Review: Linkwood clearly enjoyed the process of recording his 2021 album Mono, which was created in a week in the Athens of the North Studio in Edinburgh, as he's repeated the exercise on Stereo. It's an impressive sequel all told, with the long-serving producer delivering an even deeper, warmer and more evocative excursion informed by his love of analogue deep house, classic sci-fi techno, the 80s compositions of Jan Hammer, intergalactic electro, drum machine-driven synth-funk and star-gazing ambient music. It sounds like it was primarily made with vintage synthesisers and drum machines, which when combined with his impeccable sound design and judicious use of outboard effects results in an enveloping, immersive and highly atmospheric sound that rewards repeat listens. In other words, it's another fine album to get lost in.
Review: K Lone has been turning out super sweet club sounds for years now, mixing up deep house, garage, a love of r&b samples and generally a good time groove on a range of labels but mostly Wisdom Teeth which he co-runs with Facta. Now he follows up his 2020 debut with Swells, an expansive record that also takes in synthpop, leftfield R&B and beyond. It showcases a rich array of melodies, chords and undulating arps and is defined by the lo-fi aesthetic of his CR78 drum machine. British singer-songwriter Eliza Rose features throughout the record in various forms but the highlight is the dubbed-out and diffuse 'With U'.
Felipe Gordon - "Please Don't Go" (feat Bob The Egoist) (6:14)
Review: Berlin based Cinthie is a firm favourite here at Juno HQ, as well as all around the European house scene. She runs various labels, her own record shop, and all with a great sense of personality. We couldn't be happier that she is next up in the legendary DJ-kicks mix series and of course, she doesn't disappoint. Her selections take in plenty of the raw, stripped back house you would expect. She includes one of her own tunes, the vital 'Organ' as well as fresh material from Ruff Stuff, Anil Aras and Felipe Gordon and puts it all together in an unfussy but hypnotic style. This doubt vinyl album offers you some of the standout cuts.
Review: The new album by Quantic - aka. multi instrumentalist, DJ, composer and producer Will Holland - is in many ways an evolution. Now twenty years into his career, Dancing While Falling is the British-born, New York-based artist's most live sounding, euphoric and, in his own words, grown-up release to date. Capturing the beginnings of every good person's revelatory movement from an individual to a collective spirit, Holland originally began the album in his Brooklyn studio, before realising that he didn't just want to make a record that reflected his 'singular pandemic wormhole', but rather one that tapped into the essential togetherness of the human condition. So too does this record explore themes of connection felt through, and made more intense by, the antagonistic bouts of loneliness that characterised COVID-19. Influenced by legendary artists in the scene like Bohannon and Larry Levan, Quantic wanted to make a disco -eaning album at first; "I'm really interested in Latin music and Afro Caribbean rhythms and I think there's a really amazing point in history where the emergence of those rhythms and its combination with American soul sparked what we now know as disco," he says. This PIAS extended edition comes one year on from its initial 2023 release, Quantic here expands on his work by adding a ream of extended versions.
Review: Following the release of a swathe of fine collaborative singles over the past couple of months, Keinmusik regulars Adam Portm Rampa and &Me unveil their second collaborative album, which lands four years after its acclaimed predecessor, You Are Safe. Send Return is an undeniably attractive, collaboration-heavy set, with the experienced trio cannily blending elements of tech-house, deep house, soft-touch techno, street soul and nu-disco to create a wonderfully warm, woozy and melodious hybrid sound. Highlights include Yet Full collaboration 'Paris' -a kind of 21st century take on Soul II Soul - the sleazy, Italo-influenced throb of Bell Towers hook-up 'Pay To Play', and the summer-fresh deep house warmth of 'Saving My Luv', featuring Little Dragon.
