Review: Once Once is the brand-new EP by Argentinian producer and DJ Jorge Savoretti, a four tracker chock full of late-night grinders. The title track is an eerie tribal builder that has a great blend of groove and catchy percussion elements, all working towards a peak. 'Magic Carpet' has more of a house bounce while still keep the mood futuristic and hedonistic. On the second side there is spending Reflex Blue remix of 'Magic Carpet'. This one is more energetic and adds a bit more of a break to the rhythm that includes a very fine acid line to it. 'Activation' really rounds out the EP with what we feel might be the strongest track, a sexy funker that has a darker tinge to it that we really like. The 14th release for the Berlin based label Talman Records has another great record in its catalogue.
Review: Konfus Records continues its impressive early work with a fourth vinyl edition that sees them welcoming Matthias Schildger to the family. Together with Rupert Hartick, he cooks up the powerful Dudes EP which offers a nice blend of tracks that explore different moods and grooves. Schildger appears under two of his well-known aliases - MS and CNTRL - first with the bubbly and deep minimal loops of 'Lose Control' and then with the airy, subtly uplifting and high-speed smoothness of the dubby 'Tranceparents'. For his part, Hartick offers two nice and punchy kicks for when the floor needs a jolt.
Review: Schuttle's latest invites you into a simulated realm of post-biological optimism. The voyage begins with 'Splan,' where a divine arp propels you through fractal landscapes and interlocking melodic polygons which splurge joyful machine funk. In 'Melonweed Musick,' there is a descent into swampy marshlands powered by a breakbeat groove while an angel cleanses with serene chords. 'Kitchen Sync' takes things to 120bpm where acid and glimmering keys create a fusion of the known and the otherworldly. Finally, in 'Inspo 2000' a playful percussive edge guides you to a soft landing and ends what is a brilliantly evocative EP.
Review: 'Solitude' is a perfectly apt title for anything Sistrum label head Patrice Scott does. The US deep house master makes such introverted and introspective sounds that they have you utterly transfixed in the moment, locked into thought and gazing on at his gorgeous synth designs which are cosmic, meaningful and jazzy. The title track here does all that and more with some deft vocals laced in and gentle tambourine sounds. 'Inoffensive Dance' is another meditation of deepness with loose drums and lovely melodies all soothing mind, body and soul.
Review: Various Shades is right! Zagreb label Forbidden Dance bring together the talents of Patrice Scott, Aleqs Total, XDB and Gary Superfly for a fine gradient of hex-perimental dance music, fully exciting our many aural rods and cones. An earful of minimal moods are conveyed on Scott's 'Be Yourself', with its fidgeting stereo bass sound design especially impressing, while Aleqs Total's 'People Round Town' lets a seedier sonic underbelly of aspic acid spill out onto main street. 'Odican' by XDB is the most unsettling number, with a repetitive vocal hallucination resounding in and out of a tenebrous centre mix, while Superfly's 'Free Fall' marks a recovery from the A1's relative panic attack, through intravenous hi-hats and concordant chords.
Review: American talent SCRIPT makes a bold entrance onto the esteemed Afterlife imprint with 'On The Low', a track that's already been making waves in the electronic music scene. It marks a significant milestone, as SCRIPT becomes the first American artist to grace the label's catalogue with a stand-alone single. 'On The Low' is a captivating blend of pulsating rhythms, mesmerising synth layers and a catchy vocal hook that's been echoing through clubs and festivals alike. Its journey from a humble Splice sample to a genre-defying anthem is a testament to SCRIPT's production prowess and his ability to craft music that resonates with both discerning DJs and enthusiastic crowds.
Review: Luke Seager is a young, fresh and exciting new prouder from Paris who makes his debut on the French label Beau Mot Plage here having already made waves with his digital outing on Mari.Te's Tresydos. He kicks off with 'Cloud Surfing' which is a nice rigid tech warm up then 'About' Em' brings some silky space-tech vibes with nimbler drums and pads, 'Oystero' keeps the intergalactic feels flowing with more percussive, balmy beats and 'Mean Street' brings a darker, more heads down and back room sound. A Techline TM remix is the moody closer you need for the afters.
