OrderingOrdering ProblemsFAQContact Us (Customers)Contact Us (Suppliers)Gift certificatesAbout JunoManage accountMy ChartsJuno Download PlayerFeedbackPrivacy PolicyTerms and ConditionsJuno Marketing and PR departmentArtist / Label Profile SubmissionPromote your label / releasesHow do I download via Dropbox?
Filter
The Reworks Vol 2EXCLUSIVE
Played by: DJ LAUREL, FINGERMAN, ROMANTO (YSR / DISCO MACHINE), Disco Tech (DiscoDat), Juno Recommends Disco, MR ABSOLUTT, Kongisto, Mark van der Ree
Review: Long-serving producer Disco Tech has released more edits and reworks over the years than we've had hot dinners. Remarkably, he still continues to deliver on-point revisions - as this second volume in his ongoing 'Reworks' EP series proves. There's much to admire across the six tracks on show, from the atmospheric, slow-burn excellence of AOR disco revision 'Stars In The Ghetto' and the dub-funk wonder that is the James Brown-sampling 'Boss', to the peak-time '80s disco sing-along 'Take Time' and the on-point Clash dub disco revision 'Magnificent'. We also recommend 'Be With You', a deliciously groovy, dubbed-out take on a Doc Severinsen track that has long been a DJ Harvey favourite.
from $1.89
DD 041
01 Mar 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
01 Mar 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Rob Lee, FINGERMAN, Flash Atkins, Juno Recommends Deep House, Juno Recommends Downtempo, Third Attempt, Secret Soul Society
Review: The new EP, "Offshore Sunsets," by the collaborative effort of Steve Cobby (of Fila Brazilia fame) and Third Attempt washes over the listener like a warm, hazy summer evening. Released on Paper Recordings, this three-track offering is a delightful exploration of Balearic house, perfect for unwinding or soundtracking a laid-back gathering. The opening track, "B Human," sets the tone with its "rolling, hypnotic, spaced-out" vibe (as described by Paper Recordings). Floating minor keys, a walking bassline, and a gorgeously chugging guitar create a sun-drenched soundscape. This is Balearic bliss at its finest. Third Attempt takes the reins for the aptly titled "Language Of The Heart." This track leans into a more downtempo, a perfect offering for those late-night sessions or creating a chilled atmosphere. The duo reunites for the closing track, "Feeling Seen." This hazy, jazzy broken beat number brings the EP to a satisfying conclusion. Deep basslines intertwine with funky elements, showcasing the collaborative magic between Cobby and Third Attempt.
from $1.89
PR 354
13 Mar 24
Deep House
13 Mar 24
Deep House
Various
Review: Midnight Riot do their bit to address the much-discussed gender imbalance in dance music with a 25-track collection featuring an almost entirely female line-up (though a few possessors of Y-chromosomes do sneak in as collaborators). With big names like Kathy Brown, DJ Paulette, Rowetta, Caron Wheeler, Sulene Fleming and Natasha Kitty Katt nestling up alongside a host of more up-and-coming artists, the quality standard is high throughout, with the musical emphasis largely on good-time, Saturday night house and disco vibes, though there a few more gently paced moments - notably in the form of covers of Bobby Caldwell's 'What You Won't Do For Love' and Sade's 'Sweetest Taboo' - while Paulette & Massey serve up a pleasing dose of acid on 'Sheroes'.
from $1.89
MIDRIOTLADIES 001A
15 Mar 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
15 Mar 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Pete Haigh
Review: Over the last few years, Martin 'Atjazz' Iveson has spent a fair amount of time mentoring Peacey, a young producer with oodles of talent. That much is proved by the rising star's expansive debut album, a superb 16-track set that combines sizzling colo cuts with a string of inspired collaborations. The Edinburgh-based artist sets his stall out via the luscious horn arrangements and immersive ambient electronics of 'Play It By Ear', before drifting between head-nodding R&B loveliness (Oveous hook-up 'Love In The Forest'), sensual and seductive, soul-flecked deep house ('Hold Me Back' with Clyde and Atjazz), mid-tempo boogie-soul ('Playground' with Rona Ray), dubby and dreamy downtempo grooves ('Last Night's Dream'), deep and techy, spoken word-sporting dancefloor workouts ('Culture Bandit' with Vanessa Hidary) and jazz-funk influenced excellence (LaRoye collab 'In The Distance').
from $1.89
ARC 230AD
05 Apr 24
Deep House
05 Apr 24
Deep House
Review: Monty Luke's Nightdubbing project on Rekids was designed to showcase the Black Catalogue boss's deep love of dub-infused house and techno. This 13-track album combines previously unheard cuts with nine tracks previously showcased across a pair of EPs of the same name. It's a fantastic set all told, with highlights including the smacked-out electro-dub headiness of opener '40 Acres and a Terrabyte', the extra-percussive deep dub-house hypnotism of 'Bob Molly', the after-hours friendly minimalism of 'Star Storms', the Detroit-goes-dub techno pulse of 'New World/Old Future', the classic dub techno warmth of 'Dark Paradise', and the dub-wise deep house dreaminess of 'Avantgarde Dancehall'. Throw in a handful of tidy ambient and digital dub tracks, and you have a genuinely superb long-player.
