Lovebirds

Played by: Chris Massey, DAVE GERRARD, JimmyTheTwin, Dicky Trisco, FINGERMAN, REz, Dr Packer, Juno Recommends Disco, Tonbe, JKriv (Razor-N-Tape), D-Funk, Alan Dixon, Stepan Bitus (Monsoon Season), Coutel, Massimo Vanoni (The Smoker), Shit Hot Soundsystem, Ziggy Phunk, VinylAddicted, 80's Child, The Silver Rider (Whiskey Disco), SITUATION, SEEN ON TV

Review: Here, Aaron Dae and JKriv gather together some highlights from the first three years of their popular re-edit imprint, Razor 'N' Tape. Given the label's infamously high hit rate, it's little surprise to find that Disco Cuts Volume 1 is full of tried-and-tested dancefloor smashers - the kind of dub-flecked, handily compressed jams that work wonders in both disco and house sets. Highlights are naturally plentiful, from the dubby pulse of Deep&Disco's ace Chic rework "Feel The Rhythm", and the cheery '80s soul revivalism of Ron Basejam's gospel boogie cut "Someday", to the undulating grooves of Luvless' "Castles In The Sky" (you can guess the identity of the original source material) and head-nodding pulse of Only Children's chugging "Falling".

Played by: Juno Recommends Progressive House, Mark Knight, Carl Cox, Corduroy Mavericks, Avicii, Southside House Collective, Funkagenda, Fedde Le Grand, Mark Knight, Joseph Capriati

Played by: Chris Massey, DAVE GERRARD, JimmyTheTwin, Dicky Trisco, Eli escobar, YAM WHO?, Kisk, Tonbe, Alessandro Otiz, TURNTILL, Stepan Bitus (Monsoon Season), Alan de Laniere, 80's Child, JAMES ROD, The Silver Rider (Whiskey Disco), Chuggin Edits, SEEN ON TV, Olivier (La Freund Recordings), Chris Simmonds

Review: Back in the 80s, re-edit heroes Razormaid literally cut and spliced tapes of popular tunes into new shapes and sounds. Thirty years on and although the formats have changed the philosophy remains the same. Aaron Dae and JKriv's label Razor 'N' Tape specialises in chopped up disco but here they looked to house instead. There are ten wondrous jams on this album, our favourites including the smooth Balearic work out "Free" (Loverbirds' clever Donald Fagen rework), the skippy afterhours garage of "Music Overflow" and the cool and deep "Dynamics".

Played by: Lost My Dog, George Kelly, ROTCIV, Jask, MMDREC, Kinky Movement, Dave Allison (Editorial), Superbreak, Juno Recommends Deep House, Fred Everything, Tesla Boy, Trujillo, Tad Wily, Djs: Most Charted, Tulioxi

Review: To celebrate five years of his Lazy Days imprint, Fred Everything gets Crazy P, Art of Tones, Greg Wilson and Ian Pooley to provide a bunch of remixes of some of the label's best-loved tracks. While all provide solid reworks - particularly Crazy P, whose two rubs of Fred Everything's own "Friday" are excellent - it's Art Of Tones who really excels. His three reworks of Tortured Soul's 'Found A Way' are everything a disco-loving house head would wish for; loose, bumpin' and deliciously soulful, riding a wave of loose-wristed live drums and classic synth strings.

Played by: Kraak & Smaak, FINGERMAN, Lovebirds, Juno Recommends Disco, Tonbe, J&M BROTHERS, Soultronic, BRENDON P, JAMES ROD, Downunder Disco, Larse

Review: Stee Downes and Lovebirds' are old pals, and first joined forces for a 12" on Winding Road Records five years ago. Their joint effort on this fine EP, "Love's Like Dancing" is something of a cheery, mood-enhancing treat. A slick vocal number that should suit both disco and house floors, it sounds like classic Blackjoy fused with Lovebirds' usual brand of colourful deep house positivity. Crazy P man Jim Baron dons his now familiar Ron Basejam guise on the remix, delivering a bouncy nu-disco/deep house fusion. Lovebirds goes solo on the woozy, Rhodes-laden deep house haziness of "Feel The Bern", while the accompanying Talkbox Edit adds woozy, robotic vocals into the mix whilst retaining the track's original feel and structure.