Seven Mile (Rocco Rodamaal & Alex Finkin remix) (6:46)
Seven Mile (Louie's instrumental demo mix) (5:25)
Seven Mile (Rocco Rodamaal Deep Down mix) (5:46)
Seven Mile (Rocco Rodamaal dubby mix) (6:18)
Seven Mile (Charlie Levine remix) (6:25)
Seven Mile (Charlie Levine Wild version) (5:30)
Review: New York legend Louie Vega and Detroit icon Moodymann - two titans of house with deep but divergent lineages - collide again on 'Seven Mile', reissued here as a hefty double pack with remixes. Originally released in 2022 on Vega's Expansions in the NYC LP, this expanded edition gathers fresh reworks from trusted names across the house spectrum. Dennis Quin goes punchy and percussive, Kai Alce turns in a soulful NDATL roller, and Rocco Rodamaal teams up with Alex Finkin before offering two lush solo interpretations across the C-side. Vega's own instrumental demo mix adds vintage bounce, while Charlie Soul Clap, here credited as Charlie Levine, delivers an ecstatic final pair - his 'Wild Version' the most unhinged of the lot.
Review: The always highly anticipated and in-demand Louie Vega 5 pack 12" vinyl sampler has arrived! Featuring 18 unreleased tracks, special versions, and dubs, this vinyl set promises to light up dance floors and house parties alike. The incredible lineup includes Bebe Winans, Msaki, NV, Funki Cadets, Axel Tosca, Boddhi Satva, and more. With fresh reworks by DJ Erv and contributions from seasoned artists and emerging talent, this release journeys from Brazil to Africa, Cuba, and New York. Pressed with pristine quality, this limited edition vinyl is an essential for collectors and DJs everywhere.
Double Touch - "The Promises" (feat Reigan) (6:23)
Bai - "Kalevala" (6:14)
Kamilo Sanclemente - "Go Home" (8:35)
Atsushi Asada & Hiroyuki Kajino - "Utopia" (9:01)
Ramiro Drisdale - "Pound Away" (7:24)
Arina Mur & Fluida - "I Saw A Cat" (7:22)
Review: All Day I Dream presents its fifth winter sampler - 12 sublime tracks that flaunt the label's signature sound of emotive, clean and pristine deep house. Enlisting the aid of established artists like Double Touch, Fulltone and Kamilo Sanclemente to uplift the newcomers like Limara, Arina Mur and Fluida, this sampler is a fitting soundtrack for the late-wintery colder months.
I Believe In Love Again (feat Lenny Kravitz) (2:53)
All That (feat Vilano Antillano) (3:53)
(It Goes Like) Nanana (3:49)
Lobster Telephone (5:21)
Seoulsi Peggygou (2:34)
I Go (5:33)
Purple Horizon (3:42)
1+1=11 (5:30)
Review: Peggy Gou's rise from fashion school student to underground DJ to world-renowned dance music star has been swift and remarkable. In that time she's played every major club and festival in the world, had some huge crossover hits and started her own label while also releasing on the likes of Ninja Tune. Now she steps up to XL with a highly anticipated debut album featuring epic previous singles such as 2023's chart-topping global hit '(It Goes Like) Nanana' and 'I Believe in Love Again', her wild Lenny Kravitz collaboration, as well as plenty of new tunes that span house, disco and more.
Review: PIV label head DJ Prunk identified Ruze as rising stars in 2023. Since then, they've soared with Beatport chart-toppers like Hardwire and Chapters EPs and their latest offering showcases their signature sound on a fine debut album. The title track introduces smooth house beats, deep yet dynamic. 'Trip' layers precise drums with soulful spoken words over vivid pads. 'Keep It Comin'' amps up the tempo with funky house vibes, while 'Mister DJ' delivers seductive late-night allure. 'Come Together' packs punchy beats and lively sax and 'Repetition,' 'FUTUR,' and 'In The Power' maintain irresistible house grooves, while 'Everybody' ends with a laid-back lounge vibe.
