Six Months

Played by: FINGERMAN, Juno Recommends Disco, Rayko, MR ABSOLUTT, Dave Mathmos, BRENDON P, Maison Blanche

Played by: Irregular Disco Workers, FINGERMAN, ROMANTO (YSR / DISCO MACHINE), Matt Masters (Freerange), Jayl Funk, Johnnypluse, Joey Chicago, Pete Herbert, Sol Power All-Stars, Juno Recommends Deep House, Juno Recommends Funky House, Tonbe, Thrills, BRENDON P, CHEWY RUBS, SlothBoogie, Danijel Kevic, RADIO SLAVE, Lost Desert, Paper Recordings, Fiorious, Heritage Listed

Review: Oliver Dollar, a Berlin-based artist who first appeared on Rekids as a remixer in 2012, has returned to Radio Slave's label with his 'Strings for Life' EP. The EP's title track begins with rich and stirring strings that add soul to the track. The song is warm, euphoric, and built on a rocksteady disco groove, making it both familiar and classic. 'School Daze' is a loopy track with funky bass, jazzy chords, and timeless house drums topped off with a retro vocal sample. The EP's final track, 'Sophisticated Funk,' features an epic, emotive beatdown, and Dollar doubles down on the disco. Oliver Dollar brings a very different sound to Rekids with this EP, which is full of joyous and lush tunes.

Played by: Juno Recommends Minimal Tech

Played by: FINGERMAN, Juno Recommends Deep House, Juno Recommends Funky House, Juno Recommends Minimal Tech, Dam Swindle, Lone D, Fiorious, Spincycle

Review: The summer of rave has landed and Demuja is here with Higher Places, a producer found on imprints like Skylax Classic, Shall Not Fade, Freerange and more. For his Aus Music debut he brings back a familiar rave motif to a banging new rendition of drums in "Work My Body". Next is a deeper, liquid club cut that is "Deep Inside Your Soul" with its classic pano effect while Demuja pays house music homage with "That Piano Track" - obviously. Closing the EP is a collaborative number with Kolter called "Bonzai" that's peppered with a techier and minimal sound, let's say from that Higher Place.

Played by: Juno Recommends Deep House, Dam Swindle

Review: In 2003, amid a shifting landscape of closing record stores and evolving electronic music genres, Phonica Records emerged as a haven for dance and electronic music enthusiasts. Founded by Simon Rigg, Tom Relleen, and Heidi Van Den Amstel with backing from The Vinyl Factory - Phonica aimed to be a welcoming hub for all genres. Starting quietly, the shop gradually gained a strong reputation, fueled by the founders' ties to Koobla Records. Phonica thrived in its early years by championing emerging genres like electro house and minimal-micro house from labels like Kompakt and Perlon. In 2007, the Phonica record label was born, evolving into a platform for both staff and emerging talents, featuring early releases by now-established artists such as Peggy Gou and Four Tet. In 2023, celebrating its 20th anniversary, Phonica showcases its journey with 20 Years Of Phonica - a compilation boasting 18 exclusive tracks from established and rising artists across the label's diverse musical spectrum. Hot tips include tracks by Willow, Dorisburg, Ron Basejam, Roman Flugel and more!

Played by: Irregular Disco Workers, Rob Lee, DJ Daniel W. Best, Juno Recommends Disco, LEGO EDIT, Paul DaSoul, Tee Cooper

Review: Glitterbox knows how to throw a party, and "Glitterbox Archives Vol 4" proves it once again. This EP collects four previously unreleased, dancefloor-tested gems, each offering a unique flavour of the label's signature sound. Kicking off with a bang is The Shapeshifters' "Try My Love (On For Size) (The Rub Dub)". This extended version of the already infectious disco anthem dives deeper into its groove, layering dubby effects and pulsating basslines that will have you moving right away. Next up, Michael Gray and Kelli Sae's "You're Gonna Make Me Dub Somebody Else" takes things down a notch. The "dub" moniker lives up to its name, stripping away some of the original's funk elements and emphasizing the hypnotic rhythm section. Kelli Sae's sultry vocals remain captivating, while the dub treatment creates a more introspective and atmospheric aura. Art Of Tones & Inaya Day's "Give My Love (Piano Dub)" is a revelation. This stripped-down version showcases the song's beautiful piano melody and Inaya Day's powerful vocals in a whole new light. Rounding out the EP is Qwestlife's "Hit It Off (Babert Remix)". Italian house maestro Babert injects his signature energy into the track, transforming it into a driving house anthem. Teni Tinks' vocals are chopped and looped, adding a playful touch to the infectious groove. This one is sure to get the crowd moving and leave them wanting more. A sparkly feast for disco devotees!