Played by: Jean Jacques Smoothie, Juno Recommends Deep House, THE REFLEX, Soulfuledge, BRENDON P, Coeo, Stephen Richards (DiscoDaze), LEFTI, DJ MEME, Paul Johnson, Matthias Heilbronn

Review: The fifth volume in Peppermint Jam's popular "Allstars" EP series hits home hard from the start, as DJ Meme and Brazilian legend Marcos Valle join forces to re-imagine sweaty Azymuth classic "Jazz Carnival" as a driving chunk of celebratory house mayhem. Lovebirds is up next with "The Path 2011", a similarly percussive workout that makes great use of steel band melodies and warm, deep disco bass. Matthias "Matty" Helibronn then gives a Teddy Pendergrass classic the re-edit treatment (albeit with the addition of some tasty new drums and a few well-placed filter sweeps), while The Reflex steals the show with an organ-heavy multi-track remix of Mandrill's 1972 funk shuffler "Ape Is High" (here re-named "Ape's Back In Town").

Played by: Dr Packer, Juno Recommends Disco, Tonbe, BRENDON P, Chuggin Edits, Gino Boleti, OR

Played by: Gabriel Black, Jask, Bonar Bradberry, DA SUNLOUNGE, Art Of Tones, ROMANTO (YSR / DISCO MACHINE), Mike O'Mara, Hot Toddy, Saison, Juno Recommends Disco, Husky, Giant Cuts, Nacho Marco, Kruse & Nuernberg, Fred Everything, Artone, Sare Havlicek, Brandon Bass, Doctormusic Project, Random Soul, JT Donaldson, Femi Natural Essence

Played by: JimmyTheTwin, Juno Recommends Disco, Craxi Disco, Moustache Love, Shit Hot Soundsystem, BRENDON P, 80's Child, PHILLY VANILLI (We Mean Disco!!), SEEN ON TV, Olivier (La Freund Recordings), Larse

Review: Given that this two-tracker is one of Razor-N-Tape's strongest releases to date, it's good to see it coming out digitally at long last, some 6 months on from its initial vinyl release. Lovebirds man Sebastian Doring takes time out from crafting luscious deep house to deliver a pair of similarly warm and sensual re-edits. "Free (Lovebirds Beautiful Rework)" kicks things off, delivering a wonderfully tactile and breezy blend of Balearic sunshine, reggae-disco rhythms and just the right amount of deep house swagger. "Downandchooback (Lovebirds Edit)" is a more traditional affair, with Doring cutting up a familiar disco favourite, extending the groove in all the right places whilst giving the original vocal pride of place in the nix.

Played by: Jask, Kraak & Smaak, FINGERMAN, Juno Recommends Deep House, Tonbe, Rayko, Magnier (House of Disco), BRENDON P, JAMES ROD, Stephen Richards (DiscoDaze), Chuggin Edits, Downunder Disco, Ruff Diamond

Review: After a collaboration with label staple (and all round German legend) Mousse T recently, Sebastian Doering aka Lovebirds decided to come back to Peppermint Jam with another EP. The Hamburg based producer (and Teardrop label boss) presents the charmingly titled 'New Shit Has Come To Light' which serves up three expressions in timeless deep house - and are as sexy and emotive as you like it! From the sensual late night mood music of "Glove", to the evocative breaks-driven vocal charmer "Da Sixty" and the funky sun-kissed soul power of "Disco Train" closing out this fine EP.

Played by: Jimpster, Matthias Menck, Carlos francisco, Dan Mela, Alfred Azzetto, Pedro Noronha (Mix Store Records), Frankie Flowerz aka Mohan Das, Blacksoul, DEEP HOUSE, Pete Dafeet, Lovebirds, Danny Moodymanc

Played by: Superbreak, Loris Conte, Lennox Hortale

Played by: Craig Charles Funk And Soul, YAM WHO?, REz, Superbreak, Juno Recommends Disco, Juno Recommends Funk, Natasha Kitty Katt, FRAN DEEPER, Vito lalinga

