Untzz Australia Schallplatten & CDs

Review: In terms of functional no-nonsense house music, few new labels last year enjoyed the widespread success that greeted the first three releases on the Australian label Untzz Twelve Inch. A fourth record and the first Untzz release of the year arrives and it provides a slight shift in focus away from the split nature of previous output in favour of granting two label mainstays the full platform to shine. Step forward Freddie Norwood and Dass whose Still Get On EP features four groove heavy collaborative productions, with the vacuum sealed boogie of B Side opener "1050" a personal favourite here at Juno HQ.

Review: Whilst Melbourne has commonly been the epicentre for all things Australian and House related over recent years, Adelaide outpost Untzz Twelve Inches have swiftly become one of the country's strongest labels. HVCK is a founding member of the Untzz cause and played his part in their irresistible rise over the past year with some killer contributions to their split releases. It's about time the man got a 12" to himself though and Untzz grant him the honour here with the quite superb Half Way Home 12". Four tracks deep, you get the feeling HVCK enjoyed having the space to explore different facets of his sound, making this a confident record with the Mood Huttish "Domino" a clear highlight!

Review: The Adelaide-based producer behind the Untzz and Big Doint labels has two main production aliases, Babicka and Mic Mills. Here, he presents a 12" that's confusingly credited to both. Musically, MBM is arguably his most adventurous and expertly produced EP to date, with all four tracks coming smothered in evocative chords and yearning melodies. "Lenny" is blessed with a delightful, extended breakdown, but is more notable for its' rolling, techno-influenced drums. "Depraved (The Brave)" expertly fuses smacked-out Afro-house rhythms and looped dub techno chords, while the sparse "Tempel" blends deep two-step and ambient influences to create a sinewy, sensual delight. Finally, there's some dusty deep house grooves in the shape of the bumping "Write U A Luv Song".

Review: The latest Untzz slab sees label regulars Mic Mills, Furious Frank & Bessie combine under the MFB banner for perhaps the deepest cuts yet from the Australian label. One Eighty Four also reveals an apparent connection between Adelaide and Detroit that was, according to the label's release notes, most prominent and channeled fully across the three productions. The merest hint of Motor City electro ripples through lead track "Mein Peas", complemented by a supple bassline arpeggio that's filled with emotive qualities and this is a template that MFB draw from successfully as the EP progresses. The star gazing title cut sounds like a restrained Legowelt, whilst release highlight "If I Did" is made all the more memorable by that distinct touch of burliness brought to proceedings by Freddie Norwood.

Review: It's fair to say Untzz Twelve Inch hit the ground running at the turn of the year with that drop from Freddie Norwood and Dass and they've not looked back since then with a succession of 12"s that leaves us thinking the Australian label are amongst our favourite Deep House outposts. This latest release is a split affair, with five sublime house workouts spread across the grooves from a cast of regulars and friends. The weighty "Brad (toldmetodub)" from the amusingly named 12" Phildo sets the tone for what to expect here, and the penchant for scattering drum sounds shown throughout really lends it a sense of distinction. Along worth HVCK's "1800DGA", it provides a highlight of a record from a label that is doing great things right now