Review: In 2003, amid a shifting landscape of closing record stores and evolving electronic music genres, Phonica Records emerged as a haven for dance and electronic music enthusiasts. Founded by Simon Rigg, Tom Relleen, and Heidi Van Den Amstel with backing from The Vinyl Factory - Phonica aimed to be a welcoming hub for all genres. Starting quietly, the shop gradually gained a strong reputation, fueled by the founders' ties to Koobla Records. Phonica thrived in its early years by championing emerging genres like electro house and minimal-micro house from labels like Kompakt and Perlon. In 2007, the Phonica record label was born, evolving into a platform for both staff and emerging talents, featuring early releases by now-established artists such as Peggy Gou and Four Tet. In 2023, celebrating its 20th anniversary, Phonica showcases its journey with 20 Years Of Phonica - a compilation boasting 18 exclusive tracks from established and rising artists across the label's diverse musical spectrum. Hot tips include tracks by Willow, Dorisburg, Ron Basejam, Roman Flugel and more!
Review: Not to be confused with the techno-minded Dutch label of the same name, this Deep Sense is based out of Mexico, they have a penchant for the funkier side of the dance and the cheekier side of edit culture. They proved it on their inaugural voyage in November 2014, and they're proving it once again right here... Kicking off with the sax-massaging jack-jam "The Road To Kalakuta" the whole album is an instant party full of sassy sonic surprises. Highlights include the dusty vinyl crackles and heaving harmonics of Rafael Fernandez's "Nothing's Changed", the epic synth-slapping cosmicity of Funk My Jesus "24K", the classic funk guitar squeezes of Chuggin Edits "We Got The Funk". And that's just a handful of party peals to be harvested from this 16-track heavy album. Bon voyage indeed!
Review: You're only five years old once, so why not celebrate in style? And here Warrington lad Danny Worrall's disco and re-edits label Masterworks Music do just that, with an anniversary collection packing a whopping 50 back catalogue nuggets. You'll excuse us the full track-by-track, then, but suffice to say that this is the label that helped launch the careers of Dr Packer and Natasha Kitty Katt, both of whom feature here, and with names like Ziggy Phunk, Rayko, Alkalino, Chuggin' Edits and Fabiolous Barker also on bill, you should already have a pretty good idea what to expect. Classy stuff all round, and a great VFM package - here's to five more years!
Review: When it comes to celebratory, life-affirming musical positivity, you can't beat Midnight Riot's ongoing "Disco Made Me Do It" compilation series, which gathers together a mixture of re-edits, reworks and original productions from the label's vast roster of artists. At 24 tracks deep it's a bit of an epic, though we can happily confirm that the quality threshold remains impressively high throughout. Our current favourites include the Redux Inc re-edit of Casa Blanco's P-funk flavoured hip-wiggler, "Funk & Dub With You", the rushing, piano-powered house bounce of "Got Me" by Ladies on Mars, label boss Yam Who's sparkling nu-boogie revision of Phil Jaimes' "My Sensitivity" and the deep, groovy '80s soul flex of Chevals' "Thank You For The Ride".
Review: They may both be vastly experienced, but it would be fair to say that Groove Culture chiefs Micky More and Andy Tee are genuine rising stars. Following a string of confirmed club hits that blend disco, house, soul and jazz-funk, the pair have put together a sequel to their much-admired 2021 compilation For Those That Like To Get Down. It naturally includes a handful of their own productions and remixes (see their fantastic, bass guitar-propelled piano house revision of Miguel Migs and Lisa Shaw classic 'Lose Control' and their fab Cevin Fisher hook-up 'All About The Culture' for starters), alongside a swathe of summery, life-affirming blends of house, soul and disco from the likes of Mark Cotterell, DJ Mark Brickman, Derek McKenzie, Serge Funk and Simon Adams.
Review: London's Horse Meat Disco club really has beaten all comers in the -disco stakes: if a decade of packed parties, international DJ gigs and bringing the disco sleaze to Rinse FM isn't enough, they now deliver their fourth(!) compilation for Strut Records. James Hillard, Jim Stanton, Luke Howard and Severino all share the selection of a 16-strong tracklist, which also appears in mixed form too. Highlights include the quirky Chaka Khan-esque "Ain't No Way" by Opal, the sumptuous luxury vibes of "Stop" by Valerie Allington and the legendary low-slung bass-fest "Barah" by Cleavage. Full marks again, how do they do it?!
Review: Fingerman's Hot Digits imprint has packed in a lot of releases over the past 12 months, as this expansive roundup of the label's second year in business proves. Featuring 27 tracks and a bonus mix by the South Coast dwelling label boss, there's naturally plenty to admire. Highlights include, but are not limited to, the rolling, head-nodding grooves of Eyeco M's "Keeping It To Myself", the killer proto-house throb of "Tonight" by Bad Barbie vs Evil Smarty, the sexy, string-drenched disco loveliness of P-Sol's "Can't You See", LTJ's trumpet-boasting funk bumper "Fat Thing", and the hard-wired, bass-heavy rework of Julia & Company's "Breakin' Down (Sugar Samba)" by Melon Bomb. It is, though, all pretty darn hot.
Review: A UK disco master with almost 30 years experience, when Dave Lee aka Joey Negro presents his selections we all sit up and listen. Here's his take on the year that was and it's brimming with 19 rich and rewarding gems to see us through the holidays. Highlights include the deep gospel shuffle of "Reach Out (Atjaz remix)" by Sean McCabe, the sizzling crackle of camp disco accelerator "Unique (New York Underground mix)" by Danube Dance & Kim Cooper and Pezzner's warm synth funk rework of "Candy Coated Perfection" by Opolopo and Diane Charlemagne.
Review: Let There Be House & In It Together Records are proud to announce their huge label collaboration, in the form of this massive 60 track compilation containing 30 album only exclusives. 'The Anthology 2020' is a result of both labels having huge success over the past 12 months, with highlights coming from: Born2Groove with the low slung disco goodness of "Happiness", legend Sandy Rivera (with Aruhtra) on the bittersweet and soulful anthem "Love Somebody Else", the return of '90s funky house's glory days on "Piano Groove" by Makree (Sebb Junior Remix) and label chief In It Together's electrifying "Hey Mr DJ" (with Alimish). This essential album comes complete with four continuous bonus mixes by the boss men: two by Glen Horsborough (LTBH) and another couple by Jas P (IITR).
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