VC 118A Schallplatten & CDs

Review: When it comes to crafting melodious, emotion-stirring music, few producers are quite as capable as Samuel van Dijk AKA VC-118A. His latest album, "Inside" - his third in total and first for Delsin - offers further proof of his mastery of the craft. The set's genius lies in van Dijk's ability to flit between dark and light, joy and pain. So while some tracks are warm, fuzzy and far-sighted in the classically futurist vibe of the best Motor City electro, many others feel poignant and melancholic. It's a deep and colourful blend that guarantees an emotive ride from straight to finish. Check, for example, the yearning sadness at the heart of "Time Variant", the atmospheric ambience of "Integrated Circuits", the stripped-back and spaced-out brilliance of "Inside" and the swelling dancefloor hustle of "Dither".

Review: The TRUST XY series continues to yield outstanding explorations of where electro can and should head from here, guided by some of the best on the business. This project is all about crossing over interesting artists for unique results and so we get to see what happens when the likes of Versalife and Stenny pool their considerable talents. One of the most intriguing link ups is Microthol and Clatterbox, who lay down a full-fat, inventive strain of big room electro, while Alex Cortex and D Tiffany lock into something more streamlined and effective for the DJs out there. DL-MS and VC-118A are the ones to bring the deep side of the spectrum with their gorgeous 'Tides'.