Review: Astonishingly, GRIT is Luke Vibert's 18th album under his given name (he's released many more as under other aliases such as Wagon Christ, Kerrier District and Amen Andrews), though his first for a couple of years. It's a predictably fun, TB-303 heavy affair, with the prolific Cornishman giddily sprinting through rubbery acid-electro ('Surrounded By Neighbours'), deep acid wooziness ('Decay Hole'), thrillingly wayward machine funk ('Partron'), subdued, bass-heavy swingers (the vaguely Wagon Christ-ish 'Gas Legs'), surging jack tracks (the breathless title track), jaunty house retro-futurism ('Swingeing Cuts'), Kerrier District-goes-acid insanity ('Disco Derriere'), hard-to-pigeonhole madness ('Screwfix Typeface'), and much more besides. A must-check for lovers of trippy acid lines and sweaty, loose-limbed beats.
Review: Some years back, Ben Norris AKA O'Flynn looked set for a major breakthrough, with his EPs on Blip Discs and Ninja Tune getting singled out for praise. Since then, his career has stalled, though we wouldn't be surprised if this impressive debut album propels him into the spotlight once more. It's a wonderfully fluid, evocative and enjoyable set that attractively sashays between languid ambience, Afro and Latin-influenced cut-up club cuts that cannily fuse disco, nu-disco and deep house, drum dubs and percussion jams, and off-kilter affairs that defy simplistic categorization. Highlights are plentiful throughout, from the dreamy dub disco flex of "Tru Dancing" and jazzy deep house warmth of "Painted Wolf", to the huggable dreaminess of two-step shuffler "Celestine" and the loved-up haziness of enveloping closing cut "Neptune".
Review: Michael Grey is a London-based house talent who finally unveils his long awaited album, Optimism. This double-gatefold beauty on Optimism is a timeless listen that takes in myriad house styles. There are sample heavy mid-tempo rollers like 'Fly Away' as well as blissed out vocal cuts for loved up floors like 'You Got To Remember', sophisticated disco-tinged cuts like 'Where Do We Go From Here' and feel good summer anthems such as 'Don't Want Anybody'. What unifies them all is the high class produciton and lavish quality of the most uplifting music.
Big Strick & Generation Next - "The Ride" (feat Tony Coates) (5:25)
Generation Next - "Mo' Money" (feat Don Q) (6:08)
Generation Next - "Full Of Life" (5:49)
Generation Next - "Flynn's" (6:49)
Generation Next - "Ypree" (6:01)
Review: Big Strick's latest full-length offering on his own 7 Days Entertainment label is a family affair, mixing tracks from the veteran Detroit producer with similarly deep and woozy jams from his 16 year-old son Tre Strickland, AKA Generation Next. The father-and-son team's approach to house - wringing atmospheric soul from bubbling rhythms, warm chords and blazed melodies - is surprisingly similar, as shown by the two deep, jazz-flecked collaborations showcased here. Elsewhere, both impress with their individual contributions, with Strickland Junior's slap bass-infused deep head-nodder "Flynn's" and sweet, winding "Mo Money" standing out.
Review: California's Joe Babylon has been steering his own Roundabout Sounds through some lovely deep house waters over the last few years. Now the producer makes a big statement with his own debut album. He is something of a veteran having co-founded Plug Research back in 1994 and hosted underground events in Los Angeles during the mid '90s. Following on from outings alongside the likes of Rick Wilhite and Rondenion he now brings his own dusty, carefully disheveled house sounds to the fore. They have been crafted using an MPC which gives them their rough-edged appeal and they go from heads down back room joints to dubbed-out minimalism via dream late-night reveries. It makes for a fresh take on a tried and tested house template.
Review: Axel Boman's 2013 debut album "Family Vacation" was something of a triumph, so it's heartening to report that this belated sequel is every bit as inspired. He begins in fine style by delivering his most loved-up and glassy-eyed track yet - a Sister Sledge sampling chunk of rushing sunrise deep house - before flitting between booming sub-bass and more bliss-inducing musical flourishes on the down-low throb of "Slave To The Vibe". There's an intoxicating and exotic feel to the gently percussive cut that follows, killer ethno-house jam "Paid By The Rhythm", while "Copacabana Dub" is an expertly executed exercise in deep house/Latin percussion fusion. As if that lot wasn't enough to set our pulse racing, trippy slo-mo house chugger "Don't Bug Me" and opaque deep techno shuffler "Konoba Boba" are both suitably sublime.
