Review: A dash of Trans-Atlantic collaboration here, as Miami-based Mexican (and Tour de Infinite founder) Rigopolar joins forces with Discoteca Seduction founder Disto Disco for the first time. Lead cut 'Untitled' joins the dots between driving, punk-funk-influenced dub disco, dark disco and trance-infused nu-disco, while 'Spaced Out' is a harder-edged and more rave-igniting slab of arpeggio-driven electronic disco that comes complete with robotic vocals. The latter is impressively remixed by Phunkadelica, whose revision is a strobe-lit peak-time treat, while 'Untitled' is reworked twice. First Colossio & Cabizbajo recall the halcyon days of "new rave" on a growling guitar-flecked revision, before Childs delivers a deliciously chugging, shoegaze-influenced wall-of-sound take that may be the EP's most inspired moment.
Review: It's clear to all who follow electronic music with any level of regularity that Om Unit has become one of the most consistently impressive names to follow, with the last decade of work showcasing creativity and sonic innovation with every new outing. This latest 'Fragments' album project sees those talents again at work, from the moogy bass flicks on 'Snagged' to the icey soundscaping of 'Entity' and super sharp drum processing of 'Side Quest'. This album showcases mastery at work, with Om Unit again proving to be a level above those around him, with highlights including the colourful melodic squelches of 'Moonglade' and breaks-inspired energy-boosting qualities of 'Hard Skin'. Top work, as always!
Review: Four-piece "producer collective and DJ team" The Niceguys hail from Switzerland and have a long string of releases under their belt for labels like Bomb Strikes, Westwood Recordings and Ghetto Funk. Here they return to the former with four cuts that would work on funk-breaks and modern soul floors alike, with the Bobby Saint-vocalled 'Irie' and 'Strip It' rocking a Prince-like vibe, 'Don't Let Go' sporting a full-lunged soul vocal from Justina Lee Brown, and 'Dance' having something of a Smoove & Turrell-like feel. 'Don't Let Go' takes the gold for this writer but it's all good so feel free to disagree!
Review: B2 Recordings hits release number 13 with DJ Rocca and Lex combing on a trio of fresh house cuts that blend elements of disco, Latin and soul. Up first is the glorious 'Solid Street' which has loose and percussive disco-house grooves overlaid with big synth energy and steamy vocals. 'Solar System' is slower and deeper, with a more rugged bassline and low slung sense of funk that never lets up. Last of all, 'Rose Tree' is a ramshackle house arrangement with whistles, Rhodes keys, tin-pot percussion, florid flutes and plenty of sunny energy all making it a real standout. A timeless EP packed with musicality.
Review: Ostensibly a response to techno being 'in such a sorry and predictable state', Full Pupp's latest compilation goes off in a number of wonderfully captivating tangents. Label owner Prins Thomas' "Mere Apokalypso" is a tripped-out groove, while his take on Synk's "Tool Mix" is an acid-laced chugger. In contrast, JaddajaddaPlay's "Bird No Bird" goes down a percussive route. Despite the title, techno does make an appearance. Blackbelt Engh Rhythm Combo's "Frydenlyn" is a rolling tribal affair, while trance influences bubble to the surface on Christian Engh's dubbed out "Khonsu" and Karolinski's high-paced, melodic "Slutt A Mase Eg Har Ikkje Spelt Pa Ei Veke".
Review: Argentinian producer and re-editor Alexny returns to Furious Mandrill with the third installment in a series that draws heavily on world music influences, though whether the three tracks here are re-edits or original productions is a little unclear. Either way, 'Que Pasa' is, unsurprisingly, a Latin-flavoured affair with dense layers of percussion and a one-line vocal, 'Conmbe' is a somewhat funkier affair with a full male vocal in an unknown language and some energetic guitar work that hints at highlife, while finally 'Donme' is a deep, shufflin' groove with choral vox (again in an unidentified tongue) and probably the best bet for non-specialist floors.
