Review: More sunny side samplecraft gold as xxxy brings hotly tipped new gen mate Braga Circuit into the disco fold for more loopy, discofied grooves. "Take You There" is a masterclass in big symphonic loops and layering for momentum while Braga goes solo with more stripped back sultry vocal loops of "One I Got". Flip for two from the label bossman himself as "I Won't I Never" applies the percussive breaks with a classic vocal lick that keeps opening up further and further as the track progresses before "What You Do To Me" works us up into a fizzy slapbass frenzy finale. Sweet.
Review: Andy Caldwell departs from his recent electro style to deliver an outright soulful anthem. Featuring the powerful vocals of Xavior - of Deepswing fame - and Omega, the songstress behind the ultra classic "I Can't Wait". Watch out because the chorus will be in your head forever!
Review: Tresor again opens its vault, this time skipping the '90s inspired techno for four old school house cuts from Deepside, Santonio, Xperiment and AES, all of which featured on DJ Deep's excellent Kern mix CD. Deepside opens the first volume of Kern rarities with an acid based drum dance in "III", whereas Santonio plays on looped keys and jumbled strings in "Amnesia". Xperiment hits up a plodding bass line alongside a Beverly Hills Cop sounding melody and jacking drums, and AES brings the only vocals to the EP with a classic cut of Chicago house.
Review: XDB's Metrolux imprints primes a second Edition release, matching the inaugural transmission for illustrious, international contributions. Jitterbug opens proceedings with the excellent "Radio Theme" rolling deep through the dub funk jack that pervaded his superb Uzuri release of last year, whilst Hamburg is represented in the shape of "Skyrocket", an incessantly fizzing and hypnotic percussive number from Marc Holste under his Markson alias. Metrolux reach out to Japan on the flip, with Tokyo based Naoki Shinohara dropping a dubby, melancholic ode to Kagoshima club Timeless, whilst XDB hangs back and finishes the release in requisite style on "Cielop".
Review: Originally released back in 1994, this was Italian house veteran Enrico Mantini's last appearance on UMM before Flying Records ceased to exist. One of his most highly sought after releases on the secondhand market, it has been played by underground heroes such as Zip over the years. On the A side, we have the deep and emotive mood music of "What U Want" (2021 Late Nite cut) with its classic Stateside swing - a true zeitgeist of a golden era. Over on the flip, new school heroes Chris Stussy & Djoko remix get onboard for a modern reshape followed by the original.
Review: Germany's always reliable Room With A View crew round off 2011 with a split EP featuring a variety of deliciously deep cuts. For many, the headline attraction will be Motor City Drum Ensemble's curiously distant "Satellites" - any cut from Danilo Plessow is worth a listen - but there's plenty to get excited about elsewhere. XXXXX's "State 808" sits snugly alongside the recent wave of deep house cuts that sample old R&B vocals, while Marino Beradi's "Best Intention" simply sparkles from the speakers like the best underground Detroit techno. Nowakowski's "Pet In My Sea" has its moments, too, thanks largely to some distant vocal samples and glistening piano motifs.
Perception & Andy G - "Let's Go" (SR Lunar dub) (5:11)
Conspiracy Dubz - "Musical Rush" (4:46)
PJ Statham - "All Dancers" (5:03)
Ease Up George - "Good Love" (4:58)
Groovy D - "Another Chance" (4:31)
Xamount - "Physical" (6:17)
Review: Reptile Mob is back with a third part of its superb on going compilation series and this one looks at different aspects of the garage house sound. Side a-begins with some fresh four-four grooves no least the opener from the legend that is Perception with Andy G and S.R.'s dubby 'Let's Go' remix. Conspiracy Dubz keeps it bumping with the old school feels of 'Musical Rush' and on the B-side it is more of a 2-step sound that emerges with jazzy melodies and female vocals. Groovy D's 'Another Chance' is the real standout for us with its classic vocal sample worked into a nice kinetic rhythm.
