Back in stock: House

Review: Bicep's second album is shaped by the experience of touring their debut long player for something like three years, a period during which they honed and perfected their instinct for tracks that would stand the test of time and repeated listening. What develops is a distinctive style typified by a combination of ethereal sonics and cheeky, memorable instrumental hooks, only set to a variety of beats that reference and indeed fuse the plethora of different dance genres that have sprung up since the acid house revolution if the mid-80s. So we get everything from the electro-tainted 'X' to 'Rever', where an African choir floats over a subtle deep house shuffle and 'Saku', where UKG bass pressure and skippy beats provide a hypnotic background for Clara La San's sweet but ghostly voice.

Review: Across four elegantly crafted tracks, Italian producer Bottone blends rich melodies with smooth, intricate production, creating a collection that feels effortless and deeply refined. Side -1 opens with 'On Hilly Earth', a laid-back yet deep cut where light, jazzy chords float over a deep, groovy foundationiperfect for early evening unwinding. 'Teach Me The Way You Walk' steps up the tempo slightly, embracing a warm, melodic house feel with a sunset-kissed glow, its uplifting vibe tailor-made for golden-hour dancefloors. The title track, 'Beggin' For Love', leads Side-2 with gentle, beachy rhythms and keyboard work that exudes warmth and relaxation. Finally, 'It's A Heart Feeling' closes the EP with a deep, emotive grooveiits soulful touch and flowing melodies making it an ideal end-of-the-night moment. With 'Beggin' For Love', Bottone crafts a great balance of sophistication and ease, showing he is a name to watch for in the future.

Review: It's quite shocking it's been six years since the last Caribou album, 2014's knockout "Our Love". Dan Snaith has never felt the need to rush his music out, and there was an interim Daphni album in 2017 to be fair to the guy, but here we are with a new set that sees Snaith returning to a little of the delicate songwriting and winsome electronica he forged his reputation on in the early days. There's a lot going on in here, from smooth as silk yacht rock-isms to deliriously modernist cut ups and more than a few wild pitch shifts to keep listeners on their toes. It's playful and heartfelt, and rarely lingers in one place for too long while still retaining a sense of calm. It may be not at all what you expected from Caribou's return, but we'd wager it's even better than you hoped.

Review: Released in 1994, Deee-Lite's follow-up to their colossal hit 'Groove Is In The Heart' and the World Clique album that contained it finds the trio taking a more adventurous route of funky rhythms, electronic experimentation and blissful psychedelic vibes. Tracks like 'River of Freedom' tap into a carefree dancefloor energy, while 'Picnic In The Summertime' evokes sun-soaked nostalgia, its bouncy beat an effortless backdrop to the dreamy, carefree lyrics. Deee-Lite's willingness to explore genres and sounds is evident throughout, with samples from The Orb and Carl Craig, among others, meshing seamlessly with live instrumentation and infectious grooves. One of the album's defining features is its ability to balance quirk with cool. The smooth transition in 'Somebody,' where the track slows down into a human beatbox rhythm, exemplifies the experimental nature of the band. And then there's the entrancing 'Party Happening People,' a track full of playful vibes, layered synths, and an unmistakable 90s energy. This isn't just for fans of the groupiit's a record that captures the essence of the 90s club scene. A perfect soundtrack to the era's fashion and carefree spirit, its sounds still hit fresh today, reminding us of the euphoric, experimental days of early electronic music. For anyone who has ever found themselves lost in the vibe of house, techno, or the club, this collection is essential listening.

Review: The third EP on Dutch disc discoursers Runde Ecken, the 'Savoy' EP proceeds the 'Jazzfloor' and 'Another Deep' EPs as the charming third-timer by the label's sole nucleotide, Deejazzid. With an exclusive focus on breezy minimal disco set to vinyl - and paired with a Ben Day comic book visual style - we hear another six soothers round out a swole overall mix here, as 'Deep Control' moves into 'Deeptroit', cranking up the heat under the deep minimal casserole in pigeon step.

Review: Diplo has done it all in his time from electro clash to big room, EDM to reggaeton. He is a worldwide star with countless projects on the go at any one time and back in 2019 he launched a house-leaning label, Higher Ground alongside his already well-known Mad Decent. The label, he said at the time, will release 'everything from tech-house to deep/melodic house, lo-fi to Afro-infused house, and everything in between'. So it has proved, as next to tunes from up-and-comers he has offered up his own cuts, not least this self-titled album full of big electro cuts, powerful drums and bright synths.

Review: Funky French duo Djeuhdjoah and Lieutenant Nicholson once again team up for a chelonian gallavant through house. The former singles 'Pas si vite' and 'Caipirinha' now form integral parts to a full, album, '2 Plus', on which a whopping 13 more tracks follow. Packed with bright, choral vocals ('Planete') and colliery tones ('Bwe Dlo'), this is an impressive and sunny saunter through French-Brazilian neo-soul and house.