Martina Topley Bird - "Crystalised" (feat Mark Lanegan & Warpaint - Director cut Signature mix) (7:04)
Review: Frankie Knuckles and Eric Kupper's Director's Cut project continues with its third rendition, bringing together yet another eight house remixes of established neo-soul and trip-hop songs by the pair and their friends. Standouts on this one include Tony Humphries' Work & Play Mix of Inaya Day's 'Let's Stay Home', which follows the singer's orders to "take advantage of this little bit of rainfall" to produce a slice of humble, heated house pie; and Director's Cut's 'Signature mixes' of sultry lullabies by Martina Topley-Bird and Vintage Dbow.
Review: The Mellophonia label offshoot Fusion Sequence won us over with its well-presented and great-sounding first EP, and now a quick follow-up does the same. This one is another various artists affair that starts with some nice futuristic robot disco from Vanity Project. There is more organic and lush Balearic from Bobby Bricks and Pacific Coliseum follows that spine-tingling Ibiza sunset vibe. On the flip side, there is everything from late-night electronic house to lazy disco via Sorcerer's blissed out 'Just For Love' which would entrance any dance floor. There's as much quality as there is variation on this one, which makes it a useful EP indeed.
Review: There was much excitement when Pink Eye, Maurice Fulton's first album under the Syclops album for five years, first appeared online last month. In typical fashion, Fulton hadn't let anyone know it was coming. As with some of his other projects, it's now available on physical formats via German titans Running Back. As with previous Syclops albums, it's wonderfully bonkers and hard to pigeonhole, with the Sheffield-based Chicagoan combining mind-altering electronics, skewed drums, riotous analogue grooves and cheery piano and synthesizer motifs in a variety of hugely impressive ways. There are naturally some suitably filthy club workouts present - check the intergalactic madness of "Sarah's E Is Back", the druggy, afro-tech romp that is "Spin Cycle" and the sub-heavy insanity of "Kelly Is On Her C" - alongside loved-up compositions and productions that indulge Fulton's less discussed often overlooked jazz influences.
Street Players Vol 1 - "Make It Thru The Night" (7:38)
Sound Of One - "I Know A Place" (118 BPM mix) (7:21)
Inner Faith - "I've Been Changed" (club mix) (7:32)
International Connection - "I Can't Help Myself" (previously unreleased instrumental mix) (7:26)
Review: Victor Simonelli's house music legacy is assured - he more than made his mark on the genre back in the 90s with plenty of iconic cuts and legendary DJ sets and now that is all being highlighted by this ongoing multi-part series from Unknwn. The comprehensive collection looks at the early years here with some of his top mixes including those that have not previously been released. There is an in-depth almost hour-long audio and written interview between BTG founder Alex Rose and Victor to go with this release that is well worth finding.
Review: Some seven years after his last full-length excursion, Fort Romeau has finally got around to delivering a new album. Beings of Light is every bit as gorgeous and picturesque affair, with the Chester-born producer adding waves of attractive synthesizer sounds, colourful electronics, cascading guitars, dusty samples and loved-up riffs to sturdy deep house beats. The album's multitude of highlights include bluesy, post jazz-house number 'The Truth', the tech-tinged late-night wonkiness of 'Power of Grace', the sturdy and druggy after-hours chug of 'Ramona' and the dreamy lusciousness of title track 'Beings of Light'.
