Review: DOBRO's 'Tape' series of compilations is always worth checking, in part because the imprint uses it as a vehicle to showcase an eclectic mix of productions from new artists, rising stars and label regulars. Predictably, volume four in the series is another doozy, with plenty of hits and very few misses. Our picks of a very strong bunch include the hard-to-pigeonhole sample-house brilliance of Eloi's 'Life Is a Long Fleuve Tranquille', the tactile deep house warmth of Will Buck's 'Fine China', the languid Balearic disco bagginess of Mandalus's 'Come Closer', the synth-heavy squelch of Adham Zahran's 'Walking With You', the two step-goes-jazz-funk flex of Fred Aster's 'Strung Out', and the throbbing Italo-disco-goes-Hi-NRG pulse of 'The Happiest Track' by DJYesyes.
Review: For the fourth release on the label, the crew behind Saint Wax have decided to showcase cuts from a quintet of artists. They first turn to D'Arabia, who adds luscious and sun-splashed disco samples (both vocals and instrumentation) to a dusty, chunky and bass-heavy house groove ('To The Queen'), before Tiptoes adds a dash of Lolleatta Holloway to a classic-sounding US deep house workout on 'Give Thanks' (an instrumental of which is tagged onto the EP as a digital-only bonus). Elsewhere, Siggatunez and Jan Ketel join forces on the jazzy, warm and sample-rich deep disco-house loveliness of 'What If', while Will Buck reaches for low-slung bass, bustling beats, dreamy chords and sparkling piano riffs on the aptly titled 'Party Time'.
Review: Tilman has had many studio adventures in the past, many alongside the likes of Florian and Johannes Albert, but few were quite as storied and emotionally stirring as the quartet of dancefloor tales told on his latest EP. He begins in fine fashion via a Will Buck collaboration that perfectly captures the sun-kissed positivity, tactile bass, sunset-ready pads and loon bird samples of turn-of-the-90s Italian house ('What's Mine is Mine'), before smothering an extra-percussive retro house groove with chiming synthesizer sounds and new age electronics on the equally summery 'Strawberry Fields'. Rhode & Brown hook-up 'Velvet Park' is another classic-sounding slab of warming deep house colour, while closing track 'Lovin' sits somewhere between deep synth-pop, electro and Soul II Soul style street soul.
Review: We're firmly of the opinion that Felipe Gordon is one of the breakout stars of 2020, thanks in no small part to a succession of must-check releases for such labels as Toy Tonics, Lost Palms and Local Talk. He's certainly the star attraction on this joint EP on Off Track Recordings, first dazzling with the chunky, warming and jazzy solo deep house cut 'We All Got The Time', before collaborating with fellow rising star Will Buck on the similarly Rhodes-laden peak-time workout 'Back Into Time'. Buck delivers two fine solo outings of his own, too: the sparkling jazz-funk-goes-classic house bump of 'I Think It's Too Late' and the riotously good angular acid-funk of 'I'll Be Right There'.
Review: Four very serviceable slices of contemporary disco/disco-house make up this latest from the Whiskey Disco camp. '21212' is an understated, shufflin' affair with Latin and lounge overtones, then bursts into life with some proper hands-in-the-air piano action. 'Touch Down' then takes us into deeper, mellow territory before 'Make Your Move' brings the good-time disco vibes, with a vaguely 'Disco Inferno'-ish bassline and a looping female "hey babe..." vocal. The EP's completed by the Sleazy McQueen 6am Mix of 'Harmony', a housier jam featuring a microsnip of a Whitney vocal that was famously pilfered by Brothers In Rhythm in the rave days.
Review: Ever since Will Buckley and PRTMNTO debuted on last year's Lovetrax EP on Whiskey Disco Small Batch, we've been eagerly anticipating the duo's first collaborative EP. Title track "Soul Sides" - one of three cuts mixed by label boss Pontchartrain - is a breezy and positive affair, with sultry disco strings and attractive, delay-laden riffs slowly rising above a loopy, deep disco-house groove. "Liif 1982" is a more obviously energetic affair blessed with rubbery slap bass and some seriously seductive synthesizers, while "Do It To Me" is a jazzier and jaunty affair that subtly doffs a cap to both sleazy disco and jazz-funk. Parallax brilliantly strips back the latter track, adding sweet jazz guitars on a superbly summery and laidback interpretation.
Review: 'Lovergirl' has us recalling images of early Prince with 80's power ballad screams next to sexy breathy spoken vox and hard drums which begin to morph into a calm shuffling near techno vibe.
'Love Me Too' is just as funky, but we're treading in more suave waters, with chilled shakers and real bass guitar and strings. 'Need Your Love' is the most modern sounding piece on the release and also our favourite track, with all the groove and swag needed to pull off good disco, it has this nu-school sounding unescapable loop, which captures you in a way that's almost magnetic. You'll recognize elements of Modjo's ever classic 'Lady' or Miss Khan depending on your generational tastes. 'Sonico Amor' is more relaxed, and focused on the beat.
Review: German label Audaz has been predominantly guided by its founder and bossman, Alkalino. The nimble and versatile producer has made sure that his label encompasses the full spectrum of house sounds, and his own productions have been there to led the cause. This time, however, he acts solely as A&R man in this tight, thirteen-track compilation names Audaz Heroes. All shades of house are included here, and there's not much we don't like the sound of. From the mechanical tech-house swings of "Give A Message" by Micka Blaster, to the deeper, more esoteric harmonics of the excellent "The Way" by Trobar, and the nutty, spaced-out nu-jazz of "Groove 1" by 54th Street Hustler, this compilation is not to be underestimated. Instead of relying on your usual, perhaps more hyped labels and artists, you should do yourself a favour and check this bad boy of a comp. Tipped and recommended!"
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.