Review: Galcher Lustwerk is one of those artists who has a completely diehard fan base. And for good reason, he is an idiosyncratic producer who collides myriad different sounds. Rap, funk, blues, beatboxing, techno, electro and bass are all fair game to him. His fist ever mixtape was a stream of sonic consciousness that has never before been released on vinyl. But now Ghostly International step up and press it to two 12"s, with both black and coloured green versions as well as a CD version available. It was a fine announcement of his arrival back then and still stands apart today.

Review: This is the first album in seven years from seminal electronic music project Leftfield (now led solely by co-founding member Neil Barnes), and contains some of their purest and most innovative output to date. While not available to the public just yet, 'Pulse' is the lead track, and carries with it an updated sound that seems to draw on the deep-euphoric influence of Bicep or DJ Seinfeld. It contains guest contributions from Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten and author Lemn Sissay, and charts a sparky creative spate despite a difficult period for the Barnes.

Review: Marc Moulin's long career, establishing him as a pioneering figure in Belgium's music scene, continues its journey on this release, with tracks that weave together his signature blend of smooth jazz and downtempo rhythms. Beginning with the jazz-rock group Placebo in the 70s, Moulin later formed the electro-pop act Telex, which represented Belgium at Eurovision in 1980. As a solo artist, he merged jazz with electronic and downtempo sounds, collaborating with artists like Sparks and Lio. His production, marked by complex instrumentation and atmospheric depth, solidified his reputation as a key figure in both jazz and electronic music. Whether drawing from the cool jazz of the 60s or the laid-back grooves of 90s chillout, Moulin's music transcends genre boundaries. On this album, the music explores a subtle interplay of muted trumpets, congas, and guitars, blending sensual, smoky vocals with a deeply rhythmic pulse. There's an unmistakable touch of classic jazz, reminiscent of legends like Wes Montgomery and George Benson, while the rhythms pull you into a more contemporary space, aligning with the downtempo beats that were popular in the 90s. Tracks like 'Into The Dark' and 'What?' unfold with a breezy yet intricate sense of rhythm, offering both chilled vibes and moments of tension. 'Organ' offers a groove-heavy track, with its jazz roots merging seamlessly with a funk-infused, hypnotic backdrop. The bonus remixes serve as a fresh take on these original compositions. From the midnight mood of 'Organ (Cosmos Midnight Express Remix)' to the deeper house flavour of 'Into The Dark (Karma Fever Reminiscent Step Remix)', these remixes take the core of Moulin's vision and deepen it, offering something for both the jazz enthusiast and the dancefloor. This release crystalises a rich moment in Moulin's career as he updates the familiar jazz and downtempo idioms with the intricate, soulful grooves of funk and electronic experimentation, keeping his sound vital and relevant.

Review: Given that he's a born collaborator, as his vast discography proves, it's perhaps fitting that David Moufang's latest album as Move D is packed to the rafters with killer collaborations. Check, for example, the ultra-deep, woozy and off-kilter "Innit", a superbly dubby and opaque studio hook-up with German rave pioneer D-Man, and the shuffling, intergalactic deep house warmth of Fred P collaboration "Building Bridges". Fittingly, his renowned collaborative projects also feature. There's a wonderfully elastic and out-there dub techno/minimalist track by Reagenz (Moufang and Jonah Sharp AKA Spacetime Continuum) with German veteran Thomas Fehlmann, and a Magic Mountain High (alongside Juju and Jordash) track that takes slow-burn, softly spoken deep house/dub techno fusion and runs with it. As you'd expect, the solo tracks are impeccable, too.

Review: Following their acclaimed debut album Sugar Honey Iced Tea!, NYC duo Musclecars aka Craig Handfield and Brandon Weems are back with a double pack of alternate versions and remixes featuring house legends Louie Vega and Maurice Fulton. Vega reworks 'Tonight' with orchestral flair and festival-ready dub versions including the NV South Jersey Mix and his Bronx Dub. Maurice Fulton's remix of 'Hello?' blends his signature live bass and punchy percussion to add a whimsical touch to the introspective original. The pack also includes stripped-down versions of 'Ha Ya! (Eternal Life)' and 'Water' plus a full side of Musclecars' 'I Don't Remember The Last Time I Saw Stars.'

Review: You can always count on Z Records to bring a deep-digging, dedicated approach to anything they put out, and that goes double for their flawless Under The Influence series. The 10th volume in the series sees them inviting the incredible Chicago-born DJ Rahaan to select some seriously headsy cuts from his collection, carefully cleaned up, de-clicked and remastered for the best listening experience. Given the nature of the series, don't expect the usual suspects, and instead savour the discovery of some of Rahaan's most treasured cuts, presented here on a double LP comp brimming with discoid magic.

