New releases last two weeks: Deep House

Review: This three-track release from a legendary Toronto house producer is a cream example in deep house sophistication. 'Kickstarter (Mainpass)' opens with jazzy, melodic elegance, its slick, clean production exuding class and warmth. The track's deep grooves and epic progression make it very appealing for DJ's. 'Music For Table Tennis' shifts gears with an electro-tinged beat, enveloping listeners in a lush, deep soundscape that radiates beauty and warmth. Closing the EP, 'Now Is Your Time (A Lost Story)' featuring Jenifa Mayanja, blends deep house and techno into an atmospheric masterpiece. The production here is next level, with intricate textures and a hypnotic flow. Rooted in the spirit of New York house but imbued with a contemporary finesse, this is a refined and essential deep house release.

Review: Pierre-Alexandre Busson, a producer known for his multifaceted talents in both music and photography, steps further into his Destiino alias with a darkly ambient collection that stretches across downbeat house, industrial electronica and melancholic disco. Having made his name in the world of French electro, Busson's transition to Destiino was marked by an exploration of improvised compositions following his participation in a sound installation at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017. This shift from his previous styles allowed him to dive deeper into moody, atmospheric landscapes. The current project, released under CHLOE's Lumiere Noire imprint, comes as a continuation of this artistic exploration, breaking from the dancefloor-driven energy of his past work to embrace a more introspective and expansive approach. Opening with 'Yokohama,' Busson sets a pensive tone, layering soft synths over a minimalist beat. 'My Crush' follows with a reflective yet upbeat mood, while 'Somlake' (feat. Inigo Vontier) weaves light, meditative textures. 'Transe Has No Speed' dives into dense atmospherics and 'Imagery' introduces a rhythmic, bodily groove. The second side offers 'Musique Electronique Repetitive,' using looping motifs to create a trance effect, while 'La Houle' brings fluidity and 'Morning Routine' soothes with its gentle vibe. 'Pulsar' (feat. Inigo Vontier) pulses with cosmic rhythms, and 'No Pain' closes with a melancholy, reflective note.

Review: 'I Wanna B House' was originally recorded during the formative period of Mike Dunn's career in the late 1980s, though it was only in 2015 that it first saw the light of day. Here it gets a deserved reissue. The side A 'original demo mix' is a typically sleazy and weighty, late 1980s Chicago jack track, with Dunn's own spoken word vocal (paying tribute to Frankie Knuckles and the Windy City scene at the time) riding sweat-soaked machine drums and a nagging bassline. Over on the flip, we get Johnny Aux's sweat-soaked, bassline-driven re-edit - a rough and ready tape affair that's as infectious as it is weighty and mind altering - and TB-303-laden acid workout 'I'm The Houze'.

Review: How is it that this EP from Warren Harris, aka the deep house maestro Hanna, is now 20 years old but still sounds like tomorrow music? Such is the vision of Harris that his off-grid grooves and sparkling cosmic melodies have aged to perfection. The pads weave in and out of the wonky kicks on 'Metropolitan' to make for an outlier soul sound. 'Cottage' pairs more wispy melodies with cool-as-you-like drums and on 'Healing' there is a sunny day feel with glistening and golden keys and louche drums persuading you to sway. 'Afternoon In Paris (NY mix)' brings some swaggering jazzy swing and busy keys work that again transcends space and time. This is one of the many classics on Theo Parrish's Soul Signature label.

Review: Holo makes a welcome return to Shall Not Fade, delivering four tracks that strike a perfect balance between deep house nostalgia and contemporary groove. His signature soundilush synth work, crisp percussion, and a delicate emotional pulliis on full display, weaving a rich, transportive atmosphere throughout. 'Pink Wax' sets the scene with warm, enveloping pads and a rolling low-end, effortlessly drawing us in. 'Flipper' leans into more playful territory, its shimmering melodies and tight drum programming keeping the energy light yet propulsive. Across the record, Holo's ability to craft emotive, immersive dance music remains undeniable, blending hazy textures with infectious rhythms in a way that feels both timeless and forward-thinking.

Review: With their debut album on !K7 Records, Kassian (aka the pairing of Joe Danvers-McCabe and Warren Cummings) return to the warm, sample-based house sounds that originally brought them together. Over five years, they revisited early ideas, refining their craft to create a record that explores emotional depth beyond their club-focused tracks. The album has been, we're told, shaped by time, loss and reflection so weaves through various atmospheres with live instrumentation, field recordings and percussion that evolve over time. Featuring Joe Armon-Jones from Ezra Collective on keys and Timothy Kraemer on cello, Channels makes for a tender and introspective journey.

