Review: Born 2 Be Free returns with a second sizzling slab of UKG-flavoured wax and this one from Azaad has a superb throwback feel thanks to the smart sampling. 'Untitled 92' hints at which period this artist has the most respect for with its silky smooth chords and thumping kicks getting you into a nice deep vibe before 'Outta My Mind' hist that bit harder with nice dry, scraping hits, bouncy bass and clipped vocal fragments. The classy vibes continue with 'Torn' which shuts down with a more high speed and slick sound smart snares and a rich, emotive vocal that finishes it in style. Three classy, timeless garage cuts.
Review: Slabs, if you didn't know yet, is the new label from Dungeon Meat duo Brawther and Tristan da Cunha that wants only to serve up music to make you sweat. This is another red-hot one that comes from Horsemen and has already been slammed down to great reactions at places like BRET in Amsterdam. 'Work It Out' is a stripped-down but chunky and rugged house monster, and 'The Strip Down' is a more lively and elastic cut with rubbery kicks, jumbled hits and irresistibly kinetic rhythms. Hugely effective yet hugely characterful, this is another doozy from Slabs.
Review: Dungeon Meat's tasty new sub-label SLABS thrilled with its first outing from Dutchman Borren not long ago and is now back with a second slab of goodness. This one is from London's rising star Azaad and it comes on nice weighty 140g wax. Label heads Brawther and Tristan have already been slamming these joints at clubs and festivals around the world for the last 18 months so they come with a real stamp of approval. 'The Beat' bumps along with nice swinging kicks and steamy vocal inflections and 'The Return' is a gorge-tinged and hardcore house cut with depth and drive in equal measure.
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Admirably no-nonsense house duo Dungeon Meat kick off a new label here, Slabs, which aims to serve up only the chunkiest hulks of wax aimed squarely at the club. Borren takes charge of the first platter and is the latest fast-rising talent to emerge from the ever-fertile Dutch scene. He has come up on a diet of Bret and Slapfunk parties and that shows in the tunes he presents here. 'Up Next' is heavy but silky, with gliding grooves and splashy cymbals next to cut-up vocals that will amp up any party. 'Beat My Shit' is another no-frills hardcore house assault with drums that have just the right amount of swing under old school chords and busy melodies that never rest. A fine first release.
Review: Genre-defining garage label Instinct is back with another one of its lip-curling, rip-snorting and floor-destroying EPs, this time from Bullet Tooth. All the old school signifiers you need are present and correct in the opening cut 'Don't Look Back' with its naughty bass, shuffling drum loops and chopped vocals. 'Can You Hear Me Call' is a more crisp and lithe, 2-step leaning jam with a wobbly low end and late night urban menace. Last but not least is the speed-garage-inspired 'Next To U' with its pulsating bass and aching vocal hooks right up top. Brilliant tackle as ever.
Review: First released digitally earlier in 2024, Prince Palmer's first outing on Bobby Donny's 'Ace' series heads to vinyl in expanded form. It's the Dutch producer's vinyl debut and a quietly impressive one at that. The headline attraction is 'Serious Play', a rolling, loose-limbed and sub-heavy slab of revivalist garage house/New Jersey deep house fusion that comes accompanied by a chunkier and undeniably trippy, dancefloor dub style 'Vibe Mix' makeover courtesy of Joy Jenkins. There's plenty to set the pulse racing across the rest of the EP though, from the Burrell Brothers-meet-Jovonn flex of 'Get Down' and the jazz-house/garage-house fusion of 'Sleeping City (Wake Up Mix)', to the organ-rich house positivity of 'Polygon Island' and the peak-time-at-Sound Factory NYC flex of Frits Wentink's fine revision of 'Airlift'.
The Lights (Soul Mass Transit System remix) (6:11)
Review: Jeremy Sylvester's latest offering continues his mastery of UK garage, balancing infectious rhythm with soulful nuances. 'The Lights' opens with a deep, rumbling bassline, setting the tone for a track that builds on Sylvester's signature groove. The lush vocals float effortlessly over crisp percussion, and the track's stripped-back energy makes it as hypnotic as it is accessible. '2 The Rhythm' shifts gears, layering syncopated rhythms and intricate bass stabs, creating a more energetic vibe. Meanwhile, 'Groove With You' adds warmth with jazzy chord progressions, seamlessly merging upbeat energy with subtle undertones. The EP's depth showcases Sylvester's unparalleled command of space and rhythm.
