Missing You (Eric Kupper Director’s cut Tribute To Fk remix) (6:57)
Missing You (Ridney rework) (6:03)
Review: First released a decade ago and revisited periodically ever since, Arftul and Ridney's collaboration with UK soul queen Terri Walker is a 21st century house classic. This 10th anniversary edition - released in limited numbers for Record Store Day 2023 - pairs fresh revisions with classic reworks. Michael Gray steps up with a funk-fuelled, disco-tinged revision, before the insanely talented Opolopo opts for a deeper, jazz-funk-flecked revision that's as classy as it is soulful. Elsewhere, Eric Kupper's 'Directors Cut Tribute To FK' version is a strings-and-piano-laden treat, while Ridney's own 'Rework' is a tasteful, piano-sporting deep house shuffler.
Review: The Moiss Music label seems to like to drop their EPs two at a time. They did it in February and they're doing it again in May. This eighth outing collects four more lively disco cuts, each with their own subtle influences. Berobreo's 'White Rabbit' for instance has funky undertones with loopy guitar riffs and nice breaks. The Magic Track's 'Jamming With Mom' meanwhile is more sensuous and deep, with late-night synth work and seductive vocals. Oldchap's 'I Want To Show You' has an expressive soul vocal with more low-slung grooves and Alexny's 'Not Bad' then gets quick, clipped and loopy for its lip-pouting disco thrills.
Review: The third vinyl release of the year from Blur Records sees three distinguished producers - ColorJaxx, T.Markakis and Manuel Kane - sharing duties, each delivering a track each but with the distinctive, music-centred 'deep house fusion' flavour of the Blur label very much at their heart. ColorJaxx's 'I Know You' kicks off proceedings in upbeat mood, goaded along by a skippy garage beat, some beautiful piano work and arresting male vocals. 'Ain't Like That' by T.Markakis rolls slower and deeper, clouds of warm synth giving it a reassuring, dub feel, while Manuel Kane's 'Funk' boasts a cheery, end-of-evening sparkle with its hypnotic vocal samples and gentle sirens. Quality without pretention whichever way you turn.
Cranes In The Sky (DJ Pope Funkhut reprise) (8:26)
Cranes In The Sky (Joe Goddard remix) (9:40)
Cranes In The Sky (Star One KDA Meltdown dub) (4:45)
Review: Baltimore-based DJ Oji has been in the house music game for a long time now, starting out with his own Poji label alongside DJ Pope around 1994 and steady trucking since then with his warm, approachable brand of deep house. Known for his collaborations with strong female vocalists, on this latest release for Foundation Music he teams up with Tracy Hamlin for 'Cranes In The Sky', a sentimental piece steeped in soulful composition. Pope steps up for a remix which strips the tune back without losing the message, while on the flip Joe Goddard brings his brand of bumpin', off-kilter floor-filling magic to bear, and then Star One drops the 'KDA Meltdown Dub' in a tougher, techier style which has plenty of fun dicing up Hamlin's vocal for a fresh and fruity version.
Review: Inhale Exhale bring six full new circular round-trip breaths to the fold, focusing on heartwarming and soulful summer deep house tunes. Intended mostly for outdoor disco BBQs, 'INEX 017' packs a fruitful punch. Opening proceedings on the A come 'Make It Right', 'Understand U' and 'Tears Of The M1', a power-of-three intro tracking a vibeful descension from crystalline waters, synth organs and high string samples down to the chillest of vinyl-crackly, primal mini tech moods. Then there's the unmissable mirror image on the B, podding 'Everytime', 'Clyde' and 'Keep The Stabs', the last of which is an especially delicious, refractive groove.
Listen Love (original Funkhut instrumental) (6:44)
Listen Love (Funkhut dub) (5:02)
Review: Funkhut Records is proud to bring to you the anticipated release by DjPope & The Funkhut All Stars Feat. Kenny Wesley "Listen Love". With all the live instrumentation along side Kenny's extraordinary interpretation of the great Jon Lucien's original, "Listen Love' makes this release a must have for any music connoisseur. Produced, Mixed and Arranged by DjPope. Additional Mixing by David Sussman, Mastered by Joey Hernandez, Bass : Irv Madden Guitar: Karlos Brickhouse Drums: PJ Spraggins Congas: Kevin Pinder Keyboards: Charles Dockins.
Review: Dancin' The Mambo (The Reflex Revision) grooves with infectious disco energy, seamlessly blending Chic-esque rhythms with early piano house vibes. The Reflex's revision injects new life into this 1980 gem, maintaining its French flair while adding modern twists. With its pulsating basslines and irresistible beats, this track is a testament to the timeless allure of disco music. Perfect for igniting dancefloors, its vibrant energy captures the essence of a bygone era while feeling fresh and exciting for contemporary audiences. Prepare to be transported to a world where disco reigns supreme and every beat compels you to move.
