Review: An outlet for both unreleased and exclusive music from the label's family members alongside rising talents, this is the fourth instalment of Toolroom's popular 'House Party' series. Featuring standout releases from Mark Knight's label plus the scene's biggest imprints, with highlights coming from: industry heavyweights Nic Fanciulli & Andrea Oliva on the slinky "Medium Rare", the inimitable Yousef with the pounding acid of "Save Me" (feat. Molly Green), legend Todd Terry with TCTS on the boompty bounce of "Get Freaky" and UK tech house hero Seb Zito delivering the peak time stomper "Don't Stop". As if that was not enough, there are also three continuous mixes by scene stalwarts such as Lefti, Piero Pirupa and label staple Maxinne.
Review: Toolroom is back with the second instalment of the 'House Party' series, with Chicago veteran Gene Farris, the enigmatic Wh0 and ascendant duo Raumakustik closing out the summer in style with their respective mixes. Featuring 80 tracks from leading international names including Carl Cox who goes for a minimal vibe on his remix of Hannah Wants & Kevin Knapp's "Call Me", Hot Since 82 serves up something different than usual on the summertime vibe of "Rise", Saved chief Nic Fanciulli gets some spiritual and life-affirming vibes in effect on "Virgo", Hamburg disco stu Tensnake gives Dombresky & Boston Bun's "Stronger" a neon-lit makeover and label boss Mark Knight impresses with the funky house anthem "Tonight" ft. Chenai and Mr. V.
Review: Maintaining party vibes for the lockdown period is Yousef Zaher and his Circus Recordings label with this hot hot hot collaboration with Manchester vocalist Evabee and north London duo Gorgon City. Sending in tech house beats alongside a whirr of peaking synths and progressive basslines, "Free Myself" is full of suspense, tension and melodrama just waiting to explode! Free yourself!
Review: With Miami Music Week 2020 now ticked over for another year there's been an inundation of compilations pointing us in to the best in tech house theatrics. Furtherstill, for the more discerning heads, there's Saved with their own mega selection: Collection H. See pounding burners from Groovebox in "Mr Hofman" to the undeniable rhythm tracks in Lorenzo De Blanck's over the top "Electric Body". Sultry and stripped backed minimal to be found in "Let Your Body Chill" to Boris Ross & Baggi's banging club hit "Hondo". Look to Hector Couto for your cooler house vibes ("Shawty") with bigger room numbers coming from Anthony Attalla, Daniel Orpi and Mendo. Ice canons please!
Review: Liverpudlian legend Yousef is back, serving up the next hit on his esteemed Circus Recordings imprint. Following up last year's personal full length effort '9 Moor Drive' he returns to form on new track "Super" - an uplifting house anthem if we've ever heard one. With its hands in the air piano melody, breathtaking symphonic arrangements and energetic groove throughout - expect to be hearing this one a lot in 2020 and beyond. Also featured are a couple of remixes of his 2017 track "Pleasure Defined" featuring Erica Thompson. The 2020 remake is a sensual exploration in lo-slung acid style with Thompson's come hither vocals a constant, while the Yousef Dub 2020 concentrates on that mind altering 303 goodness.
Review: Yousef has gained a reputation over the years as a purveyor of dark house music, and this release doesn't disappoint. The title track is a tripped out affair that revolves around a snaking groove and eerie synths, with a mysterious vocal planted in the middle. "We Don't Need Yo Love" is deeper and more tripped out, with the Liverpool DJ delivering a rolling groove that resounds to tranced out synths and dramatic builds, realised against the backdrop of dramatic filters. Closing out the release is "Vivienne", a more left of centre track from Yousef, thanks to its vocal samples and infectious disco groove.
Review: On the back of Liverpudlian legend Yousef's new album '9 Moor Drive' is the classic house vibe of single "Give It To Me".He collaborated with musician Tim Hutton, who provided live horns and organ to replicate that timeless '90s inspired vibe he was going for, complete with a roaring male vocal - this is a soulful and life-affirming anthem. Yousef reached out the legendary NYC house icon DJ Duke (Power Music / Sex Trax) who steps out of retirement briefly on his spellbinding remix, while Circus label staple Jansons delivers an additional tech house dub mix, injected with more sturdy dancefloor dynamics guaranteed to work a treat in the main room before peak time.
Review: "Riches To Rags" is the new one by Yousef, taken from his forthcoming album 9 Moor Drive which is out soon via his own Circus Recordings. The veteran producer serves up same reliable dancefloor fodder you've come to expect, with a intense track that's awash in layers of hypnotic and intoxicating melodies and and dramatic Derrick May style chord progression that's sure to get the hands up in the air - indeed there's a Detroit style 'hi-tech soul' about this track which makes it so irresistible. This is followed by the moody dancefloor drama of "I Don't Understand" getting the job done with its dark, entrancing bassline and brooding pads.