Played by: Craig Charles Funk And Soul, Pete Haigh, Rob Lee, DJ Daniel W. Best, Juno Recommends Disco, Tonbe, Yoshi Horino(UNKNOWN season), Dave Mathmos, BRENDON P, Sean McCabe, Kongisto, Saucy Lady, BAZZA RANKS

Review: Dave Lee has described this epic album, his first under the lesser-known AC Soul Symphony alias, as not only a 'labour of love', but also a tribute to the soaring string sounds and musically expansive arrangements that marked out work by original 1970s disco acts such as the Salsoul Orchestra, MFSB and Love Unlimited. Predictably, Lee has delivered and then some, serving up a string of epic disco workouts that flit between sax-laden mid-tempo beauty ('Windy City Theme'), soaring Philly Soul revivalism ('The Philly Avengers', with its jammed-out, Billy Preston style electric piano licks), seductive slow-jams ('Music For Your Pleasure'), elongated invitations to hit the dancefloors ('I Want To See You Dance'), sparkling disco-funk ('AC Express'), Salsoul-esque outings ('Seneca Village') and tributes to disco greats ('The Talented Mr Adams', which doffs a cap to the great Patrick Adams).

Played by: FINGERMAN, Juno Recommends Disco, BRENDON P, Andy Buchan, Joji Chissu, Paul DaSoul, Tee Cooper

Review: In the vibrant world of disco revival, Fool's Paradise stands as a beacon, resurrecting the electrifying spirit of New York's dance floors with a modern twist. Their latest offering, "Do It To The Music" by Raw Silk, reimagined by UK producer Michael Gray, is a perfect example of this ethos. Here, Michael Gray understands the magic of the 1982 original. He doesn't attempt to erase its essence, but rather polishes it with his signature production magic. The iconic vocals remain, floating effortlessly over a foundation of soulful grooves and shimmering synths. The tempo gets a respectful nudge, propelling the energy without losing the original's laid-back charm. His rework serves as a genuine tribute to the original, infused with his distinctive style characterized by flair and a groove-laden, funk-inspired resonance. Whether you're looking for a nostalgic throwback or a fresh take on a classic, "Do It To The Music" (Michael Gray Remix) delivers.

Played by: Juno Recommends Deep House, Lone D, Gigi Fajardo

Review: Following a two-year gap in which he focused on his House Puff and Rutilence labels, Parisian house stalwart DJ Steaw returns to Kerri Chandler's Kaoz Theory imprint. The three original cuts on show are prime Steaw: rock-solid, high-grade house workouts full of audible nods to the halcyon days of US house in the nineties and early noughties. The headline attraction is 'Get Back To The Fonk', a bumpin', spacey and tactile chunk of peak-time ready deep house haziness blessed with plenty of percussive funk. Kaoz Theory regular Josh Buttler remixes, opting for a more loose-limbed rhythm track, echoing melodic snippets and cut-up, garage-style vocal samples. Elsewhere, 'In My House' is an organ and synth-sax-sporting slab of '90s New Jersey nostalgia and 'Don't Stop' is gently acid-flecked deep house hypnotism.

Played by: Juno Recommends Disco, Juno Recommends Funky House, BRENDON P

Review: Following the release of Part 15 during the summer, Innervisions drop the latest secret weapons that feature in Dixon and Ame's sets. With a focus on vocals and woozy melodies, this collection captures the energy of the Innervisions owners' DJing. A case in point is the flowing groove and haunting tones of Ivory & Filippo Nardini's "Could You Feel The Love" or Hardt Antoine's woozy, acid-frazzled and appropriately named "Inside Your Mind". On other occasions, the collection veers close to pop territory, audible on the electronic groove of Cipy's "Trip" or flirts with 80s synth pop and electronic disco on Samantha Loveridge's "The Pusher". But no matter the direction, like all previous selections, Secret Weapons 16 makes for essential listening.

