with soulful vocals, churchy chords and big strings that make for grand architecture and grander feelings of joy. Mark Brickman & Yam Who? open with a vocal gem that cannot help but bring a smile, while Wayfaring Strangers pump it up a little more with some funky disco house before Platinum City get you locked in a nice loose, long legged groove that is resplendent with lush keys and big vocal turns. 'Yah Mo B There' has an irresistible 80s vibe and big sing along choruses that will get hairs standing on end.
Review: Needs' commendable charity drive continues to bring forth the goods, both in terms of good causes and world class club music. Rallying round in support of World Mental Health Day 2020, Shanti Celeste kicks the record off in style with the rapid fire, deep-diving workout 'Fantasma'. OCB keeps the pressure up with the psychotropic techno of 'RS3', while Michelle works up some delightfully freaky synths on playful jacker 'Aesthetic'. Bobby's 'Free Your Mind' is a 90s-tinged, full fat techno production indebted to Detroit, Peder Mannerfelt keeps things stripped and raw on 'Our Levels' and Yu Su weaves a beautiful tapestry of interweaving rhythms on 'Brittney'. Adam Pits' trippy techno sounds resplendent on 'Wind Tunnel' and DJ Sports completes the set with the inventive, dembow slanted funk of 'Needs Dub'.
Review: The Plastik People label has been going along nicely for its first few releases, with label head Marc Cotterell stepping up and coming correct last time out. Now he calls upon various artists with Dave Charlesworth taking care of the a-side of Nice Ripe Cuts. He offers two super slick garage cuts that cannot fail to make their mark on the club and it's no different on the flipside except D Lux & Y No combine first for '25 Miles' and then S R offers the irresistible 'Pressure.' An essential 12" for anyone looking to bring some fresh garage flavours.
Review: Earlier this year, Latvian label Micronica Records made its debut on wax after years spent serving up digital-only delights. Here the Riga-based imprint delivers a second limited-edition vinyl sampler. Blurring the boundaries between deep house, minimal house and tech-house, all four cuts are well worth checking. Costin RP sets the tone with 'Kiss This', where sci-fi bleeps, modem noises and spacey synth sounds rise above a chunky, hypnotic tech-house groove, before Yansima delivers a tougher and more thickset tech-house workout in the shape of 'Jisula'. Venda's 'Underwater' is a deep, dubby, head-soothing minimal house box jam, while DIN & CKB's 'Duby' brilliantly blurs the boundaries between dub techno, ultra-deep house, and smooth European tech-house.
Review: The House Of Web is a new project that brings together music with a range of international origins across two EPs. They feature material originally by Takuya Sogimoto on this label in 2020 and 2022 as well as some unreleased cuts from 1994 and 1995. Dynamo Dreesen & Robotron go first as Dynatron ahead of a debut solo EP on SUED that is due soon. Then comes Dresvn aka Dynamo Dreesen & SVN, YPY aka Koshiro Hino from Osaka and a member of the Japanese band Goat, plus the next level beat maker A Made Up Sound. All four of these cuts offer superbly fresh takes on techno.
Review: Yukihiro Fukutomi is perhaps the most lauded Japanese electronic artist and has been gaining plaudits since the mid 90s for his own particular brand of house music. Ewan Pearson was so moved by Fukutomi's 2009 cover version of Marshall Jefferson's "Open Our Eyes" that it featured on his heavyweight mix for Kompakt. That cover version should not be confused with "Open Your Eyes", the A Side on this classy excursion into vintage Chicago sounds from Fukutomi under his Foog alias. It's a brilliantly acid tinged retro jacker that builds and dips in all the right places, with the mid section roll of crashing hi-hats a particular delight."Grey Matters" adopts a similarly future retro sound on the B Side with KiNK-esque 808s aplenty.
Review: Purple Print Records Compilation 3 is a rich exploration of minimal and tech house, bringing unique textures and groovy rhythms to the forefront. Side-1 opens with He Did's 'Mientras Tanto', a fun and infectious groove. The track's deep, rolling bassline and lively percussion make it an instant mood-setter. Following is DeWaal's 'Iceshade', a bouncy, upbeat track that balances playful energy with a steady, deep tech groove. Side-2 moves further into introspective territory with Raz's 'Rora', a smooth and melodic track that drifts along effortlessly, blending subtle harmony with a deeper bassline. Yama Music's 'In My Space' rounds out the collection with a broken beat approach, delivering techy, spacious vibes that add depth and variety to the mix. Altogether, this compilation is a refined showcase of tech house cuts that'll resonate with dancefloor times.
