Review: Vibraphone Records kicks off its 2024 with a mighty release that pays great tribute to the city of Detroit. Basic Realities is the artist behind the originals and the first is 'B-9', a percussive, loopy tech roller with vocal sounds and dreamy pads drifting in and out of focus. Motor City icon Kevin Saunderson then steps up to remix and does so with more warm and surging basslines and thudding drum funk. 'Viento Lunar' cuts loose on some inventive melodies and cosmic rays of energy that unfold over tinny beats and 'Endless Clouds' rounds out with some more dusty drums and nice spangled synths that surge through the cosmos.
Review: Don't be confused; Silicon Minds aren't channelling hate into their music, even though a title like 'IHY' would almost certainly suggest as much to netizens well-clued up on their acronyms. Rather, here 'IHY' stands for 'Interstellar Hypnotic Yama-Biko', and given our coincidental encyclopaedic knowledge of Japanese folklore (a Yamabiko is an elusive mountain or canyon deity), we now know everything we need to know about this new EP from one of the many spiritual alias-essences of the house music collective Vibraphone. With a legit original version as well as a stellar remix from Derrick May, which fleshes out that legitness twofold, prepare to join the Yamabeko on a melodic-analogous house journey; through music, its Cheshire smile evinces deep concern for the sublime forests, mountainscapes and other natural formations we've neglected.
Zamani (Magic Juan Tribute remix) - (5:15) 124 BPM
Zamani (Deep mix) - (5:39) 129 BPM
Zamani (Sylvester dub mix) - (5:08) 129 BPM
Review: Bring on the resurgence of Stefano Curti aka 49th Floor - an Italian producer, musician and trance DJ whose career can be traced back to 1983 via post punk and goth bands out of London. Under the Nebula alias too you will also find a release with Vibraphone most recently with Robert Owens, or as 49th Floor all the way back in '92. This new and slamming Zamani EP brings with it classic refrains of Robert Miles trance influences alongside rocksteady techno and electro beats - just wait for those pianos on the Body mix. Big Juan Atkins gets paid some dues in a Gherkin Jerks testimonial mix while the Deep mix does what it says - next to the riffing sample loops of the Sylvester dub.
Review: Minnesota by-way-of Rome's seminal Vibraphone returns this week with more classic and timeless house from its extensive archives. Continuing on with some of the greatest hits and near misses in The True Underground Sound Of Rome series, with have an outtake from
2016's more recent Liquid Time EP and it is the absolutely euphoric track "Body Multiple". This one's a driving, Detroit influenced groove powered by addictive dub chords and emotive sax lingering in the background - choice!
Review: Hot on the heels of the recent Basis Realities EP comes this killer release from Tai Davis. Returning to the label after a five-year hiatus, fans of Vibraphone's warm house sound will find much to love on "Synth Love". Based on a warm, squelchy bass and robust tribal drums, it also sees Davis conjure up a tripped-out chord sequence that transports the track to house music's outer most limits. Like a fusion of 90s UK deep house and Underground Resistance at their most mellow, "Synth Love" is one of those rare tracks that is destined to transcend genres and scenes.
Celestial Shadows (Deep Night mix) - (6:02) 127 BPM
Cosmic Garou (original mix) - (5:47) 130 BPM
Review: Basic Realities follows last year's fine Summer Love EP with another sublime deep house release. Inspired by Chicago deepness, topped off with Italo melodies and Lone-style psychedelia, Celestial Shadows will lift the spirits, even in the depths of winter. The original version resounds to sweeping, tripped out chords, while the 'Deep Night' take sees Basic Realities lean more towards Chicago house with hissing percussion and a robust rhythm to the fore. Adding to the celebratory feeling are the layered vocal samples that unravel throughout the arrangement. "Cosmic Garou" also has a dance floor feeling, but on this occasion, soulful vocals are combined with new age pipes to create a distinctive club track.
Review: Previously known as The True Underground Sound of Rome, Stefano Curti alongside Mauro Tamino and Stefano De Carlo were Minimal Vision and were responsible for a couple of the classiest and most ear-pleasing Italian deep house records of all time on Vibraphone. Here's another previously unreleased techno epic that's once again full of soul and emotion titled "4 AM" and it's a true zeitgeist of the magical early '90s which comes with two more different mixes, while the hi-tech soul of "La Propriete Industrielle" once again features that distinct Detroit style energy throughout.
