In 2017, D’Marc Cantu released the critically-acclaimed “The Lodge” LP on Altered Moods, which was the first chapter in a two-part story. The second part is now incoming, in the form of a remix EP of one of the most popular cuts on the album, “S. E. G.” The new record contains both the original track and three remixes created by Larry Heard, Malcolm Moore and Chicago Skyway.
Ron Allen’s label with another worthy re-issue. Strobe gave us that deep, emotive machine-funk that exemplified the early to mid 90’s sound. ‘Concepts Of Higher Dimension’ came out in 1991 remarkably, and it still sounds fresh today, produced by Ron Allen under his Transcendence pseudonym and featuring 3 stellar tracks of bass-heavy warehouse jams. ‘Frenzy’ opens proceedings and with a title like that you’d expect some sort of drum machine beatdown, instead we’re treated to a super smoothed-out deep house cut that oozes blissed out synth pads & pan-pipe like flourishes. A true early hours gem. ‘Luv ‘N’ Happiness (Chapter 1)’ is next, stepping up the energy levels a little and utilising a well known Disco vocal sample to maximum effect. This one’s a definite nod to Chicago but done in Ron Allen’s signature style. Essential. Finishing off the EP is ‘Magique Noir’ a tough, bleeps and bassline monster that sounds like it could have dropped in Sheffield at the tail end of the late 80’s, absolutely monstrous. This jam will test your speakers no end.
For the first release on SAFTX , Lerosa hands out a taster of the labels new series ambitions. Vivrant house music is most definitely the back bone of Playa De La Guancha as a whole. The opening is packed with a strapping rhythm section and a vocal cut that is reminiscent of the Trax Records classic House Nation. Julius Steinhoff (of Smallpeople fame) gives Soul Tracing a modern sounding treatment that completely shifts the feel of the original and turns it into an adventurous piece of contemporary electronics.
The full range of frequencies have been lovingly captured and set for eternity into nice and solid, hand pressed plastic before being bound in gorgeously minimal white paper ”inners”. Adding individual nuance to each and every record, is a stylised image of the visionary York philanthropist, Joseph Rowntree. Details of which tracks are which are lovingly incorporated into this image using a black ink to stand against Mr Rowntree’s brilliance. The hand screened label, uses the latest in dual pizza/kitchen table printing technology™ with a tried and tested lounge floor drying system to ensure any moisture is gone before the vinyl is shipped, so that transport weight can be kept to a minimum and savings passed on to you.
Having previously appeared on Vibraphone with the Isole Del Tramonto 12″ back in 2016, Nick Anthony Simoncino returns to the perennial Italian deep house label with a full album, his fourth following previous turns on Thug, Mathematic and Creme Organization. As you would expect, Mystic Adventures is a masterclass of classic drum machines and synthesisers, loaded with the passion and mystery that Simoncino has always managed to imbue his music with. The highlights are too many to list – if you’re familiar with his other work, then Simoncino has everything you need on this LP. If you’re not already wise, these nine new tracks are a wonderful introduction.
Part 2 of the Eargasmic Acid House comp starts with the smooth “Clear Remedy” by Chicagodeep. It’s followed by “Tres Amigos” from Secret Studio & Chicago Skyway. On the flip, “Melt” is a relentless, dark acid track by newcomers Heuristics. B2 is closing with a drum/acid machine workout by Dcook.
Part 1 of this Eargasmic Acid House comp jumps off with Julio Bishop’s Latin influenced “Acid Drums”. The B-side sees Jamal Moss and Daryl Cura team up on the dirty deep “Confused Transportation” a stomping spaced out acid bit. Isoke follows & captures serene early morning vibes on “Albion Beach”.
Alex Handley (Auto Sound City) and Nigel Rogers (Perseus Traxx) catch up on a regular basis to casually jam out on various machines in a Kippax basement, then edit, twist and re-jam them in a York flat. Housed in a white paper sleeve, this is a fantastic example of beautifully handcrafted Yorkshire electronics, with a distinctively raw and rustic feel. The label, screen printed on a kitchen table, is a reflection of the punk ethic of the duo just doing as they please to please themselves.
Chiwax & Rawax present the first ”Split EP”. For the Chiwax side it will be the Chicago Master Boo Williams and for the Rawax side it’s the amazing Simoncino.
An essential 2 x 12″ overview of some of the legendary Frankie Knuckles TRAX classics. What else needs to be said One of the godfathers of our scene, a true classic himself, Frankie behind the wheels or behind the boards was simply top shelf all the way down the line. A real original whose influence and touch can still be felt today. His releases on TRAX at the time were the hottest things ever and they still resonate on the dancefloor today with equal measure. Featured here are some of the best tracks fusing Frankie’s love of Disco, Euro-pop, Italo and more produced in his initial mid to late 80’s golden period. Cuts like ‘Baby wants to ride’, ‘Bad boy’ and more, featuring the unmistakable vocal talents of the equally legendary Jamie Principle. It’s all here. The perfect starting point for those who have recently discovered the man and his body of work, or equally as stimulating for those who wish to have some classics in their collection. Each track is a classic, each one stands up today and effortlessly rocks the club. Remastered in conjunction with TRAX, repressed from the finest audio sources available.
