The Mechanical Man - "Fire Ground Survival" (feat Melloghetto - dub) (4:39)
MAN DA - "Pressure Jazz" (6:14)
LDF - "Basic Groove
" (4:44)
Review: Tales is back with its third musical story and this time it is various artists who take care of the authorship. Marsupials kicks off with the whimsical cosmic pads of 'Lately I Think Of You' which bumps on rubbery beats with nice analogue claps. The Mechanical Man's 'Fire Ground Survival' (feat Melloghetto - dub) is a Chicago referencing deep house delight with naive melodies captivating the mind. MAN DA's 'Pressure Jazz' brings more synth energy with pixelated smears and amped-up stabs while LDF's 'Basic Groove' is indeed but still has a unique energy from the zippy leads and dusty drums.
Massimino - "Take Me Away" (feat O Jay - Dark Swing mix) (7:35)
MCJ - "Sexitivity" (feat Sima - Deep remix) (5:32)
Sima - "Give You Myself" (Maxx Suite version) (6:07)
David Syon - "Swinground" (Gemolotto & De Point mix) (6:58)
Review: Groovin Italy are the foremost label in our ranks to set their sights upon digging up and refining the very best sonic gemstones out there. Said blood diamond seam is the mythical yet plentiful vein known as deep house; here our local artisanal miners revitalise the precious contribs that especially once made splendid the faded gods of Italo house. From Italian DJ and producer Massimino Lippoli, a key figure in Italy's early house and progressive scene, to MCJ & Sima, Italian house duo, and Sima, who doubled up as vocalist and productive powerhouse, every track here is unerathed in mostly pre-polished, with the end jewellers over at Groovin needing very little work to do. David Syon's 'Swinground' closes things on a naive, part misshapen maccle, with what sound like hand-programmed brasses and pogo-synths played in above a twitchy but happy groove.
Review: Oenologie makes a classy debut here with an EP of timeless house sounds that lean on jazz, soul and darker vibes for their character. It comes from a pair of talents who take one side each with Lucas Moinet kick-off. 'The Djoon' (937 main mix) is all feel-good drums with plenty of playful skip, neat melodies and slinky finger clicks. 'Dance Culture' (dub mix) then rides on more dreamy and late-night vibes but still with fresh melodies and a rich sense of atmosphere. Daerin's 'Foret Nebuleuse' is darker cut with a searching lead synth unfurling over slow-motion beatdown drums. His second cut 'Hypnose Des Bois' is another mystic one that layers up exotic melodies and warped basslines into something ready to hypnotise.
Neg & Franz Di Maio - "A Bright Spot" (Paradise edit) (6:40)
Neg - "Echoes Of Thoughts" (5:02)
Neg & Marco Spinetti - "1112" (5:27)
Neg & Franz Di Maio - "A Bright Spot" (DJ Soch remix) (6:41)
Neg & Franz Di Maio - "A Bright Spot" (DJ Rou On The Surface remix) (6:54)
Review: Hello to Metrica Recordings, a new label from Italy that wants to win hearts and minds with its take on minimal and tech house. It begins with an EP featuring Negs on all cuts but with various collaborators. Franz Di Maio is first on the classically inclined deep house of 'A Bright Spot', while 'Echoes Of Thoughts' is a solo cut with more early Chicago synths and dusty drums. Marco Spinetti steps up to help on the more marching and moody '1112' and two remixes of 'A Bright Spot' shut down with a blend of Balearic and Italo style.
Review: Sound Metaphors is reissuing this hidden gem which originally came on Interactive Test, a once esteemed and daily cult Italian label. It offers diverse flavours in house music influenced by various samples and classic melodies. The A-side opens with deep house that echoes the atmospheric US underground of Chicago and Detroit from back in the day. The Percapella Mix pays homage to Canadian disco legend Gino Soccio with a prominent sample from 'There's a Woman'. On the B-side, the tempo slows for deeper explorations of acid house with layers of synths, percussive samples, and vocals from distant countries adding some exotic flair.
