Tags: Minimal

Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Trelik returns with a repackaged edition of one of the catalogue's most treasured releases. "Overcome" and "Lady Science (NYC Sunrise)" need little introduction, and now come sporting the new TR11:11 matrix number. Written and produced by Thomas Melchior and Baby Ford aka Soul Capsule, these tracks came from one of the many sessions recorded at the West London Ifach Studio in 1999. On the A Side "Overcome" is stripped back and energetic, driven by rolling and shuffling garage style beats, tight bubbling bass and atmospheric synth pads. The intermittent vocal samples and the release's signature organ set you up for the flip, "Lady Science (NYC Sunrise)". Possibly one of house music's most emotive pieces, the track builds slowly with the introduction of each part building a story of soulful optimism based around a sparse palette of deep synths, uplifting keys and warm analogue bass. The understated beauty of the main vocal riff never seems to grow old or tired with the track lending itself perfectly to either main room, peak-time play or after-hours sessions alike. Remastered by Rashad at D & M.

Review: Seminal reissue alert! Baby Ford had already been a chart-baiting acid house superstar by the time he launched the PAL SL label in 1996. He'd left behind the major label scene and moved firmly back into the underground with exploratory techno releases on Ifach and collaborations with Mark Broom. This new label marked a shift for Ford though, setting him up for the trips into minimalist club tracks that have been his bread and butter for decades now. From the machine soul trysts of "Slow Hand" to the woozy techno thrust of "Tall For His Height" and the atmospheric house wriggle of "Kez", this release is a classic through and through. Beat the sharks and nab a copy of this long out-of-print gem.

Review: Omni AM hail from the US and were loud voices in the early tech house scene. The duo, made up of Marky Star and Adam Collins released a wealth of material, most of it on Euphoria, including an album, Key. It has now come to the attention of the next generation who keep on digging deep and so this standout EP Keep Doing That has been remastered in response. It features a clean and fresh tech cut with crisp hits and compelling drum programming, with two remixes from Mark Ambrose that'd offer a slightly different perspective. Still as good as ever.

Review: With a name like Chiwax you surely know what you're in for right? The German label serves up another Windy City classic by the legendary DJ Skull here - under his birth name Ron Maney - with the 2 Entities EP, originally released back in 1996 on the seminal Relief Records. A classic for those that know, it's got the spooky and minimalist shuffle of "Bring It Home" and the heads- down stomper "Reborn Souls" which is classic DJ Skull all the way, complete with its heady loops underpinned by skipping rhythms. On Side B, "Reconstruction" also has more of a mid-90's Chi-town techno sound, only this one's even more driving and nasty - a proper basement jam to be experienced under the strobe lights.