Sneaker delivering a quartet of insane analog rhythm/drum tracks that will make your wettest dj dreams come true. The Rhythm Composer EP is the culmination of two’s years of painstaking refining. The result? Four pieces on one amazing sounding vinyl cut filled with warm, round bass, harsh snares and crashing cymbals from the Jacob Korn-custom-built RC-808 drum machine.
Jerome Derradji + Still Music present Let’s Dance Records – Mike Macharello & Duane Thamm Jr. Chicago 1983-85. The origin of house music, at least in a commercial sense, is generally associated with young African American producers from Chicago’s South Side, but one of the first Chicago house music labels was started by a young, white, gay DJ from the far west suburbs. The Let’s Dance story will take you back to the beginnings of Mike Macherello and Duane Thamm Jr. when Chicago’s house music was in its infancy. Back then, after starting as young roller disco Dj in the late seventies, Mike Macherello gradually made its way to the best radio station in 1981 – WBMX – and started a movement that still ripples through the city today. Let’s Dance’s founder, Mike Macharello, was a DJ who bridged diverse music scenes, from rock clubs to discos. The Let’s Dance record label helped establish Chicago’s dance music industry between 1983 and 1985, before becoming Play House Records (which will be reissued by Still Music in an upcoming set). Macharello’s pal, DJ Duane Thamm Jr., also from the ‘burbs, became the label’s main producer and one of house music’s most important studio engineers and producers. Mike and Duane went on to release a few legendary singles for Let’s Dance that are still to this day considered to be the earliest House music records coming from Chicago.The 12’ pack includes faithful reissues of Selenia’s ‘Single Girl’, Duane Thamm Jr. ‘Jump Trax’, the insane Knight Action ‘R-Trax/D-Rail’ 12’s along with a 5 tracks 12′ compilation and an accompanying poster insert including rare pictures and artifacts with the story of the label.
Organic Analogue’s time-slipping journey into classic/future-gazing electronics continues with the arrival of Marvis Dee. This new 12″ is in fact the brainchild of Jeremiah R, the Dutch electro maverick. As Marvis Dee he’s been equally busy over the past two years, with a spin on deep Chicago house. On the Alpha EP, Marvis Dee has ample space to explore the boundaries of his sound across six original productions that strike a unique, curious chord even as they display the comforting hallmarks of hardware house music. With jacking 707 drums, punchy basslines, tumbling toms and soaring pads notes with sweet-natured harmonic. This is not house music to spell out how you should be feeling. Orgue Electronique is the perfect match for the woozy tones of Marvis Dee, and so the Dutch mainstay takes to “I Can See It In My Dreams” and delivers a powerful revision to the original production. It’s a respectful approach to the remix tradition that aligns with the overall ethos of the Alpha EP.
La Chinerie’s CDH007 Chienne d’Humanité comes from Metaphore Collectif, Marseille based artist Donarra. A delicate mixture of greased synthesizers, Balearic pads, strong Chicago beats & subtle Detroit Electro.
Fernando seixlack with some chrunchy low-fi analogue tracks on House Crime with some unexpected Chicago inspired beauties inbetween. All recorded live in one or two takes most, using a Roland MC 505 , Roland Aira TR8 , some FX pedals , recorded in cassette on a Tascam 424.
Two killer Marcellus Pittman tracks on a new 12” for his own Unirhythm Records. Deep and wild rhythm workouts in true Pittman fashion.
Four acid-filtered, metal disco killers from the enigmatic Michael Ferragosto, gear to keep that Chicago Muzique shit alive and well. Hear from the horse’s mouth: ‘Man…this is the pure shit… pure house experiments are the only motherfucking thing that sounds real these days on the floor – know what I mean’.
Contemporary producer E. Myers has self released four limited edition white label 12”s since 2015, whilst managing to remain low profile. Whoever they are, we guess they’re huge fans of late 1980s Chicago House, Shep Pettibone, Colourbox and most of our reissues. So much that they asked us to re-release their second 12” ‘Hate / Love’ from 2016 backed with new remix of “Hate” made for Dark Entries. “Love” kicks off the A-side “beats out a wood-cut tattoo of tuff drums rubbed with balloon-squeak synths to sound like Gesloten Cirkel meets Helena Hauff,” said Boomkat. “Hate” is a dreamy house number that ultilzes a Roland TR-707 drum machine with a rounded bassline, horns and strings that lift it into the stratosphere. For the new remix of “Hate” Myers subtly shifts the pace and deepens the groove, stretching out the song to over 7 minutes of dubbed out New Beat phantasia.
