Back catalogue:

Review: Founded in 2023, Category 1 Music (C1M) builds on deep roots in house music, focusing on soulful house vocal productions on a fine international scale. Beyond digital releases, they're now diving into vinyl with a series of exclusive drops; the first is a Category 1 Music Sampler, a 12" of four standouts by Terry Dexter, Michael Gray, Dr Packer, Richard Earnshaw, and DJ Spinna. Organic but still well cooked Ibiza house predominates the set menu, whether by way of the ultrasoul wateriness of Terry Dexter's 'You Saved Me' or the tighter but still dreamy entreaties of Shawn Christopher's 'He's Got It', both translated in exquisite mashup form by the likes of Gray and Packer.

Review: Depeche Mode's standout album Violator (1989) produced the landmark song 'Personal Jesus', and with its catchy bluesy riff and innovative but rare use of guitar by the otherwise great synthpop act, the song would upend and expand at the edges of an already well-varied sound. With lyrics inspired by 'Elvis And Me' by Priscilla Presley, exploring themes of devotion and stardom, while the record's controversial promotions saw the band take out personal ads, as well as advertise a phone number through which fans could hear the song. Now Matt Early (aka. Funky Wogan and Hardbag), DJ, producer and remixer extraordinaire of Far Horizon and Sub London fame, lays down an ingenious edit backed by the original number on the flip. Limited numbers on this furtive output, so keep your shopping cart fingers poised...

Review: Brian Ellis, known for his multi-instrumental work as part of Birdbone Unlimited on Star Creature, steps out with a solo release that channels West Coast flair into a bold reinterpretation of early 80s dancefloor energy. Revisiting Bobby O's production 'Love Is The Drug' for Roni Griffith's 1982 hit, Ellis transforms the original into a shimmering blend of Italectro and funk-driven electrobass, a proto-freestyle fandango filtered through Ellis' signature analog sensibility. A high-gloss, synth-laced homage results on orange gamboge vinyl; a replenishing source of sunny sonic vitamin D.

Review: The mysterious EMI has been turning out cutting-edge minimal and tech weapons for a while on the likes of PlayedBy and Contur, and this one takes him to the fledgling Draganenii label for a pair of elongated, long-form workouts for mind and body. 'ElVis#1' is all snappy drums and rasping bass, watery pads and moody synth atmospherics that are constantly shifting. The flip side is another epic piece, but this time is more stripped back and deep, dubby and otherworldly with smeared pads and abstract designs all keeping the mind busy while the synthetic grooves roll on.

Review: Rotterdam-based techno label Arts returns with an EP from its founder, Emmanuel, including a remix from special guest German musician Shed. 4 cuts of banging big room techno, the first four tunes don't do anything radical, but they don't need to. These are tracks for DJs looking for fast-paced techno with big kicks, grooved-out percussion & dubby chords. The last track, 'Mascara', is probably the pick of the bunch, a surprising but very much welcome drum & bass cut that wouldn't sound out of place on techno-inspired drum & bass labels like Samurai Music or UVB-76.

Review: Encee serves up a superb debut here on the nascent but already impressive Only Cuts Records. It's lush, funky vibes all the way here with 'Carlito' tapping into a classic soulful sound and drenched in loved-up vocals. 'Zhanet' has fizzy, sugary synths darting through the mix as warm drums bounce in neat patterns and 'Hov' then brings some blissful summer synth work and cut up stabs that energise the party without ever starting from deep and rich musicality. 'Meshell' is a perfect vocal cut for summer deployment with wispy chords, r&b vocal chops and colourful bass.

Review: A timeless German trance anthem receives a fresh twist with two new extended remixes. Amirali's remix brings a deep, melodic reinterpretation. It slows the tempo slightly, trading the euphoric urgency of the original for a more introspective atmosphere. Subtle synth layers ripple through the mix, while a haunting arpeggio dances delicately over a driving yet restrained beat. REZarin's version keeps closer to the uplifting trance roots. The iconic melody is front and center, with shimmering pads and a pulsating bassline that builds towards soaring peaks. The breakdown retains the nostalgic essence of the original, swelling with warmth before bursting into an energetic drop that's tailor-made for festivals. Both remixes nod to the chilled legacy of Ibiza sunset mecca Cafe Del Mar while adding modern textures i Amirali offers reflection, REZarin delivers exhilaration.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve split at the top but otherwise in excellent condition***


The man best known as Convextion assumes his ERP aka Event Related Potential alias for four more next level cuts that find him pushing his electro electronics ever more into the future. 'V/Eight' opens with a melancholic bassline under busy drum programming to get things going. 'Equiponderance' is more complex with squirming electronics, more hefty bass notes and serene background pads adding a third dimension. 'Engine Vibration' is a more gritty mix of busy analogue machinery and star-gazing chords then 'Enfield' closes with optimistic sonics and propulsive bouncy bass to end this cosmic cruise on a high.

Review: Chicago house legend and self-proclaimed house gangster DJ Sneak has been in great form of late with some raw, loopy grooves recapturing his best work. His purple patch now continues with the launch of a new label, Esconditis, which we reckon is going to be about fun edits and mash-ups for him to work into his party-starting sets. Four pop vocal cuts launch the series as massive tracks by Beyonce, Little Dragon, Timberlake and Tokischa get the Sneak makeover. They are all infused with his signature sonic touches - chunky, swung rhythms, groovy basslines and relentless, pounding kicks, but finished with standout vocals.