Review: Various Shades is right! Zagreb label Forbidden Dance bring together the talents of Patrice Scott, Aleqs Total, XDB and Gary Superfly for a fine gradient of hex-perimental dance music, fully exciting our many aural rods and cones. An earful of minimal moods are conveyed on Scott's 'Be Yourself', with its fidgeting stereo bass sound design especially impressing, while Aleqs Total's 'People Round Town' lets a seedier sonic underbelly of aspic acid spill out onto main street. 'Odican' by XDB is the most unsettling number, with a repetitive vocal hallucination resounding in and out of a tenebrous centre mix, while Superfly's 'Free Fall' marks a recovery from the A1's relative panic attack, through intravenous hi-hats and concordant chords.
Review: The Cinematic imprint has built up a sturdy bedrock of deeper house and techno talent over the past six years under Soy Mustafa's guidance, and now he heads up a various artists twelve brimming with forward-thinking ideas in the 4/4 tradition. Mustafa's own 'Delphic Times" is a sleek, emotive cut decorated with piano trills and immersive chord pulses, while XDB gets into a decidedly scientific mindset with the off-kilter synth lines that shape out a wild rhythm on "Violi". City 2 City gets into a more nervous state of mind with VHS dystopia lingering in the background of "Way Of Life" with its cooing pads and edgy sine waves. Jared Wilson rounds things off with "Best Game", turning out a stellar example of his innate gift for acid.
Review: In its lifetime Finale Sessions have seen releases from the likes of Fred P, Innerspace Halflife and Amir Alexander, and the label's latest 12", Finale Undergound Vol 1, sees three similarly respected artists come together on one EP for some properly deep moves. Steven Tang delivers the suitably titled "Immense", a moody slice of house percussion positively swimming in Tang's trademark pads, while Metrolux boss XDB joins him on the A-side for some weighty yet refined house music, pairing abstract tones with some submerged bassline swing unfolding out into some heavily delayed, oven warm chords. FXHE associate Luke Hess finishes up with "Suplication"; though it shares the same dubby qualities as the rest it's the most impressively driving track of the three, combining Motor City dynamism with Chicago's breezy house.
Review: The latest transmission from Rush Hour's ever adventurous No 'Label' series comes from an artist known simply as X, with "Lessons from a Spiritual Dimension....." etched on the run out groove for those seeking some guidance. Word on the grapevine is these four cuts are the work of a certain shy and retiring producer with distinctively peppery hair but these rumours have not been confirmed. Certainly the playful 90s rnb sampled wedged deep into the core DNA of the loving drift of the second track here is most reminiscent of one of LIES lesser spotted artists. Elsewhere "Track 3" sounds thrillingly like 3 different house cuts being played over one another whilst the closing track delves into more abstract territory and is reminiscent of a recovered field recording made deep into the night at Chicago institution Muzic Box.
Review: Four years on from the release of his original XTC EP on Hot Haus Records, Serbian old school revivalist X Coast has decided to give us a peak at the 'Lost Scrolls' - basically the other tracks in the suite that weren't released first time around. They're typically nostalgic in tone, with the Serb making extensive use of vintage house vocal samples, Korg M-1 organ riffs, squelchy TB-303 basslines and warehouse-ready riffs. 'XTC' is a mid-tempo, turn-of-the-90s style loved-up house workout, while 'XTC V' is a pacey affair rife in alternative rave riffs and organ stabs. Foamek's high-intensity revision of the latter track is a slamming techno-rave beast, while 'Horns' and 'Horizon' rep the more downtempo end of the late '80s dancefloor spectrum with predictably lovable results.
Review: Fresh from serving up the scintillating Trasnformations EP on Underthesea, Brooklyn-based X-Coast (AKA Serbia-born producer Bojan Cizmic) makes his bow on Lost Palms. This time round, he's joined on writing and production duties by Tristan Hallis, better known as DJ Boring. Musically, the EP is as jaunty, fired-up and fizzing as you'd expect, with both "Todos Los Latinos" and the more anthem-like "Yucatan Channel" sounding like a fusion of Sound Factory era Junior Vasquez productions and saucer-eyed early '90s Italian piano house. Those looking for more tactile, head-in-the-clouds thrills should check the ambient house era sunrise revivalism of "Velvet Rope". Hallis dons the DJ Boring alias to remix the latter track, in the process turning in a slightly tougher but even more loved-up interpretation.