Played by: DJ Mau Mau, FINGERMAN, Juno Recommends Funky House, BRENDON P, RSS Disco

Played by: ROMANTO (YSR / DISCO MACHINE), Juno Recommends Disco

Review: Number three in a series whose title was self-explanatory to start with, so you should have a pretty good idea what's going on here as re-editor par excellence Alkalino makes free with 11 more nuggets from days of yore. Getting the treatment this time are Prince's '1999', Michael Jackson's 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough', Dire Straits' 'So Far Away', Rocksteady Crew's 'Hey You', Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing', King's 'Love And Pride', Visage's 'Move Up', The Smiths' 'Bigmouth Strikes Again', The Stranglers' 'Always The Sun' and a couple of unidentified cuts (one of which sounds like it might be The Human League while the other has a Front 242/Meat Beat Manifesto-like feel)... some surprising sources there for sure, but they're all handled with Alkalino's trademark aplomb so listen with open ears!

Played by: Dave Lee ZR, Juno Recommends Funky House, Steve Bug, Mr. V

Played by: RaOul (Swirl People), Kraak & Smaak, FINGERMAN, Juno Recommends Deep House, Dam Swindle, Dave Mathmos, BRENDON P, LEGO EDIT

Review: Let's take a wild ride through the funky time machine of Nu Groove's legendary catalog! "Nu Groove Edits, Vol. 2" is here to remind us why crate diggers around the globe have been worshiping this label since 1988. Nu Groove gets a new set of groovy re-edits that pay homage to the essence of Nu Groove's original spirit. First up, the Dutch dynamic duo Dam Swindle works their magic on Rhano's Equation project with "I'll Say A Prayer 4 U." It's like they've sprinkled a dash of Amsterdam magic onto this American house gem, turning it into the ultimate rainy day house anthem. You'll be dancing and praying simultaneously - a spiritual experience! Next in line, we have Rheji's Houz' Neegroz classic "Keep Dance'n" lovingly reworked by the house purist himself, Phil Weeks. Oh, but the party doesn't stop there! K.A.T.O.'s five-track Disco-Tech EP takes us on a time-traveling journey back to the disco hustle of the '70s. The lead single gets a makeover courtesy of Germany's house production virtuoso, the late Soulphiction. It's as if he's teasing the essence of the '70s and inviting it to the 21st century dance floor. Closing out this spectacular celebration of the Burrell brothers is the unstoppable production duo Honey Dijon & Luke Solomon. They take on Rhano's "When Can I Call You" featuring the soulful vocals of Lisa Lee. It's a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from nostalgic to futuristic, all set to a groove that'll have you questioning when you can call your dance partner back to the floor. This second volume of Nu Groove edits assembles modern house heroes like never before and let the funky beats transport you through the corridors of time!

Played by: Juno Recommends Funky House

Review: In a world awash with endless re-edits from the "stick a 4/4 kick under it and go to the pub" school of thought, it's always nice to come across a producer who takes a slightly more original and inventive approach to plundering the back catalogues of others. Step up Stockholm native Ture Sjöberg, AKA Beatconductor, who here delivers an album-length EP packed with re-edits and mash-ups that do just that. Putting Adele's 'Rolling In The Deep' vocal on top of chunks of Survivor's 'Eye Of The Tiger', for instance, really shouldn't work on paper, but when coming out of your speakers it most certainly does! Elsewhere you'll hear bits of The Eurythmics (several times), Sister Sledge, Earth Wind & Fire, Yazoo, The O'Jays, Mariah Carey, Christopher Cross, Post Malone and more, all shaken AND stirred into something new and interesting... worth checking for sure.

Played by: Pete Haigh, Juno Recommends Disco, Juno Recommends Deep House, Jerk Boy, BRENDON P, Andy Buchan

Review: Dave Lee's annual 'Essentials' compilations consistently deliver on their promise by rounding up the Z Records' biggest dancefloor hits and overlooked gems from the previous 12 months. 2023's edition is, somewhat predictably, another must-have collection packed to the rafters with house and disco treats. There are plenty of genuine scene anthems present - see Dimitri From Paris's epic revision of Leonid and Friends' cover of Chicago's 'Street Player', Lee's stunning disco rework of Jamiroquai's 'Little L', and his epic AC Soul Symphony cut 'I Want To See You Dance' - as well as lesser-celebrated gems such as the disco-boogie shuffle of Dynasty's 'Still In Love', David Penn's driving rework of Raven Maize's 'The Real Life', and Grant Nelson's piano-powered revision of Lee and Omar's 'Starlight'.

