Review: Munich's Permanent Vacation have always danced to the beat of their own Linndrum; consistently delivering killer off-kilter house music fused with Italo disco, electro, funk and occasional new beat. The "If This Is House..." series captures this unique sound perfectly and for Vol 3 they have asked "friends, Permanent Vacation regulars, and other good-looking producers famous for dancing around the edges of house" for an exclusive cut. The results are impressive, highlights including Drifter's crystalline synth house ("We See Us"), Willie Burns' muted electro ("Lost In The Clouds") and the depressed acid of "Tape 4 Fears".
DJ Normal 4 - "UFO Spotted At Ruhr" - (4:46) 140 BPM
DJ Stingray - "Cryptic" - (4:42) 70 BPM
Robert Dietz - "Junk Mail Gem" - (6:52) 127 BPM
Textasy - "Chillin' At The Beach" - (5:32) 120 BPM
Mystik Menn - "Fantastic Jam" - (5:12) 126 BPM
Bell Towers - "My Body Is A Tempo" (Andras remix) - (6:41) 127 BPM
Florian Kupfer - "Post Present" - (8:53) 120 BPM
DJ Boneyard - "Original" - (6:16) 123 BPM
DJ Steaw - "Get Down" (dub mix) - (7:14) 124 BPM
SE62 - "Night People" - (6:17) 122 BPM
ZZZ - "UZKZOWZ" (DJ Haus Body Heat mix) - (4:52) 125 BPM
Stratton - "Out There" - (7:13) 129 BPM
Cliff Lothar - "Tool Tyme" - (6:03) 120 BPM
Legowelt - "Amateur Astronomy" - (5:25) 124 BPM
DJ Seinfeld - "Tell Me What U Want" - (4:23) 131 BPM
Hugo Massien & DJ Haus - "Network Processor" - (5:29) 123 BPM
Justin Cudmore - "Straight No Chaser" - (6:45) 123 BPM
FRAK - "Protes" - (7:52) 126 BPM
Cosmic Garden - "Nature Spirits" - (5:49) 122 BPM
Louie From The Club - "Emoshuns" - (6:44) 121 BPM
Gropina - "Cristallo Di Bismuto" - (4:34) 113 BPM
SkatebArrd - "Maskindans" - (2:33) 103 BPM
Neil Landstrumm - "DX Madness" - (5:51) 85 BPM
Lauren Flax & Jimmy Edgar - "It's Ours" (Jimmy Edgar remix) - (5:35) 126 BPM
DJ Plant Texture - "Lloyd Goes To Mars" (Simoncino remix) - (5:50) 126 BPM
TRP - "Stellar" - (8:45) 127 BPM
DJ Shark - "Outro" (Fantastic Man remix) - (6:26) 130 BPM
Review: The second volume in DJ Haus's "Enters The Unknown" series is even more epic than its' predecessor. This digital edition is particularly potent, as it not only features two action-packed, CD length mixes from the Unknown To The Unknown chief, but also all 46 tracks he used in unmixed, DJ-friendly form. Given the quality of the retro-futurist gems contained in the UTTU archives (modern cuts variously inspired by ghetto-house, early trance, slamming techno, bleep, proto-jungle, hardcore and early New Jersey garage), it's unsurprising that the showcased material is so damn hot. The set also boasts a handful of previously unheard cuts, too, including DJ Haus's collaborations with DJ Boring, DJ Deeon and Marquis Hawkes.
Review: Listening to Miami 2014 it sounds like this year's WMC will be dominated by interpretations of classic US house. Prok & Fitch's "South Keys (original club mix)" is a storming tribal affair, while the key changes and heavy low end on My Digital Enemy's "Change" is reminiscent of New Jersey garage. Garage of a UK variety is audible on the rolling snares and rubbery bassline of Hot Since 82 's "Hot's Groove", but in the main, this compilation is US-dominated. Piemont's "Microsleep (original mix)" recalls the darkest excesses of Armand Van Helden house, replete with scary sirens, while the Kevin Knapp take on Richy Ahmed's "The Drums" is a clap-heavy Chicago jam.
Review: Dutch super trio Kraak & Smaak go poolside: Miami style here for Toolroom. Indeed this compilation showcases the many shades of house music that soundtracked some serious fun in the sun, at 2018's edition of Miami Music Week. The longtime staples of the UK imprint Jalapeno serve up all things deep, funky, nu-disco and even a bit of French Touch for good measure. Highlights include Lindstrom & Prins Thomas' disco odyssey - translated via their remix of Temples' "Born Into The Sunset", Freerange boss Jimpster's lush and hypnotic "English Rose" (original mix), last year's comeback by Parisian legend Alex Gopher & Pierrick Devin on "Jazz Rock" (receiving another well deserved rinse!) and the inimitable Detroit legend Andres with his remix of Cool Peepl's "Free" (feat Billy Love, Amp Fiddler & Sundiata O.M). Several of the trios funked-up tracks feature throughout in addition to a continuous mix of the playlist.
Review: Judging by Toolroom's latest mammoth collection, the sound of the White Island in 2014 will be uplifting house music. Granted, there are some diversions on this compilation thanks to Eric Sneo's rattling minimalism and Doorly's jacking "Thunder Clap", but these are few and far between. Even Kelis gets in on the vocal house sound, with Breach chopping up the singer's vocals on his tracky version of "Rumble". Breach faces stiff competition from his peers though, with Tensnake turning London Grammar's "Hey Now" into an epic vocal anthem. However, the stand out contribution comes from a real veteran and MK's piano-led take on Lancelot's "Givin' It Up (feat Antony & Cleopatra)" recalling classic KMS.
Review: Symbols Recordings regular Jason Burns returns for his third outing on Kastle's label, perhaps one of the most prolific new imprints in the world of forward thinking bass music this year. Here he teams up with Brent Still Life for five tracks of futuristic R&B action; first up Burns goes solo with "Lightning", a piece of 2-step infused house with a killer vocal hook, then its Brent Still Life's turn with "I Could Blame You", a cool piece of icy R&B sampling bass smeared with sumptuous square waves. Next the pair team up for "Right Here" and "Ain't Nobody Do It", two tracks that combine the same pop sensibility with a ghettotech vibe.
Review: The Night Bass train continues to roll out furiously as they employ the services of five brand new faces across their brand new compilation 'Night Bass Freshmen'. Being one of the most popular bass labels in the UK, the standard is set very high and everyone steps up to the mark, kicking off with Blossom's vibrant 4x4 belter 'Go'. We then move into Nukid's highly experimental electro balad in 'Front2Back' before landing on the techy bass rolls of 'The Burbs' from Jordan Burns. Next up, Kendoll with his slightly acidic stomper in 'Stop Calling Me' before we round of the EP with some minimalist UK Bass from the rapidly rising duo of Nubass & Deppz.
Review: If there is one thing that the legendary imprint known as Night Bass is able to do time and time again, it's step up to the occasion as they here bring together a fantastic 7 track compilation project, showcasing the best of their new school roster additions. This release showcases such a fantastic array of styles, from the crunchy drum switches of 'French Prince' from Movenchy, the rolling percussive stutters of 'Killers' from NuKid and Jordan Burns to Gerry Gonza's deeper 'Make My Eyes Roll Back' alongside Bekah. We also hear fantastic contributions from the likes of Kendoll with an electronic powerhouse entitled 'Denial', along with heaters from Shdws, MNNR, Tombz, Hotel Garuda and Julius Jetson, making this one a must have for bass fans worldwide.