Summon (feat Hayden Thorpe - East Coast Love Affair mix) (6:35)
New World (Flow) (feat Fiorious - Ray Mang remix) (8:54)
Review: Harmonics, the latest album from Hot Chip's Joe Goddard, is a celebration of warmth, instinct, and collaboration. Spanning 14 tracks, this record weaves through UK garage, house, hip-hop, pop and disco, bringing together a diverse array of voices. Eno Williams of Ibibio Sound Machine energises the afro-house groove of 'Progress,' while UK rapper Oranje adds flair to the starry-eyed 'When Love's Out of Fashion.' Hayden Thorpe's expressive vocals elevate the low-slung house track 'Summon,' and Hot Chip bandmates Alexis Taylor and Al Doyle lend their talents to the shimmering 'Heal Your Mind.' Goddard, known for his 2012 hit 'Gabriel,' revisits that focused energy here while capturing the carefree spirit of his earlier solo work. Tracks like 'Mountains' and 'Follow You' echo the Hot Chip sound, while collaborations with artists like Falle Nioke and Alabaster DePlume bring in elements of Afrobeat and jazz house. 'Destiny' and 'New World' showcase Goddard's mastery of house music, making Harmonics his most fun and genre-spanning solo album yet, proving his versatility in crafting compelling dance music.
Review: It would be fair to say that Roy Davis Jr and Peven Everett's "Gabriel" (originally written "Gabrielle" on early pressings) has become a timeless dance music classic - a track that both soulful house and UK garage DJs reach for in times of trouble. Should it not be in your collection already (and it should be), Large Music has decided to re-master and re-press the original 1996 12". It does, of course, contain the now ubiquitous "Live Garage" version - the groovy two-step, trumpet-laden mix that became popular with early UK garage DJs - plus a trio of lesser-known remixes. The Tambourine Dub, in particular, is something of a tough, warehouse-friendly deep house treat.
Review: Fad-free French house label Skylax has always done its own thing, and always to a great reception amongst serious heads. This new one from Quasar is an impossibly perfect mix of physical drums and heart-aching vocal hooks. The pitched up female vocal conveys such bittersweet pain it doesn't matter the words she sings as you're immediately drawn in for the ride. 'For Your Love' is another hugely emotional cut with floating breakbeats and nagging vocals that really get you where it hurts. 'Morning Bells' is a deep house cut with a spritely groove and blissed out vocal, and 'Inside My Love' closes with more heavy analogue drums but no less of a heartfelt sound thanks to the melancholic pads.
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.
Unity Vibe - "I Got Your Luv" (feat Tyquasia - club mix)
Deep Inside - "Today" (K Chandler mix)
Groove City - "Soaking Wet" (remix)
Pequena Habana - "Slammin" (Cappella Grossa mix)
Review: Renowned for his extensive record collection and deep knowledge of house and garage, Jeremy Underground brings his passion to Vol. 3 of Z Records's 90's House & Garage compilation series. It features tracks that are either unreleased or newly digitised from original DAT tapes and vinyl. This edition comes on double vinyl with four sides of glorious grooves, each one of them carefully selected and professionally treated to reflect the golden era of house, taking in rare gems and remixes from Kerri Chandler, Murk, 95 North, and more. Vital stuff.
