Review: Melodiesinfonie, Bluestaeb and S. Fidelity join forces to form a powerful trio, unveiling a rich nonnet of tracks destined for the universal chillout space. Taking shape in a picturesque studio in the South of France - and then completed in centres from Zurich to Berlin - the likes of '365 P', 'Summertime In '92' and 'Just Give Me The Aux' carry on the sparse and material-sonic tradition that has in recent decades inflected the neo-soul and jazz-electronica worlds. Every track here sounds to have been made with what sounds to the most apparently humble means available; rimshot clicks, wooden hits, impassioned hums and coos, Rhodes chords here and there. Loyal to one rule and one rule only - "we need to stay in the room together to make this a record that feels exciting to us" - the result is an evenhanded five-track flirtation with soul-bearing passion, toeing the hobline of cool and hot.
Review: The Plastik People label has been going along nicely for its first few releases, with label head Marc Cotterell stepping up and coming correct last time out. Now he calls upon various artists with Dave Charlesworth taking care of the a-side of Nice Ripe Cuts. He offers two super slick garage cuts that cannot fail to make their mark on the club and it's no different on the flipside except D Lux & Y No combine first for '25 Miles' and then S R offers the irresistible 'Pressure.' An essential 12" for anyone looking to bring some fresh garage flavours.
Review: FOXBAM INC is back to build on the momentum of their first EP with a second one that packs a mighty punch. This one kicks off with EBY, who this year has been cooking up acid for 40 years and here offers the warped low ends and garage-techno power of 'Goldtooth'. Foxtrot vs Ma Bla then mashes up old school samples with earth-shattering bass on 'Deep Down Inside' and bRz vs Stije is a double-time hard techno stomper with warped synths and twisted bass that is inspired by and named after ISCO, a concept from Einstein's general theory of relativity that makes predictions about the dynamics of black holes.
Farayen & Liam Parkins - "Where Do We Go" (Jamie Unknown remix) (5:04)
Dan Newman - "Movin'" (5:05)
Dean & Di After - "Wicked Dreams" (5:06)
Shade Guevara - "Ted Or Dead" (4:07)
Review: Warehouse Tools takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through the vibrant world of UK house music, showcasing the iconic sounds of Hooj Choons. Opening with Farayen & Liam Parkins' 'Where Do We Go (Jamie Unknown Remix)', the track blends high-energy euro house with New York-style house rhythms, offering a dynamic trip back to the early 90s. Dan Newman's 'Movin'' follows with a melodic Balearic progressive house gem, featuring heavenly piano moments paired with a serious beat that creates a dynamic vibe. On the flip side, Dean & Di After's 'Wicked Dreams' brings retro energy to the forefront, evoking the essence of house music's early days while offering a fresh perspective. Finally, Shade Guevara's 'Ted or Dead' delivers a piano-driven breakbeat, showcasing a vintage sound that encapsulates the roots of house music. This compilation is a well-crafted tribute to the genre, perfectly balancing nostalgia with contemporary energy.
Review: Gun fingers should very much be locked and loaded before you drop the needle on this eight volume of the 2tuf 4u label's Undeniable Grooves series. It's another rich various artists affair that covers all bases: Johnny U-Tah keeps things dry and 2steppy with 'Sun Comes Up' and Fresh II Waves then bring a US garage feel with the horn stabs of 'Scream N Shout.' Confused Identity & Gungo Peas's 'U Gotta Mov' is an irresistible lithe and nimble garage shuffler with cut up vocal stabs and Stixy D & Tempreture keep it deep, low-slung and dubby with their late night gem 'Camden Palace.'
Review: GLBDOM Classic drops a second vinyl release here in the form of a various artists' selection of vintage house sounds. Manuold's 'Hey Sunshine' gets things underway with some back-to-the-90s kick drums and playful horns with uplifting vocal samples making for a sweet vibe. Evenn's 'Inner Dance' is a nice raw house bumper with vamping chords and some soulful Detroit chords in the background. Scart Lead then keeps things silky with the smooth pads and muted melodies of 'Everglades' and Esspee and Kid Only close out with two more ageless house gems that pair dance for clout with heartfelt soul.
