Review: After recent releases on Sola, Kaluki & Resonance, Carlisle-based DJ Ki Creighton - resident and booker at the mighty UBER - returns to his home label Circus Recordings. "Rendezvous" is a welcomed side step in Creighton's catalogue: this atmospheric and melodic house track features haunting yet sensual vocals over its slinky and hypnotic groove. Nasser Baker steps up for a remix, following on from the global success of "Say Something" last year - this remix could be as big. Be prepared for this slick, bouncy electro house stomper that oozes attitude. Also featured is "Jessies Jam" which is an ode to his daughter on this tough rolling main room groove aimed squarely at peak time dancefloors.
Review: Under No Illusion is a label owned and run by Ki Creighton: who is no stranger to house music. He has been on the scene since the early 90s and has been majorly influencing matters both north and south of the border. As a producer / DJ and label boss at the aforementioned, as well as one half of Carlisle based Superbrand Uber he is crtainly a busy man. Based in Annan (south west Scotland), this year will see Ki release tracks on his own UNI imprint as well as Yousef's highly regarded Circus Recordings. Highlights on the label's second various artists compilation include: Italian Pirupa's rolling peak time tech house monster "Everyday" and Lost head honchos Leftwing & Kody who bring the goods as always on their jacking killer "Drum Roll" that really lives up to its name. Expecting to be hearing these jams on The White Isle this summer.
Review: It's been 19 years since R.I.P Productions launched Ice Cream Records, an imprint that did much to help popularize UKG during the speed garage days. Here, the veteran duo celebrates the label's enduring legacy with an unmixed collection of classics, exclusives and fresh new cuts. As you might expect, there's a clutch of more recent remixes of Ice Cream classics - see Scott Garcia's 2012 rework of "It's a London Thing" and a fresh edit of "Ripgroove" from Double 99 member DJ Omar - plus new R.I.P versions of 10 Below & Kele Le Roc's "My Love" and new school garage hero DJD's "Oh Baby". Throw in a sprinkling of forthcoming singles, and you've got a weighty trip into speed garage revivalism.
Wankelmut - "Toolroom House Party Vol 5" (mixed By Wankelmut) - (1:17:26) 125 BPM
TCTS - "Toolroom House Party Vol 5" (mixed By TCTS) - (1:16:29) 126 BPM
Siege - "Toolroom House Party Vol 5" (mixed By Siege) - (1:17:47) 126 BPM
Review: Despite the setbacks brought forth by the pandemic, we're confident that Toolroom will still have a stellar year as always! With that in mind, the fifth edition in their 'House Party' series' looks to be the biggest yet, with a whopping 70 tracks to keep the party going for days on end. As a bonus, label signees such as Wankelmut, TCTS and Siege (who appear with contributions to the compilation personally) provide a continuous mix each - bringing the party to your house. Other highlights come from a wide variety of artists within the tech/house spectrum such as: legends Technasia and Green Velvet with the aforementioned Siege on the mighty "Suga" (Siege extended mix), the ascendant Luxembourger Amii Watson with the sensual mood music of "Higher" and the Fuse London affiliated Rich NxT teaming up with minimal techno vetran Christian Burkhardt on the slinky and hypnotic "Basics" - plus many more.