from $1.89
REKIDS 237
29 Mar 24
Deep House
29 Mar 24
Deep House
Played by: Juno Recommends Downtempo
Review: Kieran Hebden, better known by his moniker Four Tet, has graced us with his first full-length album in nearly three years. "Three," released on his own Text Records imprint, is a meticulously crafted exploration of sound, weaving together elements of electronica, downtempo, and folktronica influences. The album strikes a balance between organic and electronic textures. Tracks like "Loved" showcase Hebden's signature ability to manipulate found sounds and samples, creating a shimmering sonic tapestry. "Gliding Through Everything" leans more towards the downtempo side, with its gentle piano chords and woozy atmosphere. However, Four Tet doesn't shy away from exploring the electronic realm. Tracks like "Daydream Repeat" feature driving uptempo rhythms intertwined with ethereal piano melodies, showcasing his talent for building tension and release. "Storm Crystals" injects a dose of ambient energy, while "Skater" leans into playful, almost chiptune-like melodies. The closing track, "Three Drums" (another pre-release single), brings back the energy with its pulsating bassline and infectious groove. Not to miss!
from $1.89
TEXT 056D
15 Mar 24
Balearic/Downtempo
15 Mar 24
Balearic/Downtempo
Played by: Craig Charles Funk And Soul, Nick Hollywood, Johnnypluse, Juno Recommends Broken Beat Nu Jazz, Juno Recommends Funk, DJ ESKREAMA
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.
from $1.89
JAL 418
08 Mar 24
Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
08 Mar 24
Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
Review: Acid house in sound but punk in nature, the title of Paranoid London's new album is a reference to "the cavalcade of c***s we find ourselves surrounded by". However, while there is despair there is also hope, and this long player is testament to the power of underground music. Arseholes...also demonstrates the importance of collaboration. Bobby Gillespie croons his way through the gentle tones of "People (Ah Yeah)". At the other end of the sonic spectrum, Joe Love and DJ Genesis feature on the gnarly, 303-led grooves of "Love One Self" and "Up Is Down" respectively. Somewhere between these polar opposites sits the evocative Chicago house sound of "Start To Fade" with Josh Caffe and Mutado Pintado's sonorous vocals on the pulsating "The Motion". Paranoid London proves yet again that when confronted by a***holes, music really is the only answer.
from $1.89
PDONLP 003D
09 Feb 24
Minimal/Tech House
09 Feb 24
Minimal/Tech House
Played by: Irregular Disco Workers, FINGERMAN, Disco Tech (DiscoDat), Juno Recommends Disco, Rayko, FRAN DEEPER, Mark van der Ree, Saint-Loup-en-Bray
Review: Given the prolific output of his Rare Wiri label, it's a wonder Rayko finds time to get in the studio at all. But he does, regularly - and when he's not producing synthy, 80s-flavoured nu-disco jams of his own, he somehow also manages to fit in the odd cheeky re-edit or 20! Here, then, a score of such reworks are served up for your listening and dancing pleasure, with the emphasis firmly on lesser-known gems - sources include Ann Peebles, Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, Break Machine, Michael Sembello and Earl Flint, as well as US folk-rocker Barbara Keith's version of 'All Along The Watchtower', but there are plenty more that will have to go unidentified. Suffice to say, though, that if funk, disco, boogie, electro and pop from the 70s and 80s float your boat, this collection will leave you positively buoyant!
from $1.89
RW 232
05 Feb 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
05 Feb 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
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.
from $1.89
NAYA 006
19 Apr 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
19 Apr 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Rayko teams up once more with Elena Hikari to deliver the pair's second joint long-player, following on the heels of 2023's 'Tu Alma Y La Mia'. But while that first album was good, this one's exceptional! Cinematic, cosmic opener 'Too Much' sets the tone but it's the second track, 'Nunca James', that really hits you in the face: it's a slow-burning monster, with Hikari's haunting vocal earning it a place in the box marked "truly sublime". 'Looking To Edge' is another BIG track that probably needs to be heard on a 4am dancefloor to be truly appreciated; after that you get four more cuts that blur the lines between cosmic/Italo disco, Balearica, coldwave, house and pop (including a new version of 'Extraordinarylove' from the first album) before the title track, another deep, slo-mo chugger, plays us out in very fine style. Excellent work!