Review: Maurice Joshua presents Yvonne Gage's Garden of Eve, bringing back the iconic 1980 Chicago production by Donald "Dee Bee" Burnside. In this 2024 remake, Grammy Award-winning producer and DJ Maurice Joshua delivers a fresh disco-funk twist, injecting new life into the classic with smooth grooves and an infectious rhythm. To complete the package, renowned remixer Moplen steps in with a masterful rework, adding his signature touch and rounding out this release on M-Jay US with style and flair, making it a must-have for dancefloor enthusiasts.
Review: Freerange's City To City series returns with its second edition, this time spotlighting Lisbon. Known for its stunning views, beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife, perhaps one of the city's best-known hotspots is the iconic Lux Fragile, which has shaped the city's sound since the late 90s. Longtime resident DJs from Lisbon are now gaining global traction; to butterfly-net the essence of the coastal metropolis, this new mix LP hears six original tracks from local talents, chief among whom are Megatronic, progressor and ambassador for the city, and Yen Sung & Photonz, two names closely tied to the circuit's deeper-underground corners.A
Review: Omar S is not only one of the most vital house producers of the last 25 years, but he also has a fine ear for talent. This FXHE Compulation #1 EP dropped a full two decades ago and was the first appearance of now globally renowned headline DJ Seth Troxler. As Young Seth he offered the moody, minimal house gem that is 'Moment' with its dry, gated drums and subtly chord work. Elsewhere, Underground Quality founder Jus-Ed got weird with 'Am-Mix', DJ Snotburger bright raw jack with 'Snotann' and Omar S showcased his icy and futurist style on 'Groove-On'. A historic EP.
Review: The GLBDOM label is on a roll and we don't want it to stop. As was the last with the seance EP, this one is a various artists' affair pressed on nice heavy vinyl to match the heavy sounds. Ollie Rant opens with the quirky melodic leads and sleazy deep house loops of 'Aaaww Yeh' before Manuold brings some Chicago bump and grind on 'Roots.' The hats and drums are perfectly raw and lead you 'Deeper Underground' and into the jacked-up hands of Yann Polewka. Last of all comes some cheeky garage swing and swagger courtesy of DAN T's' nice dry 'Hold Me'.
Review: The debut album from Ukrainian collective Noneside unites musicians and visual artists under the inspiring words of poet Taras Shevchenko, who said 'Make love, o dark-browed ones.' Framed by a painting from contemporary artist Iryna Maksymova, the music explores the trance and tech house that is destined to bring souls together on the dancefloor this summer and beyond. Shjva opens with fresh and mashed bass and sleek trance pads that are subtle but effective. Lostlojic layer sup deep, bubbly techno drums and bass with an angelic vocal tone and Saturated Color's 'Trancia' is a speedy, scuffed-up tech groove for late-night cruising. Peshka and Yevhenii Loi offer two more future-facing trance-techno fusions packed with feels.
Bessa Simmons - "Sii Nana" (JKriv Fit rework) (7:11)
Vincenzo - "Love Accurate" (6:54)
Ilija Rudman - "Discoteka Parmida" (5:25)
Yasmin - "Real High" (4:59)
Arnau Obiols - "Pagan Mambo" (5:04)
Review: On this sampler EP for the Razor N Tape label's latest Family Affair compilation, the Brooklyn based imprint showcases previously unheard cuts from a mixture of new artists and long-established names. In the latter camp you'll find long-serving deep house don Vincenzo, who delivers the gorgeous, tactile and loved-up deliciousness of 'Love Accurate', and Croatian nu-disco don Ilya Rudman (the acid-heavy dancefloor squelch of 'Discoteka Parmida'). Elsewhere, Yasmin impresses with the neo-soul/nu-disco fusion warmth of 'Real High', Arnau Obiols slams down the Fela-influenced Afrobeat excellence of 'Pagan Mambo', and label co-founder J Kriv turns Bessa Simons 'Si Naana' into an Afro-tinged analogue house treat
Review: Brian Dougans and Garry Cobain, the masterminds behind Future Sound of London, return with The Pulse EP Vol 3, a reissue of their classic work under various aliases on the Jumpin' & Pumpin' label. This highly anticipated 12" features tracks that showcase their 90s techno brilliance. Side-1 opens with Smart Systems' 'Tingler' (Four By Four mix), a dark, sinister track that channels Beltram's 'hover' sound into a hardcore rave anthem. Indo Tribe's 'Owl' (I Can See You mix) follows, hailed by fans as one of the greatest breakbeat hardcore tracks ever made, a retro-classic loaded with chunky, energetic beats and an unforgettable sample. Side-2 kicks off with Indo Tribe's 'Bite The Bullet Baby' (Jacques Reynoix mix), another gem that blends early 90s rave energy with a unique edge. The real highlight, however, is Yage's 'Calcium' (Elementary mix), which first appeared on Future Sound of London's Accelerator album. Even today, it sounds transcendental and timeless, its melodic piano lines and otherworldly ambiance continuing to win over listeners. This EP is a vital piece of underground rave history and an essential listen for fans of early techno and breakbeat hardcore.