Review: First released way back in 1992, Stefano Curti, Mauro Tamino and Stefano De Carlo's first 12" as Minimal Vision (they'd previously released numerous as The True Underground Sound of Rome) remains one of the classiest and most ear-pleasing Italian deep house records of all time. For proof, check 'Magic Staircase', where picturesque synthesizer melodies rise and fall atop skittish beats, 'Pacific' style chords and a chunky Korg M1 bassline, and the bleep-sporting Chicago deep house tribute 'Prelude'. Those searching for something a little more energetic should take a listen to the warm and beautiful 'Milky Way' and 'Night of Love', whose programmed percussion, fizzing synth solos and jaunty bassline doff a cap to Detroit tech-jazz.
Review: Having initially returned to action to deliver digital reissues of classic cuts from the label's 1990s heyday, Vibraphone Records is now delivering new material in a similar sonic vein. 'Same As Me' from Nebula - label stalwart Stefano Curti and modern Italian house revivalist Nick Anthony Simoncino - is undoubtedly an attractive offering, with honey-voiced Chicago house singer Robert Owens providing a typically soulful and evocative vocal. The track is available in four different forms: the chunky, driving, bass-heavy and heavily electronic stomp that is the 'Sunset Mix'; the dreamier, ambient-tinged tribal deep house roll of the 'Dawn Mix', the sparkling, melody-driven, ambient style 'Atmosphere Mix'; and the throbbing, progressive house style 'Nick Mental Dub'.
Review: Previously, the reborn Vibraphone label has concentrated on delivering digital reissues of many of the melodious deep house gems the Italian imprint released in the 1990s. Here they flip the script, serving up a selection of previously unheard 21st century gems from up-and-coming producers. Tai Davis kicks things off with a quartet of cuts that variously touch on vintage Chicagoan jack-tracks ('That Acid'), classic deep house ('Crazy F', 'Watching the Clouds', and intergalactic acid ('Fusion'), before Daisuke Kondo delivers the wonderfully druggy 'Mental Crack' (a tipsy, off-kilter, late-night delight) and slick 'Telepathy'. Elsewhere, Shatalov's 'Its Not Exist' [sic] is a crackling trip through spacey deep house and Tade Kop's 'The Rhythm' is a glitchy, Isolee style minimal house delight.
Review: For their latest deep dive into the back catalogue, reborn Italian house label Vibraphone has trawled through the vaults of hard-working producer Stefano Curti, who released a wealth of high-quality material under a variety of aliases throughout the 1990s. There's much to enjoy from start to finish, with Curti's then trademark style - think a mixture of organ-rich US deep house, Italian dream house, the psychedelic colour of early Goa trance and warming, head-calming ambient house - guaranteeing ear-pleasing fun throughout. Our picks of a very strong bunch include the sleazy, acid-sporting techno-jack of 'Lemon Loop', the buzzing-but-spacey warmth of 'Mono Lite', the early morning wonkiness of 'They Do Exist (Dub Trip Mix)' and the melodious deep house sunniness of 'Cosmic Wind'.
Review: UK label Vibraphone bring us this two-track deep house release from the mystery man known only as 'Ricardo'. In its Original form, 'High Flyer' opens with a big 90s-style Korg M1 organ riff, before introducing lightweight percussion, keyboard risers, pads, string sweeps and a scat-heavy soul/R&B-style male vocal. The resulting concoction has something of an early 00s soulful house feel, while the accompanying Angel Mix is essentially the same only without the M1 organ, allowing the track's ponderous, throbbing actual bassline to punch through. For dancefloor appeal it has to be the Original all the way, but the Angel Mix will be useful for warm-up or very late sets.
Review: One of the deepest reaching projects from the multifaceted Vibraphone stable resurfaces for an extended trip through ambient sonics that marks possibly the most daring departure on the esteemed Italian label to date. The harmonious tones undulating throughout Sketches From Space are instant soothers, taking the odd cue from techno but defiantly beatless and meditative. It's a surprising addition to the long and winding Vibraphone story, but also feels like one of the strongest steps forward the resurgent label has taken since returning to the fray. Just try sinking into "Lagrangian Point L4" and you'll see exactly what we mean.
Review: Vibraphone Records continues to deepen its contemporary repertoire by inviting Andrew Soul into the fold with a vocal contribution from house music legend Robert Owens. "Slipping Into Darkness" is a beautifully rendered deep house gem with expressive piano work, rubbery bass synth tones, but in some ways the minimalism of Vincent Floyd's remix gives Owens' vocals a chance to take centre stage. "As You Are" is a crooked, broken beat exploration on the fringes of deep house, and Owens' voice sounds resplendent in the more experimental surroundings before Nick Anthony Simoncino comes on board with a 90s flavoured, darkside remix of the highest order.