from $1.89
RW 238
18 Mar 24
Balearic/Downtempo
18 Mar 24
Balearic/Downtempo
Review: Next up on LDH, a shimmering nod to the more stripped back side of 140 & dubstep flavour as Slimy Ape touches down with a shimmering display of synthetic wonder across these chilling three originals. The title track 'Northern Winter' sets the tone perfectly, with icey LFO manoeuvres and minimal drum lines giving us a fabulous introduction. From here, a dive into deeper, gritter LFO expressions as 'Warehouse Rocker' gives us a pulsing crunch of original dubstep flavour, before the subtle dubwise chords and more system-inspired bass notation of 'Sound The Alarm' closes the EP off with a more old school feel. A very enjoyable selection!
from $1.89
LDHD 027
12 Apr 24
Deep Dubstep
12 Apr 24
Deep Dubstep
Review: Melbourne, Australia-based DJ/producer Ken Walker - the possessor of perhaps THE best artist moniker in the game - follows up last summer's debut full-length 'Discopolis' with a second volume that's every bit as essential. Rocking an overall vibe somewhere between contemporary (rather than 'nu') disco and disco-house, the album opens with 'What In The World', which nods to The Police's 'When The World Is Running Down', and closes with 'Saxophonica', which marries the risque spoken vocal from Jimmy Z feat Dr Dre's 'Funky Flute' (which also appears on 'Blow It') to the sax line from Men At Work's 80s hit 'Who Can It Be Now?'. It's fair to say our Ken isn't averse to dropping the odd familiar sample, then: in fact, the 15 cuts here blur the lines between sampling and re-editing. But trust us, the dancefloor's going to be far too busy dancing to worry about that.
from $1.89
BCM 214
23 Feb 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
23 Feb 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
Review: Catching Flies, the moniker of George King, delivers his most emotional and cohesive project yet with this album, Tides. Collaborating closely with string arranger Thomas Lea, known for his work with Adele, Bonobo, and Rhye, Catching Flies explores the theme of 'ebbs and flows', reflecting on personal and global experiences over the past few years. The album beautifully captures the cyclical nature of life, anchored by a singular sense of purpose and intricate musicality. From the melodic mesh of harp samples and soaring strings in the lead single "Halo" to the deeply textured and soulful exploration of tracks like "Spring" and "The Last Phone Call" - Catching Flies blends live instrumentation with warm electronic beats.
from $1.89
IS 060
05 Apr 24
Balearic/Downtempo
05 Apr 24
Balearic/Downtempo
monolog feat Bill Summers
Played by: Juno Recommends Funk
Review: Japanese producer Yuki Kanesaka, mastermind behind the monolog project, serves up a delightful take on Herbie Hancock's iconic Watermelon Man with this uptempo cover on Dippin' Records. Kanesaka kicks things off with a nod to the past, faithfully reproducing the iconic opening Hindewhu whistle hoot that graced the Headhunters' version. This playful detail sets the tone for a joyous journey that retains the "mathematical balance" of Hancock's original while packing a punchier, club-ready groove. "Bill's Valence Street Jam," offers a special drum break version of the main track. It's a perfect opportunity to truly savor the infectious groove and appreciate Summers' masterful percussive artistry. With its blend of respect for the past and a fresh, energetic approach, this release is a tasty treat for your ears.
from $1.89
DR 0006
22 Mar 24
Funk
22 Mar 24
Funk
Review: Next month sees the release of Chicago veteran Donnell Pitman's debut long-player 'Brand New Funk' - an album that's long overdue, considering that he made his recording debut way back in 1969! The album's been trailed by a couple of single/EP releases already and now making its debut is 'Tonight', a team-up with (as ever) Chi-town young bloods Wings Of Sunshine as well as the mysterious E.Live and Anda. Once again, smooth and soulful 80s-style boogie is the order of the day, with the package rounded out by four previously released jams: 'Summertime Girls', 'Do You Wanna', 'Get Next To You' and the rawer, funkier 'Joog With Me'.
from $1.89
SC1240E
19 Apr 24
Funk
19 Apr 24
Funk
Review: Trip-hop/downtempo veterans The Deadbeats return with what by our reckoning is their sixth album, and their fifth on their own Space Hopper label. 'Butter Notes' opens with the Massive Attack-esque 'I Don't Believe' - all luxuriant strings and looping rap vocal snips - then moves on through six more slices of prime mid-paced chillage, blending influences from Balearica, broken beat, lo-fi hip-hop and funk before concluding with the suitably epic and expansive 'Am I Eternal'. If you've enjoyed any of their previous albums you're highly likely to enjoy this one as well, with the standout for this reviewer being 'Dark Forest', which adds some dubby flourishes to what it otherwise a fairly standardised blueprint. Still, if ain't broke, etc...