Review: All Day I Dream has been rolling out the most cuddly and serene house music you can imagine for a good while now but still Lee Burridge's outlet continues to keep us hooked. Khen is an artist whose sound fits in well here and barely a bar has passed before you're gazing up to a cloudless sky and dreaming of outdoor dancing. 'My Pure Soul' is escapist bliss and 'Lyup' then gets a little more direct with some busier percussion and more textured surfaces. 'Uchi Mata' closes out the trip with yawning synths and deft, delicate drum patterns that are impish and mindful.

Review: Kitchen Plug is a Parisian trio that seeks to combine "the rebellious energy of punk and the synth-driven chaos of electro." This new EP on Chat Noir does bear that out with some playful and quirky cuts packed with fresh sound designs and charming vocals over some effective drum programming. 'A New Kind Of Peace' is a hooky opener with a carefree vibe, 'L'amante (feat Vica)' brings some disco licks and 'La Nuit' gets more raw and direct. 'Confusao' is a balmy and widescreen number that encourages you to daydream and 'Captain Nikouze' shuts down with some pixelated synth madness.

Review: Hot Creations' latest vinyl sampler delivers four essential cuts, each with its own distinct flavour, while maintaining a coherent, subtle progression. Kolter's 'Red Alert' opens the A-side with a thundering intensity, its old-school house energy and relentless groove laying down a powerful foundation. Jamie Jones's rework of 'XTC' follows, taking the original into a deep, bewitching realm with dubby atmospherics and a head-nodding rhythm that perfectly complements the previous track. Flip it, Lauren Lane's 'Ryde Or Die Anthem' offers a playful rework of DMX's 'Ruff Ryder's Anthem', blending rolling basslines and rapped vocals with transcendent guitar stabs for a tripped-out ride. Finally, Carloh's 'Quisiera Tenerte' injects a lively Latin groove, dripping with enthralling basslines and hooky vocals that ensure the groove never falters. Each track is finely tuned to create a mix that's full of energy but never overcomplicated, seamlessly connecting one moment to the next.

Review: On his new 12" for his own kickstarter label Cosada, easy riser Laseech beseeches us to dance. Jazzy, soulful house music enlists the emosh but unrushed voice of Swaylo, snaring the essence of heartfelt house in a power-of-three-tracks net. Awakening the legend Ron Trent from his slumber, his deep, percussive touch and copy-paste-happy vocal science adds a happily haphazard twist. Inspired by the melodic landscapes of the Adriatic, the inaugural label name "Cosada" holds out a personal meaning for Laseech, drawing from both an idyllic island and the street where his studio lies, symbolising his continued hope to make timeless music.

Review:  Leeds' legendary 20/20 Vision Recordings marks 30 years at the forefront with this new project, 'Full Circle', which takes the form of a series of records and events celebrating a fine legacy. Founded by Ralph Lawson and Carl Finlow in a Leeds farmhouse, 20/20 has since put out nearly 500 releases and 2,000 tracks in all. This latest features rare gems, remixes and unreleased tracks and kicks off with a showcase of classics reintroduced for a new generation. Highlights include Christian Loffler's melancholic 'York', Tuccillo's evocative 'Sabotage', Art of Tones' 'Praise', which is already a bonafide anthem for DJs like Honey Dijon, Wulf n Bear's debut 'Space Groover'. Great stuff.

Review: This rework collection brings a fresh perspective to Goa-influenced tribal techno, blending deep house and tech house elements with innovative, bang up-to-date production skills. Side-1's 'Shaker' (Workout mix), is a rhythmically inventive, funk-laced groove that locks in with an addictive pulse. 'Oase' (Trance mix) follows, fusing Goa textures with a modern sensibilityimystical yet laid-back, perfectly tuned for today's club energy. On the flip, 'Day In Night' (After mix) builds steadily, weaving tribal instrumentation into a hypnotic, evolving structure. 'Dimensional Rhythm' (Dream mix) rounds out the EP with atmospheric layers, rising melodies and an irresistible, driving beat that channels the spirit of classic Goa through a contemporary lens. A creative take on deep, tribal-infused club music from Netherlands-based producer Milio.

Review: It has been a rather remarkable three years since Yuko dropped its first release, but finally, they are back with more. It is co-founder Emo Omar who features both solo and in collaboration with Luje from Club Pizza while two exciting new French talents Chud and Vivant also make their mark. 'Pollen' is a bright and hooky melodic electro sound then 'You & Me' gets more percussive, with old school cow bells staying busy next to all sorts of wonky synth work. 'Tomorrow's Made Of Breaks' is built on rigid funk and trippy synth bleeps and 'Zeus' shuts down with some retro-future vocoder vocals. This is a great return from a label we hope now pushes on.