Review: X Press 2 have long been bastions of the UK underground but despite their venerated veteran status they are also still knocking out proper good house music. They have a new album on the way that proves that, and this is one of the singles from it featuring Kele from Bloc Party. 'Phasing You Out' is everything Rocky and Diesel from this outfit have always championed - sweaty grooves, no frills, effective synths. It's perfect for amping up a dancefloor with its subtle vocal hooks and then it gets remixed by the legendary David Holmes into something a little more lavish and melodic but no less effective.
Review: Unsolved Universe marks the debut release of Xamiga, though you should by now be fully familiar with Legowelt and Xosar, the duo behind this project. The feverishly productive pair have been appearing together both on record and live for the best part of a year now, most memorably on the tongue in cheek project Trackman Lafonte and Bonquiqui that has transmitted releases on Creme Organization and L.I.E.S. Xamiga is a concurrent project to those aforementioned surfer house endeavours which has been bubbling away on Soundcloud for the past 12 months and appears to focus more on further exploring the Ghost House aesthetic that runs through Xosar's solo productions. This three track release is described quite aptly by Rush Hour as "music to jack to loudly while closing your eyes softly" and is rumoured to be the first of several Xamiga releases forthcoming on the Amsterdam operation. The title track is a favourite of the Juno office, an endlessly charming paean to floating outer galactic house, but all three tracks are a powerful statement from Xamiga.
Review: Kosta 'XDB' Athanassiadis is Thuringen's finest, there's no doubt about it. When he's not a tennis coach (!) he's either playing one of his legendary DJ sets at some of Europe's best underground parties, or in the studio crafting gems like these. Starting off with the deep and spacey "Teremi", he then ventures into the sublime with "Begra" featuring sturdy bass (via dense tom drums) and swirling and immersive pads; this one's great! On the flip is the loopy and tripped out "Equiq" with a persisting vocal sample over muted organ stabs and rusty rhythm programming. It's the kind of track you could imagine Zip playing up at Panorama Bar at 9:00 on Saturday morning; wicked! 180g vinyl only.
Review: Metrolux Music boss Kosta Athanassiadis, aka XDB, joins perennially underrated Danish imprint Echocord for the first time with the deep and dub tinged Apari EP. Collecting new elements as its title track speeds along, "Azari" sheds its seemingly simple beginning as it gathers reverbed synths and filtered bleeps for a trippy and captivating techno journey. Sven Weisemann takes up remix duty with his "Systolic" mix that has simply stolen our hearts here at Juno. Tense and mysterious, Sven's mix strips and re-builds with slow hazy drums, dripping samples and a gorgeously dark atmosphere. Lastly, "Black Pin" follows a heavy electronic path with swelling synths and an evolving percussion section. Essential.
Review: XDB makes a welcome return to Sistrum with Frocks, a 12" offering that demonstrates quirkier side to the Greek producer's palette than Espac, his 2008 debut for Patrice Scott's label. Lead track "Frocks" commences with some wonderfully angelic chords and unintelligible vocals before veering into a hypnotic tunnel of droning bleeps that touches on infinity before those chords re-emerge in unison with some rigid claps. Just as your senses become adjusted to this about turn into dancefloor territory, XDB elects to end the track in all too abrupt fashion. On the flip "Modula" opts for a more stripped back approach, with some insidious acid licks dominating proceedings whilst Patrice Scott adopts a reflective mood himself on a seductive remix of the title track.
Review: Aside from dealing with distribution matters, Germany's Diamonds and Pearls also puts out killer house and techno music on its own self-titled imprint. The past has seen releases by the likes of Dettmann, Efdemin, and Kassem Mosse, among others, and this time they've brought together house deviant XDB and the younger Even Drones onto one slab of wax. XDB drops some of his familiar blend of minimal funk on "Mitos", which is expertly rewired by Even Drones into a sparser, more broken cut. The flipside contains another original from XDB, "Enpii", which is moodier and more molecular than its predecessor; and once again, ED features on rewiring duties, moulding the original into a deep-space belter with a driving groove and one hell of a hook.