from $1.89
824833 064837
12 Apr 24
Balearic/Downtempo
12 Apr 24
Balearic/Downtempo
Various
Played by: DJ Mau Mau, Domenic Cappello, Juno Recommends Techno, Juno Recommends Minimal Tech, Rave Energy
Review: Laurent Garnier, Scan X, and Oliver Way's COD3 QR label remains fresh as ever with a new various artist release that brings eleven hand picked cuts from the likes of Bel Air Ltd., Tal Fussman and Jules Wells to Alex Troniq, Fanu, Voltaire, Carlos Nilmmns and Inner Ray! Lead cut "City Lights" kicks off with some deep and melancholic bassline house next to some moody techno reminiscent of early Ben Klock in "10247". "The Clap" delivers some footwork inspirations next to some spookier electro wares in "Neophile" - banging. "Pisecean" gets all breakbeat and new age in the mix alongside some warehouse techno in "Regular Disturbances" alongside some melodic 'Mathew Johnson' inspired sounds in "Old Paris". Closing out the EP is "What" - a British Murder Boys-esque slice of Middle Eastern themed gothic EBM.
from $1.89
COD3QR 016
23 Feb 24
Minimal/Tech House
23 Feb 24
Minimal/Tech House
Played by: Juno Recommends Bass
Review: Sneaker Social Club unveils Ivy Lab's latest offering deepening the duo's evolution from their drum and bass roots. Comprised of Gove Kidao and Jon Fogel, this Mild EP, born from a purposeful break in 2023 to experiment freely in the studio, presents a potent mix of jungle and drum and bass influences, intertwined with footwork elements and Ivy Lab's unique sound design. Tracks like "Look Away" and "N.V.T 01" showcase their knack for combining rugged bass weight with innovative production techniques, while "Kik Bak" delivers an acutely angled, pitched-up rap attack to further galvanise their radical sound.
from $1.89
SNKR 057
23 Feb 24
Bass
23 Feb 24
Bass
Review: Although he's been operative since the start of the noughties, Unclepasha only has a handful of solo EPs to his name - most notably on London label Nang. Here the Russian producer pops up on Vintage Music, an imprint founded by his fellow countryman Sunner Soul back in 2010. What's on offer are, we think, kind of edits-not-edits - tracks that make extensive use of elements of forgotten old cuts, but with added beats and instrumentation. Title track 'Tol'ko Ya' blurs the boundaries between seductive, low-slung dub-disco, swamp funk and nu-disco, while 'Dubby' lives up to its name by properly dubbing out and beefing up a percussion-rich jam of unknown origin. To round things off, TSDC reworks 'Tol'ko Ya', giving it a filter-heavy, dub-flecked disco-house feel.
from $1.89
VMR 105
04 Mar 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
04 Mar 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Juno Recommends Deep House
Review: Adeen Records is on a roll right now and this time out they welcome the Detroit hero that is Marcellus Pittman for a new and beguiling four-track EP. Known for his work with The 3 Chairs collective as well as his solo jams, this Motor City mainstay opens up with 'You Always Hank Bank One Time' which is a real mental maze of rickety loops and blurts of degraded synth. 'Another Spring Lover' is another rusty and lo-fi piece of archetypal Detroit house that is very clearly machine music but with a unique sense of human soul. 'I'm Gonna Be The Everything' is a raw drum track with sparse, heartwarming chords and 'Slick Nickle Pladium Investment' is a knackered downbeat hip-hop closer. Magnificent.
from $1.89
AR 019
15 Mar 24
Deep House
15 Mar 24
Deep House
Review: Composed between 2020 and 2021, these three pieces, collectively known as "Triptych" have been patiently waiting to be savoured by music aficionados worldwide. Each track offers a distinct sonic journey, with the title track serving as a musical odyssey in itself, seamlessly flowing through interconnected sections to evoke varied atmospheres over its 13-minute duration. "Touch Air" mesmerises with its rhythmic allure, a trance-like session crafted for spiritual elevation, while "Pythagoras in Japan" transports listeners to the Far East with its ambient textures and spoken-word poetry, gliding further into infinity drones and deep, melodic and humming, synth bliss.
from $1.89
INVINCDD 13
01 Apr 24
Balearic/Downtempo
01 Apr 24
Balearic/Downtempo
Review: The mysterious Funk Windows return to Sound Exhibitions with a new four-track slab that, as the EP title suggests, looks to the African funk scene for inspiration. The Afro influences are furthest to the fore on the EP's two vocal cuts, the lively, rolling opener 'Ouma Koume' and the more ponderous 'Minimal Day', while bass, guitar and horns workout 'Funky Times' and the sparse, looping 'Mr Funk' (which comes on a bit like The Last Poets minus the rapping) are perhaps a little more universal in their funk MO, but it's all good, as they say - with 'Funky Times' leading the charge to these ears.
from $1.89
SE 1142
11 Mar 24
Funk
11 Mar 24
Funk
Played by: Paul Withey // Sweetooth
Review: They've yet to make as much of an impact in the northern hemisphere but Melbourne-based outfit Mildlife are big news Down Under - their last (second) album 'Automatic' went Top 10 nationally in 2020, and won the ARIA award for Best Jazz Album to boot. Now they're back with long player #3, 'Closer', and it showcases a sound that's hard to pin down, with the album as a whole fusing elements of jazz-funk/jazz-fusion, Balearica, cosmic disco, psychedelic pop and modern indie, and even straying close to ambient territory on the title track. With the tempo seldom rising above walking pace ('Musica' being the only exception), there are no obvious dancefloor moments here - instead, it's an album that's best served whole, when in a mellower frame of mind...