Played by: Juno Recommends Funky House, Juno Recommends Minimal Tech

Review: As Miami Winter Music Conference spins around for another year so does Toolroom's affiliated compilation showcasing why Mark Night's label remains at the precipice of mainstream club music. Bringing with it two full length DJ mixes and exclusive tracks from crew like Alex Kenji, Jerome Robins and Camila Jun, there's also banging numbers from legends like Green Velvet, Nicole Moudaber and Shadow Child next to Low Steppa and Tony Romera! ESSEL kicks off the compilation with the catchy choral loops of "The Edge", with other highlights to mention across some 50 tracks coming from Martin Ikin's drippin' "Make U Sweat", CASSIM's disco-tinged "Wanna Feel Something" and Carly Wilford's "The Dance". Time to dive into Miami 2024 - Toolroom style!

Played by: FINGERMAN, Juno Recommends Disco, Juno Recommends Funky House, Juno Recommends Minimal Tech, Rayko, Vladimir Marinkovic, CHEWY RUBS, LEGO EDIT, FRAN DEEPER, Andy Buchan

Review: Chewy Rubs' 'Ruff Beats' series reaches its fourth instalment in a little over 12 months, with deep, tracky grooves the order of the day once more. 'Keep On Doing It' is a mid-paced affair that tops moody synth sweeps with an echoing male vocal urging us to "keep on doing it like that", 'My Definition' is a more driving, house-ified cut that gets free 'n' easy with a Dream Warriors vocal snip, 'Sensations Of The Mind' marries snatches of two well-known vocals to a heavyweight funk bassline and hard-slammin' 4/4s, while 'Swagger' again plunders classic hip-hop from New York, New York (that's a clue!) for vocal inspiration.

Played by: Juno Recommends Funky House, Juno Recommends Minimal Tech, Fouk, Cinthie

Review: D Stone's "Total Unison EP" serves as a sonic exploration of the artist's current sound, showcasing a dynamic range of influences and styles. Leading with a strong melodic influence in "Total Unison" - drawing heavily from 70s disco and featuring a sampled vocal from Brief Encounter's "Human" - it delivers a high-energy dance jam best for both house and disco sets. "Something is Coming" holds it down disco still, working that bassline and pushing the funk, while "2 Be Free" sends into toward sultry Chicago jack territory with its acid bassline permeating in the background. Send in some techy drums, tribal percussion and a walking bassline to close it out via 'Show Me" - and you got yourself there some Total Unison.

Played by: Harry Romero

Played by: Irregular Disco Workers, FINGERMAN, Juno Recommends Disco, HOLDTight, Rayko, BRENDON P, Kongisto, FRAN DEEPER

Review: Luca LTJ Trevisi is an Italian scene veteran whose career dates back to the 80s, when he was in at the start of the country's house and acid jazz scenes. He's long been associated with the IRMA label and here fellow label regular Pomante mucks in to help him rework a couple of back catalogue nuggets, 'Don't Let You Down' from 2015 and 'Deeper' from 2019. The former is a mid-paced contemporary funk groover with a heavyweight b-line and parping sax, while 'Deeper' has a slightly housier feel, but either should slot into those modern funk and soul sets nicely.

Played by: Vincent Inc, FINGERMAN, Juno Recommends Disco, Tonbe, James Curd, Rayko, Shaka Loves You, BRENDON P, CHEWY RUBS, LEGO EDIT, Kongisto, FRAN DEEPER, HOTMOOD, NaCL, Andy Buchan

Review: The Funk District strikes back with a brand new label that will take you deep down the rabbit hole with a mix of styles and original sounds, not to mention a global reach when it comes to talent. The very first release arrives with four outstanding mixes that combines a smoky blues flavour with laid back funk for uniquely soulful and danceable results. Mixes including a hot reworking from Italy's legendary LTJ Xperience and a smooth collaboration with Argentinian key wizard Sokur. A sumptuous, subtly disco-infused house mix completes the package with a flourish of funky guitar and languid Rhodes piano.