Review: The label arm of Berlin distro emporium Diamonds & Pearls well and truly flex their A&R muscle here with a killer second release of 2012 that pairs the monumentally gifted talents of XDB and Kassem Mosse with suitably worthy results. Deep Space boss XDB helms the A Side himself with a wonderfully rough hewn analogue house transmission "Ekatem" that feels like it slip into infinity without losing any sheen. If a combination of rattling percussion, discombobulating synths and rusty sounding square basslines appeals to you then you will find much joy with "Ekatem". Listen to "Omrish" blindfolded and you'd guess Mosse was involved given the gritty, smudged out nature of its execution, a wonderfully hazy melange of chiming melodic tones and off the grid percussive touches that appears to float in stasis and proves all too intoxicating on the senses.
Review: Fledgling UK techno imprint Tabernacle heads to Berlin for their third release, inviting Xenogears aka The Analogue Cops to drop four tracks of raw, sometimes harsh, sometimes odd but always unadulterated machine funk. There's a lazy swagger to the opening of "crc04" that grabs you as soon as the heavy lines of synths drop over the stuttering drum machine crunch. It's the mid section crescendo of piercing sonics and crashing layers of percussion that add that extra layer of overwhelming sensory menace. In contrast, "Mino" ditches the menace for a smoother retro Detroit electro flex reminiscent of vintage Model 500, right up to the upwards sci fi synth freakery. The B Side opens with the sonic booms of "Livex15" throwing out elastic synth swirls over a big rusted beat, as industrial pressure grows beneath with ominous intent. In a word, magnificent! This excellent and rather limited release - only 200 copies pressed up - finishes on pulsing and quirky form with the subaqueous techno funk thrust of "Dreamsequence."
Review: There's a certain mysticism that hovers around Piramide Registrazioni, with its occult symbolism, mysterious artists and fuzzy, vintage sound. Label protagonist Xinner has been previously spotted alongside S. Moreira on Phonica Records, but here is sharing valuable wax space on Piramide 2 with Autre and Hawaiian Chips. Autre's version of old-skool deep house has an interesting urgency about it, and Hawaiian Chips turns out shimmering electro of the highest order. It's Xinner's tracks that stand out the most though, with synths straining under the weight of their own wobblyness and beats that punch out in clouds of reverb fog.
Review: After their debut album, 'Na Lagoa', was released in 2021, the Brazilian duo Xique-Xique asked some of their friends to remix their favourite tracks from the project. The result is this rather gorgeous 12" remix EP, which breaks down every genre from downtempo to rave and boils it on the stove that is left-of-field experimentation. Informed by dub techno and tech house as an aside, highlights include Zoe Reijue's remix of 'Preludio' and Niko Schwind's glacial version of the title track.
Review: Sao Paulo deep house producer Xique-Xique's Xaxoeira EP was originally released in 2014 but now sees a deserved vinyl release. Starting out with the very All Day I Dream-ish "1542" which is complete with lush xylophone melodies, woozy synths and smooth beats, he's then into the slow burning title track, which comes complete with cosmic atmosphere and sultry French vocals; just perfect for drifting. Ecuador's Nicola Cruz delivers a fine remix, staying on the same Lee Burridge style vibe of the first track and is perfect for an open air rooftop party near you next Summer.
Review: XL Regular's album Store Duties arrives via Artisjok Records and is a fulsome statement of his sound. He hails from Rome and is a young and innovative producer who draws from jazz, broken beat, house and soul, and layers in a lasting love of percussions and grooves. His resulting concoctions are both dancefloor-friendly and artistically rich as they mix up traditional and contemporary influences, as shown here. These are lush broken beats with alluring vocal samples, meaningful chords and plenty of cosmic flourishes. From the retro cool of 'Moovin Too Fast' to the irresistible funk of 'BXL Midi Stepper' this is an accomplished debut.
Review: XOA is an exciting new project fusing sounds from the golden era of '70s Afrobeat with contemporary electronica and modern production. The debut release AIYE LE, features the vocals of former Fela Kuti musical director and afrobeat royalty Dele Sosimi. Label boss Dan Shake steps up for the remix on the B side, bringing his signature Detroit house aesthetic.
Review: While he may have been spotted in Gentlemen's Dub Club amongst other festival friendly acts, as Xoa Nick Tyson is going it alone to create globe-trotting sounds that speak to his musicianship and keen instinct for other kinds of grooves. There are in fact additional vocal spots on this EP including Anthony Joseph and Monika Liu, but the record is definitely pulled together by Tyson's focused, refined vision. "In So" is a notable delight with its skittering beat and laconic guitar lines. Watch out for the B side though, where the tracks get appropriate club revisions. Byron The Aquarius' remix particularly stands out, injecting some broken beat bump into "In So".
