Review: As Miami Winter Music Conference spins around for another year so does Toolroom's affiliated compilation showcasing why Mark Night's label remains at the precipice of mainstream club music. Bringing with it two full length DJ mixes and exclusive tracks from crew like Alex Kenji, Jerome Robins and Camila Jun, there's also banging numbers from legends like Green Velvet, Nicole Moudaber and Shadow Child next to Low Steppa and Tony Romera! ESSEL kicks off the compilation with the catchy choral loops of "The Edge", with other highlights to mention across some 50 tracks coming from Martin Ikin's drippin' "Make U Sweat", CASSIM's disco-tinged "Wanna Feel Something" and Carly Wilford's "The Dance". Time to dive into Miami 2024 - Toolroom style!
Review: Dombrance has spent the last few years making music inspired by imaginary French politicians of the 1960s, '70s and '80s. To round of the project, he's pitched up on Discolypso to share the final two tracks - and a wealth of remixes. 'Bayou' is a certified throb-job in which alien-sounding synths and heady vocalisations rise above a pulsating, Italo-disco groove, while 'Cope' is a darker, techno-tempo workout rich in analogue electronics and driving grooves. There are too many remixes to mention them all, but our picks include Lindstrom's breezy, electrofunk-influenced Norse disco take on 'Bayou', Baldelli and Dionigi's hybrid dub disco/Afro-cosmic take on the same track and Francois K's suspenseful, stretched-out, slow-build revision of 'Cope'. Throw in a deliciously druggy, Italo-disco-goes-rave revision of the same cut by Diskjokke, and you have a genhinely brilliant package.
Review: In an industry where the term 'veteran' is bandied about far too freely, Colin Curtis is the real deal! His DJing career goes all the way back to legendary Northern Soul club The Golden Torch in the late 60s. In the 70s, he was a resident at Blackpool Mecca alongside Ian Levine, where he became one of the first DJs to introduce the more modern sound of jazz-funk to the scene. By the mid-80s he'd become an early UK champion of house, too, but these days it's on the jazz-dance scene that he's most revered - and here he serves up a 26-track connoisseur's collection that shows why. Ranging from straight-up jazz and soul to soulful house and leaning heavily towards the Afro- and Latin-flavoured, some of these cuts are recent offerings, some date back as far as the 70s, but on jazz-dance floors, all will go down a treat.
Review: SHDW's label marks its twentieth release with this weighty compilation. Drawing on some of the most respected names in techno, volume three is full of peak-time bangers. There's the lean, rolling techno of Chlar's "Inside Us", while Dax J showers the listener with waves of acid tones on the steely, peak-time "Celestial Dub". The Advent's "Randomized" is a bruising and quite brilliant industrial techno workout. While Blawan's hyperactive "Don't You Dare Squawk At Me" hovers just below the 160 bpm mark, not all of the compilation is as intense. Vocals are mixed with chiming chords on Gary Beck's "Fold" and Z.I.P.P.O's "Broken Game" is a deep Detroit techno track.
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.
They Were Dying Of Old Age, That's It - (5:19) 134 BPM
Look At It - (5:32) 134 BPM
Die Like A Man Like Your Brother Did - (5:40) 131 BPM
Review: On Taken Away, MORD's offshoot continues its mission to deliver hard-edged but inventive techno. The work of Ruman, it applies experimental sensibilities to the dance floor. The brilliantly-named "They Were Dying of Old Age, That's It" is led by gnarly kicks and noisy percussion, with Ruman layering in intense bleeps. Similarly, "Faced With A Formful of Clever People" resounds to high-paced, bass frequencies. While the dense, rolling "Look At It" and the grainy drums of "10,000 Hours" both point to a clubbier approach, the overall approach is intense and visceral - most ably embodied by the grating riffs and high-paced industrial techno of "Mary Got A Quarter".