Review: Italian producer Nu-Cleo continues his ascent with a welcome return to Chiwax, who last put out his Total Control EP back in 2020. Since then the Bari-based Michele Lamacchia has been spotted on Aural Vision, Eat More House, Leisure Records and Pleasant Systems, always bringing a tru-skool attitude to his vision of deep house where things can get crooked and nasty, but never at the expense of the groove. 'Egotrip' is a boxy, chirpy slice of acid house from the Marshall Jefferson playbook, while 'Deep Code' locks into a smouldering garage swing with some techy synths that wouldn't sound out of place on Guidance. 'Acid Excursions' loosens up the nuts and bolts without derailing the soulful jack, and 'Clouds' is a heavy-lidded B2 joint to melt away to, stealing the show as the standout track of the whole EP.
G-Connection - "Free Your Spirit" (Spirit mix) (6:12)
Snare Dream - "LaLaLa" (Deep Ambient) (5:26)
TiEs - "Trying To" (5:59)
Review: Rebirth invites us to go back, way back, to the Italian underground techno scene of the 90s with this new selection of alternate versions, unheard gems and certified classics. Oneiric & Vortex open up with a tune that brings to mind the warmth of Motor City techno on 'Oasi' before GNMR layer up supersized hi hats and seriously weighty beatdown drums, Populous offers the loopy melodic delight of 'Barragan' and G-Connection heads into the cosmos with the dreamy ambient of 'Free Your Spirit', a perfect mood build if ever we heard one. Two further gorgeously blissed-out post-rave comedown sounds close out this gem of an EP.
Paolino & Gianni Bini - "Love" (Classic mix) (6:33)
Sasha - "Key To Heaven" (6:14)
Paramour & Adrian Morrison - "Transmutation" (7:51)
Open Spaces - "The Far Side Of The Mood" (5:46)
Review: Rebirth's fresh new 12" is a various artists affair that looks back while striding forwards. It is full of the sort of bliss out, dreamy, soft-edge deep house that is perfect for the warmer months and outdoor dances. Paolino & Gianni Bini lead the way with the effortlessly hazy and lush feeling 'Love' (Classic mix) while Sasha's 'Key To Heaven' is a perfect prog house tune that harks back to the heyday of Renaissance. Paramour & Adrian Morrison then link for the more dark and driving 'Transmutation' which has train track drums and suspensory chords always building but never bubbling over. Open Spaces run out with the widescreen and chunky dub house of 'The Far Side Of The Mood.'
Il Letto La Porta La Musica (Don Carlos remix) (5:26)
Losing My Feelings (6:17)
Love Calling (5:46)
Review: This EP from Peter LC is a vibrant and soulful exploration of house music, showcasing the Italian producer's versatility and deep passion for the genre. It's a captivating journey through infectious grooves, uplifting melodies, and soulful vocals. The original mix sets the tone with its irresistible energy, while the Don Carlos remix adds a touch of Latin flair and percussive drive. On the flipside, 'Losing My Feelings' delves into deeper, more introspective territory, its melancholic chords and ethereal vocals creating a mesmerizing atmosphere. 'Love Calling' closes the EP with a feel-good vibe, its warm melodies and soulful vocals leaving the listener on a high note. This is a must-have for any house music enthusiast, showcasing the diverse sounds and infectious energy of the Italian scene.
Review: The mighty Wax Classic label is a gold mine for unadulterated house goodness. Next up on the long-running label is Peter LC with a bunch of high-impact cuts. 'Hasta La Playa' opens up with driving drums and sleek synths, 'Piano Ipnotico' has an old school style 90s bassline that mixes nostalgia with future vibes while 'Time In Cologne' is a deeper sound with some low-slung drum funk and warm pads. 'Your Dreams' and 'With Nobody' then bring things to a close with hands-in-the-air piano energy and big rave vibes.
Review: Violet Series is looking back to the tech house heyday for this second in its new series. That is where they find Z. Pisu's 1995 EP Electric Voyage for the Mater Mediterranean Records label he headed. It's an EP that has grown ever more revered over time and will cost you not far off three figures for an original copy. All four of the original tracks feature here from the low-key, piano-laced depths of 'Electric Voyage' to the more edgy and amped up, crisp and driving tech of 'Count Again.' Things get more dark, heads down and twisted on 'Sunrise' then it's heads up and arms in the air for the joyous closer 'Fuckin' All Music.'