Review: Iglooghost's third studio album marks a departure from the intricate world-building of previous works, embracing a sonic maximalism that pulses with chaotic energy. The Irish producer seamlessly blends IDM, techno, deconstructed club and grime, creating a whirlwind of sound that never overwhelms thanks to his meticulous layering and dynamic composition. Tracks like 'Alloy Flea' and 'Pulse Angel' showcase Malliagh's ability to keep the music clear and coherent, even as he adds element after element. His voice, more prominent here than on past projects, takes on new dimensions, from distorted static in 'Coral Mimic' to ethereal contrasts with female vocals on 'flux•Cocoon'. The album's production is dynamic, with a textured, weighty sound that contrasts with the clutter of earlier works. While the relentless intensity of some tracks might seem predictable, Malliagh's ability to craft tangible build and release ensures each moment feels intentional. The result is an intense experience, one that finds Iglooghost maturing as an artist without losing his experimental edge. This album presents a refined sound, rich in texture, rhythm and conceptual depth, solidifying Malliagh as an electronic innovator with endless potential.
Review: Hidden Folder label head Christopher Ledger is back with another slamming outing, this time in the form of his NRG 12". For this one he draws on a love for and understanding of breaks, garage, house and tech and kicks off with the filthy dirty and brilliantly sleazy 'NRG' with its wub-wub bassline sure to get lips curled in mock disgust. 'How Do You Like It' is a more prickly and spaced out dollop of industrial tech house, 'Back 2 Bass' is a thrilling blend of tightly programmed beats and big chord stabs and 'This Way, Please' is cruising party pumper. A Donnie Cosmo remix of that cut close with more excellent sleazy garage house bounce.
Big Moses - "For You" (feat Ja'Nel - Sfere Of Life mix)
Trance Form - "I Will Be Strong" (feat Geno - NYC Vibe)
95 North - "Unbelievable" (Moncef Unbelievably Raw mix)
Back To The Rythym - "What Can You Do For Me" (feat Alva McGill - vocal mix)
Review: Jeremy Underground loves a compilation project. He has done them for his own My Love Is Underground label as well as the superb Beauty: A Journey Through Jeremy Underground's Collection which came back in 2017 for Favourite Recordings. Now he reverts to his roots once more and digs deep for 90s garage and house, often from the US. His tastefully selected sounds come on Z Records as part of this multi-part 90's House & Garage series with plenty of key names from the genre's golden era all present and correct. This is a fine collection that will up your own house credentials no end.
Review: Damian Lazarus's Crosstown Rebels shows it very much still has its finger on the pulse with this new and garage-tinged outing from Bullet Tooth. If opens with the pitched-up vocals and rugged drums of 'If I Can't Be Yours' before 'You Think You Can Fix Me' has more floating grooves and waif synths keeping you suspended above the dance floor. Enamour then steps up with a remix that strips it back and reworks it into smooth deep house groove for beachy fun. Last of all is a Sicaria remix which is emotive, punchy and built on glitchy broken beat loops.
Review: Beeyou Records proudly presents False Promises, a captivating EP from Dennis Quin, a renowned artist known for his timeless, soul-moving house music. The A-side kicks off with 'Reactivate,' a high-energy garage track that immediately captures the listener's attention with its punchy basslines and crisp percussion. Following closely is 'Diamond Hunting,' a bumpy 4x4 track that is guaranteed to get any dancefloor moving. On the B-side, Quin offers a more introspective sound with 'Accidentally,' a track that blends classic house grooves with playful modern production. The EP's title track, 'False Promises (Original Mix),' is a standout, featuring a lovely vocal and vibrant house energy. Finally, 'Well Conducted' showcases Quin's versatility with its downtempo, chilled vibe. False Promises is a must-listen for fans of house music. Quin's talent for creating timeless tracks is evident on every track on this EP.
Review: Back in 2022, James Burnham aka Burnski started a White sub-series of his much-hyped Instinct label and the first one sold out as quick as a flash. Now he is finally back with a follow-up that will likely do the same. This limited one-sided 12" slab of sonic filth features just one tune, but what a tune it is. '02' is a house cut with elements of garage percussion, old-school dirty bass, and even some trance-infused chords that chime with what's going on in the dance world right now. Some return horns at the breakdown really send it into overdrive and it's not hard seeing this one blow the roof off many a club this summer.