Review: For the latest volume in their popular Disco Funkin' compilation strand, Bomb Strikes has handed over curation duties to rising star and Midnight Riot regular Natasha Kitty Katt. The Edinburgh DJ/producer's selections are undeniably addictive and on-point, moving between heavyweight re-edits (see her collaboration with Twisted Soul Collective, 'Twisted Katt', solo disco-funk tweak 'Edgarr!' and Oliver Boogie's slamming 'Dance Band'), superior nu-disco originals (Phoenix's piano-heavy 'Nature Dance', Fouk's sample-heavy 'Cat Lady' and the slick boogie revivalism of Lovebirds' 'Give Me a Sign') and loopy disco-house treats (the contributions from Shaka Loves You, Birdee, Hotmood and Mark Lower). Those looking for fresh dancefloor ammunition will find much to enjoy, while the Scottish DJ's accompanying mix is as entertaining and excitable as they come.

Played by: Shadow Dancer, Juno Recommends Minimal Tech

Played by: Ennio Styles, Pete Dafeet, Olivier Desmet, Joey Chicago, Juno Recommends Funky House, Joshua Heath, Rasmus Faber, Greg Stainer, Wagon Cookin, Chus & Ceballos

Played by: Giom, Sean Gormally (Love the Bomb), Martin Haberland, Henri Kohn, Da Funk, Alkalino, Roberto Rodriguez (Manolo), Jerome Sydenham, Bas Amro, Sccucci Manucci, The Legendary 1979 Orchestra

Review: It's perhaps been a while since Jimpster's Freerange label released something truly outstanding, but their releases are rarely less than enjoyable. This EP is another great example. It features two typically astute remixes from the tireless Axel Boman, who extracts only the finest elements of the rolling, soft-focus original (basically the pulsing synths and echo-laden vocal samples). His second remix is the real killer, a dubby, pulsating rework that offers muted but ocean-deep thrills for dewy-eyed early morning dancers. If you've got the time, loopy bonus cut "Brotha" is worth a listen, too - if only for the hissing cymbals and weighty bottom end.

Played by: Adam B (Homegrown Music), ROTCIV, Owain Kimber (Owain K), Superbreak, Alkalino, Dairmount (Room With A View), Juno Recommends Deep House, Tom (Shur-I-Kan) Szirtes, Javi Lopez, JAVI LOPEZ, J&M BROTHERS, Kruse & Nuernberg, Sleazy Beats Recordings, AnteK, The Legendary 1979 Orchestra, Djs: Most Charted - Deep House

Played by: Ross Couch, Nick Dare, Spettro, Combo (Bangana/Sumo), Shadow Dancer, Mike O'Mara, Jerome Baker, Saison, Mixmag, Lucky Sun, Juno Recommends Deep House, LawnChair Generals, Kirby, Frank Booker, Nacho Marco, DJ T (Get Physical), Kruse & Nuernberg, Marquez Ill, Freerange Podcast Playlist March/Ap, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, MyPairOfShoes, Huxley, Ed Nine

Played by: Jask, Michael Zucker - Finale / Balance, Gavin Boyce, Arco, Lovebirds, Juno Recommends Deep House, JUSTIN WINKS (CASIO SOCIAL CLUB), Kirby, Joshua Heath, Dubble D/Moodymanc

Played by: Vince Watson, Juno Recommends Deep House, Juno Recommends Minimal Tech, Dockluster

Review: Buzzin' Fly compilations always take on a retrospective feel, looking back at what the label has achieved with a proud (and wholly justified) sense of achievement. They are much like family Christmas cards that fondly round up the year's activities for friends and relatives. As part of their 50th single celebrations this spring, they deliver a compilation of Buzzin' Fly classics as the next instalment of the Focus On series. Penned by Chris Woodward, an integral part of the imprint?s close knit family, this release serves as the audio family newsletter created to celebrate reaching this impressive milestone. All the big moments are there and each family member features, from Ben Watt to Spencer Parker, Justin Martin, Mlle Caro and Franck Garcia.