Review: Ultra-slick but also jam-packed, sample-heavy deep house from elusive Italian production duo Rainforest here. Unfortunately, this talented pair dropped off the map after only two releases in the early 90s; this new slice of lightweight legitness now emerges after Rezpektiva got their mitts on the vaults of the Discomagic sublabel Out, for which the duo recorded this EP. Freer on the use of samples and less tethered to the grid than most contemporary producers could possibly be now, their star tune 'Lover' appears in three variant forms here, each flaunting a different side of said high-fashioned musical triangulation.
Review: After an outstanding debut on M.A.D Records earlier this year, Rakim Under is back with the first instalment of his edits series, 'Rakim Redun Vol.1'. Comprised of five edits set to move any dancefloor, these are soft-edged and playful knockers of the cut-up variety, with each of the five edits nodding to everything from medley-style breaks resampleage to early acid house subjections. Notable is Under's edit of 'House Teachin'', the original of which we can't track down, whereas the remix of which is stellar as it is robotically spoken-n'-spelled. Then come the increasingly celestial and piano-packed moods, most notable among which has to be, undendiably, the version of 'Celestial Ocean'. We bask and float in it gladly.
Review: The superb and ever-hard-to-pin-down Shall Not Fade label is racing on towards its 100th real and this 96th outing sure does come with a big old sense of celebration and joy. It's a fresh collaborative outing between Rhode & Brown & Kid Simius who gets hands in the air with big piano stabs and 90s dance vibes on 'Eurostar'. Things take an Italo turn on 'Delfino Bianco' which is a more melodic and breezy retro-future Beatrice house cuts. 'Suite Tropical' slows it down further with an even more breezy and carefree slice of sunset house that warms the heart. A pair of 'Eurostar' remixes find Jex Opolis going big and Demi Requisimo bringing scuffed-up garage-tinged grooves.
Review: This top-drawer reissue digs into the vaults of the legendary UMM Records label. It comes from 1992 and is an impassioned, steamy deep house by Rhythm 3 Request aka Carlo Montagner, Gibo Rosin, Maurizio Sacchi and Paolo Verlanzi. They released just three EPs, all within about a year of each other, but this one has more than withstood the test of time. 'Desafinado' comes in several forms with an After Hours mix laced with lush chords, the Hastenia have more drive but no less romance to it and the Red Zone is only a subtle tweak before Tribal Tracks gets more trippy.
Review: Semi Delicious return for their 19th outing in label head Demi Riquisimo's 'Perilous Joy' EP. The five-track release effortlessly meshes the classic influences synonymous with the now set-in-stone Semi Delicious sound with a nonetheless singular expression unique to Riquisimo themself. On the A come 'Sinewinder' & 'Direct Fix', a pair of four-to-the-floor tools. 'Sinewinder' brings a more diva-ish, big-room affected track, while 'Direct Fix' errs on the side of depth with a head-turning bassline. The flip kicks off with 'Perilous Joy', offering a nod to the sonics of the dreamy, progressive Italian house of yesteryear. Up finally is 'Thyme After Time', and with it more psychedelic house delvings. Finally, the artist lowers the pace on the Balearic chugger 'Autoglide'.
The Soundstealers - "Steal It An' Deal It" (Sahara dance mix) (5:35)
The Soundstealers - "Steal It An' Deal It" (Sahara dub mix) (4:59)
Amazonia - "Amazonia" (dance version) (5:52)
Amazonia - "Amazonia" (Good Block remix) (7:10)
Review: After a debut release that got plenty of people talking, Heels & Souls now serve up a reissue 12". It explores the work of Frankfurt's under the radar production trio Manfred Holz, Michael Buchner and Jurgen Blomke who work under two different names here. The EP is a real treasure trove of gold for deep diggers, with obscure synth and electro disco flavours on the 80s tinged ''Steal It An Deal It'.' It comes as two different versions and both are hugely characterful. 'Amazonia' that draws on dreamy Italo house and Balearic bliss bout beats for a new age trip that is first class.
Review: The unrelenting amount of music that comes out of the Chiwax camp is astonishing, especially as it is all high-grade stuff that does a fine job in the club. St David brings the heat this time right from the off. 'The Groove Goes On' pairs a classic thumping deep house vibe with some fresh synth sounds and sustained chords that bring the soul. 'Summer Nights Fall layers up some colourful xylophone-style melodies over more sweet cruising beats and 'Tech No Pease' taps into a signature Detroit sound with warm machine sounds and dusty drums working in perfect harmony. 'A Touch Of Jazz' is a noodling closer with exquisite piano keys delicately played next to filtered synths.