Review: Diffrent makes a powerful entrance with his debut 'My Sound' EP on Bristol's Time Is Now label, building on the success of his summer hit 'A Little Closer,' which had clubs across Europe buzzing in 2024. Here, he dives into the UK's rich foundations of garage, bass and breaks, delivering a weighty yet finely tuned sound that's unmistakably his own. It's the kind of chuggy, speed-garage flavour that's capturing everyone's craving right now. For a debut, 'My Sound' lands with impressive force as each track brings fresh flair and a distinctive character. From the first drop, it's clear Diffrent is carving out a unique spot in modern dance music, positioning him as one to watch.
Review: Wrong'uns is a newly established label designed to serve up dirty jams for the dancefloor. For this second outing, they look to a beat-making crew of miscreants in Just Olly, Mehlor, Jake Rollinson and Joejoemojo who all offer up one jam each. Just Olly's 'Tougher' has filthy basslines and lip-curling menace in the stepping drums. Mehlor's low ends are just as warped and the drums and percussion are just as kinetic, then Rollinson's 'Trip The Funk' is a sinner blend of synth modulation sand bleeping dial tones that is full of fun for the club. Last but not least, 'Shake The Funk' is a catchy slammer with big breaks and sirens designed to blow up any sound system.
Review: Constant Sound co-owner James 'Burnski' Burnham delivers a stonking pair of garage-flecked house tracks that offer up no nonsense dancefloor attitude in spades. 'Shout' is all about its monster rhythmic framework, with economic splashes of synths on the side simply maintaining the flavour and a properly full on old skool breakdown. Flip track 'Remember' leans a little further towards UK garage with its sugar sweet female vocal snippets, but the central groove hustles and bustles along with maximum weightiness, making it suitable for any number of differing dancefloors.
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: James 'Bursnki' Burnham aka Constant Sound label boss and garage head Instinct is showing no signs of running out of ideas despite having put out such a high amount of high-class club weaponry in the last few years. He goes big once more with this latest 12" which subtly features the iconic vocal cries from Moby's 'Go' but repackaged in a shuffling and banging garage groove with dark synths and wonky bass. On the flip is pure grade bassline track, 'Bassline Track.' It'll take you back to the days when this northern take on garage was all the rage, and why not?
Sammy Virji - "If U Need It" (extended mix) (3:58)
Gorgon City - "Voodoo" (extended mix) (6:11)
Azari & III & Max Dean - "Reckless" (2024 extended mix) (7:49)
Alan Fitzpatrick & Ronnie Spiteri - "On My Mind" (extended mix) (4:39)
Review: Time-honoured, blue-crossed phono-phrenic audio pharmacists Positiva celebrate their 30th anniversary with the launch of a brand new sampler series. Simply titled 'Positiva', the new outing spans every sonic end-logic from slick UK garage to mesmeric trance, the throughline being the modern uplifter sound into which the label has settled; a far cry from their jet-propulsive Ibiza-rave garage house days of yore. Most of the tracks on this first edition of the series are already floating about out there, though they've never been compiled onto a single record before: Sammy Virji and Gorgon City complement each other well on the A-side's 'Voodoo' and 'If You Need It'; then Azari & III, Max Dean, Alan Fitzpatrick and Ronnie Spiteri spin things out ever further, into two warming, well-layered party-pushers driven by ecstatic vocals.
All That Shaking (Marc Cotterell Plastik Factory mix) (6:57)
All That Shaking ('23 Refix) (6:28)
Review: Club Of Jacks digs deep here to serve up some classic tracks from the archive that have not been available on vinyl before. First up is UKG royalty Jeremy Sylvester with a remix of 'Waiting For You' that is pure party. The drums and bass bounce and plunge low with sustained chords and a honeyed vocal getting the vibes going. A deeper, dubbier and more laid back but still emotive 23 Remix follows then Plastik People boss Marc Cotterell serves up a soulful remix of 'All That Shaking' that is full of steamy sax and sunny day goodness. A Club of Jacks 23 Refix brings a deep vibe to close a superb EP.