Review: Gratts is back once again, hot on the heels of various Balearic outings like 'Sun Circles', 'Pretty Lights' and 'Jour De Fete' but this time he is in house mode. This release comes under his new Trackhead T moniker and finds him keeping things raw and stripped back. For the sessions, the Belgian artist limited himself to using only around 12 channels maximum per tune. This Klub Romance EP is the result and a track that harks back to his Berlin stomping ground, with deep but driving house cuts that have subtle hints of everyone from Felix Da Housecat to Boo Williams. The low slung sleaze and muted rave stabs of 'My Miseducation' is our standout.
Review: What would it be like to be invincible? An ecstatic funky house climax from the dream team of music-maker Michael Gray and singer Tatiana Owens, new one 'Invincible' channels the pure excitement of real love and connection, lyrically equating that excitement to feeling as if nothing could slow us down. Speaking of "common love" and "every day and every day", this is an unstoppable single, with its impenetrable march forward backed up by piano chords, stabbing string hits and punchy fills. Don't miss the B-side 'You Got To Remember', nor the live performed version on YouTube!
Review: The esteemed Michael Gray is back once again with his superb house sounds, this time on Sultra with 'Save Me.' An extended mix of the title cut opens up and is the sort of glorious crossover anthem that will unique any crowd with its clean and soulful vocals, pristine sax notes and swooning strings, all married to a breezy and effortlessly catchy groove. After the dub version comes 'Ivy' which is another accessible, heart-swelling and radio friendly house sound that harks back to the proper songwriting days of yore, then 'Season High' closes with a bright synth one that twists and turns next to celebratory chords and singalong vocals.
Keller - "That Kind Of Girl" (The Dukes original mix) (5:13)
Mark Funk - "Here To Stay" (5:48)
Danny Cruz - "Waiting (For You)" (6:55)
Makito - "Jackin With Millie" (6:31)
Review: If you're reading this you will probably already know that this Cruise Music series has been full of gold over the previous instalments. Whoever is in charge for curation has pulled it off again with four more funky and disco infused house gems. Keller's opener is a classy mix of filtered vocals and drum loops with an aching soul edge. Mark Funk offers a more party starting disco bumper with classic vocal hooks and Danny Cruz takes things onto a summer terrace with glorious horns and uplifting grooves. Makito shuts down with the dusty deep house shuffles and party atmospheres of 'Jackin With Millie.'
The Trammps - "I've Gotta Stand Up" (Dave Lee Garage City mix)
Celestial Being & Citizens Of The World Choir - "Raise The Vibration" (Crackazat club mix)
Soul Dhamma - "Flower" (Dave's Boogified mix)
Review: Vintage house and disco don Dave Lee knows a thing or two about serving up irresistible and timeless cuts and that's what he does here with the 24th instalment of the long-running Attack The Dancefloor series on his own Z Records. The man himself kicks off with Maurissa Rose on the loosely chugging, deep and soulful 'Open Me Up' (a first taste of the upcoming album together). He then slips into US garage style with his popular remix of The Trammps' 'I've Gotta Stand Up' that harks back to the glory days of 90s Soulful House. Felix Buxton's Celestial Being & Citizens Of The World Choir's 'Raise The Vibration' gets a gloriously sunny and positive Crackazat club mix before Lee closes the release with squelching synth in the form of his Boogified mix of Soul Dhamma's classic 'Flower.'
What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin (instrumental mix) (7:00)
You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else (extended club mix) (8:14)
You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else (instrumental mix) (7:38)
Review: Spencer Morales taps into the most lavish and soulful end of the house spectrum here with a glorious new single 'What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin.' The glossy and sophisticated production oozes charm and high end touches while the vocals are as pure as they come - soaring, full of soul and nicely in sync with the rolling beats and golden chords, sumptuous strings and loose percussion. On the flip, 'You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else' is a rework of a disco classic with another catchy vocal and more infectious soulful house grooves.
Review: Almost a quarter century into his recording career, Mousse T has not lost his ability to create party-starting anthems, even if he's consciously moved away from the heavily compressed, filter-happy disco-house sound of old. "Rock The Mic" - his first release for Defected's revivalist disco offshoot Glitterbox - sounds like an anthem in the making; a cheery disco beast built around live-sounding drums, simmering strings and Plantlife style, P-funk-inspired hip-house vocals. The accompanying remixes come from dusty-fingered crate digger turned disco don Kon. As well as a warm "Remix" rich in warm electric piano riffs and authentic disco instrumentation, the Brooklyn producer also serves up a fine Instrumental take and a handy Acapella.