Review: XOA continues to lay out a formidable interpretation of African-infused dance music for the modern age, following on from lauded appearances on Shake, One House and Soundway. Alongside Contours, he comes to Banana Hill with some next level transcendental head-quaking business that reaches from the roots of Afrobeat right through to contemporary FX dubbing business. "Too Much Talking" is a proper eyes-closed roller for the hazy moment in the dance, and "Express" ramps things up to a strident tempo layered with a barrage of congas and djembes. The hectic pace is offset by swooning melodies, all wistful synth splashes and plucky guitar chops, stirring the soul as much as the feet.
Review: As usual, the arrival of a new 12" from Ron Morelli's Long Island Electrical Systems imprint is greeted with a sense of excitement here at Juno, and in LIES 008 the label introduces us to a producer whose name will become ever more recognisable as the year veers onwards. The clearly quite talented Xosar is wrapped in the sort of nautical intrigue Drexciya invested heavily in, however her three productions here on the first release of the year for Ron Morelli's LIES imprint demonstrate there is a prowess to justify the mystique. "Tropical Cruize" sets the tone, ascending to the misty heights of your full appreciation via the lofty synths, rippling tom patterns and heavily opiated vocals that smudge the lower recesses. It sounds perfectly at home on LIES, as does the accompanying B Sides, with the wonderfully creepy "Voodoo Castle" bristling with vaguely camp Giallo energy and powered by those stabs of various texture, whilst "Xephyr" adopts a more streamlined rhythmic jakkers approach which is embellished with lovely dubby puddles of synths.
Review: Following swiftly on from her thrilling debut release for L.I.E.S. the talented Xosar arrives on Rush Hour with the equally enthralling Ghosthaus. The first thing you notice here is the effort that's gone into the release visually, with a clear red twelve housed in a transparent sleeve and complemented by a smartly designed insert. Musically, Xosar matches if not surpasses these artistic standards, continuing the foundations laid down on Tropical Cruize with two productions that are complemented by an equal amount of Legowelt remixes! The title track is suitably spectral, gradually flushing the straight up dusty kicks with spooked out analogue flourishes tinged with sadness and complemented by Xosar's own guttural moans. A similar downtrodden sensation runs through "Rainy Day Juno Jam" which obviously features plenty of brooding Juno flourishes over a sparse downpour of percussive hits. Both tracks are edged towards danceability by Legowelt without losing the elements of Xosar's production that make them so bewitching.
Review: Following the release of her brilliant - if a little too intense - debut album, Let Go, on Black Opal, Sheela Rahman pops up on eccentric Dutch imprint Pinkman with more house/techno hybrids and vintage synthesizer love. While the surging, hypnotic, raw and unflinching flipside "Phasers of Eden" - hissing analogue techno in the truest sense - will arguably ruffle most feathers, it's the softly-lit dreaminess of sparkling A-side "World of Illusion" that most impresses. Blessed with her usual top notch synthesizer work, bubbling electronics and exotic melodies, it sounds a little like Legowelt on one of his happier days. That, of course, is no bad thing.
Review: Creme Organization's imperious year continues apace with Wildlyfe Genesis, the solo label debut from Xosar! Increasingly regarded as Legowelt's muse, Xosar of course has previous on DJ TLR's label, debuting the Trackman Lafonte and Bonquiqui 'surfer house' project shared with Danny Wolfers on Creme last year. Eagle eyed XOSAR followers will undoubtedly realise that the title track has been listed on the artist's own website under the unreleased tracks section, and the label state B Side accompaniment "Eye Of The Wavestorm" is of a similar vintage, dating back to the time of her debut release on L.I.E.S. Regardless of their age, both cuts have that timeless mystical quality that all Xosar material comes soaked in and the cover art for Wildlyfe Genesis features a further demonstration of Xosar's visual talent.