Review: Next up from The Future Sound Of London team, a vibrant collection of highly energetic remixes as Papua New Guinea is given some tasty overhauls, courtesy of Jumpin' & Pumpin. First up, L. Major touches down for a vibrant, industrial rework, focussing on crunching drum sounds and moody breaks to match, before Nishesque fuses both hard hitting drum & bass with glittering progressive house, somehow! Next up, more breaksy goodness with Soul Central pumping through unique rhythmic grooves, followed by a killer closer as Dee Montero unleashes a vibrant, funky inspired finisher. Top work!
Review: Shall Not Fade has reached the ripe old age of eight, a cause for celebration in these troubled times for artists and labels. To mark the occasion, the Bristol-based imprint has offered up this vast, 34-track compilation featuring new and unheard cuts from its ever-expanding family of artists. Naturally, it not only reflects Shall Not Fade's output, but also that of its various offshoots and series. So, there's plenty of high-grade deep house and immersive, breakbeat-driven deepness, but also surging, high-tempo rave-era nostalgia (see the tracks by TESTPRESS and Sheffield sorts Adelphi Music Factory), bassline (ABSOLUTE & HRSN), futurist techno (Marc Brauner), deep electro (Halo), hip-hop revivalism (Lydia Eisenbatter), progressive house and trance-influenced loveliness (MNL), and much more besides.
Review: The TXTBK team have a real gem on their hands with this one as they unveil a vibrant collaborative collection from both ZeroFG & Skamma, diving into the more unique end of the UKG spectrum. First up, a fiery vocal approach from Local & Mc Vapour sees 'Ready 4 The Floor' arrive with a real touch of swagger, aligning old school verses with moody melodies, making this roller an instant house-party classic. Next up, Zero FG steps out for a super catchy 'Vibe' dubmix, exploring chopped up vocals and new layers of instrumentation, along with a full instrumental version to match. Alongside this, both the original instrumental and extended mix feature, making this a must have collection.
Review: It's been slowly drip-fed to us over a 10-month period but now here at last is the full album. On 'Something Like That', Jalapeno bosses Skeewiff celebrate 25 years in the game by paying tribute to some of the music that's inspired them, delivering generally very faithful but also very accomplished reworks of classic tracks by artists ranging from The Winstons and Jimmy Smith to Dick Dale and Herb Alpert. New additions to the roster on this final version include Nancy Sinatra's 'These Boots Are Made For Walking', Muppets 'Mah Na Mah Na', Mel Tormé's Mod club standard 'Coming Home Baby' and, just to prove they're not taking themselves TOO seriously, Boots Randolph's 'Yakety Sax' - better known to most as the 'Benny Hill' theme.
Review: Gifted Italian DJ and producer Chesster unveils his latest record, the tell-tailing Tribute EP, released via PIV - think artists like S.A.M, DJ Steaw, Chris Stussy and more. Busting out with the melodies in "Hot & Lost" to some package nostalgia in "Dance Mania," Chesster goes deep. "Tribute" pays homage to classic US house with that classic garage tinge and UK rave sentiments and funk-infused rhythms. Additionally, grab the the Prunk remix which focuses heavily on a dirty, deeper pulsating bassline with head nods to the Dirty Bird label.
Review: The crew over at Dirty Kitchen Rave HQ must be fully aware that they have struck solid gold with this latest collection from Doc Zee, delivering two originals and a vibrant remix, exploring the modernised breaks sound in its full majesty. First up, the title track 'Bassquake' packs a momentous punch, flipping between jittering vocal overlays and growling synthetic patterns below, before Skin Teeth gets busy with a super hectic overhaul, giving it an industrial twist to say the least. Finally, 'Condition' takes a much calmer approach, sampling classic hip hop vocals and nostalgic chord progressions for a smoothened finale.
Review: The Exhibit series aims to showcase emerging artists who operate at the raw end of the techno spectrum. While not a new act, label owners Slam get the ball rolling with their own "Exhibit 3", which revisits the raw, jacking sound of their Snapshots release. EJA's "Detachment Theory" represents a more contemporary take on underground techno. Led by a pumping, heads-down groove and relentless, doubled-up claps, it also features mysterious synth builds. Similarly atmospheric sounds inhabit Skjöld's "Stearic Acid" - but on this occasion, they are woven into a stripped back, percussive groove. Favouring a more abrasive direction, ANNĒ's "Keinlicht" revolves around a visceral rhythm and ominous synth lines, echoing vintage Steve Bicknell.