The Deepshakerz & Turntables Night Fever - "Oh Phunk!" (6:32)
Richard Earnshaw - "Touch Me" (6:21)
Sebb Jumor - "Makes Me Feel" (5:47)
Review: Toolroom's house imprint keeps the party pumping with another diverse selection of floor-filling weapons. Grant Nelson & Mark Knight lead the charge with 'Do It Y'all', a track that's been tearing up charts and dancefloors with its raw energy and irresistible rhythm for a while now. But this sampler doesn't simply rest on its laurels; it takes us on a winding path through the multifaceted sounds of house music. The Deepshakerz & Turntables Night Fever follow up with 'Oh Phunk!', a high-energy stomper fueled by a relentless rhythm section and soulful vocal samples that hark back to the golden age of house music. Richard Earnshaw, however, opts for a different approach, reimagining Fonda Rae's classic 'Touch Me' with a touch of soulful depth and emotion. Sebb Junior closes out the sampler with 'Makes Me Feel', a track brimming with bright melodies and feel-good vibes, showcasing the playful side of house music. This sampler is a showcase for the label's dedication to quality house music that offers listeners a diverse range of beats that are both good for the dancefloor and any discerning DJs.
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.
The James L'Estraunge Orchestra - "Broken Spells" (8:08)
Nico Lahs - "Happenstance" (5:58)
Review: Local Talk has quietly but assuredly become a vital voice in there underground. It has done so over the last 13 years and now makes that occasion by doing what it does best - serving up timeless club sounds that mix under many different subgenres. This is another feel-good offering from four of the label's talents or as the label puts it, "producers that we love and respect." There is funky bass and soulful vibes from the Soul Renegades opener, Wipe The Needle's 'Light Years Away' is a more serene cosmic journey and The James L'Estraunge Orchestra offer a broken beat and jazzed-up dancer in 'Broken Spells.' Nico Lahs brings some cuddly depths to his slow-mo house jam 'Happenstance.'
Saturday Night (Dr Packer dubstrumental mix) (6:34)
Review: After they relocated to Miami, Florida, in the early 1970s, Bahamas band T Connection recorded a string of disco and disco-funk anthems for local label T.K. Amongst their most admired and played releases - the peerless and extra-percussion 'At Midnight' excepted - is 'Saturday Night', which here gets the remix treatment courtesy of popular Aussie disco/house fusionist Dr Packer. He provides two peak-time-ready rubs: a jaunty, rolling, full-vocal A-side remix that lightly straightens and tools-up the groove while retaining the horns, strings, guitar and bass from the band's superb original mix, and a flip-side 'Dubstrumental'. Almost entirely free of singing besides some whispered and yelped backing vocals, it allows the original disco instrumentation more room to breathe while rolling out the band's killer groove.
Review: Let the speculation begin, because here we have a new EP from an artist about which we know nothing on a similarly anonymous new label. T Recs has pressed up these two house cuts on alluring green wax and riddled them with big samples. The first will be familiar to fans of Donald Glover's 'This Is America' which has the vocal samples and crowd chants layered into a chunky tribal house cut. On the flip is a similar tune with tweaked vocals. Both will bring big reactions to the club.
Review: The T Recs label has another playful funky house offering here on hand-stamped blue wax. The opener is awash with samples you will recognise if you are of a certain vintage and enjoyed chart music in the 90s. The loopy synths borrow from French filter house and the bassline bobbles with a great sense of funk with the erotic vocal coos add the heat up top before some big male vocals finish it in style. The flipside is a backup of the same tune just in case you play out the A-side too much.
Review: T.Recs delivers a potent double-header of peak-time house on their latest vinyl release. 'Urban Deep' is a 122bpm floor-filler that seamlessly blends a throbbing bassline with jubilant claps and a dreamy vocal, creating an irresistible throwback vibe. On the flip, 'Franklin & Marshall' embraces classic house anthem territory with its Prophet 2000 piano riffs and TR-909 beats. The unexpected addition of a smoky, gospel-tinged vocal elevates this track to epic proportions, making it a surefire weekend weapon for discerning DJs.