Review: Emerging from the intermittent Brussels party of the same name, the ensemble label kicks off with an EP from Xosar, whose releases on Rush Hour and L.I.E.S. have made her one of the analogue house realm's most exciting producers. The Retreat to Rapture EP provides another highlight for the producer, with the "X(osar) Files" offering an opening track full of sci-fi melodies that sees her continue to indulge in her obsession with extraterrestrials, something also touched upon in the melancholic hazy Chi house of "Paranormal Detective". San Soda also appears to offer his bleepy take on "Gone Is Yesterday", but it's the original track "Lycropolis" that offers the highlight, a stripped back track full of booming toms and a psychedelic Eastern-inspired melody.
Review: Sheela Rahman's third 12" release for Rush Hour arrives in the shape of The Calling and its another killer! Preceded by one of the best music videos in some time (spot the Ron Morelli cameo) both the title track and "Rays of Babylon" originates from the period Rahman was living in Los Angeles and were made as "accurate reflection of the fun, upbeat vibes" in the city. They still fit snugly in the ever increasing pantheon of Xosar material, with "The Calling" a particularly sumptuous example of jacking analogue techno, it continues to build on the work she's done alone, and across her raft of collaborations with fellow analogue enthusiast Legowelt under the Trackman LaFonte & Bonquiqui and Xamiga monikers.
Review: The guys over at Rush Hour release Xosar's third EP - two, crispy-as-hell floor punishers with lethal doses of drum machine action. Both her previous EP for the label as well as that hot little number on L.I.E.S have turned some heads in the house/techno domain, and Nite Jam prolongs her fine form in 2012. The title track on the A Side is an incredibly chuggy slice of deep techno, complete with a hearty, pounding kick drum and a beautifully delayed set of chords which morph and sway uncontrollably. Over to side B, "Elixir Of Dreams" is one for the percussion maniacs, with those relentless snares cutting fervently through the muffled, haunting vocals which glide below it. Xosar's work just keeps getting better! TIP!
Review: Aural Medium has handpicked six tracks for this special new release which spans the last decade. As such, Transitional Being shows off another side to the production palette of XVARR. These are tracks that are steeped in ritualistic dance heritage but also enslaved to technology. They are often built around taught drum patterns and sequenced basslines, with twinkling synths up top and more than a slight trace of comic energy in the mould of Weatherall or Baldelli. Tracks lure you into a state of trance and on the more club orientated tracks presented here there is nowhere you would rather be.
Review: Hot on the heels of last year's multi-artist XXX 666 EP, SHMLSS's shadowy XXX imprint serves up another compilation style trip through intoxicating and sleazy dancefloor pastures. Head first for the cowbell-laden, glassy-eyed piano house goodness of Magnifique's fantastic untitled opener, then cast your gaze towards the fiendishly fuzzy, low-slung, techno tempo punk-funk madness of DJ Rocca's killer EP closer. While we think that these two are arguably the single's strongest moments, you may disagree; certainly, there's much to be said for the quirky Italo-disco sleaze of Inigo Vortier's pulsating, bleep-laden contribution and the sweaty, exotica-goes-jack intensity of the Stijn Sadee cut.
Review: Lecce's man about town Marco Erroi is back. The DJ and producer (and co-founder of Common Series Ltd) also runs the legendary Squat Party events and wears many hats such as Common Series, Par Le Roi - and GoldFinger. On XXXV he throws down some lo-slung funk jams which he's given a much needed and respectful resplice as heard on "Funk Gu" on the A side, "China Blues" on the flip with the latter getting into real exotic territory, as well as standout "Kazan" which is an epic dark ambient closer.
Review: Common Series founder Marco Erroi dons his XXXV Edits hat once more for a trip into the dark side of the disco, digging up heaters from the formative years of electronic dance music and giving it a gnarly tweak for the deviant techno crowd. First up is 'Walk', which does some dirty acid magic with a Skatt Bros classic, ably assisted by Robert Crash. There's more bubbling 303 magic to savour on 'Life', while 'Touch' throws down hard on the drums and vocal edits with devastating, club-wrecking results. The Mechanical Man lends a hand on 'Phone', which rides an unsettlingly reverbed vocal which comes off sounding a little like Seven Davis Jr.
