Review: Dutch dance behemoth Armada Music might be best known for trance and hard dance, but for the last five years their Subjekt offshoot has delivered some killer house music - material that frequently gets played in some of the biggest of big rooms over in Ibiza. This expansive, action-packed collection rounds up some of the label's current White Isle hits, in the process allowing DJs the world over to get their mitts on a swathe of exclusives. Naturally it's big on current and future anthems, with our highlights of the 40-strong track list including CID and Westend's heavyweight, Inner City-sampling 'Let MeTake You', Kevin Saunderson's classic Motor City style rework of Andrea Olivia's 'Transit', the hands-aloft rush of Low Steppa's 'Your Dreams' and the sleazy dark-tech dirtiness of 'Banaza' by Kura.
Review: Damian Lazarus' Crosstown Rebels imprint has been bringing some consistent quality over the last months, with releases by drum & bass legend DJ Krust and most recently Audiojack and Kevin Knapp's "These Days" which came with a killer remix by Pearson Sound. The label is now into the fourth edition in the SPIRITS compilation series, with highlights coming from Radio 1 legend Pete Tong teaming up with Italian tech house producer Alex Kennon on the slinky groove of "Apache", the ever reliable Francesca Lombardo with the mesmerising cosmic dancefloor journey "Freak On Sea" as well as Los Angelno pair Lubelski & Xkylar with the afterhours minimal shuffle of "Passion Fruits" and the Minus affiliated Matador with the lurking bass and moody atmospherics of "Vulture" - plus many more.
Review: Toolroom is back with the second instalment of the 'House Party' series, with Chicago veteran Gene Farris, the enigmatic Wh0 and ascendant duo Raumakustik closing out the summer in style with their respective mixes. Featuring 80 tracks from leading international names including Carl Cox who goes for a minimal vibe on his remix of Hannah Wants & Kevin Knapp's "Call Me", Hot Since 82 serves up something different than usual on the summertime vibe of "Rise", Saved chief Nic Fanciulli gets some spiritual and life-affirming vibes in effect on "Virgo", Hamburg disco stu Tensnake gives Dombresky & Boston Bun's "Stronger" a neon-lit makeover and label boss Mark Knight impresses with the funky house anthem "Tonight" ft. Chenai and Mr. V.
Review: Toolroom's compilations have soundtracked Miami's Winter Music Conference for more than a decade and this is no exception. Here they've drafted in three of their key artists to compile the album: Friend Within, Leftwing : Kody & Siege - who all take you on a journey through the various shades of house and techno. Highlights include: Siege's remix of legend Green Velvet's massive "Bigger Than Prince, boss man Mark Knight's electrifying rework of C.O.T.'s "Let It Go" into a uplifting house anthem, Dutchman Franky Rizardo cool as a cucumber on the smooth groove of "X Marks The Spot" through to veteran west coast producer Miguel Migs returning to the spotlight with the ultra deep "Moving Light" feat. Lisa Shaw and the comeback of Canadian legend Hatiras on the slinky and hypnotic remix of Sammy Deuce's "EZY". From certified main room essentials to sun-kissed poolside vibes, capture the magic of Miami Music Week with 'Toolroom Miami 2020'.
Review: Danny Howard's Nothing Else Matters welcomes Swiss DJ and producer Andrea Oliva to the label with a hard-hitting club cut. Over the last decade, Oliva has released music on some of the biggest labels including Relief, Saved, elrow, Truesoul and Hot Creations to name but a few. "Dancing, No Sleep" is a funky and tough rolling cut that references classic house motifs and features an infectious vocal loop throughout. Label boss Howard's remix is more straight ahead; a deeper and functional tech house remodel that's aimed squarely at the dancefloor like the original - and sure guaranteed to cause a sweat!
