Da Posse feat. Martell – The Other Side [ILR001V]

Originally released in 1988 on the compilation Acid Tracks Vol. 3 via Needle Records, ”The Other Side” has long been recognised as a potent example of early Chicago acid house. Now, more than three decades later, the track receives its first official 12” release – and, crucially, its first release with the original artists correctly credited. While historically attributed to Maurice Joshua, ”The Other Side” was in fact produced by Da Posse (Hula Mahone), with vocals by Martell. The release is issued by Island Life Records, a Bali-based label. The release is accompanied by a set of new remixes that respectfully extend the track’s legacy into the present day. Remix duties come from Island Life Records founder Garry Todd under his Clouds Of Kouros alias, Johnny Aux (one half of Paranoid London), and Age Of Hyperion each offering a distinct contemporary interpretation while retaining the spirit and tension of the original recording.

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Da Posse feat. Martell – The Other Side [ILR001V]

K. Alexi – Warehouse Trax [DE-331]

Chicago legend K. Alexi returns to Dark Entries with Warehouse Trax, an EP of previously unreleased acid and house mayhem. K’Alexi Shelby’s illustrious career has included releases on legendary labels such as Trax, DJ International, and Transmat, as well as collaborations with high-profile artists like Marshall Jefferson and Pet Shop Boys. But his musical journey began at the young age of 12, when he befriended Ron Hardy and Frankie Knuckles while frequenting the Music Box and Warehouse. Dark Entries previously reissued Shelby’s debut record, Essence of a Dream, which was recorded under the name Risque III in 1987. Warehouse Trax follows with six tracks recorded in Chicago between 1991 and 1994. The material here has all the hallmarks of classic K’Alexi. Salsa-inflected rhythms, emotive basslines, and hip-house vibes are displayed on tracks like the high-octane “Jungle Line” or the low-key tearjerker “Protect and Survive.” There are also some unexpected surprises in store. “Aaaah” comes out of the gate swinging with hard-hitting beats and apocalyptic ravey vocal pads evocative of the edgier material on Saber Records or Djax Up Beats, and the surprisingly contemporary-sounding “Klub Dred” delivers half-time dub with stuttering vocal samples.

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K. Alexi – Warehouse Trax [DE-331]

K.A. Posse – Strikes Again [DE-336]

Chicago legend K. Alexi returns to Dark Entries with K.A. Posse’s Strikes Again, an EP of preleased unreleased acid and house mayhem. K’Alexi Shelby’s illustrious career has included releases on legendary labels such as Trax, DJ International, and Transmat, as well as collaborations with high-profile artists like Marshall Jefferson and Pet Shop Boys. But his musical journey began at the young age of 12, when he befriended Ron Hardy and Frankie Knuckles while frequenting the Music Box and Warehouse. Dark Entries previously reissued Shelby’s debut record, Essence of a Dream, which was recorded under the name Risque III in 1987. Strikes Again brings us six tracks recorded in Chicago between 1988 and 1990, which come courtesy of Mike Dunn’s personal archive. This record showcases the rawer, more immediate side of Shelby’s sound, with tracks full of overdriven 808’s, careening sirens, and dangerously funky breakbeats. “Imported Taste” brings Shelby’s signature deep pads to the front of wild congo-laced percussion. “Suckas Be Ready” is a slamming hip-house cut featuring vocals from MCD-TA, while disco-samples duel with crunchy 909s on the jacking “Muzic Box.” Strikes Back showcases the real underground sound of Chicago, where sonic abstraction meets full-body kinetics.

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K.A. Posse – Strikes Again [DE-336]

K. Hand – Acid Nation [WV9007]

‘Acid Nation, is one of the defining releases from US techno and house icon K. Hand (Kelli Hand). First pressed in 1995 on Loriz Sound in collaboration with Acacia Records, the record captures the raw energy and forward-thinking spirit of the American underground scene of the era. Driven by gritty acid lines, powerful rhythms, and a fearless, machine-driven groove, ‘Acid Nation’ showcases the full depth of K. Hand’s talent as a DJ and producer. Now seeing the light again on the Time To Impact imprint, the record returns in a remastered version, bringing its timeless acid power back to contemporary dancefloors.

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K. Hand – Acid Nation [WV9007]

Robert Bergman – 9 Lives Of The Cat [B19]

Robert Bergman fires up his hardware for a run of super-salty proto-house and techno workouts. ‘9 Lives Of The Cat – Lives 1-5’ crackles with raw jakbeat energy as his machines are pushed into the red and grooves locked tight. ‘Life 1’ bites with a nagging, bittersweet melody over chattering drums, while ‘Life 2’ spirals into demented Italo-industrial arpeggios. ‘Life 3’ drenches the floor in corrosive acid swill, and by ‘Life 5’ Bergman is deep in wire-fried hypnosis. Tripped-out and uncompromising. Taking cues from Chicago and the Westcoast (NL).