Review: The debut EP from The Set Records arrives as a vinyl-only offering, shunning digital realms in favour of pure analogue sound. This limited edition record shines a light on six standout artists - five from the UK and one Dutch - who've carved out their own corners of the deeper house spectrum. From the first groove, TSR001 pulls listeners into a nuanced exploration of house music's more intricate layers. Garage rhythms hum next to progressive beats, with each track offering its own distinct energy. It feels like a journey into the heart of a dancefloor before the lights come up - familiar yet full of surprises. What makes TSR001 especially exciting is how each artist brings something different to the table. There's a sense of variety that never strays too far from the EP's overarching vibe, which is smooth, sophisticated, and unmistakably underground. These are tracks for the heads, the DJs and anyone who knows the satisfaction of holding something rare and tangible in a digital world. The lack of digital presence ensures this isn't just a release but a coveted collectible. Collectors, be warned - missing this means missing out completely. V.A. TSR001 is here, it's elusive, and it's gone before you can press play twice.
Review: The Time Is Now label single-handed ushered in a new era of garage if you ask us. That was a few years ago but the label continues to lead from the fort here with a new EP from Samurai Breaks & Napes who make their label debut in explosive fashion. They are skilled studio talents who are nudging at the boundaries of the current UK bass sound and here they hybridise bassline, jungle and garage. You won't easily be able to fit these into one stylistic box but they will do damage on the floor, from the ghetto restlessness of the opener to the manic melodies of 'Correct Technique' and onto the turbocharged 'FrogMob'. Thrilling stuff.
Review: Launched late last spring via an EP of nostalgic, spacey and sub-heavy breakbeat science, Shadow Child and DJ Haus's collaborative Rhythm Force series returns for a third instalment. This time round, the long-serving duo have opted to explore bowel-bothering bass of vintage UK garage and the late 90s drum and bass explorations of liquid superhero LTJ Bukem. Check first 'Night Lights', where twinkling electronics, glassy-eyed pads and rewind sound effects ride a crunchy two-step breakbeat and powerful sub-bass motif. 'Icy Moons', meanwhile, offers a lusciously spacey and rhythmically breathless take on the post-jungle early d&b sound, naturally underpinned by a seriously weighty, speaker-shaking bassline.
Review: We're told that Silent Cubes is a veteran producer working under a new alias and here he betrays that experience with an EO high on atmospherics and mood across three original UKG gems. These killer tracks draw inspiration from garage legends like Clubroot, Sorrow, and Congi, as well as deep house icons such as Chez Damier and Mr. Fingers. The result is a deep, evocative exploration of Garage's immediacy and MOY, who is known for blending IDM, old skool, and acid, delivers a standout remix of 'The Stream' on Side B of this limited-edition vinyl.
After building up a nice head of steam with its first few releases, French label Groovence now starts a new series, Amour Deep, with volume number one. It's a various artists affair that kicks off with the deep and sensuous sounds of Moonee's 'Amour Deep' (feat Simple Request) which has swirling and romantic pads and a great r&b vocal sample. Milk & Honey picks up the pace with the more raw and bumpy 'Chi Train' and Armless Kid goes deep into an electro workout complete with bittersweet piano chords on 'Night Ride'. Roy Vision's 'What's Your Name' rounds out the release with a more glitchy and stripped-back house sound for the dub lovers.
Review: Underground house heavyweight Enzo Siragusa is back with his highly anticipated new EP 'Odyssey', set to release on fabric Originals this month. Following his contribution to fabric Selects V, 'Odyssey; features three expertly crafted tracks. The title track showcases Siragusa's deep production style, '95 Variant' taps into UK rave influences, while 'Listen' nods to the golden era of speed garage. This EP continues Siragusa's evolution, blending classic rave elements with forward-thinking house aesthetics.
Review: Noah Skelton achieves garage clarity on the 16th volume in the Mindhelmet series. Described as having a "post-boing depth" by the label, shortly adjoined by the demand to "release your release", the EP first comprising 'Used To Say' and 'Smooth Liberation' sounds to have extracted an immortal bio-essence of garage from an otherwise perishable culture. Ultra-clean femme-vox cutups, and crispy but not pained rims and claves, ensure the A-siders strip garage of its oldskool oddities, offering a modern pristine grove of tricky but bassy sanitation. 'Gazer' and 'Nocturne Hedon' continue this by the record's midpoint, adding truncated timbale and 4x4 cosmic relief; then 'Aleph Null' and 'Cold Heat' return to swing, moving fuller, fog-choked future garage, and stoic, lamplit night-bump 2-step, respectively.
