Rick Wade – Storng Arm [RYMD002]

WADE, Rick - Strong Arm EP

Detroit legend Rick Wade is back with a nice new EP on Rymd. First up “Strong Arm” is the kind of real proper deep house that is often imitated but hardly matched. From the unmistakable knack of its groove to its swirling and mesmerising Rhodes in the foreground. “Funkopolis” gets deeper and as the name suggests has a totally killer bassline and just generally awesome soul goodness going on. Proper Detroit style representing here. Italians Deep 88 and Emotion (Ignacio) turn in some surprisingly good remixes on the flip that do their job well by not deviating too much from the originals and reworking the grooves into decent alternate versions.

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Rick Wade – Storng Arm [RYMD002]

Moomin – Fuck Reality 02 [FR002]

The second release on the Fuck Reality label comes from Smallville regular Moomin, aka German producer Sebastian Genz. While flipsides “Room 207” and “Right On” are as deep, woozy, starry and twinkling as you’d expect from the long-established deep house producer, it’s A-side “You Are Sweet Sweet” that will undoubtedly attract most attention. It’s effectively an unofficial remix of Candi Staton’s dancefloor anthem “You Got The Love”, with the legendary vocalist’s iconic vocal riding a chunky, organic deep house cut big on rolling, disco-influenced percussion, chiming melodies and rich chords.

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Moomin – Fuck Reality 02 [FR002]

Brian Harden – The Essence Of Chicago [PERP005]

The Chicago based Perpetual Rhythms label welcomes long time Chicago artist Brian Harden for the its 5th release. This EP offers 3 solid tracks, including a remix by Dj Quad; all of which represent the many facettes of Chicago House & Techno…Deep, Soulful, & Banging.

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Brian Harden – The Essence Of Chicago [PERP005]

DJ Jus Ed / Mr. G – Goatee EP [UQ061]

For the latest outing on his prolific Underground Quality label, deep house veteran Jus Ed is joined by veteran UK techno maestro Mr G. Each producer delivers two tracks in their trademark styles. Unsurprisingly Mr G’s tracks are tough, stripped-back, atmospheric and heavy, with the hypnotic spookiness of “Freakshow” just edging out the bumpin’ beats, weighty bass and minor key chords of “Billares Londres The Rum”. In contrast, there’s an inherent tunefulness about Jus Ed’s two analogue deep house jams. Choose between the subtle steel drum melodies, sinewy synth-strings and Balearic house grooves of “GoTee Stroke”, and the ultra-deep dub house flex of “Heaven Sent”.

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DJ Jus Ed / Mr. G – Goatee EP [UQ061]

Ike Release – Dance Equations EP [SMRT001]

Chicago institution Smart Bar launched a new record label with curators The Black Madonna and Argot/Tasteful Nudes boss Steve Mizek, naming it Northside ’82 after the neighborhood and year the club was founded in. The inaugural release comes from Resident Smart Bar DJ Ike Release who sources inspiration from early Midwestern house music for his Dance Equations EP.

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Ike Release – Dance Equations EP [SMRT001]

Hidden Spheres – Waiting For A Minute [HAWAII001]

Super not-secret summer business from the Lobster family. Four luscious, beach-coasting, jet-skiing tracks inspired by the soul of Detroit via Manchester producer Hidden Spheres. Vocal tracks that undulate with ‘mmm’s and ‘uuuh’s for the real deal summer feel. Sweeping Rhode lines, organic percussion to make the thumbs raw and those deep, woofing basses that just keep on giving. Hidden Spheres going for the jugular.

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Hidden Spheres – Waiting For A Minute [HAWAII001]

Ron Obvious – Group Mind [LBP003]

L.B. Produce return for their third release. Ron Obvious takes the helm this time round and delivers four sweltering, club ready house tracks. Deep, pounding bass pulled straight from the D, transient machine percussion, emotive pad work and some choice vocal snippets.

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Ron Obvious – Group Mind [LBP003]

STL – Simply Positive [SMALLVILLE043]

STL - Simply Positive

Stephan ‘STL’ Laubner’s new release on Smallville Records features two deep house tracks.Opener “Heaven’s Vape” (we chuckled, at least) peppering a rubbery, low-end groove with tuneful synthesizers and glistening electronics. There’s a similar love-of-life demonstrated on flipside “Joy Operator”, with winding synth motifs, lazy synth-strings and tumbling electronics draped over a notably bullish, forthright groove. Both tracks are typical of Smallville’s output, but rather less obtuse than Laubner’s usual fare.

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STL – Simply Positive [SMALLVILLE043]

Tambien – Ondule [KITJEN002]

The second Kitjen 12″ released come from Tambien. The trio’s particular take on house – left-of-centre, but deliciously warm and inviting – comes to the fore on “Ondule”. The track is hard to pin down, with dreamy Balearic electronics and rich organ chords rising and falling over a twisting, skittish drum machine rhythm. Kornel Kovacs delivers the flipside remix, utilizing the Munich outfit’s wonderful chords and melodies whilst attaching his own throbbing, Italo-influenced deep house groove.