Review: Since making his debut way back in 2022, Franck Roger has served up a lot of exceptionally good deep, soulful and spiritual house. In its' original mix form (track six), 'Enchanted', featuring Shawn Chappelle, is another high-grade treat - a shuffling, soft-focus vocal house number rich in warming chords, Osunlade-esque spiritual house percussion, meandering guitar solos and chunky bass. The accompanying remix package is naturally very strong too. Fred Everything delivers two takes: a subtly jazz, boogie synth-sporting vocal revision built around bouncy Afro-house beats, and a deliciously dreamy, weightier and more bassline-driven 'Dub'. DJ Spinna dips the tempo slightly on his more relaxed and laidback deep house versions (vocal and instrumental takes are both included), while Demarkus Lewis opts for a more immersive, thickset vibe on his full vocal interpretation.
Review: Australian artist Ben Smith, known by his stage name Temple, is bringing a fresh sound to the music scene. His upcoming EP, "Who You Are," blends the classic vibes of disco with the futuristic energy of techno. This debut release marks the launch of Temple Musiq, Smith's own record label dedicated to his musical creations. The headline attraction is undoubtedly title track 'Who You Are' (featuring Quartz Pistol), an acid-fired, cowbell-laden fusion of cheery nu-disco and nostalgic house sounds with added breathy female vocals. Prins Thomas remixes, rolling out the warehouse-ready elements (including Temple's trippy acid lines) before introducing a maelstrom of synth lines and spiralling electronics later on. Elsewhere, 'Wait For Love' joins the dots between mid-80s NYC proto-house and Maurice Fulton's Syclops project, while 'The Tetra' is a spacey, sax-sporting slab of nu-disco chug tailor-made for sunset and sunrise.
Review: Leeds label Shades of Sound seem obsessed with serving up melodious and colourful music tailor-made for sunny days and humid dancing at dusk. They're at it again on 'Disco Archipalego', a bold and entertaining label debut courtesy of Sydney producer Arp Decco. There three typically sparkling and kaleidoscopic original tracks on display: the mid-tempo, synth strings-laden Balearic piano house-meets-Reverso 68 cheeriness of 'Disco Archipalego', the synth solo sporting piano house-with-acid-bass flex of 'New Life', and the gorgeous 'Breeze', whose snaking sax solos, joyous melodious and chunky TB-303 bassline create a suitably loved-up mood. 'Tech Support' turn 'New Life' into an acid-flecked, sunrise-ready breakbeat house gem, before Joe Morris rounds off a fine EP by giving 'Breeze' a nostalgic, Balearic house-goes-breakbeat re-fix.
Review: Cuthead, real name Robert Arnold, hails originally from Moldova but has been based for many years in Dresden, Germany. His musical output has ranged from hip-hop and breaks to disco, house and techno, but this release, the second of our installments that will eventually make up the 'Detour' album, finds him firmly in house mode. While its four tracks are all definitely rooted in deep house, though, they nevertheless also manage to embrace influences from disco, jazz-funk, sci-fi themes and dub - all of which add up to an EP that represents a very worthwhile use of 15 minutes of your life.
Review: Following years spent flitting between labels including Toy Tonics and Razor N Tape Reserve, COEO make their bow on Shall Not Fade. In keeping with the Bristol label's approach to digital releases, it's an expansive and action-packed affair. Title track 'Planet Earth' is one of the Munich-based duo's more forthright cuts to date - a thrusting, bongo-laden techno tempo rave workout propelled forwards by an insanely good (and rubbery) electronic bassline and psychedelic acid lines aplenty - while 'Satellite Bay' sounds like a cross between early '90s synth-pop, Kraftwerk and Euro-dance. Elsewhere, 'Rush Hour' gloriously joins the dots between hip-house, vintage MK productions and the Pet Shop Boys' Relentless' album; 'Kawasaki Racing Club' combines breakbeats and early UK progressive house sounds; and 'The Stage Is Yours' is a head-nodding, midtempo acid breaks affair.
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