Like Buzzin Fly: 5 Years in the Wilderness, (and all four Volumes in the Buzzin' Fly series) this compilation digs into the imprint?s revered back catalogue to commemorate its particular achievement. The former was applauding reaching five years whilst the latter celebrates reaching their 50th release. Over seventy-five minutes, Chris Woodward picks out some of Buzzin' Fly's flagship tracks such as label boss Ben Watt?s "Guinea Pig," Spencer Parker's "The Beginning" and Justin Martin?s "The Fugative." As Woodward hones into some deep, intricate, house action, he delves into Buzzin' Fly's trademark mix of deep house, melodic techno and electronic disco. We see cuts like Jay Shepheard?s remix of Glimpse and Martin Eyrir's "Southern Soul" standing shoulder to shoulder with Darkmountaingroup's "Lose Control." Woodward also adheres to the Buzzin' Fly tradition of house that is both sonically ornate and driving in all the right places by including moments like Mlle Caro & Franck Garcia?s beautiful "Dead Souls" and Ame's club fuelled remix of "Insomnia".
Buzzin' Fly specialises in deep and beautiful house music. Their long standing resident has done the admirable job of paying homage to that sound and all the producers that help shape it, in one retrospective compilation that proves just what a force Buzzin? Fly has become over those 50 releases.

Played by: Juno Recommends Downtempo, 80's Child, Stephen Richards (DiscoDaze)

Review: For their latest trick, Razor-N-Tape chiefs J Kriv and Aaron Dae have decided to take a trawl through the horizontally inclined parts of the label's bulging back catalogue. "Chill Cuts Volume 2", then, is packed to the rafters with blazed and blunted beats, from the woozy hip-hop deepness of Tall Black Guy's head-nodding rework of Lovebirds' "Icarus" and the bluesy, turn-of-the-millennium downtempo beats of J Kriv and Free Magic's "Eleanora", to the Moon B style slow P-funk revivalism of Kan Sano's "Music Overflow" and the Rhodes and Moog-laced sumptuousness of "Penwick Pool" by POOLS. If it's warm, toasty and laidback dancefloor disco you're after, The Groovers "Make Me Feel" is also well worth a check.

Played by: George Kelly, Jask, Giom, Olivier Desmet, Jon Lemmon, Juno Recommends Deep House, LawnChair Generals, Shiny Chichin, Fred Everything

Played by: Kraak & Smaak, PBR Streetgang, Juno Recommends Downtempo

Review: Razor-N-Tape presents "Icarus", a slice of chilled out analogue soul by Lovebirds aka Sebastian Doering with remixes. The original is a deep soul jam reminiscent of Roy Ayers' Ramp project, while the Tall Black Guy's remix gets more of an R&B swagger on in style. We particularly enjoyed JKriv's lush little boogie down rendition, which really hit that sweet spot in all its neon lit glory. Each mix gets its own side in this EP, with stunning full color artwork, making it a truly special package perfect for both

Played by: Vicmoren

Played by: Adam B (Homegrown Music), Olivier Desmet, SCENERY RECORDS, Rasmus Faber, J&M BROTHERS, Vicmoren, Brandon Bass, Random Soul

Review: Long-standing German tech-house legend Steve Bug, founder of both Pokerflat and Dessour, returns to the latter label with something a bit special, and likely to satisfy all of your DJ needs. The producing don has taken it upon himself to remix a twelve tunes, all from different artists that have shaped the sound of house and techno as we know it today. You'll find Bug's retouches on artists like Simon Baker, Manuel Tur, and even Lovebirds. However, the special moments come from his sleek Re-Dub of Chez Damier's mythical house bomb "New York Dub", a stripped back edit of Laurent Garnier's "Whistle For Frankie, and the gorgeously deep swells of his remix of "Pensum" by Francis Harris. Masterful, and very much recommended.

Played by: Jask, JP Source, Jayl Funk, Jad & The, Syncopix, Steve Bug

Played by: Juno Recommends Disco, Paper Street Soul

Review: By his previously prolific standards, Sebastien Doring AKA Lovebirds has been rather quiet of late. In fact, this EP marks his first release since last year's notable Record Store Day collaboration with Galliano on Razor 'N' Tape. Predictably, it's something of a good 'un - a surprise deep house cover (or at least that's what it sounds like) of Tullio de Piscopo's Balearic classic "Stop Bajon (Primavera)". Doring serves up two mixes - the dreamy, head-in-the-clouds chug of the "Original Deep Mix" and the slightly livelier, more synthesizer-heavy "Original Vinyl Version" - while Sirs and Raiders of the Lost Arp handle remix duties. The latter's mix, rich in glistening but urgent guitar riffs and jazzy Rhodes solos, is easily the pick of the pair, though Sirs more Italo-centric take is pretty darn tasty, too.

