Back in stock: Funky/Club House

Review: Confidence Man's third album, 3AM (LA LA LA), captures the wild energy of London's club scene and the 90s rave culture, blending euphoric dance beats with a darker undercurrent. Written during late-night studio sessions, the album pulses with breakbeat, trance, and techno influences, pushing their sound into bolder, more intense territory. Tracks like 'I Can't Lose You' and 'So Whay' hit with fierce, rave-ready energy, while vocalist Janet Planet's playful lyrics echo the spontaneity of a night out. The group's penchant for theatricality and fun comes alive in their live shows, full of synchronised dance moves and chaotic party vibes. Compared to their lighter 2022 album Tilt, 3AM (LA LA LA) is a wilder, harder experienceia hedonistic celebration that reflects the delirious, sweaty-ceilinged clubs. It's Confidence Man at their boldest, offering an electrifying escape.

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: For the first time ever, the early 2000s house anthem 'Lola's Theme' by The Shapeshifters gets a 7" release, paired with the soulful disco classic that inspired it - Johnnie Taylor's 'What About My Love'. A timeless blend of modern house energy and classic soul, this release is a must-have for fans of both eras, capturing the essence of dance floors across decades in one essential package.

Review: British artist Jack Latham aka Jam City is back with a new album a full decade after his debut 'Classical Curves' made for a head turning debut. EFM (the artists debut on Diplo's Mad Decent) is a record that looks at the experiences we had and during our early and formative clubbing years with plenty of engaging and pop-tinged sounds that draw on reggaeton, house, and club. Elements of guitar driven soul and plenty of melancholic tenderness all define this most heartfelt and loved up record as it gets from tender moments to more euphoric outpourings with swelling pads, breakdowns and drops that are all easy to predict but hard to not feel deep inside.

Review: Here's something to get excited about: a cracking new cut from Detroit deep house legend Alton Miller, backed with a 'Sound Signature' translation from the equally revered Theo Parrish. Miller's version of "Bring Me Down", is something of a treat: a sparkling, starry deep house epic that's blessed with immaculate vocals from soul chanteuse Maurissa Rose. Parrish's translation is equally as stretched out and similarly enjoyable, but is far looser and dustier in feel, with warmer bass and beats that naturally tend towards the jazzier. It's naturally more in keeping with Parrish's work than Miller's, but retains enough of the latter's touches to be counted as a fine remix.

Review: Since launching five years ago, Groove Culture has established itself as an essential outlet for groovy, musically rich club cuts that frequently blur the boundaries between disco, deep house, soulful house, jazz-funk and nu-boogie. It's this hybrid, party-hearty sound that founders Micky More and Andy Tee slickly showcase across this two-disc, fifth anniversary mix. It's funky, hip-shaking fare from start to finish, with some of the many highlights including the pair's sax-sporting remix of Jestofunk's 'Say It Again', the rousing horns and Dave Lee style disco/house fusion grooves of their Angela Johnson collaboration 'Time', the string-drenched disco-house swell of Serge Funk's 'Can't Get Enough' and the Idris Muhammad-sampling joy of 'Subway' by Right To Life.

Review: Three groove maestros in Jamie 3:26, Young Pulse, and Danou P all join forces on Frappe's 30th release, the 'Mystic Freaks EP'. This cosmic disco house journey delivers three irresistible tracks perfect for the dancefloor - they are sexy, raw and packed with funk and disco energy while embodying authentic house music values. Expect disco drums layered with house rhythms, ethereal sound effects, groovy keyboards and seductive vocals whispering to dancers all served up with the label's signature artwork. Three real gems.

Review: Natural Rhythm make their Sounds of Style Records debut with 'Solo Tu,' featuring the sultry spoken word of Lyssa. This deep house gem seamlessly blends Latin House, Jazzy House, and US Garage influences, showcasing why the group has been a favorite among top DJs like Mark Farina and DJ Sneak.The title track 'Solo Tu' is an uptempo funky banger, embodying the classic early 90s house vibe with a smooth, deep house foundation. JT Donaldson's '90s Rework' on the A-side masterfully channels vintage vibes through his SP1200, delivering a timeless, classy US house music experience. Hotmood's 'House Vibe Mix' injects an upbeat energy perfect for any setting, from poolside fun to sweaty warehouse parties. His version is a testament to house music's versatility, ensuring it gets the job done no matter the occasion. Natural Rhythm's "Solo Tu" is a vibrant, multifaceted release that promises to make your ears smile and your feet move, making the label's first release a memorable one in the deep house scene.