Sueno Latino (Derrick May Illusion First mix) (11:17)
Sueno Latino (Derrick May Emotion Second mix) (4:31)
Sueno Latino (Derrick May Final Third mix) (4:54)
Review: There are some seriously heavyweight names on this as the one and only Detroit techno innovator Derrick May stepped up to remix some material originally by the late great ambient pioneer Manuel Goettsching. Sueno Latino is the source tune and it came in three new and different versions by the acclaimed Transmat boss, all of which now get reissued here as the original will be hard to find and expensive if you do. His Illusion First Mix, Emotion Second Mix and Final Third Mix all bring something fresh to this vital 12". Do not sleep on it.
Review: GLBDOM sub-label GLBDOM Classic is dedicated to nostalgic house sounds inspired by the great styles of Chicago, Detroit and New York vibes, with hints of Italo-Dream house and even the Balearics. We get all that here on this new split EP from French house producer Sunny Galaxy and Englishman Dan T. Sunny opens up with some happy, piano-laced party starters, well-swung garage-house grooves and steamy basement jams, then Dan T offers a B-side trio headed up by the gloriously vocal laced 'Wrong Time.' 'My Desire' cuts up the groove with some nice raw percussion and 'Want To Love You' is a sultry and jazz-tinged number for lovers.
Tutto Un Deja Vu (Sparkling Attitude Italo Rave remix)
Magica (Gledd remix)
Review: Tamati's Notte in Riviera EP on the ever-stronger young label Saint Wax is a perfect bit of Balearic house escapism. The title track, which translates as 'night on the Riviera', is just that - a humid late-night house cut with some erect female vocals. 'Tutto Un Deja Vu' cuts loose with freewheeling melodies and blissed-out pads, and 'Magica' then goes deep. Italian producer Franz Scala blends 80s vibes with modern sensibilities like few others as he shows on his remix of the title cut, then Sparkling Attitude and Gledd add their own fresh versions.
Review: While quite a few of Type-303's releases have been heavily dependent on twisted acid lines and jacking drums, his latest missive looks to colourful Italian dream house and nostalgic 1990s deep house for inspiration. The results are predictably impressive, from the lilting synth-trumpet melodies, carnivalesque percussion, sturdy house beats and hands-aloft piano riffs of 'Is It Magic' (a kind of 21st century update of the classic Don Carlos sound), to the eyes-closed, sun-up gorgeousness of Mediterranean house classic-in-the-making 'Summer Nights'. Sandwiched in between you'll find the acid bass-propelled early morning hedonism of 'Garden of Love' and the breakbeat-driven dream house revivalism of 'Sexy Sax', where rubbery synth-bass and squally synthesised saxophone sounds catch the ear.
Review: Verrazzano is back with a second issue in its summer EP series, this time from Type-303. His Lost In Paradise is a four-track EP catering to sophisticated tastes with opener 'Acid Disco Time' blending a familiar disco groove with an acid twist and featuring Seinfeld-esque bass slaps and rising energy to create a spacey, glittering dance experience. 'Lost In Paradise' transports listeners to turquoise waters with enticing mermaid melodies, echoing ancient Minoan bliss. 'Spirit Dance' follows with ethereal flutes and otherworldly harmonies, creating a deep, introspective journey. Finally, 'Wild Horses' celebrates untamed energies, reminding us to cherish the wild essence of music and life.
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: Following the success of the Ciao Italia. Generazioni Underground album, Rebirth is excited to release three additional 'Bonus' parts this year, on a limited edition vinyl press. Bonus Quattro continues connecting two distant yet neighbouring generations: the seminal early '90s, and the modern day from a futuristic perspective. On side A, there's some early classics by the likes of Nikita Warren on the emotive old school feelings of 'I Need You' (Flute Mix) and Lorenzo Morresi on the downbeat swagger of 'Tento Brass'. On the flip, Alex Neri & Marco Baroni serve up the proper uplifting house of 'Lamar' while Spinapsys appears with the life-affirming 'Whenever' (Asha) that's a true zeitgeist of a golden era.