Played by: Juno Recommends Deep House, Rayko, FRAN DEEPER

Played by: Owain Kimber (Owain K), Djberny, Fragedis, Kisk, Henri Kohn, Lakosa, Fred Everything, Adam Moss

Review: Amazingly, it's been eight long years since the release of Freerange's first Colour Series compilation ("Yellow"). A few things have changed in that time for Jimpster's label, but his commitment to musically rich deep house remains. That's much in evidence here, particularly on the contributions from Andre Lodemann, fast-rising starlet Mic Newman and Jimpster himself (whose woozy "Late Night Blues" is his best for some time). There's also a distinct old skool feel to some of the cuts, with Alexkid's percussive "Class of 95" and Milton Jackson's robust "DS1" offering plenty of vintage US house flavour. The real standout, though, is Arithmetic's' "Time", which sounds like a long lost deep house anthem.

Played by: Trotter, Chris Coco, JKriv (Razor-N-Tape), Kruse & Nuernberg, Fred Everything, Random Soul

Played by: Adam B (Homegrown Music), Jon Sweetname, Fred Everything, Jazztronauts

Played by: Natasha Kitty Katt

Played by: 80's Child

Review: Not content with serving up regular doses of ear-pleasing nu-disco, the Future Disco crew has decided to start sound-tracking days spent lounging on the beach. Somewhat predictably, this second Beach Life selection is packed with seriously steamy, sun-kissed grooves. While this epic digital package does contain two (un-credited) DJ mixes, the real joy is the expansive - not to mention eclectic - selection of DJ-friendly, unmixed tracks. Check, for example, the sun-down, jazz-funk influenced bliss of Folamour's "L'homme Loup", the head-nodding lounge warmth of Snacks' "Daydream", the gentle Balearic nu-disco of Sirs, the lo-fi deep house haziness of DJ Boring and COEO, and the sand-in-the-shoes shuffle of Eli Escobar's delicious remix of Kraak and Smaak's "U R Freak". Throw in a swathe of tasty, laidback but floor-friendly deep house jams and you have a solid collection of serious summer jams.

Played by: Juno Recommends Funky House, Mat Zo

Played by: Annie Mac, Kink

Played by: Juno Recommends Funky House

Review: This is the second installment of a trilogy of EPs containing previously unheard music from Sebastian Doering aka Lovebirds. Balearica is an overriding theme here, however we get all kinds of interpretations of the term so there's little room for repetition. "Bells" is a slo-mo 303 odyssey and "Mysterious" is a standout deep house cut - slammin' kicks and warm, gushy synth layers. Elsewhere the focus is on disco, with "National" being a hot mess of breathy vocals, tropical-pop bass and cowbells, whilst the celestial string laden "In Between Clouds" wraps ups the package in nice neat bow.

Played by: Luke Pompey

Played by: Tom Lown (Lucky Sun Recordings)

Review: Wazi Wazi is usually the label on which we hear Nils Penner's productions, but the dude has also released on Freerange before, and he comes through on the label with a handsomely hand-picked compilation of the label's best from recent months. On the beautifully presented thirteen-tracker you'll find a selection of different forms of house, ranging from the deeper territories to more jacking and pumped up house cuts. The highlights include "My Man" by Lovebirds, Detroit Swindle's "Brother Man", and label head Jimpster with "Distant Light". You also get a continuous mix for good measure. Get in there.

Played by: Nick Curly, Krummstoff

Played by: Kraak & Smaak DJs, DJ P-SOL

Review: The Hamburg Years Part One is the first in a trilogy of EPs containing previously unheard music from Lovebirds man Sebastian Doering, recorded at various points over the last decade. It's a pleasingly varied selection, all told. While there are hints of his usual warm, humid deep house sound in "Coming Back For More" and "Percoe" - both blessed with sun-kissed guitar solos and just as many Balearic, boogie and disco influences amongst the grooves and rich musical touches - the EP also boasts a blazed, head-nodding take on instrumental hip-hop ("Feeltroit"). The release's other cut, "Promises", successfully doffs a cap to classic piano house and feelgood US garage, and is easily the strongest dancefloor contender.