OSUNLADE Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Following on from his recent collaborative outing with Jonasclean, James Curd now finds himself working with the deep house legend and Yoruba master Osunlade on a new track for Get Physical. 'Chocolate Puddin'' is a joyous and organic cut with life-affirming vocals that borrow heavily from gospel while Afro-house synths and drums unfold below. Three remixes take it into different territory with Kai Alce offering his signature smoothness, a Yoruba Soul mix going big on the lush chords and FNX Omar getting tribal. All in all, it adds up to a varied package and another great outing for Curd.

Review: Celebrating 25 years of two of the most influential house labels around, this joint double-pack from London’s R2 and Osunlade’s Yoruba Records is a heavyweight offering that bridges soulful roots and dancefloor depth. Karizma’s long-awaited ‘Spirit’ appears in multiple forms—his original gospel-powered burner, a Josh Milan remix (as Honeycomb), and a dub version featuring Nicholas Ryan Gant, all radiating righteous, late-night warmth. The second R2 cut, ‘W!thout !t’ is stripped and punchy, full of Karizma’s trademark percussive invention. Yoruba’s side sees Osunlade light up the system with ‘Electricity’ and ‘Sumpin’ Like Dis’, both steeped in rhythm and spiritual uplift. Afefe Iku’s ‘823’ dives deep into his signature twilight textures, while Karizma’s Baltimore remix of Mr. Flip’s ‘Drippin’’ closes the set on a loose and funky high. It’s a snapshot of two defining voices in house music—rich in groove, spirit and intention.

Review: Osunlade's latest release continues his transformative journey, evolving from a major-label ghostwriter to one of deep house's most spiritually attuned and culturally conscious figures. His Yoruba Records imprint has long been a conduit for globally infused, soul-drenched house music, but here he turns inward, stripping things back to something more meditative while maintaining his signature warmth. 'Wiggle Room' opens with rhythmic vocals, strings and congas that gently invite movement. The pace slows in 'PASS!!,' building a quiet tension, before 'Hang Nail' introduces Middle Eastern-inspired melodies and sharp, punchy beats. 'Luv' offers a burst of warmth with lush chords and smooth vocals, capturing the essence of that classic deep sound. In 'She Represents,' heavy 303 basslines pay tribute to Shirley Chisholm, intertwining excerpts from her iconic speech with commanding rhythms. 'So Long...Stranger' reflects on the isolation of the pandemic, a quiet moment of introspection, before 'Modular Movements' closes the collection with an emotionally charged resolution. This set offers a journey that balances movement and stillness, reflecting Osunlade's own pathideep, unhurried and reverent, like the house music he's crafted throughout his career.