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Tambien – Ondule [KITJEN002]

Hunee – Hunch Music [RHM016]

Hunee aka Hun Choi presents his debut album “Hunch Music”. “Hunch Music” is the striking assembly of the artist’s versatile inspirations and productional talent. It is a rich musical journey that latches onto you and doesn’t let go easily. “Hunch Music” is rather special: it is a cinematic journey from the beginning to the end, with scenes we haven’t encountered before. It starts with “Woods” as the perfect introduction – a moody, mystic night haze that quickly changes into a warm and soothing whole. Following with “Crossroads”, the mystery transcends into something that moves us to the dance floor, and we’re not sure whether we want to keep moving or we just want to listen. “Hunch Music” has a nocturnal aura, an organic groove, and moments of glorious acid. It takes us up and throws us down, gently, while subjecting us to many cinematic and musical elements. For an artist who is also an avid vinyl collector, it might be difficult to ensure that his numerous inspirations do not distract from his artistic signature. Hunee’s production work is as colorful as his character, displaying a broad spectrum of his inspirations that manifest themselves in a surprising and seductive artistic entity.

rushhour / juno

Hunee – Hunch Music [RHM016]

The True Underground Sound of Rome – The Bermuda Triangle (1992 – 2005) [VIBR001]

TRUE UNDERGROUND SOUND OF ROME, The - The Bermuda Triangle (1992-2015)

Despite only a few releases, the Electronic deep house sound of Vibraphone Records and the production team behind it had a major impact on the international 1990’s dance scene. The original 90’s vinyl are now considered precious collectors items. Revitalized by an increasingly new young audience interest this label has reached a cult status and it is now been re-launched via Juno Records. Produced by The True Underground Sound of Rome team all the tracks included in this re-released are characterized by a heavenly atmosphere and a cinematic sound. This 2 X 12″ EP contains the analog re-mastered version of the original 6 tracks first released in 1992 plus 2 new bonus tracks.

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The True Underground Sound of Rome – The Bermuda Triangle (1992 – 2005) [VIBR001]

VA – Freebeat 04 [FREEBEAT004]

The enigmatic Freebeat label drops the fourth release as a collaborative effort from four deep house heavyweights. Leonid aka Paul Smith comes through with the mighty “Can’t Stop” on the A-side, a full-bodied cut with plenty of synth magic, followed by Miltiades and the slow-burning sway of “Xnn”. On the flipside, there’s a sweet and soulful house cut from DaRand Land in the form of “In Earnest”, and two pieces of off-the-wall mentalism from Jose Rico, one of which takes a totally beatless approach.

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VA – Freebeat 04 [FREEBEAT004]

Napoleon Cherry – When You Had The Chance [PPU068]

N.C.M. is the independent production company/label Napoleon Cherry has been working under since the late 80s with releases as Cool Waters and Station To Station. ”When You Had The Chance” is from an unreleased slo-jam session from a few years back.

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Napoleon Cherry – When You Had The Chance [PPU068]

VA – Rotate Freely [AMR035R]

Californian label Altered Moods Recordings returns in triumphant fashion with one more split 12″. Inspired by the Freerotation festival, label boss Malcolm Moore has called on artists who have either played or attended the cultish Welsh gathering for this Rotate Freely 12″. Along with Moore, Natan H, Chicago Skyway and Mick Welch all contribute.

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VA – Rotate Freely [AMR035R]

Borrowed Identity – XXX [CCS098]

Circus Company welcomes a new character into the fold in the form of fast-rising artist Borrowed Identity. Across the four tracks on the XXX EP, the perfect balance is struck between powerful rhythmic commands and psychoactive decoration, combining everything needed for a memorable club cut.

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Borrowed Identity – XXX [CCS098]

VA – Halal Prepared Vol. 4 [BOE028]

The revered Halal Prepared series on boe extends to its fourth volume with four new acts fresh to the label. Hotly tipped duo, Invisible Menders, made up of outstanding DJ Jane Fitz and thus far underrated producer Dom Ahtuam contribute a stunning Balearic bass-heavy house cut “Fifth Time Lucky”. Fresh from his solo EP, John Shima slots in a deep techno workout “Thought Wave”. Toby Tobias of Rekids fame pumps out some raw basement lofi vibes with his jacker “Sword Art Arcade” and rounding off the EP on a delicate note is Tim Smith’s soft and melodic 707 jam “Graphene”.

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VA – Halal Prepared Vol. 4 [BOE028]

O.B. Ignitt & Omar-S – The 90s Evolution Of What it Was [OBONIT003]

Some three years on from their last collaborative outing – the Wayne County Hill Cops (Part 2) 12″ on FXHE – Detroit producers O.B Ignitt and Omar-S join forces for another trip into Motor City deep house territory. They wisely explore different moods and approaches throughout, starting with the fluid, dreamy hypnotism of “Seem Like You’re All Ready” – an exercise in luscious loops and dusty drum machine grooves. There’s a lovely early ’90s bounce to the evocative synth bass, classic riffs and cut-up vocal snippets of “Follow Me”, while closer “Hold The Line” owes much of its’ instinctive power to a deliciously rubbery acid bassline and vintage US garage drums.

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O.B. Ignitt & Omar-S – The 90s Evolution Of What it Was [OBONIT003]

Simple Machines – An Introduction To Simple Machines EP [MND031]

Chicago based producers Chicago Skyway, Taelue, & Chicagodeep come together to form the group “Simple Machines”. Their debut release offers a peek into the group’s world of sound, offering elements of deep and experimental house & techno.

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Simple Machines – An Introduction To Simple Machines EP [MND031]

2000Black – Make It Hard [RHM015]

Dego, Akwasi Mensah and Kaidi Tatham’s 2000 Black project is back with three timeless pieces that blend the group’s love for soulful futuristic beats and organic instrumentation beautifully. Firing on many levels and sure to tear up a floor or two this summer. To most headz, the producers behind 2000black need no real introduction. Initially inspired by breakbeat, house and techno, 4heros Dego has been constantly moving since the early nineties, enriching the drum & bass, soul and London boogie scene in his own unique way.

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2000Black – Make It Hard [RHM015]