Review: Having previously appeared on Vibraphone with the Isole Del Tramonto EP back in 2016, Nick Anthony Simoncino returns to the perennial Italian deep house label with a full album, his fourth following previous turns on Thug, Mathematic and Creme Organization. As you would expect, Mystic Adventures is a masterclass of classic drum machines and synthesisers, loaded with the passion and mystery that Simoncino has always managed to imbue his music with. The highlights are too many to list - if you're familiar with his other work, then Simoncino has everything you need on this album. If you're not already wise, these nine new tracks are a wonderful introduction.
Review: Having previously appeared alongside Tommi Vicari Jr on a 12' last year, Opto Mystics strike out on their own with an EP for Italian powerhouse Vibraphone. New Horizon very much represents the new school approach with the long serving Italian house label, keeping that deep, melodic quality but embracing new rhythms, tones and approaches. 'New Horizon' almost has an Akufen quality to it, while 'Bucky Triangle' could easily transmit from the Motor City house scene. 'M.I.Y.E.' is a swirling blur of gorgeous synths, and 'Suddent' finishes the EP off on a surprisingly experimental tip.
Review: Having recently appeared on Bosconi Records and Altzmusica, Daisuke Kondo is a producer on the rise at present. This outing on Vibraphone adds fuel to that particular fire with four distinctive cuts that push to the outer edges of house music without losing sight of the groove. "Hold On To Love" is, on the surface, an upbeat, disco-infused house jam, but there's a certain trippy approach Kondo takes in the processing department that edges the music into a different head space. "Life" meanwhile gets gritty and bass heavy at one end of the frequency range, and airy and melodic at the other. "Feelin Blue" gets even dustier and scratchier with its sample treatment, and then "Fallen Star" lays down some unflinching machine beats with wonky, distant piano licks.
Review: The journey back into the vaults of seminal Italian house music label Vibraphone Records continues apace with this gem from 1993. K2 was a one-off project for central label figures The True Underground Sound of Rome, and this Loss Of Gravity EP represents one of the most sought after rarities from the Vibraphone catalogue. The on-point breakbeats of "The Journey", the wistful tones of "In My Garden", the plush ambient refrains of "Lirica" - every inch of this record is steeped in class that belies the age of the music. Need we say more - this is a buy on sight reissue that won't stick around for long.
Review: KNLB first appeared with the Initialize EP on Vibraphone in July of this year, and it's not taken them long to return with another slab of on-point, upfront house music loaded with flair and imagination. "Up Again" is a heavy, chugging and bumping jam that should inspire all manner of screwed up faces of appreciation on the floor, and then "Fog Machine Smell" simmers things down to a more measured house groove. "Half Life" brings a few more dubby elements into the mix, and then the club mix of "SIN" sends the record spinning off in a wonderfully dusty reverie of detuned pianos and late-hitting drums.
Review: The seemingly bottomless vaults of Vibraphone Records come up with the goods once again as The True Underground Sound Of Rome present a second instalment of their seminal Minimal Vision. The mood is instantly dreamy on "Cyclops", while "Vertigo" gets more than a little psychedelic, dare we say New Age-y. This tone rings true throughout the record, pulling together more sought after gems and previously unreleased delights from the catalogue of this vitally influential Italian house music force. Just try listening to "Once Upon A Time In Labaro" without being transported to another time and place, all proto-trance synth pulses and Blade Runner samples.
Review: Ensuring they keep things pushing forwards while also celebrating their past, Vibraphone call upon rising talent Gemil to deliver an EP that is purely fresh material. "Forces & Gravity" is perfectly honed to get the maximum response from the dance with its muscular production and catchy vocal sample, but if you want an even more focused affair the remix strips things down to the bare necessities and works just as effectively. "Horizon" gets a touch more playful in its synth work with interplaying riffs creating a dazzling whole, and then "Solar Storm" brings the heads-down, hard-swinging heaviness into the mix in a devastating finishing blow.
Review: Italian house bastion Vibraphone Records has more than proven itself in the realms of classic deep house, but this new release from KNLB certainly speaks to the new age of the label. The unknown producer makes a stunning entry with "Second Wind", an effervescent breakbeat number that harks back to classic 90s Mo Wax sounds with its resonating piano licks and gritty drum samples. "Apollo" meanwhile creates an interesting variation on the dub techno template with a wealth of instrumentation cavorting around a tripped out chord stab, and then "Initialize" drifts off into blissful deep house meditation atop a purposeful beat. Minimono swoop in to inject some direct funk into their remix of "Intialize", and a very fine job they do of it too.