Review: The Fabric Originals label continues to establish itself as a place that is just as reliable for fresh sounds as the club it is named after. This latest outing is a 21st such EP and comes from the one and only garage great that is MJ Cole paired with new school innovator K Lone. They make a perfect partnership, in truth, with opener 'Stand Up' pairing balmy pads and rich bass sounds with a hooky little vocal. It's brilliantly sensuous with tender keys finishing it in style. Cole then goes it alone on 'Lay It All On The Line' which has a more broken post-dubstep style beat and K-Lone's 'Bonez' is delightfully airy, cavernous bass brilliance.
Review: Burnski and Kelper are two of the hottest artists in the game right now - their output is relentless, and their quality is always high. It is now on the former's Constant Sound that they appear with three fresh new collaborative cuts aimed squarely at the floor. 'Follow Me' has nice hooky drum loops and subtle synth stabs under a seductive vocal. It's fun and functional in equal measure and on the flip things get more naughty with hints of a dirty speed garage bassline under 'Frequency'. The vibe flips again on closer 'Frequency' which has disco-tinged loops and more laidback groves that bring a little warmth and sunshine.
Review: The Plastik People label is a great repository for deep house that is timeless but never tired. Katermurr is next up to prove that point with an EP that transcends the ages. It opens with a lovely throwback Chicago vocal over fresh modern drums. After 'Wanna Be With You' gets you going, 'Let's Dance' brings the party vibes with some busy lead melodies that will get hands in the air old school style. 'Donny' then keeps it deep with some languid grooves and a nice smoky soulful vocal drifting above. Last of all is the more bumping and dusty drums of 'Show Some Love' to close out a classic EP.
Review: Back in March 2024, producer Papa Nugs launched the Suckerpunch imprint with Dance Floor Rennovations, a three-track collection of (in his words) "old dance reworks and 90s inspired jams given a modern dancefloor punch". This sequel is similarly minded and, like its predecessor, tons of fun. Papa Nugs naturally delivers two tracks: '132 in a Ford Escort', where sassy samples from a well-known female rapper rise above punchy breakbeat house beats and a dirty analogue bassline, and the mind-mangling nu-skool breaks flavoured, acid-flecked, Beastie Boys-sampling 'Intergalactic'. Sometime Old Boy collaborator Ho Gosh handles the rest of the EP, serving up the mind-mangling UK garage mutations 'Fight Or Flight' and 'Dope Melody', the latter peppered with early Basement Jaxx stabs and sped-up hip-hop samples.
Review: Digital Tape Recordings kick out another vital 12" on wax here, this time with a third part of their on going and excellent Deep Dub Essentials series. 24HR Experience is at the helm here with a quartet of house and garage collisions that bring the good times. 'The Heaven Track' is a classic US garage cut with stiff snares and low slung drums, and 'Touch The After World' is just as deep and warm. 'Just A Vibe' is the highlight at the end - nice New Jersey drum with warming organ stabs and a carefree groove that effortlessly sweeps you up off your feet.
Review: For his latest release, Tommy Musto delves into his venerated DAT vaults to unearth a treasure trove of mid-'90s NYC gems that are sure to excite house heads. These four tracks capture the essence of the legendary likes of Red Zone, Club Zanzibar, Twilo, and Sound Factory scenes and do a fine job of evoking the vibes that legends like Frankie Knuckles, Tony Humphries, Roger Sanchez, Tommy Simonelli, Masters at Work, and David Morales were all spinning back in the halcyon days of house. Now, you can own a piece of that iconic era with these deep cuts sure to bring back that classic house sound in some style.
Review: Scott Diaz taps into some old school garage class with this new EP on Pirate Cutxz, but never is it too slavish to the OG sound. Instead, he brings fresh ideas and modern production skills to four characterful cuts. 'Holdtight' opens in bunch fashion with big drums and busy chords dancing about next to yelps and sustained pads. 'So Hot' is a more subtle 2-stepper with a ducking and diving groove bathed in warm synth work and natty bass notes. 'Ikigai' shuts down with some 90s organ chords and sleazy, shuffling speed-garage style drums and well-deployed vocal samples. Effective stuff.