Review: The Dutch production duo Makez returns to their soulful house roots with a new four-track EP on Heist Recordings called "Midnight Time." This release showcases the versatility of Makez, seamlessly blending introspective grooves, infectious club anthems, and atmospheric soundscapes. The EP opens with "Closer," a laidback, jazzy collaboration with vocalist AVA LAVÁ featuring lush textures and rich instrumentation that sets a mellow, moody vibe. Next is "Running From The Noise," reuniting Makez with vocalist Life On Planets after their previous hit "Downstream." Life On Planets' emotive vocals mesh perfectly with Makez's trademark deep house rhythms, creating another potential dancefloor gem. It then gets into higher gear with the acid-tinged, 90s-inspired techno groove of "The Answer." Powered by a male vocal hook, acid basslines and classic 909 drum programming, it's a high-energy cut primed for peak-time club plays. Closing out the EP is "Gratitude," which ventures into deeper, more introspective territory with haunting strings, glitchy vocal samples and distorted synth textures layered into an immersive sonic landscape.
Review: The team over at YosH have done a fantastic job over the years in pushing out some of the most innovative and unique bass and garage combinations that we have seen across the UK, with this latest remix drop from dubbleT, OHKAY & Jamie Hai being a great example of that. We in fact open up with the remix, which sees a selection of sand-shifting sub sweeps and warm vocal displays fromdubbleT &OHKAY reworked into a party-ready roller by Jamie Hai, taking elements of both UKG and bass in its creation. For contrast, the original recording also sits on the EP, providing not only a great A/B flip, but also a great example of how much difference a good remix can make.
Doctor Jeep & Hedchef - "Hammerhead" - (5:25) 132 BPM
Review: Longtime friend of Worst Behavior, Doctor Jeep, drops the electrifying "Deep Red" EP, showcasing his signature versatility and collaborative spirit. This NYC-based producer, known for his dancefloor-igniting beats and genre-bending explorations, delivers a diverse sonic journey across four tracks. "Deep Red" kicks things off with the infectious title track, a collaboration with UK artist Grove. Grove's punk-infused energy and appreciation for soundsystem culture merge seamlessly with Doctor Jeep's production prowess, resulting in a head-turning banger. Further collaborations unfold with Australian producer Hedchef, known for his off-kilter club constructions. "I'm Rushing" blends breakbeat rave energy with a futuristic twist, guaranteed to keep bodies moving with its rolling grooves and wonky basslines. In "Hammerhead," Doctor Jeep pays homage to his Brazilian heritage by weaving Brazilian vocals with electro elements and a sparse, heavy beat reminiscent of club and grime influences. Next, Doctor Jeep delves into halftime territory with "Destroyer," a collaboration with Canadian producer Tamarak. The track builds slowly and deliberately, layering intricate techy breaks and percussion over a minimal soundscape. To close this EP, "Deep Red," receives a dubstep makeover courtesy of J:Kenzo. This high-energy remix transforms the original into a driving jungle and drum & bass beast. A genre-bending cracker here!
Review: The legendary Jeremy Sylvester is back in fine form with this fiery display, unloading four dancefloor-ready rollers with some real throwback feelings, courtesy of course of Time Is Now. We open up with the nostalgic chord progressions and heavily reverberated soundscapes of '90's Man', which sets the tone perfectly, followed by 'Flashback', a sleeklike roller doused in electronic energy. From here 'In The Morning' arrives to unleash a more subtle bubbling feeling, focussing on moogy basslines and refreshing pad arrangements, before the heavily sampled vocal chops and icey synth sweeps of 'Wickedest Sound' close off the EP with a bang
CamelPhat & Ali Love - "Compute" (Tigerblind remix) - (6:28) 130 BPM
Review: Award-nominated British producers Dave Whelan and Mike Di Scala, better known as Camelphat, showcase yet more growth since their last album Spiritual Milk that was filled with emotive lyrics, serene ambient sounds, and infectious basslines. This remix album however opens with a Fideles mix that gets drummy and percussive and very reminiscent to Plastikman's legendary "Spastilk". Oostil throws down an EDM inspired tech house banger mix of "In Your Eyes", while Tigerblind looks to old school rave and hardcore in its remix of "Compute". Lastly Dorian Kraft goes deep and progressive in his mix to "Embers". Keep chewing the Camelphat.