Review: Chiwax are back this week with a more than welcome reissue of Wax Fruit's one-and-only release Whispers from 1994. This was one of many aliases sussed by Toronto-based producer Ron Allen, who some of you may know for his seminal work as one half of Psyance (with Hayden Andre Brown) who released on Plus 8, as well as his work under the names Aztech, The Apache Project and The R.A.S.E. The late night mood music of the title track is a true zeitgeist from the period in which it was released, while the looped-up disco sampling deep house of 'Just A Party' or 'Mindgames' over on the flip were equally as trendsetting as anything fellow Torontonians like Nick Holder or DJ Sneak were making at the time.
Kings Of Tomorrow - "I Hear My Calling" (feat Sean Grant) (6:18)
Free Energy - "Happiness" (7:41)
Omegaman - "Into The AM" (6:18)
Presence - "How To Live" (2022 remaster) (9:16)
Review: Wild Pitch Club is next up in the excellent and ling running Running Back Mastermix series. It's a legendary space that has very much defined the Frankfurt and wider german scene and was also something of a predecessor venue to the new well-loved Robert Johnson. That club was itself a place where Panorama Bar's very own nd_baumecker really made waves and it is they alongside co-founder Ata who have curated these tunes. The venue was hooked on the US sounds and often hosted the likes of Robert Hood and Claude Young to Kerri Chandler all of which shows in the sounds of the tunes.
The True Underground Sound Of Rome - "Gladiators" (feat Stefano Di Carlo)
Eagle Parade - "I Believe"
DJ Le Roy - "Yo The Quiero" (feat Bocachica - Detroit Verion)
Green Baize - "Synthetic Rhythm"
MCJ - "Sexitivity" (feat Sima - Deep mix)
Kwanza Posse - "Wicked Funk" (feat Funk Master Sweat - Afro Ambient mix)
Progetto Tribale - "The Bird Of Paradise"
MBG - "The Quiet"
Review: Whereas the first volume of Italian house pioneer Don Carlos's retrospective of Italian house, Echoes of Italy, largely stuck to the picturesque but chunky and organ-rich "Italo-house" template, this second volume expressly focuses on "paradise house" - what Young Marco and Christiaan MacDonald dubbed "dream house" on their superb Welcome To Paradise series. As you'd expect given his association with the sound, Carlos's selections are notably different (and arguably less well known) than theirs, even if some of the same artists feature. It's cultured, tactile and loved-up dancefloor dreaminess all the way, with highlights including the slow-build wonder of Onrico's saucer-eyed 'Echo Gimini', the low-slung groove of Alex Neri's 'The Wizard (Hot Funky Version)', the piano-laden, breakbeat-driven shuffle of Moto Grosso's 'Titanic', and Carlos's own gorgeous, organ-heavy 'Boy'.
Carol Bailey - "Understand Me (Free You Mind)" (Dreams Piano remix)
The True Underground Sound Of Rome - "Secret Doctrine" (feat Stefano Di Carlo)
Don Carlos - "Boy"
Lady Bird - "Jazzy Doll" (Odyssey dub)
Montego Bay - "Everything" (Paradise mix - CD2: The Birds Of Paradise)
Atelier - "Got To Live Together" (club mix)
Golem - "Music Sensations"
The True Underground Sound Of Rome - "Gladiators" (feat Stefano Di Carlo)
Eagle Parade - "I Believe"
DJ Le Roy - "Yo Te Quiero" (feat Bocachica - Detroit version)
Green Baize - "Synthetic Rhythm"
MCJ - "Sexitivity" (feat Sima - Deep mix)
Kwanza Posse - "Wicked Funk" (feat Funk Master Sweat - Afro Ambient mix)
Progetto Tribale - "The Bird Of Paradise"
MBG - "The Quiet"
Review: Italian house didn't need the glitz of Ibiza or the muscle of Chicago and Detroit. It carved out its own spaceismoky, dreamlike, and effortlessly cool. This collection captures the full spectrum of that golden era, from the hypnotic tribal rhythms of Progetto Tribale's 'The Sweep' to the shimmering, euphoric synths of Onirico's 'Echo'. There's the deep, rolling pulse of Don Carlos' 'Boy', the jazz-infused elegance of Lady Bird's 'Jazzy Doll (Odyssey Dub)', and the raw energy of Green Baize's 'Synthetic Rhythm'. Elsewhere, 'Titanic' by Mato Grosso offers an atmospheric voyage, while 'The True Underground Sound of Rome' delivers deep, sophisticated grooves. These weren't just club tracks; they were portals to another world. Whether it was the funky shuffle of Alex Neri's 'The Wizard', the soulful pianos of Carol Bailey's 'Understand Me (Free Your Mind)', or the after-hours pulse of MCJ's 'Sexitivity', this was music made by studio obsessives who understood that house wasn't just a soundiit was a feeling. Underground, inventive, and deeply emotional, this collection is a snapshot of an era where the Italian touch brought warmth, sensuality and an undeniable groove to dancefloors worldwide.