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Robert Bergman – 9 Lives Of The Cat [B19]

Stefan Braatz – Planet 2 Planet EP [NG171]

Founded in 1988 by Frank and Karen Mendez as a vehicle for The Burrell Brother’s prolific creative output, the legendary NYC label Nu Groove was relaunched in 2021, reinstating its cult status and quickly becoming a home for genre pioneers. Today its eclectic catalogue continues to grow with label returnee Stefan Braatz delivering his ‘Planet 2 Planet EP’, a four-track vinyl release showcasing this Berlin underground authority’s deeply synthetic club sound and timeless influences, including a collaboration with Virgo Four on the title track.

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Stefan Braatz – Planet 2 Planet EP [NG171]

DJ Hell – Neoclash LP [GIGOLO367]

‘Neoclash’ is DJ Hell’s new work. The Electroclash of the early 2000s is reconstructed here, its characteristic codes extracted and reshaped into a modern, reflective form. Neoclash is a cultural experiment – music as a medium of reflection, a structure for space and time, and a vehicle for exploring the tensions between technology, the body, and perception. Electroclash now – or a manifesto for the aesthetic relevance of electronic club music, combining strong old-school references with a new understanding. DJ Hell, a.k.a. Helmut Josef Geier, delivers a contemporary reinterpretation of the Electroclash genre. International Deejay Gigolo Records was the pulse of the movement 25 years ago – and Hell, its very namesake. Godfather of Electroclash reloaded. 25 years and many milestones later, DJ Hell returns to his roots with Neoclash, proving that Electroclash in 2025 can sound not nostalgic, but forward-thinking and visionary. Neoclash builds a bridge between past and present within electronic dance culture and club music.

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DJ Hell – Neoclash LP [GIGOLO367]

VA – Acid Sampler Part Two [RBACIDEP2]

The saga of squelch continues. After the first round proved that the acid line might be the most durable cliché in dance music (and still the best one), part two turns the resonance knob a little further. Steve Bug & Stefan Braatz, Deetron, Todd Osborn, and Mathew Jonson with The Mole join forces for another ode to the silver box – less museum piece, more perpetual motion machine. Proof that you can’t retire a sound that never had a desk job.

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VA – Acid Sampler Part Two [RBACIDEP2]

Factory Preset – Swingchronize Me: Selected Tracks [TET006S]

Australian artist Factory Preset dropped a killer album, Swingchronize Me, back in 2022 and it was an ode to the DIY acid wave scene of 90s Sydney DIY made using a ‘swingchronizer,’ aka a homemade box that ”bypassed the temporal rigidity of other units allowing the freedom to create consistent swing effects.” Now, four of the cuts get reworked into deep, groove-driven and masterfully well swung sounds that are fluid, loopy and could unfold endlessly without ever growing stale. Some are slow and predatory, others are more light and colourful, all of them perfect for dropping into long-form sets where both body and mind get locked in.

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Factory Preset – Swingchronize Me: Selected Tracks [TET006S]

Andy Ash – Silent Planet EP [QUINTESSE97]

Andy Ash is a long time contributor to the sound of Quintessentials. The Liverpudlian shows superb diversity on his new EP called „Silent Planet“. The opener, „Patch 2“ is a stripped down masterpiece of Dub Techno and a perfect club tool. „Hross“ can be called Acid House, and you know we love that. The B-side shows more of a relaxed vibe with the beautiful string-laded „Franco alley“ and the smooth low BPM track „Yellow“. This silent planet has something to say and shows great variety of styles and Andy’s skills as a producer.

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Andy Ash – Silent Planet EP [QUINTESSE97]

Paranoid London – Talk Dirty / Revolution [NG168]

Paranoid London land on cult NYC label Nu Groove with ”Talk Dirty / Revolution”. Known for their dynamic, hybrid sets combining experimental DJing with live electronics, Paranoid London are a firm favourite of heads in the know thanks to their impeccable, eclectic taste that honours house’s underground roots.

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Paranoid London – Talk Dirty / Revolution [NG168]

Giorgio Spinetti – Continuum Mechanics EP [PLONC001]

PLONC Hits! 001 peaks like the Fichtelberg in the Harz mountains in Germany. A1 is every smiley face’s fantasy, bass-loaded acid with a majestic bump, followed by the most classic Chicago old-skool. B-side takes a quick detour into the ‘90s with the first track, only to return to a laid back acid groove that ultimately kicks you into low earth orbit.

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Giorgio Spinetti – Continuum Mechanics EP [PLONC001]

Beraber – Gentle Actions [UI010]

Beraber returns to United Identities with Gentle Actions, setting the tone for long summer evenings and sun-soaked days. The Amsterdam based producer and DJ organically blends Chicago’s classically-schooled keys and machine backdrops with subtle, atmospheric textures. 6-track house finesse topped off with a killer remix by Brazilian artist Zopelar.

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Beraber – Gentle Actions [UI010]