Review: Don't let this one go over yo head son! The final repress from Sound Signature HQ is an essential slab of late 90s Motor City deepness from Theo, presented once again for contemporary reassessment and sounding every bit as jaw dropping 14 years on. Dropping back in 1999, title cut "Overyohead" came to be regarded as a quintessential Theo Parrish track; strings incandescent with soul and lovingly off centre Rhodes riding those heavy drum arrangements towards a sweet piano infused crescendo. Face down, "Dance Of The Drunken Drums" is a prime example of Theo's own distinct brand of cavernous beatdown.

Review: Star Creature is very much leading from the front right now if you like cosmic disco. Tim Zawada's label is back with another delicious dose of the stuff here as Plastic Bamboo heads out on a crime jazz exploration of the outer reaches of our galaxy. His lithe beats and rugged drums are laced up with marvellous synths that are ever on the move. They shine bright and bring real sugary rushes of joy as curious narratives and intergalactic intrigue come thick and fast. Amongst the big bright cuts are some more mellow moments like the wonderful 'A Scene At The Sea' with its hints of Afro percussion. Delightful.

Review: Pedro's House swings open its doors again for another joyous party soundtracked by the label founder himself, Pedro Ricardo. He has a well-crafted brown beat style that draws great energy from the sun and gives it back in the form of loose-limbed and well-worked grooves. 'Solway System' is a busy, kinetic opener and '28 Or 5 To 4' then luxuriates in smeared pads. 'In The Attic' brings some Detroit soul to cuddly but heavy kicks and 'Knockup Stream' adds a little swing into the mix. 'Maracuya Matanzas' is the big finish with wonky chord work.

Review: Top tier US house head Stefan Ringer has many different styles up his sleeve and many of them come to fore on this new dance floor heater on his FWM Entertainment. 'Fever' is built on fat, mid-tempo drums with rattling hits and congas peppering the beats next to snippets of vocal that bring a sense of sensuality and sexuality as pixelated synths also make their mark. On the flip, the remix by Ben Hixon has jazzy, live-sounding percussion and deft drum patterns that are organic and loose. Vamping chords build some energy while steamy vocal words layer in intimacy and emotional intensity. It's a brilliantly original sound packed with real heart.

Review: Bristol's vinyl purists Sex Tapes From Mars continues its journey through the underground with the latest EP from Suburbia main man Cam Stockman. This four-track release is a raw and hypnotic dive into vintage analogue synthesis, acid-soaked basslines and sultry vocal hooks. Stockman shows he is unafraid to push into new relays here as he mixes up classic and contemporary sounds. 'Dreams In The RS' is turbo-tech with charming melodies, 'Chicktikka' brings lithe broken beats and cosmic rays and 'Useless' brings some twitchy acid playfulness before 'The Acceptance Speech' is a more whacked out deep house joint sent back from the future.

Review: Downtime vibes implied on this fifth edition of the phantom arm known as Sunday's Edit, whose Canadian provenance is otherwise unknown to us. Who are Sunday's Edit, exactly, we wonder? Themed after a certain concept emphasising mystique - "It's Sunday. You're at the after party. And the DJ is playing white label edits you've never heard before" - we imagine a tatted, moustached aficionado laying the discs on thick, backdropped by a too-stacked square shelving unit piled to the brim with exclusive unwarpables. 'Quid Pro Hoe' and 'Ain't Got No Money' express something of this coffee-cream expertise in the music itself, with Alicia Keys-ey vocals heard half-belting from pools of paddy synth water and vespertine beats, artisanal samples cut up and put back together again in 2-step form. 'Around Me Baby' rounds out the B, meanwhile, hears Janet Jackson brave a quiet storm, with the 808s sprinkled on top, infusing notes of street soul and deep house.

Review: If you like the sound of a mystical fusion of ancient Japanese folklore and contemporary electronic music, this EP created by Italian producer Volantis and Japanese artist Hiroko is for you. Inspired by a psychedelic experience in Kobe, it blends hardware synthesis with haunting vocals to cook up otherworldly spiritual realms. The title track merges Hiroko's narration with Japanese train sounds while summoning ancient beings while Eden Burns' remix intensifies the ritualistic atmosphere. 'La Kappa' features Hiroko's playful vocals over dreamy sequences with Fabrizio Mammarella's Italorama Version adding a touch of Italo disco. The whole thing was co-produced with Niccolo Barozzi and bridges East and West seamlessly.