Don Carlos - "Purple Day" (Don Carlos edit) (8:26)
Deep Aural Penetration - "Let Your Body Be Free" (Don Carlos edit - club Xero mix) (4:43)
Be Noir - "It's Gonna Be Alright" (Don Carlos edit - Don Carlos Rimini 4.00 Am mix) (6:38)
Deep Aural Penetration - "All I Want To Do" (Don Carlos edit - Josh Wink HERE mix) (5:28)
Love Nation - "Everything 4 U" (Don Carlos edit - remix) (5:54)
More Heavy Soul - "Magic Tonight" (Don Carlos edit - Irregular dub) (6:45)
Outdance - "Pump The Jumping" (Don Carlos edit - Sexy No dirty mix) (5:51)
FITZ - "The Reigh Forest (Fitzcarraldo)" (Don Carlos edit) (5:58)
Review: Don Carlos will always be best known as the legendary Italian producer behind the enduring Balearic and Italo/dream house classic 'Alone' which was, rather impressively, his first ever release. Here we get to hear some of his favourite tunes on another vital volume of this series from his longtime home label Irma Records. All the tracks on this essential double pack have been re-edited by Don Carlos himself, especially for this occasion with highlights from the likes of Deep Aural Penetration, Love Nation and Outdance.
Carol Bailey - "Understand Me (Free Your Mind)" (Dreams Piano remix) (6:22)
The True Underground Sound Of Rome - "Secret Doctrine" (feat Stefano Di Carlo) (6:05)
Don Carlos - "Boy" (6:17)
Lady Bird - "Jazzy Doll" (Odyssey dub) (7:16)
Review: Italo house has enjoyed quite a resurgence in the last few years, with plenty of new releases popping up that sound convincingly authentic in their production and aesthetic. It's always nice to savour the real deal, though, and it doesn't get much more real than the one and only Don Carlos when it comes to direct-from-the-source dreamy 90s peninsula house. Here, the Don compiles a comprehensive selection of classics from the genre. With shimmering pads, soulful vocals and synth-flute leads aplenty, this bygone LP is steeped in both nostalgia and not-so-subtle reminders that not too many of the more recent pretenders have added a great deal to the form. Highlights permeate the comp, from Montego Bay's 'Everything' to Kwanzaa Posse's 'Wicked Funk'. The unabashed positivity of Golem's 'Music Sensations' makes for a welcome addition, as does the driving synth energy of Eagle Parade's 'I Believe'. In truth, the LP doesn't put a foot wrong, transporting listeners to the balmy hedonism of golden-age Rimini. Though it's never good to generalise, the old adage 'Italians do it better' certainly seems apt here.
Review: L.I.E.S man Tom Carruthers is back on his home label with a new double LP, Downtown Rhythms, that predictably pushes boundaries with a sound rooted in late 80s-early 90s New York House. Carruthers reimagines heavy-duty samples throughout here as he crafts tracks that echo the vibes of Todd Terry and Bones SP-1200. This 12-track collection blends funky, deep, and introspective elements and is rather suited for summer whether blasting from your car stereo or filling the club. True to old-school production, it features additional work from Risk Management's Benedek and Lipelis on some of the jams.
Review: Long time German electronic innovator is back on Running Back with a very welcome new mini-LP, Cyclone Days. The Frankfurt man mixes up his usual influences - indie-dance, Italo, power pop and house - into fresh and colourful new sounds. Melody rules OK across these cuts as they take in vocal gems and instrumental beats with lottos joyfulness along the way. 'Somebody' with Dena is a standout and timeless anthem for any dance floor, then 'Resonancer' has a retro-future disco-house vibe and 'Friends' is so perfectly pleasing it cannot fail to make you smile.