Love Is A State Of Mind (feat Ramona Renea) (5:41)
It's Quiet Now (feat Dope Earth Alien) (5:02)
Downtown (feat Anette Bowen & Nikki O) (6:15)
Drama (feat Rimarkable & Dope Earth Alien) (7:19)
Stand (feat Cor Ece) (5:23)
In The Club (feat Eve) (5:01)
Not About You (feat Hadiya George) (6:40)
Everybody (feat Pablo Vittar & Urias) (5:44)
Show Me Some Love (feat Channel Tres) (5:56)
Don't Be Afraid (feat LATASHA) (4:05)
Work (feat Dave Giles II, Cor Ece & Mike Dunn) (6:19)
C's Up (feat Mike Dunn) (6:20)
La Femme Fantastique (feat Josh Caffe) (5:37)
Love Me Like You Care (feat Hadiya George) (4:02)
Review: House music royalty par excellence, Honey Dijon is finally gracing us with a second album after she turned her artistry up a notch with 2017's The Best of Both Worlds. Once again shoring up with her spiritual home Classic, Black Girl Magic finds Dijon celebrating love in every sense of the word, and lead single 'Show Me Some Love' is a fine case in point. There's that twitchy, freaky energy she instinctively brings to the floor, plus some smouldering vocal turns from Channel Tres and Sadie Walker. Elsewhere on the album you'll find breakthrough talents and established legends aplenty, all pulled together into Dijon's sexy, funked-up strain of tech house.
Review: The first notes of Strength In Numbers pull you in with the immediacy of a tightly wound groove. 'Team Spirit' sets the stage with sharp percussion and a bassline that feels as if it's pushing against a restraint, only to give way to an effortless swing. 'Gear Up Rudi!' follows with a cool, almost cinematic feel, as Gibin's intricate rhythm patterns dance around the space between the beats. The pace slows slightly on 'Come Mornin' (featuring Sandra St. Victor),' where the warmth of her vocals transforms the track into a soulful, melodic anchor. Yet, it's on 'No Matter What' that the LP really finds its strideian undulating groove, building steadily before its final, emotive release. The album balances thoughtful restraint with moments of release and in that, Gibin creates something that moves through time without losing its pulse.
Solu Music - "Fade" (feat Kimblee - Eric Kupper remix) (9:19)
Eric Kupper Presents K-Scope - "Electrikiss" (8:50)
Review: While not as celebrated as many of those he has worked with over the years (most notably his late friend Frankie Knuckles), Eric Kupper has built up a mighty discography, with untold production, remix and engineering credits to his name. A Lifetime in Dance Music celebrates this, picking out eight highlights (with more to come on subsequent volumes) from the New York house great's long and successful career. There's plenty to set the pulse racing throughout, from a fine revision of Depeche Mode's 'Wrong' and the classics organ-and-piano-heavy US garage flex of Degrees of Motion's 'Shine On', to a soaring house makeover of Diana Ross disco classic 'The Boss', a delicious tribal house take on Fuminori Kagajo's 'The Blue', and the immersive, loved-up deep house lusciousness of 'Electrikiss', a cut originally released under his occasional K-Scope alias.
Review: Four Tet's Live at Alexandra Palace London 24th May 2023 captures the boundless energy of a live performance that effortlessly blends his signature electronic sound with the intimacy of a live setting. The opener 'School Green Romantics' builds slowly, layering intricate beats and subtle melodies, before escalating into a full-bodied rhythm that really commands attention. Tracks like 'Tides' take on a new life in this setting, with their intricate textures expanding and contracting, creating an immersive atmosphere that pulses with anticipation. Throughout, Four Tet's control over the crowd is palpable, using his deep knowledge of rhythm and melody to take listeners on a journey. A mesmerising live experience in every sense.
Review: Simeon Jones and Nathanael Williams impressed with their 2017 debut on Breaker Breaker, so hopes are high for their first full-length excursion on Rhythm Section International. There's a loose concept behind it - it was inspired by the idea that "all black people are from Mars" - but this only seems to exist as an excuse for the pair to utilize spacey analogue synths, nods towards 1970s space funk and an overall afro-futurist flex that draws together a variety of interconnected styles (think spacey hip-hop, jazz-funk, organic deep house and far-sighted electronica). It's a quietly Impressive set all told, with the pair making great use of a string of high-profile (and hugely talented) guest performers, including sticks-man Yussef Dayes, Andrew Ashong and Yazmin Lacey.