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: A captivating mix of deep house that effortlessly moves between groove and soul. The opening track, 'Real Love (Remi Mazet Twist),' sets the stage with its understated percussion and bassline, building a smooth, infectious vibe that pulls you in without overpowering you. But it's 'Speed Garage From Jupiter' that really grabs your attention. It has that heavy, classic speed garage punchidriving, raw, and full of energy, yet still feels current. It's no surprise it's found its way into Ben UFO's sets, where it clicks with the crowd in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The EP closes with 'Ca C'est Ca C'est Sassy,' a track that adds a playful sophistication to the mix, showing Bulwer's versatility and confidence as a producer.
Review: Marcel Deptford has been around a while and so very much knows a thing or two about rattling bassbins and exploding sound systems. The Sneaker Social label has always been about exactly that and now welcomes him for a pair of rude-boy garage bangers. 'Rock The Boat' gets things underway with some old school low ends and crisp drum programming all topped with a perfect r&b vocal hook. 'Make It Hot' is a nifty two-supper with sci-fi synths withering next to distorted bass bounce. Brilliant stuff.
St Germain - "Alabama Blues" (Todd Edwards dub mix) (5:39)
Indo - "R U Sleeping" (Todd Edwards mix) (5:59)
Sound Of One - "As I Am" (Todd Edwards mix - version) (6:13)
Kim English - "Tomorrow" (Todd Edwards dub) (7:31)
Daft Punk - "Face To Face" (4:02)
Todd Edwards - "Shut The Door" (7:24)
Todd Edwards - "Push The Love" (7:46)
Todd Edwards - "The Dream" (6:49)
Review: Todd Edwards is affectionally known as Todd the God because of his skills. Those skills are two fold - he famous fomented this own style of garage with quick beats and cut up vocals used like an extra instrument in the mix. But he is also a badass DJ who can slam through house and garage with high energy and plenty of charger. As such, he is rightly celebrated here with an overdue entry into Defected's long running House Masters series. All his most famous joints make the cut, from the bumping remix of St Germain to the lively vocal soul of his dub of Kim English via originals like his jazzy, chord laced anthem 'Push The Love.'
Review: Digital Tape Recordings take it al the way back to 1994 here with the timeless early garage sounds of Dub Essentials Part 1 from 24Hour Experience. It captures the essence of UKG at the time and was first released on the definitive Nice N Ripe label. It has a range of sounds from the soothing depths and soulful samples of 'Feeling's Mutual' to the more clipped and bouncy 'Deeper (5am mix)'. 'Scatter' then layer sup jumbled perc and US house styles with rich organ chords and 'Mantra' again keeps it deep and rather sleazy with some filthy bass. Last of all is the slinky sound of 'Gone Loopy' to round out a classic.
Review: Will Hofbauer returns to Wisdom Teeth for another addition to the label's Hessle-esque vision for the fleshing out the more playful side of 'bassy techno'. Hofbauer is a firm fixture and favourite of the sort of quasi-underground UK DJ circuit that has cut the teeth of the likes of Moxie, Rhythm Section, OK Williams and Ben UFO - and these four new ones are bound to cement that favour, with bare-essentials bits like 'Subtracing The Egg' blending with mischievous audio-hijinks like 'Hiccups' for a humorous, yet no less powerful EP.
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.
Review: If you've kept up with K-Lone in any capacity, you've probably clocked his affinity for minimal beyond the bassier tones he came up with and the delicate melodics he often deals in. This release on Aus Music confirms what we all suspected in no uncertain terms, carrying a hint of his garage tendencies but applying them to sleek, bumping micro house styles as classy as they are crafty. 'Wait 4 U' is pure stripped-down pleasure, warm and inviting with the sparsest of elements, while 'What I Want' tilts into dubbier territory, but why pick favourites? This EP is loaded with gold from start to finish.
Home Sweet Home (The Journey) (DJ Spen remix) (7:29)
Home Sweet Home (The Journey) (DJ Spen dub) (6:23)
Home Sweet Home (The Journey) (DJ Spen Hump mix) (5:53)
Review: Demuir's Visions album gets its first series of remixes here as standout cut 'Home Sweet Home (The Journey)' gets reworked by Baltimore's finest dance music ambassador and bona fide legend DJ Spen. First up he brings some shuffling and deep soul to the groove with an irresistible skip to the drums and a lush vocal. The dub pairs things back a little further with more splash in the percussion and last of all comes the Hump mix. This one has noodling keys working their way up through the mix to bring real enlightenment.