Review: Chicago based producer Tai Davis first came to light earlier this year with the Made In Chicago EP on Dizzy Tunes, and now he follows that up with an EP on the ever productive Vibraphone. As the title No Computers Necessary would suggest, this is classically-rooted house music with all the charm the hardware process provides. Davis' productions are bright, melodic creations with rock solid grooves and strong hooks for all kinds of good times, with the track "Floating" standing out with its strafing acid line punching out into a decidedly ethereal soundscape.
Night Passage (Underground Radio mix) - (6:05) 126 BPM
Fast City (original mix) - (4:53) 126 BPM
Night Passage (Magic Club mix) - (5:11) 126 BPM
Night Passage (Bongo mix) - (5:07) 127 BPM
Review: While they may have mined many of their classic early releases, it's taken until now for the resurgent Vibraphone crew to return to their very first offering form way back in 1992. 49th Floor was a pseudonym of Stefano Curti, one of the mainstays of the label, and Night Passage was the classic record that started it all off. The whole EP has been given the remastering treatment and sounds fresher than ever, with "Fast City" in particular shining bright with its urgent swing, luscious bassline and sprightly keys. This is house music in its purest form, often imitated but never replicated.
Review: After the widespread success of the first Minimal Vision compilation on the resurgent Vibraphone Recordings, The True Underground Sound Of Rome return with a second volume that takes in tracks made over a 23 year period. What comes across is how consistent the sound is, whenever an individual jam was made. The same heavy-lidded melodics and easy-funking rhythm sections prevail across all nine cuts here, at times hitting the uplifting pace of "Vertigo" or heading into the meditative pastures of "Sea Bird", but always maintaining that quintessential Vibraphone feeling. The diggers will be happy to snag the reissued tracks as well as discovering completely fresh material from Rome's premier deep house institution.
Review: Minimono are the Italian duo formed by Ennio Colaci and Fabio Della Torre, te latter is founder of Bosconi Records. They appear here with the Next Step EP for Rome based Vibraphone Records. It follows up releases on Greentech and Robsoul with some truly deep and emotive house music here that really begs your attention. Starting out with the melancholic and bittersweet bounce of the title track which features layers of sombre and hypnotic chords, rusty rhythms and sultry vocals There's also "Sailing" which nails that classic, late nineties Guidance Recordings sound. "Suspended" is equally classic in a soulful techno kinda way like early F Comms and "Take Your Time" where they save the best for last. This sexy and emotive late night number has all the elements of a perfect deep housei jam.
Review: For the first time Vibraphone Records is releasing a record by an artist other than The True Underground Sound Of Rome. For such an exclusive event there could have not been a better choice than Italian DJ/Producer, Nick Anthony Simoncino. For the production of this record, Isole Del Tramonto (Sunset Islands) Simoncino uses a selection of strictly old school analog synthesizers, and drum machines, which takes you on a charming magical journey through the Mediterranean Sea with pulsating minimal deep bass lines, oneiric harmonic textures, exotic tom tom patterns, hypnotic sexy and catchy grove beats. Isole Del Tramonto is a record that connects and combines the essential elements and spirit of deep house music along with providing its visionary future.
Review: Despite only a few releases, the electronic deep house sound of Vibraphone Records and the production team behind it, had a major impact on the international 1990's dance scene. The original 90's vinyl are now considered precious collectors items. Revitalized by an increasingly new young audience interest, this label has reached a cult status and it has now been re-launched via Juno Records. For the first time in twenty years TTUSR has produced three new exclusive tracks which will be included on this 12" EP entitled Liquid Time.
Review: Seminal Roman imprint Vibraphone had a huge influence on the early-'90s dance music scene alongside its sub-label, Male, and a handful of artists such as Bermuda Triangle, 49th Floor, Minimal Vision and of course The True Underground Sound Of Rome. This was originally released in 1992 and after a much deserved re-press by ourselves, we only thought it right to release it digitally too. "Magic Staircase" sounds reminiscent of the classic vibes of UK legends 808 State or A Guy Called Gerald while "Prelude" or "Night Of Love" have that unmistakeable early 90's sound of U.S. house music that puts them in the same time period as legends like Frankie Knuckles, Mr Fingers or Victor Simonelli. This is timeless history that must be heard!
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