Review: Australian trio Rufus Du Sol have long been alt-dance favourites. Surrender was their fourth long player, released back in October 2021, and now the GRAMMY-winning group made up of James Hunt, Tyrone Lindqvist and Jon George have signed up a load of talent to give the record the remix treatment.The likes of Carlita, Solomun, Magdalena, the band's longtime collaborator, Rose Ave, Cassian and Dom Dolla have all contributed next to CircoLoco residents Adrian Shala and Adrian Schweizer aka Adriatique, who have been banging their take on 'On My Knees' all summer.
Review: If there is a more hyped artist in the world right now than Fred... again we aren't sure who it might be. The lad who grew up close to Brian Eno and has since worked with him in the studio is a global star who has also collaborated with Four Tet and Skrillex, played all over the world, won various awards and dropped several albums now presses up his acclaimed USB to gatefold double vinyl. It is a collection of his early singles that captures his lo-fi, lived-in, diaristic sounds across a range of experimental electronic styles.
Srirajah Sound System - "Si Phan Don Lovers Rock" (feat Molam Inteng Keawbuala) (5:03)
Perikas - "Laberinto" (3:59)
Mac Thornhill - "No Way To Control It" (5:09)
King B - "Love Is Crazy" (6:47)
L'Innovateur Djoe Ahmed & Le Zoukabyle - "Amek Amek" (4:39)
Champagn' - "Bel Ti Negress" (5:05)
Androo - "Lyriso" (6:30)
Hidrogenesse - "La Carta Era Muy Larga" (5:33)
Kajou - "Tet Chaje" (6:05)
Conjunto Baluartes - "Nira Gongo" (2:51)
Land Shark - "Tie Me Up" (The Nas-T version instrumental) (6:26)
Pellegrin El Kady - "Seiva De Carnaval" (6:13)
Lee Jackson Band - "Call On Me" (7:01)
LTA (Love The Action) - "What Comes To Ya?" (7:04)
Urban Volcano Sounds - "Ame No Uta (Rain Song)" (New extended version) (5:47)
Review: To celebrate ten years of one of London's most loved underground club nights, Tangent, Mr Bongo are thrilled to launch this new compilation series. Crafted by its two residents, John Gomez and Nick the Record, it aims to transmit a taste of Tangent's spirit: a party rooted in inclusivity and open-mindedness, whose name captures the spontaneous switches in musical direction that are a defining element of their nights. For the compilation, the pair have cherry-picked a selection of their prized, rare and dancefloor-ready tracks from around the globe, that have soundtracked the past decade of parties. Spanning live-recorded disco, Brazilian boogie and weighty lovers' rock, this selection of rare sonic meats is a prized procuring, the consistent quality of which you likely won't be able to track down in many other contexts.
Review: Miguel Migs has been producing expertly well crafted, superbly polished house tracks for years. He has a sound rooted in deep house, but always draws on things like r&b and soul, as well as the scorching hot sun of his native Californian. This new album was written in lockdown so focuses a little more on proper song craft. The results are fantastic - these are tracks that ooze pool-side cool. Their rolling beats and bass perfectly designed to hook you in and make you smile. It might be his best yet.
Persian - "Morning Sun" (feat Hannah Small) (5:02)
Seekers International - "FurdaMurda" (4:31)
EBE - "Thinking" (6:13)
Gideon Jackson - "Taj-Mahal" (7:00)
Perpetual - "Awakenings" (6:46)
Mark Seven - "Crank" (5:23)
Paco Pack - "Slap That Bass" (3:05)
Cari Lekebusch - "Output 2" (7:33)
Pauline Anna Strom - "In Flight Suspension" (7:47)
Review: Sadly, there was no Love International festival this year, but the team behind it have given us the next best thing: a new volume in their superb "The Sound of Love International" compilation series from friend-of-the-family and beach stage mainstay Shanti Celeste. After opening with a typically spacey and dreamy new collaboration with her friend Saoirse - the intergalactic techno haziness of "Solid Mass", the Peach Discs co-founder treats us to a heady mixture of chunky, sunrise-ready breaks (Persian), drowsy ambient dub (Seekers International), deep space house and techno (EBE, Gideon Jackson, Carl Lekebusch), Barbarella's-ready peak-time fare (Perpetual, Paco Pack), angular late night dancefloor sleaze (Mark Seven) and weightless ambient bliss (Pauline Anna Stom).