Review: For its tenth release, the label showcases Chilean producer Existencia Pasajera, an artist steadily rising in the electronic music scene. This release features five diverse tracks that highlight his signature style, blending deep textures with dynamic rhythms. A standout is the co-production with Dismal, adding a compelling layer to the project. Together, the tracks offer a well-rounded glimpse into Existencia Pasajera's evolving sound, balancing experimentation with dancefloor appeal. This release not only marks a milestone for the label but also solidifies Existencia Pasajera's position as a promising talent to watch.

Review: Headek Records second release is as good as its first, with The Eyes of Goa's Syncrosonix EP diving into deep, hypnotic Goa trance sounds. Both standout tracks-'Syncrosonix' and 'Goagoa'-come in dual versions that merge the raw energy of classic Goa with bleep-laced techno futurism. It's a heady blend of bold basslines and acid-drenched sequences on both parts of 'Syncrosonix' with turbocharged drums sweeping you off your feet. 'Goagoa' is all shimmering bleeps and sleek synths so the result is a high-intensity, time-warping experience that pulls you into a vortex of rhythm and light that will expand your mind. These tunes really celebrate trance's timeless transformative power.

Review: Rushing from the starting blocks as though life depended on it, Kahler opens the scoring with the perfectly balanced and fine-tuned 'Mosaic', a driving, percussive techno workout that's direct and peak time yet also minimal and patient, poised even. Grillac follows suit, keeping things ghostly with plenty of energy coming from the top ends, while using a vocal hook to add a little rave bounce. By now, it's probably clear R 0 01 is a strong collection of belters, and the remainder do nothing to quash that belief. Lorenzo Mancino and Exos arguably unleash the most fury - tracks that feel like stepping into a warehouse party in 1999 with a nose full of whizz and stomach full of pills - while BENKHLIFA keeps it more heads down and Berlin.

Review: 'Theme' is a 1999 techno classic from Mion aka Edit Select that was originally released on Music Man. 26 years on, it still sounds future and chimes with the deep tech sound of now, so has been remastered and offered up alongside new remixes from Vil, Earwax and Deniro. The original is a textured, loose and chunky techno stomper with fuzzy pads and imperfect edges. Vil's version has wispy synths and static electricity fizzing around a deep mid-tempo groove and cavernous sub bass. Earwax brings a widescreen serenity and supple depth, and Deniro ups the melodic quota with shimmering synth modulations.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Uruguayan label Eviterno Records makes a striking debut with a split EP featuring esteemed producers Stonem and Elias Sternin, and it's another that makes us take note of what is going on down there in South America. Stonem takes the A-side with two meticulously crafted tech house tracks. 'Banana Afair' energises with deep basslines while 'Jolgorio' fuses acid sequences and intricate drum patterns that embody the Uruguayan groove. On the B-side, Sternin delivers 'Quema Madera,' a hypnotic, acid-driven cut with commanding basslines before closing with 'Acufenos,' a melodic yet intense finale. This debut release has our attention and locked in for what comes next.

Review: Jakarta-based Ecilo returns to Voyager Recordings with a new album that taps into a familiar style - sci-fi atmospheres with dancefloor-ready techno - but he does it with rare skill. He's been honing this style since 2008 on labels like AXIS, ARTS and Planet Rhythm and these latest tunes have had early plays from dons such as Luke Slater, Ben Sims and Svreca. 'Taken' sets the seen and launches you into deep space, and the rest of the EP powers on with the singing circuit boards of 'Fractal Mesh' quick to mesmerise, the purposeful low end throb of 'Something We Don't Understand' impossible to escape from and 'Ready The Armada' channeling archetype Jee Mills style comic techno minimalism.

Review: Drissi El-Abbass's Rai Sidi Bel Abbes - Volume 2 is a superb eight-track compilation that tells the evolutionary story of Rai music from the late 1970s to the 1990s. Released by Nashazphone on four sides of wax, it highlights El-Abbassi's soft vocals and innovative fusion of traditional Algerian music with electronic elements which came after he started his career with Les Aigles Noirs and later collaborated with guitarist Ahmed Zergui. El-Abbassi embraced synthesisers and drum machines to shape a modern Rai sound that has stood the test of time and tracks like 'Maak Probleme' and 'Datli Laakal' blend nostalgic melodies with bold production to offer a vivid portrait of Rai's creative transformation.

Review: Drawing on influences from the global Cumbia scene that took root in Buenos Aires over a decade ago, El Buho presents a collection of tracks that blend entrancing traditional rhythms with modern electronic textures. The opener, 'La Cumbia Del Cafe Martinez,' sets a hypnotic tone, while 'Anglo-Colombian Expedition' merges lively tropical elements with intricate production. The darker 'La Cumbia De La Ansiedad' and earthy 'Porro Del Tucan' follow, offering variety while remaining grounded in Cumbia's roots. The remixes elevate the experience further. ARN4L2's atmospheric interpretation of 'La Cumbia Del Cafe Martinez' opens up the track into a spacious, reflective journey, while Auntie Flo's remix of 'Anglo-Colombian Expedition' adds a rhythmic intensity. La Jungla's energetic remix of 'La Cumbia De La Ansiedad' and Lagartijeando's hypnotic take on 'Porro Del Tucan' offer new perspectives on the original compositions too, making this a digital Cumbia milestone.