Catch The Beat (Dimitri From Paris & Mousse T's Oldskool edit) (3:56)
Catch The Beat (Special remix instrumental) (5:02)
Review: Slick, plinky-plonky hip disco editry/reissue-tastics from Peppermint Records, who celebrate their 30th anniversary in style with the first in a series of edits and remixes on vinyl. First up is a 7" version of T-Ski Valley's 'Catch The Beat', featuring an edit of Dimitri from Paris & Mousse T's classic Oldskool mix, flipped with the 'Special remix instrumental' on the B. Limited Edition - so act fast!
Review: Telefax Productions - mysterious musical masterminds formed by veteran producers with roots in the late 80s - finally drop a vinyl release of their 2024 breakout club anthem, 'Break This House Down'. It is an unashamedly revivalist hip-house banger backed by proper DJs like Honey Dijon and Luke Solomon and features fiery verses from rising Buffalo MC DeeVoeNay. Alongside the flame-hot original is a live band version with HR Nightmare, plus a rough and ready bruk remix from London's EVM128 and last but not least, a visceral acid house rework. This is a perfect example of how you balance nostalgia and freshness and do it right. The package is finished in style with fine artwork by KLF legend Jimmy Cauty.
Review: Four tracks from another new school Detroit name who's been around for decades, Tink Thomas, who returned to his first musical love - house - after forging a highly successful name for himself as a hip-hop and r&b producer, not least producing for Madonna's Maverick label. Although they would happily fit in alongside the latest Kyle Hall or Theo Parrish, thanks to some sexily syncopated work in the rhythmic department, there's a markedly different vibe to the likes of overtly disco-slanted rug cutter 'Gonna Make U Dance' and the prominently reggae flavoured overtones of 'Wat A Bam' and 'Mistic Flow', that means it'll stand out while knowing exactly how to keep the faithful on their feet. Irresistible.
Review: We can hear a hint of early New York house heads like Todd Terry in the way the drums are constructed on this new one from Toribio, who has linked up with Sharin for an authentic vocal flourish. Her silky tones lend real quality to the choppy analogue drums and lodge top lines deep in your brain. After the original comes an alternate mix with some extra jazzy chords moving about the mix, and then closing things out is a Crackazat remix. In this one, the drums take on a bit of a garage swing with extra weight making you move while the soulful vocal flair remains in place up top.
TNT Inc - "U Just Have To Deal" (feat Chappell - TNT Inc original ReEdit) (6:56)
The Deepshakerz - "Yamamba" (3balitz main mix ReEdit) (6:42)
Fabio Tosti - "Shosholooza" (Fabio Tosti Under club 2023 rework) (6:45)
Review: Welcome to the world Music Plan Records, whose first release - a fine multi-artist affair - offers up a quartet of nostalgic workouts variously influenced by deep, soulful and Mediterranean house flavours. Experienced producer Fabio Tosti opens proceedings with his own 'classic mix' of Logical Groove collaboration 'Take Me Down', a sunny and celebratory vocal house groove rich in dream house chords, funky disco bass, snaking sax sounds and stretched out piano solos, before Tosti dons the TNT Inc guise for a deeper, chunkier and more late-night friendly workout ('U Just Have To Deal', featuring the Robert Owens-esque vocals of Chappell). Elsewhere, The Deepshakerz 'Yamamba (3baltitz main mix edit)' is a heavily electronic Afro-house shuffler, while Tosti's '2023' version of his 'Shosholoza' is an Afro-tinged slab of locked-in house hypnotism with added jazzy piano riffs.
Review: Track Deluxe Records is based between Barcelona and Paris and this is its first vinyl release. It comes from the eponymous producer and brings plenty of feel good and funky vibes to summery house drums. 'Jackpotes' kicks off with happy piano chords and nicely undercooked drums topped with some subtle vocal swirls passed through a warm retro filter. 'Sing It Back' is an edit of the Molokai classic with plenty of colourful melodies, a new and funky skip in the beats and a hint of garage swing to finish it with a modern touch.
Review: The French feel-good maestros over at Treasure dig up another pair of gems from the vaults. This time F.R delivers two more killer reworks of certified classic cuts, each of which will hear you requisition the dancefloor, be that the opening cinematic trip-hop-jazz-house smoothings of 'Pearls' or the ensuing tribal spaces and wobbly washes of 'Makes Me Wonder'.
Review: 'EZ Do Dance' by Japanese band TRF was released on June 21, 1993 as their second single and it proved to be a breakout hit that also helped to make dance music more popular in Japan. The group blended Yellow Magic Orchestra's techno-pop style with rock music and was later inspired by a visit to the UK when he experienced the second summer of love in 1998. Here we get the original 7" mix as well as a more piano-laced and vocal flipside joint 'Track 2'.