Review: The Practical Rhythm crew are back with a third vital new release here. It's another trip back to the old school days of 90s garage but with a sufficiently stylish modern update. Sky Joose & DJ Perception are two of the scene's finest players and both come through here with a new single each. Sky Joose's 'Skin Teeth' is a dry, stripped back and minimal cut with darkened bass that becomes even more naughty with the Interplanetary Criminal SPZL remix. Perception then brings some light to the EP with his 'Oh Yes', a soulful cut with a magic lead and loose, tumbling drums. DJ Jason then flips it with some smeared, reversed bass and skeletal perc.
Review: A new spoken word track with Smokey him self on vocals featuring the talents of Smasher, reminiscing of late teen years going raving and the love of fashion, record shopping, and most importantly UKG culture! This is a smooth 2 step banger that will make you want to put your Moschino shirt & Gucci loafers and head to Camden Palace!
Review: The Time Is Now label continues to lead the way in new school garage sound with a fresh platter that matters from Mass Transit System. As ever this is hefty, bass driven tackle with plenty of throwback sounds like the reversed bass and yelping vocals stabs on 'Need Someone' and it is absolutely irresistible. After that face melter is 'Hold U Tight' with its whirring bas sounds and dark grooves, the crispy 2-step naughtiness of 'Fever' and 'Tasty' with its badman lyrics, withering sci-fi synth sounds and gritty warehouse sounds all primed and ready for maximum impact.
Review: The third release on SP:MC's own Declassified Records label is another killer from the boss himself. The man born Stewart Proctor's first two releases sold out in quick time and thus one will as welll: it another meticulously crafted, high quality two tracker that mixes up bumpy garage, shadowy 2-step and plenty of heft bass. 'Inside Looking Out' kicks off with those mysterious late night vibes, primed and ready for a dark and gritty warehouse space. On the flip, 'All Night' samples classic Chicago house vocal over a skeletal groove with some nice warm and jazzy chords. It's an absolute viber that will bump and dance floor.
Review: The latest release from SP:MC dives into the depths of UK garage with precision and flair. The A-side boasts a weighty low-end groove, underpinned by tightly coiled percussion that feels alive with intent. On the reverse, there's a striking shift towards introspection, as shimmering atmospherics and fluid rhythms weave a cinematic tale. Both tracks are a testament to his knack for marrying technical prowess with a palpable sense of mood, delivering a record that feels equally at home on a big system as it does in less hectic environments.
Review: Set to be a collab for the ages, Special Request (Paul Woolford) and Novelist (Kwadwo Kankam) team up to capitalise on the cultural residues of bassline, grime and house with 'Sliver'. Pairing Novelist's unmistakable cadence and flow with classic grime square-waves and booty house-esque drums, 'Sliver' has been a highlight of both Special Request and label boss Peggy Gou's recent sets, climaxing in a tempo change designed to turn the dancefloor inside out. As potent in intimate dark rooms as it is festival main stages, you'll be hearing this one all summer and beyond.
Review: Mint Condition is exceptionally good at reissuing genuinely buried treasure, with their frequent vintage UK deep house and formative tech-house selections being particularly potent. They've hit the spot once more here, too, raiding the vaults of legendary UK tech-house imprint Oblong and returning with a killer 2002 single from Spincycle (AKA Dave Clements and Andy Davies). A-side 'Making Faces' is a great example of London tech-house from the period - all starry, echoing synthesiser motifs, dreamy chords, smooth bass and hypnotic beats - while flip-side 'Twister' sees them reach for bowel-bothering hoover bass, speed garage-influenced drums and undulating, Swag-style melodic motifs.
Review: Emerging from Liverpool, Sticky Dub brings fresh underground vibes with his unique blend of broken beat, UKG, dub, and hip hop. Rooted in Northern energy, his music fuses electronic and urban influences, delivering dynamic club cuts that resonate beyond Mersey shores and with nods to his herbalist lifestyle. Melodic dub basslines meet lively dancefloor beats here, all infused with Sticky's distinct Scouse vocals and insightful lyrics exploring nature and rhythm. His mantra, "never give weapons to a man who can't dance," underscores his ethos of maintaining spiritual balance through music. Sticky Dub's sound is a testament to creativity and cultural fusion which is why he is making waves with every track he releases.