Review: Giles Smith and James Priestley have left an indelible mark on house and techno culture in the UK, not least thanks to their fabled Secretsundaze parties. These days they're taking that iconic stamp into the studio, and following up on strong turns for Mule Musiq and Phonica last year they're finally dropping a full length EP on their own label. The quality is as high as you would expect, from spicy, snarling fire starter "Mezcal" to the transcendental swirl of "Stand Up". On the B side, "Testing" takes things a little deeper with a heady stomp and a tricky disposition that will satisfy all the selectors.
The Real Sun (Giraffi Dog 700 Lakeside remix) (4:55)
Review: Secretsundaze, both the label and party, is now helmed by James Priestley alone. Here the long-time London staple embarks on a new journey with his first solo release which features a fresh pair of originals. The EP opens with 'Doesn't This Sun Feel Great' which is a slick, speed house cut that is pent up with joy and celebration and has some twisted vocal manipulations and superb percussive details. 'The Real Sun' is similar in that it features plenty of live percussion, some tropical bird calls and humid synth lines that will get big reactions in the club. On the B-side, Drua's remix brings a psychedelic tech-house edge, while Giraffi Dog closes with his '700 Lakeside Remix' which is a little more sundown and sultry.
Review: Seekers' 'The Man And A Sample' implies that all one needs to craft such tuneful incendiaries is a human body and a phono lead. Bringing three jams laid to tape in Barcelona in 2023, in turn laid to 12" vinyl in 2024, 'Telepathic Soul', 'Isotopic' and 'Parkour Jam' are three psychotropic, street-level soundshifters from the artist and label only known pluralistically as Seekers. All the tracks weigh in on a sound complementary of breakdance and MPC-core, though the added lasery, tropical and psychic sounds lend the whole thing an impressive, colourful abstraction, in good keeping with the highly exploratory Seekers brand. This Seeker saves the best till last with 'Parkour Jam', a somersaulting next-funk jam replete with effected vocal "hups", and the sounds of ancient alien landing gear repurposed into riser and faller SFX.
Review: SEGUIM Records is back with its second release, 'SEGUIM Edits Vol. II', navigating the many nostalgisms of the 80s through to the vivid reimaginings of the 90s. This time the imprint also doubles up as artist, bringing four mix versions of an untitled cut to the fold. The 'Visible' and 'Invisible' mixes first provide parallactic shifts on the same tune, with basslines and guitar licks shifting between the foreground and background, giving way to each other's various constitutive elements, like the forced perspective of a playing card. Meanwhile, the 'Al Ajillo' and 'Cardiac' mixes move into much ravier territory.
Review: This is a welcome reissue of some textbook deep Detroit dub and techno. 'Verdichtung' opens up with some superb rhythms and prickly percussion, all softened by prying synth leads and smeared pads. 'Verdrangung' is just as deep with silky broken beats and more woozy, alluring pads lodging deep in your psyche. 'Einfuhlung' ups the ante with more raw and direct drums and techno leaning hi hats but still plenty of warm machine soul and 'Ersetzung' shuts down with acid-tinged lines, zippy synths and compelling, physical drum patterns.
Review: Rawax first released John Selway's Real EP back in 2020. It has aged well and is still an in-demand 12" following the sell-out of its first run. As such the German label reissues it now just as it was the first time around. The title cut is a tribal and chunky house number with thumping drums offset but tender and barely-there whispers. 'Sliders' is a twitchy technoid stomper with a sleazy vibe and the urgent, hurried grooves continue through 'Wraecca', this time overlaid with swirling solar winds and busy synth modulations. Proper tackle.
Review: ?aru is a non-profit label from Romania that sits at the sharp edge of the minimal underground. This new double pack of striped back tech gems will see all proceeds donated to dog shelters and NGOs supporting stray pups. Sensek opens with a slithering and groaning groove, 'Machine Morality,' for shadowy afterparties and Gringow brings a haunting melody to 'Towards The Dark & Cold.' Broascka's 'Epitelius' is an abstract affair with microscopic details scattered over a deep, dubby grove and Dragomir closes with two cuts - 'Alone With You' is a woozy late-night roller and 'Illusions feat Adina Oros' is a blissed out downtempo sound for the post-club hours.
