VA – Use Of Weapons 6 [UOW006]

Deep Space Orchestra’s Use of Weapons label has always been a reliable source of analogue-heavy left of centre deep house, with each split EP, featuring tracks from a variety of like-minded producers, featuring a range of must-have nuggets. This expansive sixth release, with eight tracks spread across two slabs of wax, is no different. DSO’s beautiful and surprisingly fragile “Mendoza” leads the way, with 7 Citizens calming, alien house groover “Fatum” close behind. Arguably best of all, though, is Other Worlds’ “Coldname ELD”, a sparse and bassy concoction blessed with some brilliant, Head High style pianos. It is, though, all good, with further impressive contributions from the Detroit-included Haku.

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VA – Use Of Weapons 6 [UOW006]

VA – Praterei 006 [PRATEREI006]

Austrian label Praterei kick off 2013 with a various artists EP. Mysterious jack lovers Snuff Crew take the lead with an unsurprisingly old school flavored slice of house. Raw and unpolished, classic hi hats and sturdy kicks set the tone beneath colorful stabs and increasingly wild percussion. 7 Citizens ́s ‘Perse’ is darker and deeper, a nagging hook snakes about menacingly as a starry night sky of melodies reveals itself above. Esteemed Chi Town man Chicago Skyway’s track ‘Shy Girl’ is anything but, instead it’s a gauzy and derelict house track with scattered drum hits caked in dust and grime. Ethyl closes out a dark and delicious EP with a feels-like-you’re-floating, dubby house track.

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VA – Praterei 006 [PRATEREI006]