Review: The ever-reliable Legofunk label has scored another big one here with four more dance floor-ready bits of disco-rooted fire. Openers XXXV Edits kick off with the cosmic vibes and expansive melodies of 'Space Bass Rooster' before Lego Edit layers up some old-school soul and funk on 'P-Man.' On the flip is the elastic bass funk of Soulbrigada's 'Hum Bello' with is flabby rhythms and great vocals then closing down is a Wandervogel's 'Mirage,' a Rhodes-laced house groove that is jazzy, lo-fi, soulful and brilliantly warm. The sort of thing Moodymann would play to a mad reaction.A
Review: XXXY continues his series of deep tech Rinse sermons with this powerful-yet-understated trio of brooding, reflective tracks. "Regrets" burns low-and-slow like a Henrik Schwarz cut, all strings and soft pads. "12049" follows suit with tightly clipped synth patterns over another insistent but subtle drum arrangement (think Ame's "Rej") while "Over Peover" joyrides New Horizons' slipstream and takes us to the further reaches of the solar system by way of twinkling arpeggios and lush, life-affirming synth chords. Beautiful.
Review: Rupert Taylor continues his ongoing partnership with Rinse, with the three-track 18 Hours EP providing a solid follow-up to Never Enough released earlier this year. The title track sets the tone, with Taylor layering long, drawn-out chords and glistening electronic melodies atop a shuffling tech-house groove. He successfully flips the script on rave-era techno slammer "Clap Pitch" (think foreboding electronics, footwork style handclaps, booming sub and breakbeat hardcore stabs), before "Tool (Satire Mix)" provides a final flourish. Rolling and sweaty, it sees XXXY charge off in an acid house direction via some twisted 303 lines and hard-wired electronics.
Review: Although he may have come from crisp 2-step roots, this new single for Rinse finds XXXY turning out a more accessible brand of deep house with the subtle flecks of electro and diva vocal that should make for a huge summer hit, with "Never Enough" especially moving with a kind of sugary acid confection of the boldest kind. "No More" is even more emotive with its sweet chords and vocal coos, rising and falling with the measured poise you would expect of any modern house producer worth their salt. It's a switch in styles for XXXY, but he nailed the approach without a hitch.
Owen Jay & Melchior Sultana - "Make Me Feel" (feat Mykle Anthony)
Petr Serkin - "Venus Shuttle"
Review: Ten years of Deep Explorer... The celebration started with "The Capsule remixes 10" that was released 2 months ago, now is closed with this "Far & Beyond", a double pack vinyl where the brothers and heads of the label (Dubbyman & Above Smoke) make their own selection of exclusive material into groove and dark deepest house tunes from artists worldwide.
Review: X Press 2 are dons of the UK house scene. They have turned out everything from sleazy underground house anthems to Ivor Novello Award winning dance-pop crossovers with David Byrne. Unlike many of their generation, they are still full of fresh ideas too - rather than churning out the same old sounds or copying whatever is du jour, they have really nailed a smoky, strobe-lit and club-ready house sound with new album Thee. It is full of their signature chunky grooves, seemingly simple but effective hooks and rock-solid baselines that will get any floor in a right old state.
Review: German's Dial has always been a cornerstone for electronic invention and Kosta Athanassiadis aka XDB has always lead from the front who it comes to deep and hypnotic sounds. The two come together for this fine full length which is the result of an ongoing 20 year friendship. The record is an exploration of experimental grooves, with spoken word snippets over deep organ sounds, pulsing drums and shifting timbres all drawing you deep into an alluring world of rhythm and sound. Next to more sedate pieces for mind expansion are plenty of gritty club grooves. Excellent work.
Disco Voador & Depois (live From Polygon At Wonderfruit) (9:21)
Quem Sou Eu (5:29)
Espelho D'agua (5:13)
Review: Xavier Fabre and Bibiana Graeff aka Xique-Xique unveil their first album after a number of inventive deep house EPs. The record was written over the last three years between Istanbul, Bangkok and Heliodora in Brazil, which means it has a world but tropical feel. The humid grooves are detailed with distant bird calls and jungle sound effects, such as on the gorgeous 'Na Lagoa.' It is the varied sound sources and non standard synth designs that stand these languid, meditative grooves apart. 'Senhor Carangeju' has nice percussive touches over a bubbling beat, while 'Tapete Voador' is shamanistic and sounds like an ancient ritual.
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