Review: Paris-based producer Vitess continues his flow of music following releases on Up The Stuss, LOCUS and Shall Not Fade, in addition to his own Retro Futura imprint. Vitess' latest five-track special, Visions, for Rossi's HOMEGROWN label provides the artist with a second appearance there - making himself known with the stand out track on this EP, "Blue Vision", somewhat already anthemic in its appeal thanks it synth-driven energy and dancefloor operandi. Turning up the sultry disco fever and French touch vibes in "Jami Rocaille" - other numbers like "First Night" so richly remind us of The Ones "Flawless", while "Big Sound" throws in some dubbier house action. And for that bassline and acid session check out "Drive Me Crazy".
Review: There's a hint in the title here, as theBasement Discos serve up a collection of 20 house tracks with the ivories firmly front and centre. But while the old Joanna might be the thread that ties it all together, there's still plenty of variety on offer, from sprightly jazz-house workouts like AFAMoo's 'The Art Of Jazz' to deep house jams like A Naranjo's 'What Lies To Head' and Foot-Loose's 'Weekend'-biting disco-houser 'LA Piano Mood'. It's not all nostalgic homages to the hands-in-the-air anthems of the early 90s, in other words - though naturally there are plenty of those as well, with Piem's '4Real' one clear standout in that department. Of course, if you're not a fan of piano-based house, it's probably not the album for you... otherwise the 'Paradise' part of the title is entirely justified, nuff said!
Review: This latest helping of futuristic goodness from the Top Drawer Digital team sees them dive into their third full length compilation drop, once again expanding the 'Abstractions' series with a solid helping of new school breakbeat flavour. Featuring 36 creations, this selection is a DJ's secret weapon for certain, with the likes of Kefford, Sub Fusion, Outrage, Sanxion, S.U.R.E and Nyxen alongside many more delivering top quality additions to the track listing. For us, this is a project best absorbed through the attached continuous DJ MIX, but our standouts would have to include the brain-boggling wave synth work of The Rumblist's 'Mind Blown', alongside the more throwback metallic dinks of Lucas's 'Light & High Beauty' original. Sensational stuff from all involved.
Review: Since 2022, Fort Romeau has been using the Romantic Gestures label as a vehicle for the more dancefloor-focused side of his output, usually via periodic, single-track releases. This mini-album tells the story so far, gathering tracks released at various points over the last 18 months. There's much to admire throughout, from the rumbling UKG style sub-bass, funky house beats and deep house textures of 'Hold Up', and the driving heaviness of 'The Man From Another Place' (where a shower of sparkling synth sounds descends on the weightiest of rhythm tracks), to the ghostly two-step deep house excellence of 'The Zone' and the immersive, ultra-deep wonder that is standout 'Melody Dub'. 'A Thousand Times At Night', with is booming sub and poignant pianos, is also superb.
Review: The eighth instalment of Cocoon's Dots And Pearls compilation series starts on a light note. JOSS' "Assessing" is a melodic techno track powered by cascading snares and swirling pads. In a similar style is Emanuel Satie's "When I First Met You (I Knew You Were The One)", where angelic voices and soaring strings make for an uplifting track. There's an edgier sensibility on Denis Horvat & Skarn's chugging "Triii", reflected also on Aocram & Ramsey Neville's acid-led "Brooklyn Structure".
The mood continues to darken with the EBM influences of Alex Bau's grinding "Antidot", while the ever-reliable Redshape resurfaces with the pulsating "Ghost Story". But it's only a temporary situation and Harald Bjork's "Aluco" rounds off the release with an ominous tranced-out track.
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