Review: Californian pair KG Superstar & B.Valentine join forces to bring plenty of island influences to some steamy and funky house music here. 'Get Up' features KG's expressive Jamaican style vocals with lots of B.Valentine ad libs which are designed to get those asses shaking and hands in the air. It's a perfect party time cut that comes in the form of FRZVL's Massive main mix and then a more clipped and funky dubstyle version. DJ Spinna then shows his class with his Galactic dub Vox which is all percussive energy and broken beat loops.
Review: Lausanne in Switzerland is not only home to the admirable Black Pattern Records imprint, but also sometime Street King and Mood Funk Records artist Dexter Troy (real name Alexandre Grazzola). Here, label and artist join forces for the first time to launch the latter's new series, The Double Take. The idea seems simple: Grazzola drops two fresh tunes, each of which gets reworked. The vibe of his original tracks is gritty, energetic and effects-laden disco house, with the gargantuan, Sylvester-sampling 'Needin' You' being followed by the deeper and more locked-in 'Without You', which incorporates elements from an Alicia Myers classic. DJ Sneak - a major influence on the sound explored on the EP - delivers an energetic, filter-sporting tease-and-release take on 'Needin' You', toughening it up in the process, before Groove P drops a more rubbery and expressively funky take on 'Without You'.
You're Gonna Miss Me (Terry Farley & Wade Teo remix)
You're Gonna Miss Me (Terry Farley & Wade Teo dub)
You're Gonna Miss Me (original club mix)
Review: A reissue of a 1988 house classic by DJ and producer Hipolito Torrales and company; 'You're Gonna Miss Me' is an incipient deep house classic, often described as one of its pangaeic moments, being an effective early production masterclass as well as a precursive blueprint for garage house. This fresh 12" version ' is a weightily produced stonker, with Cinthie's version channelling an extra low-middy grit, and Terry Farley and Wade Teo's version elbowing their way to string-laden euphoria with equal voracity. The original appears too, in all its raw, reissued charm.
Wh0, Mark Knight & James Hurr - "Turn Me Deeper" (feat Kathy Brown) (5:23)
Shadow Child - "Rising High" (7:31)
Low Steppa & Tony Romera - "Dance To The Music" (5:21)
Maur - "Disco Tool" (6:33)
Review: The latest V/A sampler record by Toolroom Records comes in the shadow of unfortunate news in regards to singer Kathy Brown, who, last we heard, was battling stage four cancer. Brown is the original featuring singer of Praxis' 'Turn Me Out'; her vocal contribution to the track has since gone sampled by many a deep and jackin' house producer, owing to its standout "work me with temptation" lyric, whose simple injunction and passionate delivery would seem to bottle the essence of an era (of overwork, of temptation, of desire). Now Toolroom continue to dedicate their latest releases to Brown in her honour; this time, her 'Turn Me Out' vocal is reworked into 'Turn Me Deeper', featuring a star cast of organ-synth peddling, deep house foundation-shattering producers (Wh0, Mark Knight, James Hurr), backed up by contributions by the likes of Shadow Child, Low Steppa and Maur as addenda.
Review: Left Coast electronic music producer Dave Aju and The Invisible Art Trio have joined forces once again to deliver Glossolalia, a powerful seven-song album that defies conventional genres and transcends cultural differences. Recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic at the legendary G-Son studios in Atwater Village LA, Glossolalia is a timely and uplifting call-to-action that reflects the turbulent times we live in. With its twisted grooves and every song's lyrics in complete gibberish, Glossolalia takes listeners on a complex and nuanced sonic journey that leaves us with as many questions as answers. It is a testament to the power of collaborative music-making and a reminder that, despite our differences, we are united by our love of music and our shared human experiences.
Review: Jimetta Rose and The Voices of Creation's new album, Things Are Getting Better, via Day Dreamer Recordings, is a soul-stirring devotional that blends house, funk, soul, r&b and hip-hop influences. The album opens with the lead single 'Portals,' an invitation to a new way of thinking. With a shuffling groove and soaring vocals, it breaks traditional gospel molds, introducing soulful r&b runs and syncopated verses. Things Are Getting Better is fantastically crafted studio sound, evolving from their raw debut, How Good It Is. The album is composed of non-professional singers and embodies Jimetta's mission to demystify the ministry and spread faith in music's power for positive change. Featuring instrumentalists Isaiah Collier, Ryan Porter, and V.C.R., and recorded at Sunset Sound studios, it encapsulates Jimetta's vision of "Black spiritual classical music". A prolific collaborator with artists like Anderson .Paak and Angel Bat Dawid, Jimetta leads the choir, delivering new mantras for our times. Things Are Getting Better is an example of the power of music, faith, and community.
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