Played by: POoK

Played by: Juno Recommends Funky House, Mista Jam, E l l e n

Played by: Kongisto

Played by: Juno Recommends Funky House, Todd Terry, TODD TERRY, Boogie Down Edits

Review: Defected's ongoing House Masters series should be essential listening for anyone keen to discover more about the recording careers of some of the scene's most iconic producers. Certainly, this latest installment, chronicling NYC legend Todd Terry's finest moments, contains far more hits than misses. At 35 tracks deep, it's a bit of a beast, but features not only all of his best-known productions ("Weekend", "Can You Party", "I'll House You", "Bango (To The Batmobile)", his remix of Everything But The Girl's "Missing"), but also a swathe of lesser-known remixes (A slammin' version of Bizarre Inc's "I'm Gonna Get You"), Dubs (a brilliantly stripped-back version of Hardrive's "Voices Inside My House") and original productions (the hip-house era madness of Black Riot's "Warlock").

Played by: Juno Recommends Minimal Tech, GATY LOPEZ

Played by: Juno Recommends Deep House

Review: Popular twosome Dusky (AKA Nicholas Harriman and Alfred Granger-Howell) return to Running Back with the final part of their 'Life Signs' trilogy of EPs. In keeping with its predecessors, and the London-based duo's popular and now familiar approach, all four tracks sound fresh and contemporary while offering nods to classic club sounds of old. For proof, check opener 'Wildfire', where colossal chords and trance-style melodic motifs rise above an unfussy house beat and throbbing sequenced bassline, and the riff-heavy, acid bass-propelled breaks business of 'Tea Cake'. Elsewhere, 'Rushing' is a bouncy and celebratory slab of techno-tempo piano house, and 'Hawthorn' is a nostalgic, saucer-eyed delight full of The Beloved-style bass, starry chords and sweat-soaked beats.

Played by: Juno Recommends Disco, J&M BROTHERS

Played by: Juno Recommends Funky House, Fred Everything, Dam Swindle, Lone D

Review: Deetron is back at Nu Groove, bringing a two-track release, 'Runnin' / AM_909,' and it's a soulful techno and house journey you won't want to miss. Drawing inspiration from Detroit's golden era, Deetron gifts us with two tracks that dive deep into the realms of melody and rhythm. "Runnin'" is a lively, techno adventure, featuring an irresistible piano-synth loop that'll have you moving to the beat. The drums hit with precision, and the bassline carries a hypnotic depth. As the track unfolds, layers of synths and effects gradually build up, leading to a standout breakdown with a stuttering drumbeat and swirling synths that heighten the anticipation. The return to the main groove is explosive, leaving you craving more. Now, "AM_909" takes a slightly more mellow approach, but the magic is just as potent. The bassline weaves a deep and hypnotic spell, complemented by swirling and psychedelic synths that create an atmospheric vibe. While it leans towards a more subdued tone than "Runnin'," it remains just as danceable. The breakdown is a gem, featuring a stripped-back groove that allows the bassline and synths to take the spotlight. The track then builds up to a crescendo before gracefully concluding with a gentle outro. It's an experience that adds a different flavour but is just as captivating as its counterpart.

Played by: Juno Recommends Funky House

Played by: Juno Recommends Progressive House, Juno Recommends Minimal Tech, Molly Mouse

Review: Just in time for ADE, Toolroom drops this comprehensive compilation. Fans of the long-running label will find much to love here. Good-time disco comes courtesy of KC Lights & Lapsley's infectious "Better Times" and Ejeca's joyous, sample-heavy "In & Out". The minimal end of the house spectrum is also well-served; there's the woozy break downs and builds of Martin Ikin's driving "Oscill8" and Essel's deconstructed rhythm on "Lennon". Amsterdam 2023 also serves up some irresistible, old-school selections. Pirate Copy's "Love Will Save the Day" is an intense, hardcore-sampling house track. Meanwhile on "I Just Wanna", Local Singles meld skipping garage beats with an urgent vocal and insistent siren riffs.