Too Poor For Movies, Too Tired For Love (with Lawrence) (7:22)
Nobody Present Ever Stood So Still (7:40)
By The End They Will (6:37)
Cecile (with Eliana Glass) (7:25)
Drift (with DJ Aakmael) (6:18)
From Life Ahead (6:29)
Continuity (6:30)
Review: There are not too many house and techno labels in the United States that can boast quite the discography and international success that the Brooklyn based Scissor & Thread label can. For over a decade now, the busy label has kept the quality up to the high standards the label set when starting. A big part of that quality is having Frank & Tony on board through the label's history. Ethos is their new full-length album that, spread across a double pack of wax, with tracks mostly kept under close guard, except the opener 'Olympia'. Make no mistake though, from the rumours and whispers we've heard already, it looks like being a big hit.
Review: While many artist bios say an act has 'taken the scene by storm', Rudimental truly did. The Hackney band of well-educated and skillful musicians quickly turned themselves into an internationally renowned live act who transferred the energy and drive of drum & bass into festival and gig environments. Home was their debut album a while decade ago now and two of its first four singles took the number one slot in the UK charts. It was highly anticipated and didn't disappoint with a wide range of sounds from dusty soul to steamy r&b, Balearic bliss and plenty of big beats.
Review: Bicep's second album is shaped by the experience of touring their debut long player for something like three years, a period during which they honed and perfected their instinct for tracks that would stand the test of time and repeated listening. What develops is a distinctive style typified by a combination of ethereal sonics and cheeky, memorable instrumental hooks, only set to a variety of beats that reference and indeed fuse the plethora of different dance genres that have sprung up since the acid house revolution if the mid-80s. So we get everything from the electro-tainted 'X' to 'Rever', where an African choir floats over a subtle deep house shuffle and 'Saku', where UKG bass pressure and skippy beats provide a hypnotic background for Clara La San's sweet but ghostly voice.
Herbie (Vick's extended Time Traveler mix) (11:17)
Play (Vick's Jazz Playground Vamp mix) (7:28)
Flame (Vick's extended Time Traveler mix) (10:18)
Rise/Rise (Vick's extended Time Traveler mix) (9:46)
Review: Vick Lavender presents a captivating journey through soulful house music with 'The Time Traveler'. This double LP is a testament to Lavender's deep understanding of the genre, seamlessly blending classic influences with a contemporary edge. From the infectious grooves of '4-11' and 'A Space Love Affair' to the hypnotic rhythms of 'Acid Outpost' and 'Archive 80', the album is a masterclass in soulful house production. Lavender's collaborations with Ammawhat and Angel-A add further depth and dimension, while tracks like 'Misty' and '1981' showcase his ability to craft emotive and atmospheric soundscapes. The extended mixes on Side 3 and 4 provide extended journeys into Lavender's sonic world, highlighting his skills as a DJ and remixer. This is a must-have for any house music enthusiast, a timeless collection that will transport you to the dancefloor and beyond.
Irregular Synth - "One Night In Ecstasy" (Simina Grigoriu remix) (6:03)
Dino Lenny - "Talk To Me" (Dino Lenny & Damon Jee mix) (7:07)
KPD - "Everyday" (extended mix) (5:20)
Aragon & Kobe - "JMA" (5:59)
Amir Telem - "Fool" (D-Nox remix) (6:45)
Ciro Briceno, Adrian Y, & Nablo - "Bones" (6:51)
Tenzella - "Hi 79" (5:29)
Danny Tenaglia - "The Brooklyn Gypsy" (7:29)
Kamilo Sanclemente - "Eclipse" (7:46)
Review: American Danny Tenaglia is a legend, make no mistake about it. From his marathon 24-hour sets to his legendary Twilo residency via the fact he has a club sound system set up at home to listen to his vast record collection he is dance music through and through. As such he is just the sort of person you want to helm a mix series as long-running and influential as Global Underground. This is a special gatefold red, white and blue vinyl version across three 12"s that perfectly embody his driving sound - part prog, part techno, part tribal, it's a textbook musical trip one from of the best in the game.