Sonic Soul Orchestra - "Good Inside" (feat Kathy Brown) (6:17)
Da Lukas - "Drop The Funk" (7:05)
Yam Who? & Rikky Disco - "Set Me Free" (6:49)
Guy Preston - "Purple Heart" (feat Adrian Crutchfield) (4:49)
Review: Disco Juice kicks off with some irresistibly sweet disco jams on this first volume on 12". Sonic Soul Orchestra get things underway with 'Good Inside' featuring the one and only Kathy Brown belting out some big hooks over strident drums. There are more rickety drums and loose-limbed funk workouts on Da Lukas's 'Drop The Funk' then Yam Who? & Rikky Disco's 'Set Me Free' brings big trumpet energy and withering pads next to lush strings. Last but not least, Guy Preston's 'Purple Heart' (feat Adrian Crutchfield) rounds out with a hip-swinging groove and call and response vocal to get hands in the air.
Review: Lviv native Yaroslav M helps Chat Noir launch its newest V/A series in full force, bringing four acid house vinyl slab-segments to their so far alkaline, and thus wanting, repertoire. Somewhere in the gap between dark tech house and new-beatific trance come 'Hit It' and 'Affairs', whilst the anime namesake 'Champloo' is a comparatively bleepy one, easing up on the human side of things, and letting the automatons run their course, by way of more arpeggiations and cyberspatial FX. Finally, 'Things Between' rounds things off on a dark acidic prance-off.
Review: After making his debut alongside Avangart Tabldot on Crib Records earlier in the year, Yet More - the chosen artistic alias of Paris-based Syrian-Iranian producer Teymour Khalatbari - has been handed a solo debut on Dixon and Ame's popular Innervisions imprint. It's an opportunity he's grasped with both hands. Check first the pleasingly heavyweight (and accurately titled) 'Bounce', where mutilated rap vocal samples, rave-igniting stabs and pots-and-pans percussion fills ride a tough, sub-heavy groove that sits somewhere between Kenny Dope and late 90s Danny Tenaglia. The Sound Factory/Twilo vibes continue on dark big room roller 'Tryna Jack My Style', while title track 'Back 2 Feelin' is a warming, dreamy and lusciously kaleidoscopic blend of shuffling breakbeats and sun-bright deep house nous. A wonderfully assured and impressive EP all told.
Review: The king is dead, long live the king, as they say - except in this case the late king is DJ Bone's legendary Subject Detroit label, which has now been shuttered after 25 years, and the newly anointed king is his new outlet Further, taken from his Amsterdam parties of the same name. It kicks off with a pair of new EPs on the same day and this is the first from Yeti Mind Tricks. 'We Ain't Like Them' is a hammering Motor City techno cut for the peak time which Bone remixes into a more stripped-back but no less edgy and potent cut. On the flip are 'Bimini Road' and 'Vandelay,' both of which bring stylish techno drenched in machine soul.
Review: Planet Rhythm's third transmission is another various artists' affair that takes no prisoners. This is straight-ahead techno that is proud of its perfect planed linear loops and ability to get you in a mediative head space. Erdem Yetim kicks off with the seriously weighty 'Perfect Silence' and its panel-beaten loops. Simone Tavazzi's 'Pyramid' is another hefty kicker with icy hi hat ringlets and fleshy drums while 'Das Ego' is as good as reductive dub techno gets. Dave Simon hits the nail on the head with his 'Dubby Stomper.'
