Review: We hate to break the news to you but, as doctors R!PT!DE and Ghee-K have officially confirmed: 'You're Dead'. Putting this 'ahhhhhhhhhh' into RIP, mourning will be rolled out in a series of super freaky, ultra sleazy, mega leftfield sound designs and textures. From the regimentalist solider orders of 'Rojah' to trippy, broken-spring finale fire of the title track 'You're Dead', this is one exceptional collection. Time to put your affairs in order.
Review: Back on Pick The lock for the first time in a long time, Kormz brings the storms with this almighty six-pack track attack. Taking off where he last left us with last year's 'Collusion' EP on Nemesis, it's an intense trip into the fieriest corners of his DAW and a place where some really grotty sound designs ooze out of the speakers. Vibes range from the bone-shakingly tearing and gnarly ('Stick') to greasy, deep and offkey ('Desolate') via strange other-worldly trippy funk ('Sh*t Connection') And that's only half of it. Shots fired!
Review: Rare Wiri bring us three new rubs of the tracks that made up German nu-disco regular Andy Bach's 'If You Leave' EP, released in November last year. Romanto's take on 'Come On Now' strips away the deep house elements and transforms it into a hazy summer nu-disco jam, Stephane Deschezeaux's Organic Remix of 'Dimesions' injects a little more funk and soul into what was quite a trippy, Balearic-leaning original, before 'If You Leave' - a fairly 'accessible' and pop-oriented nu-disco cut in its original form - gets handed over to label boss Rayko, whose rework gives it a deeper, more underground kinda feel.
Review: It's an exciting thing indeed to see the super consistent production talents of Vital Techniques landing on the legendary DJ EZ's Nuvolve imprint, unleashing three emotive bubblers for the dances to enjoy. First up, a dizzying display of synthetic mastery and fiery double drops as 'In My Head' takes the centre stage. From here, a more groove-inspired approach on 'Run It' as we face a sumptuous sweeping combination of grinding synthesisers and unpredictable drum crashes, before 'Show Me Your Love' takes hard hitting 4x4 drum punches and emotive vocal lines for a killer closer.
Review: Billed as a "tribute to the forgotten late '80s/early '90s era of Bhangra influenced by house, dub and hip-hop", this expansive collection boasts fresh remixes of tracks from Manjeet Kondal's 1986 album 'Holle Holle', and a fresh cut featuring vocal samples from that set. Mr Scruff steps up to provide the remixes, offering four passes on 'Ishkaan de Mamie': a deliciously jacking, proto house-meets-acid house full vocal remix that lasts for just a shade under 10 mesmerising minutes, a sleazy and percussive 'Instrumental Dub', an alternative 'Vocal Strip Down' take with added TB-303 tweaks, and a tidy 'Edit'. Turbotito and Ragz deliver 'Pyaar', a brilliant slab of late '80s style Bhangra/hip-hop fusion with added acid lines. The 'Lovey Dubby Dub' is a sensational alternative pass that's arguably better than the duo's original mix.
Review: Steve Bug returns with two new offerings on Rejected, delving into the depths of house music mastery. With "Tweak It (Like This)" and "The Red Panda", Bug demonstrates his knack for crafting infectious rhythms and timeless grooves - check those stabs! The lead track pulses with a solid groove driven by a fidgety acid line and lively piano accents, while "The Red Panda" takes a more uplifting route with emotive basslines and shimmering keys.
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.
Shut The Lights Out (Birdee remix) - (4:11) 116 BPM
Shut The Lights Out (extended mix) - (6:51) 55 BPM
Shut The Lights Out (Birdee extended remix) - (6:39) 58 BPM
Review: "Shut The Lights Out" is a funky throwback brimming with infectious energy, courtesy of Berlin production duo Lovebirds and vocalist NILE. Lovebirds channel their well-regarded love for 70s and 80s sounds into a groovy production. The foundation is an arresting funk beat, bolstered by classic disco instrumentation and dreamy synths. NILE's vocals are the perfect compliment, with a motivational spoken-word style that adds another layer of interest. The package is completed by a remix from disco aficionado Birdee, who takes the original's sparkling energy and adds their own signature touch. Birdee's remix is an upbeat and spacey take, perfect for extending the dancefloor journey.
Review: Next up on Binary Cells is Klint with this hard-hitting release. The pounding, industrial rhythm of "Atlas" gets Son Heros off to an intense start. There is no let-up on "Mental 89", where Klint drops a dense, banging track. While the title track integrates trancey riffs with robust tribal drums, it is still primed for the dance floor. On "Supervision", Klint continues this approach as a surging bass ripples its way through a looped groove. There are some exceptions to the prevailing intensity: "Requiem RK" is a heads-down ebm workout, while "Cinq Sections" is a dub-influenced track, but one that still packs quite a punch.
Skatman - "Tribute To A Dancefloor" - (6:10) 125 BPM
Return Of The Luddites - "Scream Into The Darkness" - (4:52) 139 BPM
Squal G - "Waiting 4U" - (8:59) 130 BPM
Joaquim Plossu, Salem Focus & Phoebe Train - "Theory Of The Tides" - (5:23) 85 BPM
Yes Basketball - "Next" - (3:29) 60 BPM
Review: Laurent Garnier and Scan X's label does a great job in showcasing emerging and established talent, and this split release is no exception. The brilliantly named Return Of The Luddites deliver the raw electro-techno of "Scream Into The Darkness". In stark contrast, Detroit techno-inspired tracks also loom large, courtesy of Skatman's string-filled "Tribute To A Dancefloor" and Squal G's more ominous "Waiting 4U". Mirroring Garnier's own wide-ranging tastes, the release also features the call and response hip-hop/drum'n'bass crossover of Joaquim Plossu, Salem Focus and Phoebe Train's "Theory Of The Tide". Taking the tempo down, Yes Basketball's "Next" is a slowed down, bugged out beatsy track.
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: Dutch duo Fouk, comprised of Daniel Leseman and Hans Peeman, unveil their latest offering in the vibrant Mirage EP for Dam Swindle's Heist Recordings! Picking up from their Blue Steel EP of 2021, these four originals take in a blend of funk and disco influences while presenting a dynamic exploration of the pair's musical palette, leaning towards a club-centric vibe. The EP not only highlights Fouk's distinctive sound but also features a powerful remix of the lead track by the talented Hardgroove artist Elisa Bee, adding an extra layer of energy to the record!
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