Review: It's always a good day when the Blahh label rises up from the streets to drop a new bit of true school garage. This is a various artists release which brings together core label members Beforethebeatsbreak, Ronaldo and Crazy Bank, who have all served up their own solo EPs before now. It's the latter who kicks off with the tightly coiled bump n grind of 'So Good' before Ronaldo gets your feet moving on 'Get My 319', another dry, clipped garage shuffler with pent up energy to spare. There are good time piano-led vibes to Beforethebeatsbreak's B1 then 'Why You Wanna' from Crazy Bank is defined by its pitched up vocal sound.
Review: Reptile Mob is a newly launched, vinyl-only sub-label of the well-regarded GLBDOM imprint. It kicks off with a five-track various artists release that pays homage to the garage sound. 'Don't Know It' by Highrise opens up with a distantly 90s vibe, then Sky Joose shows his class on 'On The Shores' with its hard-edged bassline and full-throttle drums. Johnny U-Tah works some re-pitched and time-stretched vocals to perfection on 'Voices In My Head', with further gems from The Thunderkats whose 'Melatron' is a piano-laced bumper and last of all Jay Ward's 'Everything That I Need' brims with vocal lushness. A top draw start for sure.
Review: Noodles/Groove Chronicles has releases going back to the 90's and is recognised as one of UK garage music most influential producers, his recent works collaborating with follow producer Dubchild. The duo also work under the alias Nu Agenda creating their own style of hybrid house, and have support from various stations such as Rinse FM, 1xtra, SWU, NTS, Mode, Worldwide Radio and Reprezent. On "Selector Selection Vol. 1" out on the DPR Recordings, Noodles Groove Chronicles and Dubchild have selected three tracks, "Helikopter", "Your Turn" and "My Thing" - all individual but weighty. The Volume series is all about what you may have missed or slightly overlooked. Tailor made so you'll never miss a good track, and selected for your listening pleasure.
Review: A Grand Don't Come for Free is a poignant narrative crafted by Mike Skinner, transcending typical hip-hop tropes with its intimate exploration of everyday life and relationships. Skinner's awkward yet charming delivery, paired with a minimalist musical backdrop, draws listeners into a story of loss, love and self-discovery. From the mundane to the profound, Skinner captures the essence of human experience with bare honesty and endearing intimacy, evoking both laughter and tears - quite literally in the case of its biggest hit, 'Dry Your Eyes'. With its focus on the minutiae of life and the importance of connection, A Grand Don't Come for Free remains a timeless and compelling album that is worth revisiting often and now is offered on a new reissued for 2024.
Review: ACME is Jerome Isma-Ae and WJ Henze and they first wrote their 'Soul Of Life' EP in 1998, back when tech house was still new and exciting. It was one of the genre's biggest tunes at the time and has remained ever popular in the years since for the way it draws on sped garage and techno for its vibes. This faithful reissue offers up the tune in three related but distinctive parts so that you have whatever you need at whatever point in the night you may be. We like 'Part II' with its more balmy and heady cosmic chords.
Review: Londoner Jeigo has always had a knack for intricate and melancholic production. His emotive sounds span breaks, garage and dub and gave rise to a superb album Cerulean back in 2022. This new outing on Air Miles is another sophisticated one that shows some different sides. 'Fig' is a dusty and lo-fi mix of knocking, woody broken beat patterns and pitched-up vocal snippets that bring a sense of pain. 'Act Like You're Strong' is heads down, lip-curling UKG with shuffling and weighty drums and naughty bass. '3-5 Working Days' is somewhere in between - both club-ready but also with post-Burial vocals that tug at the heartstrings. There is a blissed-out feel to the optimistic melodic bubbles and angelic vocals of 'Found Me' that means the EP closes in lush fashion.
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