Back catalogue: Deep House

Review: Mule Musiq has been an ever-present in the electronic underground but has never gone out of favour in the way so many labels do after their initial rise to the top. This new outing for the New Year puts Kasper Bjorke together with El Agua Es Profound for two originals that come with two remixes. 'Pau' is the sort of elegant elecrtronic sound you expect of this label - serene synths and nice clean drums with subtle hooks. The Bella Boo remix bliss things out even further and then 'Andrea' brings some cheery piano chords to a breezy and sunny groove that is perfect for open air dancing under wispy clouds. There is some extra pace to the Longhair Offshore dub for busier dancefloors.

Review: Demi Riquisimo's 'A Lifetime On The Hips' sublabel returns to make it a hat-trick of releases for 2023 with the impressive 'Body Move' V/A, featuring eclectic club cuts from Dreamrdreamr, SY, Papa Nugs, Elfenberg, Absolute. & Ysanne. Dreamdreamr's emotive 'Zone 4 Booty Call' kicks off the A-side; it's a track that effortlessly fuses elements of deep house, trance, and r&'b, setting the the tone perfectly for an EP not bound by the borders of any genre. The titular 'Body Move' by SY is up next; a no-nonsense house chugger with flourishes of Italian 90s progressive and acid - a perfect modern interpretation of a foundational strand of club music. The A-side wraps up with one of 2023's most exciting prospects Papa Nugs and the vocoder infused, percussive, twisted jam 'Loosey Goosey'. The flip picks up right where the A-side left off with Elfenberg's 'Solarplexus', a cosmic, evolving and psychedelic interpretation of house. After, UK mainstay Absolute offers a 'Devastating Rhythm', a peak time techno floor filler that sounds like a Frankenstein mix of seminal imprints Dance Mania & D'jax-Up-Beats' output - proper gear. Finally, drawing the curtain on the 'Body Move' V/A is Ysanne's 'Tisno Tango'; a slightly more introspective cut, but with more than enough groove to make you dance, a perfect closer.

Review: Here comes the Booom!!! Edits label with another sublime selection of deep house burners. This third volume is from the artist who goes by the name of Earls Booom!!! Edits takes the form of four cuts titled 'NEP.' Th opener is awash with smoky pads and sombre chords over a mid-tempo and dusty groove, but things pick up on the second cut with its gorgeous r&b vocals swirling over warm and humid bass and drums as cosmic synth lines rise out of the mix. On the flip, there is a congo-heavy rhythm topped with a deft little r&b hook nice more and the closer brings more pumping grooves but still with a big heart. These are steamy backroom sounds of the highest order.

Review: Matt and Lee join forces with Grammy Award-winning Terry Hunter to unleash a soulful house masterpiece here on Sonic Wax. Their superb collaboration results in a track that exudes pure musical bliss and captivates heart, body and mind with its irresistible grooves and smooth synths. Additionally, Matt and Lee showcase their prowess with a killer Masters At Work-inspired soulful house mix which adds their own unique touch to the genre. Jazz Apple contributes a remarkable Mario Biondi-style jazz mix, perfectly tailored for the jazz and Northern Soul market, and together, these artists deliver a diverse collection of mixes that will undoubtedly make their mark.

Review: Innervisions continue their exploration of house music's myriad sub-genres with this EP from Berlin-based Ede. The title of the record is instructive, as this breakthrough artist from the label's Secret Weapons series seeks to fuse the unmistakable sound of Detroit with an unabashed pop streak. The vocals are front and centre on these tracks, and they sound absolutely huge when strapped to a stadium-sized remix of 'Do My Thing' from the mighty Dixon on the A1. 'Your Love', 'When You Need It' and 'On My Mind' are equally powerful though, charged with those star-scraping synth lines which make Detroit techno such an eternally cherished sound.

Review: Cardiff-born DJ and producer Elkka nonetheless presents a 'DJ Friendly EP' here, reaffirming the need to treat DJs humanely and with respect. This EP is, indeed, literally DJ-friendly (at least, it's certainly friendly to the kind of DJ wanting to electrify dancefloors and not clear them), charting just three monumentally depth-charging cuts, all replete with sassy vocal choppage, sizzlingly chargy lead lines and bass builds and an overall wild energy.

Review: The faultless Razor-N-Tape label has long been one to keep an eye on for fans of all forms of house, disco and plenty in between. This new one from Balearic man Max Essa with slow-motion maestro Eddie C is perfectly timed to arrive as days are getting longer and the sun is out more. It features four lush tunes that roll deep with languid chords, deft little funky guitar riffs and laidback vibes that douse you in all the feels. 'We Live In The Hills' is the standout for us with its fleshy synth work and a sprinkling of tropical percussion.

Review: Groove Arcade's Arcade Sounds Volume 1 showcases a diverse quartet of artists whose talents converge in this captivating deep house offering. Lungo's 'Take It Back' sets the tone with its infectious funk and playful samples, exuding an uplifting and vibrant energy. Mostly James' 'Almost Forgot' takes a more subdued approach, blending techy elements with a pulsating rhythm, creating an irresistible dancefloor anthem. On the flip side, Emi Omar's 'Shonen' exudes a sultry and sensual groove, its techy textures intertwining with a hypnotic beat. Lastly, Hanfry Martinez's "8.20" pays homage to New York's 90s house scene, delivering a classic and groove-laden track that will ignite dance floors. Together, these four tracks form a cohesive collection that embodies the spirit of deep house, providing a vibrant and energetic soundtrack for any occasion.

Review: London's Phonica Records is celebrating being 20 years strong, not only a shop but also a label that serves as a breeding ground for all manner of new musical talents. What better way to mark the commencement of its third decade, then, than with some new music? 20 Years Of Phonica: Sampler 3 pulls together artists from the electronic vanguard, starting with Paramida & E-Talking's 'Read My Lips' which is an acid-laced 90s techno revival. Dauwd's 'Slam' is stripped back and pulses with acid and Daniel Avery's 'Bell' is languid, melodic and gorgeously serene techno. Willow's 'Willbush' is a skeletal minimal rhythm with some nice wobbly bass weight.

Review: The young Soul Touch Productions label knocks it out of the park once more with this new 12" featuring Motor City royals at the top of their game. Terrence Parker kicks off with the beautifully uplifting 'Tonight We Luv' with its streaming and soulful melodies and nice smooth drum loops. Drummer B then steps up with the mad piano action and slamming house of 'In My Zone' (feat Javonntte) and last of all, the man so often left out of the early history of Detroit's underground, Eddie Fowlkes, comes through with a spine-tingling vocal deep house delight in the form of 'Hold Me Down'.