Prof Jah Pinpin 4tet - "The Final Bird (Le Temps D'une Vie)" (3:18)
Review: There is scant little information out there about Yoanson & Karamie. What we do know is that they were young artists from the French African diaspora who met with Nessim Saroussi and his label Ness Music in the late 80s and were encouraged to record the music presented here. It is their only official EP and it is a brilliant mix of Afro-tropical percussions, disco, electro and vocals that call to mind the likes of Arthur Russell. Philippe de Lacroix-Herpin is the man festered here as Prof Jah Pinpin and he brings some of his signature saxophone brilliance to flipside jaunt 'The Final Bird (Le Temps D'une Vie)'.
Review: Berlin's Yoofee has been on a good run after reemerging back in 2021. He makes deeply atmospheric sounds that draw from dubstep, house and cosmic electronic music. The class Casa Voyager label snaps up him for some of that here and he opens with the fizzing pads and deep space ambiance of 'Lost Papers' all layered up over a hustling broken beat. 'I Know' is another jazzy broken beat wonder with chopped drums, keys, vocals and more all coalescing into something soulful in new ways. That superb vibe continues on the spacey flip side to mark what might be this artist's best work yet.
Review: Martin Muller originally dropped PPPPP as a 12" on Rhythm Cult back in 2016, as youANDme was hitting a level of omnipresence in the tech house sphere. The track was always destined to be a hit, making great use of an iconic Loletta Holloway sample and strapping it to a more modern kind of club cut. Now that record is being revisited with this remix package, featuring one of the original 'Diva' mixes backed up by versions from certified legends Ian Pooley, Cinthie and Yotam Avni. With these kinds of ingredients, each version is a surefire crowdpleaser which ever particular slant you're craving, with enough production heft to move a big room as much as a basement club.
Review: youANDme has always been an important cog in the wheel of underground house and techno and his recent PPPPP was another fine project that has also spawned plenty of equally brilliant remixes. This is a second collection of them and it kicks off with the Polish master of perfect loop techno, Head High aka Shed. His bulky, barreling drums and big percussive loops come with plenty of bounce and raved up vocals. After that come Ian Pooley's dub, and Johannes Albert's deep house trip. Sasha, Roger Sanchez and Laurent Garnier have already been banging these so now it's your turn.
Review: Correcciones Calypso returns from a generous hiatus with the fourth edition of its acclaimed edit series, replete with four re-edits that veer from the subtle to the downright brazen. Thomass Jackson and INigo Vontier invite the French duo Youkounkoun to open proceedings with an insane early 80s edit full of big drums and exotic touches that's been blowing dancefloors all around the world for the past years - and definitely resides in the brazen category, despite a lot of work having gone into it. Olta Karawame make their debut on the series with a powerful, compact edit full of ballsy keyboard riffing and a military-sized kick drum that is guaranteed to have heads banging . To complete the release label bosses Thomass and INigo deliver edits of their own with their characteristic sound, giving this EP maximum a value for money factor and entertainment from start to finish.
Review: One Eye Witness rounds up another four acts for their periodic V/A series, spewing forth four breaks-driven whooshers crossing into progressive techno territory. The Hague duo Young Adults nod to a 1997 Loveparade anthem with 'It's Only Temporary', while breaks and kick implants converge on Christopher Ledger's 'Change That', a track which sounds like the starting firings of an interplanetary expedition pod after years of disuse. Joely brings cosmic chug on the cocooning B1 'Transitional', while the Samesame closer 'Novel End' is just that, traversing a noxious atmosphere with a flexoskeletal electro beat.
Review: Astonishingly, nearly seven years have passed since the last 12" single from Young Marco hit stores. While he's kept himself busy co-curating two volumes of proto-trance anthology series Planet Love and recording a tropical-tinged album (2019's hazy and home listening-focused Bahasa), it's still nice to see him refocus on delivering future dancefloor anthems. 'I'm Still Mellow' is a wholehearted tribute to a psychedelic, sample-heavy Dutch style of the early '90s known as Mellow, which was a kind colourful and loved-up take on British hardcore and European techno. Young Marco's interpretation is simple but devastatingly effective, with fluttering synth sounds and gorgeous electronics tumbling down over a booming bassline and heavyweight breakbeats. Turn to the flip and you'll find a fully psychedelic backwards version. Trippy!