Review: Berlin tech house heavyweights team up here on 'You Are Safe' a collaboration between &ME, Adam Port and Rampa on their Keinemusik imprint. The city natives hand in a collection of deep and evocative cuts, that are brought to life by some exceptional studio engineering, sitting somewhere between the sleek late night grooves of local imprint Souvenir as much as it does Innervisions with its melodic and futurist edge. Highlights on here include the hi-tech soul of "Civilist" calling to mind the sonic grooves of Toto Chiavetta or Ame, the sultry r'n'b of "Up & Down" featuring London songstress Chiara Noriko or the slinky moodlighting of "Bumper" featuring frequent collaborator Nomi Ruiz of Hercules & Love Affair fame. Keinemusik came to life in 2009, naming an existing friendship linked by the interests of six members - five DJs and one graphic designer/painter. Five releases per year have been released ever since, solely laid down by members of the crew.

Review: The Disco Gioconda crew spin narratives as they do grooves, dream-weaving throwback Italo-style records through editable wattles. Trend-chasers begone: Gino Tonico and Tino Arancino together tap into a sound whose immanent quality foregoes any need for PR preservatives, letting each section breathe, twist, and evolve organically as energy builds. 'Vorrei Rubaria' leans into drama without excess, moving through bold shifts in tone and rhythm that hold attention from first bar to last - its dub mix, meanwhile, swirls our medulla, leaving us cochlear blear. It's a record designed for full playthrough, rewarding those who stay with it.

Review: Luca Trentini's third release on Blessyou delves deeper into his disco sample-based dancefloor enhancers. This expertly crafted club-oriented toolkit, created by a seasoned DJ, reveals Luca's secret weapons. Side-1 bursts forth at an uptempo energy with driving momentum and acid touches, perfect for peak-time main room sets. 'So High!' slows down just a touch, offering a more playful sampling approach. Side-2 presentes a downtempo chugger with jungle vibes, featuring a chorus of Kookaburra, big cat and other animal noises. A release with something for almost every DJ's arsenal.

Review: Originally confined to CDia relic of a different timeiJorg Burger's early-2000s masterwork finally sees the vinyl treatment it deserves. Lush, transportive, and quietly radical, this is ambient techno at its most fluid, a body of work that drifts between nostalgia and movement, solitude and propulsion. 'Leuchtturm' remains untouched, its soft hand drums and hazy atmospheres still unfolding like a slow sunrise. Elsewhere, 'AG Penthouse' undergoes a transformation, its flute-like trills and glassy keys now fused to a churning rhythm that recalls Tangerine Dream's work on Thief, minus the guitar histrionics. Beat-driven yet deeply immersive, each track rises, crests and recedes in perfect sequence, a travelogue in the vein of Carl Craig's Landcruising or Model 500's Deep Space. What makes this release endure isn't just its shimmering detail but its refusal to conform. In a landscape where ambient techno so often leans on a specific nostalgia, Burger sidesteps the obvious, creating a listening experience that still feels singular, 21 years later.

Review: Things were different back in 2001 and the dance music world was less attuned to the responsibilities it has towards the marginalised communities that birthed the genre back in the 80s. For that reason, it's unlikely any new compilation featuring music by mostly white artists would be called Africanism Allstars these days, but alas that was the case with this collection when it was originally released. Title aside, the music stands up with a chunky house sound and plenty of tribal grooves featuring big names like DJ Gregory, Martin Solveig, Bob Sinclair and Soga amongst others.

Review: Ziggy and the extended ZFEX crew return with their most ambitious project yet, a double album that dives deep into the tension between creative instinct and artistic intention. Spanning 15 tracks recorded between Berlin and London, the record sees the collective pushing their signature fusion of jazz, funk, and electronic influences into bold new spaces, with a fresh embrace of disco and highlife grooves. Throughout, vintage synths and off-kilter percussion meet the addition of electric guitar, adding a raw, expressive edge to the band's evolving sound. 'Astras Theme' sets the stage with a swirling, cinematic introduction, while 'Radicalise' brings a frenetic energy, driven by tightly wound rhythms and razor-sharp instrumentation. Elsewhere, 'Shine Your Light' channels a cosmic funk sensibility, balancing the album's introspective moments with sheer dancefloor exuberance. With contributions from a diverse lineup of forward-thinking musicians across Europe, the UK, and Australiaiincluding appearances from Oscar Jerome and Tom Driesslerithis record stands as the most dynamic and exploratory incarnation of ZFEX to date. It's a project that refuses to sit still, capturing the restless spirit of a band constantly evolving yet always deeply rooted in groove.