from $1.89
HVNLP222DIG
01 Mar 24
Funk
01 Mar 24
Funk
Played by: Juno Recommends Reggae
Review: Mysticism's Dubplate series has got a couple of great drops lined up at the moment and this is one of them, from German digidub pioneers TVS aka Trance Vision Steppers. This was a project that never made it out of the studio but still cooked up some brilliant sounds, which in the case of this collection come from their earlier period between 1995 and 1999. Fans of Adrian Sherwood, Dennis Bovell and Mad Professor will be head over heels of these dub delights - they are deep and atmospheric with lush ambient pads, downtempo vocals and stoner synths next to more twisted rhythms.
from $1.89
MYD 008
29 Mar 24
Dub
29 Mar 24
Dub
Played by: Juno Recommends Broken Beat Nu Jazz
Review: Sonar Kollektiv present the first solo album from German drummer, composer and producer Janek van Laak, previously best known as one-half of the duo Tutu Amuse alongside vocalist and fellow Berlin native Rosa Landers, and as co-founder of the experimental outfit Liquid Brain Orchestra. 'Circle Of Madness' is a largely instrumental affair but does feature a brace of guest vocalists - Australia's Madeleine Rose on 'Here To Slay' and Japan's Shiomi Kawaguchi on 'Daiamondo', while van Laak himself sings on a couple of tracks. Musically, it's wonked-out, off-kilter drums and horns that do most of the heavy lifting, augmented by floaty keys and the occasional electronic parp and squelch. Definitely one for those who like things on the more out-there side.
from $1.89
SK480D
15 Mar 24
Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
15 Mar 24
Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
Review: By now, we should all know what to expect from Alexander Chebankov AKA Sunner Soul, namely warm, woozy, tactile and picturesque cuts that combine his own production chops with elements borrowed from disco, boogie, soul and Balearic jams. 'Da Funk', his first missive of 2024, boasts four tried and tested cuts. First up is the title track, a filter-heavy slab of filter heavy disco-house which boasts nods to some of Basement Jaxx's earliest material. This is followed by the Tiger & Woods-esque boogie-house of 'Need You', a tidy (and subtly dubby) South American jazz-funk-meets-disco number ('Brazilian Rhythms') and a gorgeously dreamy slab of ambient excellence ('Deep Space').
from $1.89
VMR 104
12 Feb 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
12 Feb 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
Played by: Craig Charles Funk And Soul
Review: "Sinseerly Yours," the debut LP from Los Angeles outfit Thee Sinseers, is a love letter to classic soul and R&B, delivered with a fresh, modern twist. Released on the ever-reliable Colemine label, the album is a testament to the band's tight musicianship and infectious energy. The album's strength lies in its ability to seamlessly blend influences. Hints of 60s girl groups and British Invasion pop dance alongside shimmering soul melodies, all delivered with a distinctly modern swagger. Tracks like "Can't Do That To Her" showcase the band's knack for crafting irresistibly catchy hooks, while deeper cuts like "Hold On" explore the emotional nuances of the genre. Not to forget its vocal interplay. Lead singer Joey Quinones delivers soulful vocals with a smooth charm, while the backing harmonies from Adriana Flores and the rest of the band add a layer of richness and depth. This tight vocal interplay is particularly evident on standout tracks like "Seems Like" and "For You." Colemine Records has a well-deserved reputation for unearthing hidden gems, and "Sinseerly Yours" is no exception.
from $1.89
617308 065848
22 Mar 24
Soul
22 Mar 24
Soul
Review: Chicago soul vocalist Donnell Pitman made his recording debut in 1969 and for a long time was best known for a couple of sought-after boogie rarities released in the early 80s. In recent years, though, his team-up with Wings Of Sunshine and the Star Creature label has seen his star shining brighter than ever before - so much so that his debut album 'Brand New Funk' will be with us in May. But for now, there's this four-track sampler. Slick, soulful 80s boogie stylings are the order of the day generally, though the standout to these ears is 'Joog With Me', which rocks a slightly rawer, Rick James-like funk vibe.
from $1.89
SC 1240D
15 Mar 24
Funk
15 Mar 24
Funk
Review: You have to hand it to Finnish musical maverick Jimi Tenor: now over 35 years and more than 25 albums into his career, the man's pretty much a genre all on his own. 'My Mind' first appeared on 1999's 'Organism' long-player, but this new recording - laid down at Philophon's Joy Sound Studios in Ghana, with backing from the 10-piece Rubato Chorus - finds him exploring the musical hinterland between high-life, broken beat and leftfield electronic pop, and is unlikely to disappoint his legions of fans. The accompanying 'Love Is The Language' is an equally hard-to-pigeonhole affair with hints of psychedelia and a singalong chorus.