Review: Born and raised on the dusty, baking hot island of Malta, Melchior Sultana has long been associated with a brand of warming, emotion-rich deep house that values head-soothing niceness as much as sturdy dancefloor chops. The producer's latest album, Self-Reflection, is naturally rooted in immersive, dreamy and pleasingly tactile deep house, but there's more than enough psychedelic acid lines, crispy analogue sounds and subtle musical variety to avoid accusations of being too "nice". Highlights are plentiful, from the wonderfully sun-soaked, Italian deep house influenced lusciousness of 'You & I' and the organ-splattered New Jersey revivalism of 'Dogma', to the pleasing peak-time bump of 'Remember The Floor' and the spaced-out acid-electro of 'Switch Up'.
Review: South African-born, Paris-based Portable is one of those cultured artists who doesn't release a lot, but when he does, it is more than worth hearing. And this is a bumper new drop from him on Circus Company in the form of Augmented Dreams, a new double album that takes its title from the use of everyday technological advancements "to achieve what were once only dreams or visions of past generations." He goes deep into minimal, techno and ambient to fuse totters the synthetic and the organic, the real, the imagined and the unreal on a richly rewarding album that makes for a complete listening
Workin' Happily - "Make My Move" (Tira dub) (5:24)
Sound Set - "So In Love With You" (club mix) (6:16)
Review: The first volume of this collection of warm and breezy deep house came back in 2019. It was a fine one with a focus on tunes between 1991 and 1993 whereas this one is more broad in scope. It is of course a label run by Nick V's and takes its name from his Mona nights, a series of Parisian parties specialising in the deeper end of the house scale. These tunes come from lesser-known names but arrest who are all well versed in the classic sound. The grooves are cuddly warm, musical in their arrangement and designed for cosy underground spaces and backrooms where close bonds can be made on the dancefloor.
Review: Embark on a journey through Berlin's pulsating house music scene with Italian-born, Berlin-based Luca Olivotto, who infuses his beats with the energy of the city's underground while blending in his Mediterranean roots. This album encapsulates the essence of Olivotto's musical universe: a fusion of cultures, a celebration of diversity, and a testament to the universal language of music. Highlights include 'I'm (Not) Sorry,' which delivers a smooth New York house sound, embodying late-night beauty with its uplifting and deep tones. It's a perfect combination for those seeking a soulful experience. 'Don't Change' offers another excellent eyes-closed house burner, maintaining the album's deep and introspective vibe. Also, 'You & Me' stands out as the hands-up moment in any house set with the peak energy and communal spirit of the dance floor at its heart. Olivotto's ability to command dancefloors as a DJ and evoke emotion as a producer shines through in this double pack.
Review: There is a wealth of talent on show on the third EP from the Fusion Sequence label which has put together this six-track deep house sizzler. The Variable Club' 'Biorhythms' is perfectly warm and dynamic for cosy backroom moments and Alpine DJ then brings an old school piano feel to 'Pepe Nony' before A Vision Of Panorama zones you out on lush chords and reverential keys on 'Kissing The Sun.' The flipside offers the more dark and heads-down 'Many Stories' while the blissed-out and feel-good grooves return with Common Mode's 'Bassface.' Body Corp shuts down with the slower, seductive sounds of 'Take It Or Leave It' which rounds out a top-class EP.
Sueno Latino - "Sueno Latino" (Cutmaster G mix) (6:52)
Alex Neri - "The Wizard" (club mix) (6:19)
Stonehenge - "Free" (instrumental mix) (5:37)
Optik - "Music Harmony & Rhythm" (6:26)
Underground Nation Undertour Sensation - "Save Me" (MB Trip) (5:05)
Frame - "Ws Gordon" (6:51)
Blue Zone - "Feel The Rhythm" (5:27)
Review: Another standout Record Store Day 2021 release here with Ciao Italia: Generazioni Underground bringing together plenty of rare and hugely desirable Italo house gems. The 13 tunes have all been assembled by Brescia based, Rebirth label boss Shield and they take in some unreleased gold as well as super rare material in a retro styled 1990 world cup sleeve. All the mainstays such as DJ Ralf, Alex Neri, Optik, Morenas and SueNo Latino feature. This special double LP comes with a 20 page booklet for extra insight.
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