Review: Rominimal stalwart Teo Bajdechi aka Sepp presents the next release on London's Into The Woods. The man from Constanta delivers three wondrous tracks on the About Us EP; the title track is the kind of rolling and hypnotic tackle that you've come to know from the artist that's aimed squarely at the main room dancefloor, before heading to the afterhours on the woozy microhouse of 'Kiss'. Over on the flip, serves up what is probably his most experimental and off-kilter track yet on the playful 'Delta Quadrant'.
Review: Houston's Seven Davis Jr continues his musical explorations via his Secret Angles imprint, serving three floor-focused cuts on 'Is This The Apocalypse'. The long-serving US producer, vocalist and DJ is unafraid of experimentation, and his latest offering delivers a set of forward-facing house and techno hybrids. Stripped, straight to the point, simultaneously familiar and fresh i the club room is very much the focus here. The energetic opener 'I Should Be In Japan' arrives with semi-sung vocals echoing over sleazy bass and fierce four-four rhythms, before 'PBS (Party & Bullshit)' ups the tempo with jacking drums driving spoken-word sass over a stripped-back topography. Finally, the title track powers over swung house drums, with its magnetic bass hook and looped samples providing the bed for paranoid bleeps and call-to-action vocals.
Review: Oslo collective Det Gode Selskab continue to expand on their artillery of refined club-leaning music this summer, as they invite Dutch artist Shaked to the table. His versatile sound, laid down in the past decade, has led into the continuous evolution of his productions, now reaching this zenith, on which a distinct blend of atmospheres tilt in a sleek, minimalist direction. With a stripped-back sense of sophistication throughout, this is expert minimal tech house through and through, with the opening monologue on the 'Earth Landing' mix of the lead track surely being of special interest to anyone keen on adjacent musical tropes of sci-fi and starshipped enterprise: "an object of great kinetic power has been located on planet Earth - the object is black, shaped round, and has a locked and groovy surface". We wonder what that could be?
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: People Pleasers is a brand new label that kicks off with the first sounds of a new project, Shep, by respected veteran producer Jay Shepheard. It is house music which underpins these but plenty more goes on up top. 'Peach Buzz' shows that from the off with some nice airy pads and emotive vocal stabs that will make any floor take note. 'Trust Your Nose' is a deep, warm cut with shuffling drum and humid 90s organ stabs while 'The Bell Curve' has a late-night feel thanks to the pulsing synth sequences that roam about the mix. 'Higher States Of Nonchalance' shuts down with the most heady sound of the lot and a persuasive dub feel that is perfect for back rooms.
Review: Renowned Curacao-born electronic duo Shermanology are back with a new four-tracker on their cutting-edge label, D'EAUPE. Known for their dynamic sound and genre-blending prowess, Shermanology have become a real force in electronic music with infectious beats and soulful vocals that exemplify their ability to unite diverse influences on the dance floor. This EP underscores that with a quartet of fresh final tunes, innovative rhythm and the sort of characterful sound designs that always make their tunes pop out in any setting.
Review: Kimochi Sound welcomes back regular artist Shielding for another standout entry into the label's catalogue, this time on wax with a lovely hand-sprayed sleeve. It's a deep exploration of supple rhythm here with 'Ceiling Licker' mix up diffuse ambient arps and organic sounds from the great outdoors with a bubbling bassline. 'Hundred' is a trippy late night cut with a ghostly atmosphere and muted bells and chords drifting into earshot from way off in the distance. 'Kvadrat' is a late-night collaboration with Maeteriet from Sewer Sender Records that overlays a rubbery minimal rhythm with deft synth details and curious hooks to make for dark but ultimately charming listening.