from $1.89
PH 45033
08 Mar 24
Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
08 Mar 24
Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
Played by: Juno Recommends Dubstep
Review: Whenever the name 'Joker' appears in the forthcoming section, we of course know that it is going to be a special occasion, with the undeniable pioneer of UK electronic music returning to his home imprint of Kapsize for another monstrous display of melodic madness. We open up with the heavy horn lines and springing synth pumps of 'Juggernaut', an instant classic, laced with hard hitting sub action and an overall epic feel. On the flip, more classic Joker synth work as the more grimey melodies and square-wave style leads of 'S Wave' take us to a completely new zone, delivering another hard hitter for both dubstep and grime fans alike.
from $1.89
KAP 025
16 Feb 24
Dirty Dubstep/Trap/Grime
16 Feb 24
Dirty Dubstep/Trap/Grime
Played by: Juno Recommends Downtempo
Review: Vince Watson's newest album, Hope - the Extended Edition, goes on to say that it marks a departure from his recent house and techno ventures, offering 11 new versions of the LP originally commissioned for The New York Times' Outlaw Ocean series in 2018. Not bad eh. Featuring never-before-heard variations and instrumentals, this release stands as one of Watson's most accomplished musical endeavors yet. With a predominant focus on piano and strings that seamlessly blend neo-classical and electronic elements, Hope turns in some seriously heavenly orchestration and programming. The album's underlying message of unity and hope resonates even more strongly now, making it a poignant and timely addition to Watson's repertoire.
from $1.89
ESOL 024
15 Mar 24
Balearic/Downtempo
15 Mar 24
Balearic/Downtempo
Review: Some producers turn out new albums like the rest of us brush our teeth. Others prefer a 'quality over quantity' approach - and that's certainly true in the case of Paul Murphy AKA Mudd, who here delivers what's only his second-ever solo album, and his first since 2006's 'Claremont 56' (though to be fair there have been a clutch of collaborative efforts along the way). It was worth the wait, though: that's given him 18 years to perfect his distinctive but hard-to-classify midtempo style, and 'In The Garden...' is indeed as close to perfection as you're likely to get. Blending elements of jazz-funk, disco, lounge and Balearica, it's perhaps best summed up as a contemporary update of the jazz-fusion sound of the late 70s/early 80s, but our advice would be to not worry too much about labels, and instead just press 'play', lay back and enjoy! Very classy stuff indeed.
from $1.89
C56LP 026
09 Feb 24
Balearic/Downtempo
09 Feb 24
Balearic/Downtempo
Review: Gaussian Curve makes a triumphant return with their latest offering "Winter Sun" and "Fever Dream", marking the group's first release since their 2016 album The Distance. These tracks, born from recording sessions in Amsterdam, initially remained unfinished sketches for six years before the trio, comprised of Gigi Masin, Jonny Nash, and Marco Sterk, felt compelled to revisit and complete them. "Winter Sun" captivates with its lush, slow-building ambiance, showcasing the classic Gaussian Curve elements of airy guitar lines, warm Rhodes, subtle electronics, and the minimal rhythm of a CR-78 drum machine. "Fever Dream", meanwhile, subtly expands their sonic palette, introducing a gentle 303 bass line and 808 rhythm while maintaining the trio's signature slow-burning intensity, hinting at new exploratory avenues while retaining their unmistakable Gaussian Curve sound.
from $1.89
MFM 067
20 Feb 24
Balearic/Downtempo
20 Feb 24
Balearic/Downtempo
Various
Review: Following the release of a fine solo EP from Lovanda, Iner's DOBRO label returns to the multi-artist EP blueprint on which it built its' reputation. It's a typically strong offering all told, with no less than six cuts on offer. Check first Classonix's 'Samba Collective', a brilliantly jaunty, percussive, and sun-soaked slab of Summery excellence, before turning your attention to the sample-heavy Afro-house of Anton Mo ('African Mania'), and the low-slung, low-tempo headiness of 'Son 3' by Lavrutz. Elsewhere, classic US deep house vibes are provided by Redgz Franklin and UC Beatz ('For The Music'), Tiptoes reaches for driving beats, woozy chords and weighty sub-bass ('Baby Ting'), and Triem re-invents 'French Touch' house for the 21st century ('Saghalian Love').
from $1.89
DOBRO 009
16 Feb 24
Deep House
16 Feb 24
Deep House
Review: Monty Luke's follow up to his latest REkids release arrives via Nightdubbing and in the form first of all as "Supernova" - a deep blend of spacey textures with retro vocal samples. "Starstorms" delves further into the cosmic unknown with driving bass rhythms and raw pads, while "New World / Old Future" showcases Luke's mastery of scratch-like drums and intricate melodies. "Avantgarde Dancehall" adds a psychedelic twist with wonky sonics, while "Travelling 'Round The Sun'" closes the release with dub-rooted drums and spoken word poetry. Dope. Drawing from his Detroit roots, Luke's futuristic soundscapes continue to captivate, pushing boundaries into mainstream techno and cultural storytelling at its finest.