Joey Negro & The Sunburst Band - "The Secret Life Of Us" (feat Donna Gardier & Diane Charlemagne - Director cut Signature mix) (7:52)
Artful & Ridney - "Missing You" (feat Terri Walker - Eric Kupper Director cut Tribute To FK' mix) (6:56)
Marshall Jefferson - "The House Music Anthem (Move Your Body)" (feat Curtis McClain - Director cut Retro Signature mix) (8:50)
Review: The legacy of Frankie Knuckles will never diminish even if releases like this one day eventually dry up. Forever regarded as 'The Godfather of House' it is now almost a decade since his passing. In his prolific career he hooked up with Eric Kupper many times as Director's Cut and this is a collection of their best works. It's full of house classics that have all been remixed by their fair hand, from 'Your Love" (feat Jamie Principle) to 'The Whistle Song' via 'I'll Take You There', all of which are spine tingling emotional deep house anthems that never lose their shine.
Review: Former Factory Floor flummoxer and drummer Gabe Gurnsey grabs us by the groin on this gargantuan groveller of an LP, 'Diablo', his new album. Blending influences from Detroit techno, minimal post-punk and krautrock, it's an impressive follow-up to Physical, his debut solo album for Erol Alkan's Phantasy Sound. It hotly heats our hearing with high-octane hygge, and develops nicely out of his former one-off EPs and singles.
Review: Los Angeles' producer Luxxury has long specialised in the kind of opaque, warming, stylish and melodious fare that tends towards the timeless - retro-futurist, yacht-rock-tinged fusions of disco, AOR, synth-pop, boogie and blue-eyed soul that sounds like it was tailor-made to listen to while cruising down the Pacific highway in an early '80s convertible. Alright, his latest album, sees him subtly tweak that sound further and in the process deliver his most consistently entertaining full-length excursion to date. Our picks of the plentiful standouts include the slap-bass propelled dreaminess of 'Somebody Tonight', the radio-friendly dancefloor delight that is 'Be Good 2 Me', the yacht disco goodness of 'I Need Somebody' and the kaleidoscopic, filter-sporting lux-pop of 'Alright'.
Review: Long-time electro stalwart Carl Finlow is the man behind the Random Factor alias. He started it back in 1994 and it has given rise to four full lengths on 20/20 Vision, which is where he now returns with his first new long player in 15 years. Silencer is a superb return to form with a mix of electro-pop that is laden with indelible melodies, granular vocoders, angelic vocals and the occasion back room, heads down electro banger. As always these cuts are second to none with bumping electro-funkers like 'Adulterant' and celestial trips like 'Lab Grown' perfect for back rooms.
Review: Sydney-to-Vancouver dance debonair Jack J presents Blue Desert, his second album for Mood Hut. Friends of the label will know J's sound - warming house musical pumps come deep future Balearics - and yet on Blue Desert, we hear the sound tempered by a newfound indie vocal performance by J himself, and that's not to mention its expansive tracklist-trajectory, which, when followed in full, details a head-hung but still hopeful tale of rue and recompense. Of the highlights, opener 'Wrong Again' opts for the true-blue choice of a DX7 organ blearily blent with an open chorded jangle guitar and a sequencer-gated trance line, as J muses on taking a past life too seriously; 'Down The Line' brings impressive Oort clouds of reverse reverb and desert new wave; and 'My Other Mind' even echoes Squeeze, as J continues to lyricise over misunderstandings and perspectival shifts on life. Sight of the dance is not lost, however; 'Pink Shoes (part III)' ends things on a gushing iso-stab, rendering the beach disco in clear-as-day clarity, just over the dunes, at the foreshore's end.
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