Review: Yse Saint Laur'ant makes wonky, left-of-centre sounds for proper underground parties. He's done so for years, and now returns with more of his raw and inventive disco on the sought-after Vinyl Only label. Opener 'Bad Company' pairs visceral arps with glossy pads and soulful vocal, which is stripped away from the 'Better Company' version. On the flipside, 'Don't Look Back' is a more freewheeling and funky feel, with silky basslines and hip swing claps under buttery vocals. Last of all is a classic chug-disco gem. 'Foreign Love' goes slow, with crashing hits and languid bass all topped off by a yearning female vocal that slowly but surely rises into euphoria.
Review: Disco and house deviant YSE Saint Laur'Ant is back with a dive into groove-laden sounds that have long been his signature, all while blending genres with real finesse. Side-A begins with a gospel-tinged track featuring ESG-style rhythms, raw beats and an addictive bassline. It is followed by 'Special,' where airy vocals over a laid-back groove create a dreamy atmosphere then flip it over and New York Boys delivers a spaced-out pulse with urban grit. The finale, 'Gone Fighting' is a midtempo closer that shines with its infectious Slavic sample wrapping up this EP with a reflective, groovy vibe.
Review: A genre-defying exploration of industrial, noise and breakbeat influences. With a strong vocal presence and a deep understanding of break-based rhythms, YSSUE creates a unique sonic landscape that challenges conventions. Side-1 opens with 'Count 7/8', blending acoustic and synthetic sounds in a way that feels both experimental and grounded. The track's rhythmic complexity and textural depth set the tone for the rest of the album. 'Wherever' follows, merging jungle breakbeats with industrial intensity, while maintaining a catchy, accessible edge that will appeal to fans of both genres. The title track, 'Human Nature', stands out with its gritty, downtempo atmosphere. Reminiscent of Massive Attack's Mezzanine, the track's production is dark and atmospheric, layering dub elements with a subtle, edgy intensity that captures the essence of the human condition. Side-2 opens with 'No Cops In Paradise', where dub meets breakcore in a clash of electronics, creating a chaotic yet controlled rhythm. 'Hefty Dub' closes the album with a tribute to dub, offering a deep, immersive groove that wraps up the journey with a satisfying, bass-heavy finish. Human Nature is a bold, boundary-pushing record that successfully fuses disparate influences into something entirely fresh.
Review: Yu Su's eclectic, organic sound is one that has been perfected over every consecutive release, and reaches its yetmost peak with 'I Want An Earth'. As if to make a defiant cry for a habitable planet, this one contains four tracks inspired by the artist's time spent in the deserts of Ojai, California, and the coastal areas of British Columbia, presenting a deeply pad-driven, warm and modular sound to match. A dazzling work of odd-timed cosmickery and varied sonics.
Review: Vancouver Dj/producer Yu Su has previously impressed via occasional contributions to the Mood Hut-affiliated Libra Mix series. This is the DJ/producer's debut solo release and boasts two high-grade cuts on one single-sided People's Potential Unlimited 12". Opener "Infi Love" is typical of the hazy, dusty and spacey Vancouver deep house sound - all soft focus intergalactic chords, vintage drum machine percussion, cut-up female vocal samples and undulating analogue bass. The jazziness continues on "Soon (MOA Mix)", where wonderfully hazy trumpet samples and horizontal chords trickle down over a bossa-inspired beat. As you might expect, it's seriously evocative and atmospheric.
Review: The French deep house label D3 Elements is now a decade old and to mark the occasion it has assembled a superb three part EP series featuring plenty of talents both new and old. The second EP kick off with some Japanese stylings from Koizumi Yukiko and his piano laced bongo workout '526'. Taelue sets off on a deep and heavy bassline pulse that will make floors march and Nemanja Krstic's 'Aquae Sulis' brings some jazzy chord work and bubbling funk bass for a nice heartfelt vibe. Gnork shuts down with a skittish, stripped back broken beat that makes this another diverse offering.
Review: French producer Yuksek has released rather a lot of music over the last 15 years, though this appears to be his first ever collection of re-edits. You'll want to check tasty opener "How I Love To Dance", a lolloping rendition of a quirky and obscure disco number rich in Patrick Adams style instrumentation and well-placed dub delays, while the drum-heavy "The Beat" features waves of wonky percussion, a pulsating bassline and plenty of sweaty FX. Elsewhere, "Think Of You" is a head-bobbing revision of an AOR disco/disco-rock cut that sounds like it could have been re-edited by Eric Duncan, and "Dance In Disco" is a seductive Gallic disco chugger rich in heavily accented English vocals and jazzy electric piano solos.
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