from $1.89
REKIDS 237B
23 Feb 24
Minimal/Tech House
23 Feb 24
Minimal/Tech House
Review: Slo-mo and emotive house and techno that sounds well inspired by B-Pitch days of yore and other acts like Moderat - that's if "Sabre 540" is anything to go by. A deep and alluring EP inspiring electronic music as much as it does acoustic and worldly sounds - with melancholia and euphoria dancing side by side. Hinting at futher acid techno inspirations in "B.T.C.o.P", Rude Audio remixes bother tracks, getting flighty with the synths ad reverb in "Sabre 540", while burning in some extra acid funk in "B.T.C.o.P". Highlight recommended.
from $1.89
TICITACI 089
23 Feb 24
Balearic/Downtempo
23 Feb 24
Balearic/Downtempo
Review: Joji Chissu has aimed high with his debut album, 'Erotic Paradise', combining a wealth of collaborations and inventive musical fusions with nods to his Japanese heritage and colourful, city pop and boogie-influenced synthesizer sounds. In practice, that means an attractive blend of revivalist '80s electrofunk (Clementine Esquivel hook-up 'Erotic Paradise'), the smooth street soul flex of 'The Art of Seduction' (with Janessa J), soulful nu-jazz ('Sunshine' with D'o D'o and the Koyto Jazz Massive-esque 'Mixed Signals'), harmonica-sporting homages to NYC boogie ('Dirty Harmonica' with Leon Van Egmond), and nods to the Fugees ('Downtown Party'), P-funk ('Perfect Illusion', featuring Regix) and head-nodding blunted beats ('Mixed Signals').
from $1.89
DZL 016
23 Feb 24
Funk
23 Feb 24
Funk
Review: Cal Gibson AKA Secret Soul Society returns to French label Citizens Of Vice with four new cuts that throw a proper melange of styles into the blender. 'On The Way To Memphis' is a squelchy, midtempo affair with a soul/blues-style vocal about "leaving Georgia" and being "halfway to Hollywood", yet curiously also has something of an 80s pop feel. 'Ruby Blues' is a dense, shuffling number that bites the vocal from Reuben Wilson's 'Got To Get Your Own' from 1975 and 'Feel The Need' is a sweeping, dramatic slab of synth-disco, while finally 'Whole Wide World' brings the full-on indie-pop vibes.
from $1.89
COV 049
23 Feb 24
Balearic/Downtempo
23 Feb 24
Balearic/Downtempo
Played by: Juno Recommends Funk
Review: High Park Funk - AKA Tesko - hails from Glasgow in Scotland, but his most obvious musical contemporaries would be US artists like Thundercat or perhaps Amp Fiddler, as on this, his third album if we're counting correctly, he fuses funk, jazz-funk, hip-hop and broken beat into a musical concoction that isn't quite any of the above and yet somehow all of them at the same time. Tracks range from the Zapp/Cameo-isms of 'Signals' and 'Let The Funk Permeate' to the wonked-out bruk jazz of 'Subconscious Streams', and it all adds up to a long-player that on the one hand is quite cerebral and muso-esque, but on the other is definitely constructed with the shaking of booties on dancefloors in mind.
from $1.89
BLAQTAPES 014
23 Feb 24
Funk
23 Feb 24
Funk
Played by: Juno Recommends Reggae
Review: Mysticisms' Dubplate series is back once again, this time with Nick Barber aka Doof at the helm. He was a 90s trance icon who here serves up some tunes that were all recorded to tape, remixed and live dubbed on the desk so have an authentic feel to the melon twisting sounds. There are plenty of psychedelic twists and turns to the wispy synth leads and snaking hits here, all with heavy and cavernous low ends and plenty of future facing ideas. Each one is sure to set the dancefloor alight when dropped at the right moment.
from $1.89
MYD 007
09 Feb 24
Dub
09 Feb 24
Dub
Review: Native Transmissions hails from Birmingham and describes his sound as "lo-fi, house and anything in-between". We're definitely at the lo-fi end of that spectrum here, as he serves up five numbered mid/downtempo jams that range from the dusty, looping and Balearic-tinged (see 'Palette 01' with its spoken "there's nothing like a Rhodes" vocal sample and the lightly chipmunk'd 'Palette 03') to the more overtly jazz-leaning (see 'Palette 02' and, most especially, the ivory-sprinkled 'Palette 05'). The mood throughout is introspective, at times verging on melancholy, so club play is probably out of the question, but the EP as a whole makes for a pleasing and rewarding (home) listen.