Played by: Irregular Disco Workers, FINGERMAN, Juno Recommends Disco, Tonbe, SUNNER SOUL, BRENDON P

Review: A fine three-tracker here from St Petersburg's Sunner Soul. The warm-up friendly "Celebration Of Life" gets the ball rolling, topping an understated 4/4 kick and warm bass with a lilting piano lick, string flourishes and a spoken vocal proclaiming that "music is the basis of all life". Then we come to "Snowflake" itself, a laidback but deceptively pacey affair that richly deserves its lead cut status and that?ll go down a storm on any dancefloor where deep, jazzual grooves are served, before "Spinnin' Around" plays us out on a good-t

Played by: Juno Recommends Deep House

Review: "Nu Groove Edits, Vol 1" pays tribute to the iconic NYC record label that has enchanted music enthusiasts for generations. This release features a curated selection of tracks expertly reimagined by contemporary industry figures and celebrated curators, putting a well-deserved spotlight on the artists who shaped Nu Groove into a cherished and influential force within the music world. At the forefront of this compilation is Rheji Burrell, the champion of the quintessential New York house sound. Alongside his twin brother Rhano, the Burrell brothers played a pivotal role in shaping and defining the signature Nu Groove sound. Under various monikers, four of which are featured here, they left an indelible mark on the label and the house music scene at large. The journey begins with Bruise, aka Christian Campbell, an underground pioneer, taking on Burrell's 'Secret Code' released under his Jazz Documents alias. This re-edit breathes new life into the track, infusing it with contemporary energy while retaining the essence of its original form. Next up, the anonymous Berlin duo Acid Jerks tackle the deep house gem 'Tech Trax Inc.' by the eponymous pseudonym. Their re-edit embraces the essence of the original track, enhancing its hypnotic qualities and taking listeners on a mesmerizing journey through pulsating rhythms and immersive soundscapes. House purist Phil Weeks works his magic on Houz' Neegroz's 'All Night Long,' featuring vocals from Quiana. Weeks' rework showcases his dedication to preserving the soulful essence of the original, infusing it with his signature touch and creating a dancefloor-ready anthem that pays homage to the roots of house music. Rounding out this diverse collection of reimagined tracks, the unstoppable production duo of Honey Dijon and Luke Solomon takes on the iconic 'APT. 2A,' originally released by Burrell as N.Y. House'n Authority. Their reimagining of this legendary piece is a celebration of the past, present, and future, encapsulating the enduring legacy of Nu Groove.

Played by: Julian Sanza, Kraak & Smaak, Billy Bogus, YAM WHO?, Don Dayglow, Juno Recommends Disco, Richard Rossa, Discolypso, Michael The Lion, LEGO EDIT, JAMES ROD, Stephen Richards (DiscoDaze), That Needs an Edit/Pete Le Freq, Andy Buchan, Sould Out, Paper Street Soul, D.S.D., Mark van der Ree, Tee Cooper

Played by: FINGERMAN, Juno Recommends Disco, Gledd

Review: Kaninchenbau's main collaborators Sokur and The Funk District helm this latest intergalactic journey in the form of 'All Over You'. It's a superbly tasteful and deep disco joint with lush synth work and the sort of groovy drums that make every head to the floor and get down. Next to the original is a classic 'House Mix' version and then comes two epic remixes. Both are from accomplished and ever busy Razor-N-Tape producers Nenor and DJ Vas who bring a real touch of classic to their work and offer a different look than the original.

Played by: PBR Streetgang, FINGERMAN, Milton Jackson, Pete Herbert, Juno Recommends Deep House, G-Blaster (Memorie Cluster), Dj Steaw, Tee Mango, Tuccillo, Jonahlo, Kellie Allen

Review: There has been some excellent material released by Nu Groove since the long-dormant NYC label was reborn a couple of years ago, though this EP from Ibiza-based Italian Guiseppe Tuccillo may well be the best yet. It starts on a warm, deep and spacey-sounding flex with the rubbery 'Sunshine City'. 'It's Not Over' sees him join the dots between rolling, mid-90s NYC house and classic Italo-house, while 'Let's Do It' is a slightly slower slab of swirling house retro-futurism. Three quality club cuts for those who like their house to be as addictive as it is classy.