Review: Shiffer and Paul Brenning's latest collaboration is a masterclass in restraint and groove. The tracks here unfold slowly, each element carefully placed, allowing the deep, rumbling bass and crisp percussion to speak for themselves. There's a warmth to the production, with subtle melodies peeking through the smooth rhythms, creating a hypnotic effect that pulls you in. The vibe is steady yet unpredictable, and you can feel the influence of house, techno, and everything in between. It's an understated but impressive exploration of sound.
Review: The debut album from Ukrainian collective Noneside unites musicians and visual artists under the inspiring words of poet Taras Shevchenko, who said 'Make love, o dark-browed ones.' Framed by a painting from contemporary artist Iryna Maksymova, the music explores the trance and tech house that is destined to bring souls together on the dancefloor this summer and beyond. Shjva opens with fresh and mashed bass and sleek trance pads that are subtle but effective. Lostlojic layer sup deep, bubbly techno drums and bass with an angelic vocal tone and Saturated Color's 'Trancia' is a speedy, scuffed-up tech groove for late-night cruising. Peshka and Yevhenii Loi offer two more future-facing trance-techno fusions packed with feels.
Review: German producer Sidney Charles likes his beats chunky and his grooves heavy. He heads up the Heavy House Society which is named in reference to that fact and that is where he steps up now with a new 12", Reso Riddim. The lithe title cut gets things underway then 'Objection' offers up super smooth and irresistible rhythms run through with deft synth work and nice swirling cosmic overtones. 'Rawline 98' taps into a throwback house sound for all passion and sweatiness and last of all 'Charles List' is an all our jacker with snappy snares, yelping vocals and Boo Williams-style house heat that will get any floor going.
Review: Sidney Charles prides himself on making chunky house music that is raw but underpinned by a slick sense of swing. His Heavy House Society label is where most of it arrives but now he takes a detour to Nick Curly's long-running Cecille. 'Sonar Plexus' is irresistible European house music with razor sharp hi-hats, synth curlicues to soften the edges and precise drum work. 'Universal Highway' has a retro 90s feel - a sense of rushing endorphins and bobbing drum breaks that get hands in the air and 'Fearless' then gets liquid and funky with its effervescing rhythms and tumbling synth sequences. 'Turnover' closes out with a soulful US house feel and completes one of Charles's best-ever EPs.
Review: Ukrainian mainstay Silat Beksi offers up three calmly techy new tracks for minimal label Sous-Vide, which is one of the labels at the forefront of pushing only the best of Ukrainian tech talent at present. 'At Your Fingertips' a keen tune; super lush pads hit like psychic realisations, while the of 'Hawking Points' is just as tricky and flicky.
Review: When it comes to producing undulating, club-friendly tech-house and micro-house shufflers, Silat Beksi has a pretty good track record. We can confirm that this 12" - his first for Pleasure Zone following appearances on a string of like-minded labels - is similarly rock solid. On the A-side you'll find the deep and rolling "Back to the Future", where fluttering, outer-space ambient synths drift around a crunchy tech-house rhythm track rich in fizzing electronics and solid snares. Flipside "Kin 182" is, if anything, even deeper. Featuring a bolder bassline, dreamier chords and a breakbeat-driven house beat, it's arguably the more satisfying of the two tunes (though we wouldn't be surprised if more DJs champion the similarly impressive A-side).
Review: After 20 years of a restful sleep, the legendary Icelandic Thule offshoot house label 66 Degrees has been resurrected. Three deep cuts exhibiting what is in store for the year 2022.
It begins with "Can Ride", a neo-disco anthem from former resident Justin Simmons. Nifty groove with an acid-bassline - topped with all the razzle and dazzle that is needed to get the dancefloor moving.
The flipside starts with a remastered Raresh secret weapon, a proper minimal percussion-driven groove from Kate & Joan, a side-project of Dole & Kom from the renowned label BCC music. The Detroit-influenced dub house anthem will, without a doubt, be a useful tool for any DJs to get the crowd going.
The second cut on the B-side is from a Reykjavik-based beatmakers Oh Mama. Its wild style sample-based approach caught the label's attention and the result is a worthy debut vinyl release. Hypnotic, sexy and groovy - with a big and dirty bassline.
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