from $1.89
NT 01
12 Feb 24
Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
12 Feb 24
Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
Review: Back once again with the rework masters, as Jalapeno bosses Skeewiff drop the latest instalment in a series of covers/re-edits/homages that's been released in dribs and drabs over the past nine months. The new addition this time out is their take on 1954 Dean Martin classic 'Sway', though if our ears don't deceive us - bearing in mind that there are at least 67 different recordings of the song! - it's actually the 1959 Rosemary Clooney version that's referenced here. Elsewhere on the EP, their takes on lounge classics from The Winstons, Herb Alpert, Dick Dale, Jimmy Smith, Keith Mansfield and The Young Holt Trio return.
from $1.89
JAL 457
02 Feb 24
Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
02 Feb 24
Broken Beat/Nu Jazz
Played by: Juno Recommends Downtempo
Review: Post Industrial Boys is the production alias of Tbilisi, Georgia singer-songwriter George 'Gogi' Dzodzuashvili, who's also part of the Goslab collective, and this is his fourth PIB album in 20 years. Previous long-players have been described variously as leftfield, electronic, experimental, downtempo and ambient: that should give you a few clues as to the sound of this one, which starts with the introspective, biographical title track and takes in a further eight slices of contemplative synth doodlings and half-sung/half-spoken, poetic and very narrative-driven lyrics. Listen closely and you'll hear echoes of Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits, as well as 80s 'intellipop' artists such as Black, Furniture or even David Sylvian (in solo mode).
from $1.89
POST 02
09 Feb 24
Balearic/Downtempo
09 Feb 24
Balearic/Downtempo
Played by: Juno Recommends Downtempo
Review: AFEK arrives on Merkaba Music with some deep, dubby, goa and techy dub steppers for the deeper listeners out there that channel the inner rainforest within. An Australian label very much leading the charge for shamanistic music, AFEK himself hails out of Tel Aviv, with the project itself diving between organic and synthetic vibes. Across five tracks here the artists embraces all manner of rhythms, grooves and emotional atmospheres with a deeper message resonating in between. Get affected!
from $1.89
MM 248
08 Feb 24
Balearic/Downtempo
08 Feb 24
Balearic/Downtempo
Review: There is always a good backstory to the music that Emotional Rescue releases and this EP is a case in point. It comes from Betty & The Code Red and Betty was the girlfriend of Tunde Obazee, a Nigerian-born artist who used music as a "non-violent tool to express his socio-political opinions on global injustice." The pair would entertain people on campus by playing anything they could get their hands on, informed by the old Edo folk songs they had grown up around. They went on to live in Italy and the US and start a family as well as lay down self-released songs that have become cult classics. A selection of them feature on this, the first of two EPs from the pair.
from $1.89
ERC 142
02 Feb 24
International
02 Feb 24
International
Review: Temudo follows 2019's Do Nothing And Be Wrong album with this expansive follow-up. The title track's tribal drums and textured dub soundscapes is redolent of Oliver Ho's early techno work. In contrast, "D Is For Dissonance" has a more contemporary flavour. Based on a dense rhythm, it features hypnotic, tranced out melodies. "Rap Over This" sees Temudo go down a visceral path, as harsh percussion is merged with claustrophobic drums. It's only a temporary divergence though; in the main Shapeless has an esoteric undercurrent. "The Ecosystem Track" and "The Zone" are both lean tribal workouts that show Temudo is one of the most accomplished modern techno producers.
from $1.89
HYSEP 50
19 Jan 24
Techno
19 Jan 24
Techno
Review: Donato Dozzy delves into a poignant tribute to his family and the Adriatic Sea. Across six tracks, the legendary Italian artist embarks on an exploration of vibrant emotions and resonant sounds, tapping into a profound inner sentiment. Through the language of music, Dozzy expresses his gratitude to his auntie - a formidable presence and influential figure in his life, serving as both family and a genuine teacher in his life. Magda stands as a heartfelt musical testament, weaving a narrative that beautifully intertwines personal emotions with a tribute to significant familial connection. Expect twinkling percussion, water-like melodies, crestfallen synths and euphoria abound
from $1.89
SPAZIO 028
19 Jan 24
Experimental/Electronic
19 Jan 24
Experimental/Electronic
Review: Here's your chance to get hold of a little piece of music history! Ben White was a session musician who played on records by Marvin Gaye and the Salsoul Orchestra, among others, but whose solo career added up to just two singles, including this one which originally came out on LA Records back in 1982. Now it gets a second crack of the whip courtesy of crate diggers extraordinaire Athens Of The North, with 'I Would Have To Be A Fool' an ultra-slick slice of early 80s boogie while the accompanying 'Just Give Love A Try' treads a more syrupy, soulful path.
from $1.89
ATH 171S
26 Jan 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
26 Jan 24
Disco/Nu-Disco
Various
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!
from $1.89
PHONICADD 002
01 Dec 23
Deep House
01 Dec 23
Deep House