Review: NC4K's second hand-stamped 12" is more irresistible garage business from Stones Taro. 'Anywhere' (dub) has lovely warm woodblock hits and oscillating low ends with minimal drums and an aching r&b sample that brings the soul and draws you into the skeletal rhythm. Flip it over and you get something more fleshy and fulsome with 'Finally' (dub). Here the drums have more snap and are more prominent with a corrugated bassline down low and a heavily treated classic vocal sample the hook up top. Two killers that mix the old school and the new school in style.
Review: Who doesn't love The Streets? From cheeky chappy to a revered part of the British music establishment, Mike Skinner as The Streets was there at the start of the UKG scene and still invigorates it to this day. His first new music in a while is an understated ballad that features the by now trademark internal monologue, but here paired with what is a beautiful vocal from Jazz Morley and a skittish drum pattern. Mike Skinner has also self-directed his own music video to go with the title track and it is well worth seeing if you can.
Review: What true head doesn't know 'Flowers'? Produced infamously by Sunship (Ceri Evans), this keystone lintel of the 90s UK garage door frames Leanne Brown's vocal - originally recorded as part of a much slower r&b demo - against a rolling, skippy beat that's all bounce and shimmer. Lyrically, it's a lovesick anthem, filled with longing and the ache of distance, but the groove keeps it light on its feet, providing a crossover appeal with a perma-adhesive sticking power. Though Sweet Female Attitude didn't follow it with another major hit, 'Flowers' has never faded. Tend to your garden, and your blooms won't wilt.
Review: Plenty of sonic sleaze is on display on this new hand-stamped weapon from Boot Waves. It kicks off with Tyree OG's 'Poppin' which pairs snaking cosmic synths with some raw ghetto beats. The vocal sample, (the classic 'my neck, my back') brings the naughtiness as this one marches on and gets crowds nicely revved up. Skinny T chucks loads of goods stuff int a blend - speed agar bass, garage energy, deep house warmth - and out comes the compelling 'Messy Idiot' which is stiff and urgent but full of character that will always stand out.
Review: Zed Bias's superb recent single with Shumba Youth is a modern fusion of dancehall and ragga that is perfect for loud deployment on top sound systems. Here though it comes in four different versions, all of which tap into different aspects of the UK hardcore continuum. The 4x4 Garage mix is just that and perfect for grotty warehouses, the 4x4 VIP Refix has a more prominent baseline feel and the Jeftuz UKG remix is a broken beat killer with wub-wub goodness. Last of all is the restless and kinetic 2-step mix to close out a high grade 12".
B-STOCK: Torn sleeve, product unopened & in excellent condition
Too Much Yayo
Money Isn't Everything
Walk Of Shame
Something To Hide
Shake Hands With Shadows
Not A Good Idea
Bright Sunny Day
The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light
Funny Dream
Gonna Hurt When This Is Over
Kick The Can
Each Day Gives
Someone Else's Tune
Troubled Waters
Good Old Daze
Review: ***B-STOCK: Torn sleeve, product unopened & in excellent condition***
Mike Skinner is surely deserving of National Treasure status by now, is he not? From mischievous young MC upstart to garage innovator and now the voice of the nation, his journey has been remarkable and as this album shows it isn't done yet. He said in the built-up to it that for the first time in his career, he has allowed himself to be more loose with his lyrics, to say enigmatic things, make odd references and use stranger metaphors that might not always make perfect sense but that feel right in the moment. That makes it a great listen, as well as all the usual catchy hooks and compelling beats.
The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light (2:39)
Funny Dream (2:48)
Gonna Hurt When This Is Over (2:51)
Kick The Can (2:06)
Each Day Gives (3:21)
Someone Else's Tune (3:08)
Troubled Waters (3:39)
Good Old Daze (3:19)
Review: Mike Skinner is surely deserving of National Treasure status by now, is he not? From mischievous young MC upstart to garage innovator and now the voice of the nation, his journey has been remarkable and as this album shows it isn't done yet. He said in the built-up to it that for the first time in his career, he has allowed himself to be more loose with his lyrics, to say enigmatic things, make odd references and use stranger metaphors that might not always make perfect sense but that feel right in the moment. That makes it a great listen, as well as all the usual catchy hooks and compelling beats.
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