Review: Serge Funk, and his contemporaries Micky More & Andy Tee, bring utter floor-shaking heat to Groove Culture with 'Move On Up' and 'Runaway', two four-to-the-floor crowdpleasers working in rapidfire vocal samples and bass licks sifted from the trawled megahertz of funk. Compressed and pumped-out to no end, each track here balances the other out nicely in mutual a barrage of interwoven rhythms and vocal "hups".

Review: Lars Dales of Dam Swindle and Lorenz Rhode, better known as Sound Support, return to Toy Tonics with the 'Everybody Knows' EP. Following last year's success with 'Higher', which topped Beatport's house charts, this latest offering cements their status as one of the most exciting duos in modern dance music. The EP kicks off with the title track, a playful blend of punchy drums and infectious melodies that immediately sets the tone for what's to come. It's a track designed for the dancefloor, channelling the energy of classic 90s house while incorporating the indie disco flair of the early 2000s. Think Daft Punk jamming with Kerri Chandler while LCD Soundsystem lingers in the background. There's an irresistible groove throughout, something that feels fresh yet familiar, a testament to the duo's ability to draw from their influences without being shackled by them. The follow-up tracks are just as compelling. 'Track Two' continues with a lively rhythm section, its bouncy bassline and percussive elements building an atmosphere that's as suitable for peak-time sets as it is for a chilled-out afternoon session. Dales and Rhode's chemistry shines through, with Rhode's slick keyboard work providing a perfect counterbalance to Dales' production expertise. There's an undeniable sense of fun throughout the EP, each track delivering its own unique moment while still fitting within the overall sound. This release is bound to captivate DJs and dancers alike, with its infectious rhythms, clever arrangements, and undeniable charm making it an essential addition to any set. Sound Support proves, once again, they've got the magic touch when it comes to crafting modern house music.

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.

Review: Disco Tape is a nascent new V/A series from Italy's Sound Exhibitions, whose stated M.O. is to release alternative dance music and have it reach keen ears. Now with over a decades' worth of experience under their belts, the collective continue to trailblaze with a unique quantity of house trax, seven to be exact, smushed onto LP. Two contributions from current favourite Mosaik, 'You Make Me' and 'Jazz In Sermenin', do well to play up house's endemic crispiness, whether that's heard in a characteristic shaker or clap sound; Kozmik Funk and John De La Noise, meanwhile, deliver ample contrast to this with dusky chordwork and acid jazz explorations respectively, facilitating an ultimately varied, compelling hat-trick for the series.

Review: Henry Street Music is one of house music's foundational labels. From the mid-nighties onwards it has been behind some of the genre's most enduring hits and now on the occasion of its 30th anniversary, it celebrates all that rich history with a superb double vinyl album, Henry Street Music 1994-2024 (30th Anniversary Edition). It kicks off with an age old staple from The Bucketheads that is one of the most mis-sung tunes of all time (it's 'these sounds', not 'pizza') and then comes a loopy filter gem from Armand Van Helden. 'Ill Street Theme' from 95 North is a nice old school bumper and Jonnick's 'Play The World' is another good time delight

Review: Naya Beat Volume 2: South Asian Dance And Electronic Music 1988-1994 dives deep into finding rare tracks that showcase an overlooked chapter of South Asian sound. This collection highlights a unique period between 1988 and 1994, when vibrant cultural fusion emerged within diasporic communities in cities like New York and London. Following the success of Volume 1, which celebrated early 80s Balearic and synth pop, this second installment unveils a blend of house, street soul and downtempo gems, many of which have remained hidden until now. Tracks like The Jets Orkhestra's energetic 'X-290' and the soothing tones of Asha Bhosle's West India Company provide a glimpse into this rich sonic landscape. Other highlights include Lady M's enchanting 'Kali Raat' and the mesmerising sound of Mantra's self-titled track. This double LP serves as a vital resource for music enthusiasts, complete with beautiful artwork and in-depth liner notes. Compiled by Naya Beat's founders, Filip Nikolic and Raghav Mani, the release has been expertly cut for vinyl by Grammy-nominated Frank Merritt, ensuring a high-quality listening experience for collectors and DJs alike.