Review: Local Talk has always been good at offering up themed compilations showcasing different aspects of the label's output. The latest, as the title suggests, offers up some seriously good nuggets - mostly made in recent times - that draw huge inspiration from house music of the 1990s. There's much to admire throughout the 12 tracks on show, from the undulating TB-303 bass, sparkling piano motifs and glassy-eyed pads of Deymare's '1990' and Gerd's terrific 'Deep Mix' of Mateo & Matos's Masters at Work tribute 'Maw Basics', to the organ-rich roll of Terrence Parker's 'Unconditional' and the breakbeat-driven deep house funkiness of Kiko Navarro's 'Dope High'. Kyodai's 'Breaking (90s Dub)', a mid-90s NYC meets New Jersey style gem, and S3A's breathless 'Sleepness 909', are also superb.
Review: Second time around for the ninth volume in Papa Records' reliable Messages compilation strand, which first hit stores back in 2014. This edition has been expanded via the inclusion of two fresh exclusives from compiler Richard Earnshaw: his picturesque, sun-splashed, life-affirming 2022 revision of Jon Cutler's 'I'll Take You' and a pleasingly rich, soulful and piano-powered revision of he and Sebb Junior's 'Got Yo Lovin'. The rest of the collection remains as essential as it was eight years ago, with highlights of the deep and soulful house treats on offer including the chunky late-night wooziness of Earnshaw's hook-up with Eli Escobar, 'Sunday Morning', the jazzy and spiritual flex of Jimpster and Rich Medina's 'This Thing' and the low-slung, early morning bounce of 'Nina' by Eric Erickson.
Review: For those who lack the time and willpower to keep track of Local Talk's frenetic release schedule, the popular deep house label's Talking House series is something of a lifesaver. Like its' predecessors, this fourth installment was compiled by label bosses Mad Mats and Tooli, and gathers together 13 more highlights from their rapidly-expanding catalogue. Naturally, highlights come thick and fast, from the hip-hop meets classic deep house flex of Zoe Zoe's "Bust Them Wifes" and the classic Balearic house revivalism of Luke Solomon's "Lost Channels (Live Piano Version)", to the hustling percussion hits and constantly-rising electronics of Kyodai's "Konbanwa" and the delicious jazz-house bounce of Moodymanc's "Morning".
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