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]

Vincent Floyd – I Dream You [RHRSS015]

Originally released on Dance Mania, ”I Dream You” is an absolute Chicago House classic. It is one of the deepest and most soulful releases the label put out in their early days, and it totally captures Vincent Floyd’s signature sound.

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Vincent Floyd – I Dream You [RHRSS015]

Generation Next – Ender [7DAYSGN1003]

Coming off his last record, ‘Nocturne’, Generation Next shows us that he has no plans in slowing down. Even though his last EP was impressive, ‘Ender’ just shows us how much this producer has evolved.

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Generation Next – Ender [7DAYSGN1003]

Spirit Of The Black 808 – Infroduction [HZ008]

The eight release on Hizou Deep Rooted Music comes from Chicagoan Spirit Of The Black 808. Title-track Infroduction is a shuffling, slo-mo jam laden with atmosphere and groove in the mould of the great Mahogani Music and KDJ, a little more Detroit by design perhaps then, whereas by contrast Electronic Love is downright and unashamedly classic Chicago. Layers of melody and a super-deep groove are stamped all over I FunKd Up, whilst ethereal uptempo tool Rough Joint completes the package.

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Spirit Of The Black 808 – Infroduction [HZ008]

VA – Girl From Venus EP [BBR009]

Benedikt Frey heads this latest offering from the Batti Batti label, teaming up with jonas.san for “Girl From Venus”, which pair the former’s signature raw drums with the latter’s outtakes of muted trumpet. Complementing this, Batti Batti’s own Owen Jay & Melchior Sultana lay down a typically deep atmospheric houser with a few twists and hidden melodies in the shape of title track “Tribal Roots” and the 12″ is further embellished by productions from debutant Lars Behrenroth and Mexican duo Romeo C & Alhan G.

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VA – Girl From Venus EP [BBR009]

VA – Indelible Expressions Part. II [APPIAN008]

After quite a wait Indelible Expression Part II has landed on Appian Sound. Warm early morning Techno from Swedens Evigt Mörker. Two hypnotic shuffling, shimmering live jams from Italian duo Hiver and French duo G-Prod. XDB finishes off with a punchy kick drum based groover. Timeless cuts of varying degrees of intensity to suit all intimate dancefloors.

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VA – Indelible Expressions Part. II [APPIAN008]

Spirit Of The Black 808 – Invasion Of The Black Bass [SOTCSB801]

For the first reference, Sounds of The City welcomes the mysterious Spirit Of The Black 808. Invasion Of The Black Bass it’s warm in every way and infectious. Both tracks share the same chords grid, one could be a re-interpretation of the other. Both are very warm and melodic. Frenzy In Firenze on the other side demonstrates SB8’s skills for groovy tools and more DJ oriented tunes.

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Spirit Of The Black 808 – Invasion Of The Black Bass [SOTCSB801]

Arnaldo – Your Favourite Colour Is Green Yet You Dress In Black [SMALLVILLE042]

Arnaldo drops his first EP for Smallville for three years. This is a wonderfully fluid delight, with all three tracks offering a near perfect balance of lolloping grooves, glassy-eyed melodies and eyes-shut chords. A-side “Moving On” sets the tone, layering dreamy pads and cascading melodies atop a shuffling groove. He gets a little more forthright on the cymbal-heavy deep house pump of “Never Used To Be Better”, before calming things down with the heavenly throb, woozy spoken vocal samples and cyclical melodies of “Million Mile Love”.

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Arnaldo – Your Favourite Colour Is Green Yet You Dress In Black [SMALLVILLE042]

Move D / Benjamin Brunn – East to West [WAKEUP005]

East to West is about horizons. Facing the sea, east or west, at dusk or dawn, it never appears the same. We talk about well known territory, the world of Move D and Benjamin Brunn. Following a number of collaborations, now for the first time the two present individual works on one record, back to back.

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Move D / Benjamin Brunn – East to West [WAKEUP005]

Cem Orlow – Momentum Island [SPMB008]

CEM enters the Soul People Music universe with deep experimental vibrations that conjures imagery in the imagination. His genuine approach to other music make this EP very special. It is a true find for those who are not as others.

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Cem Orlow – Momentum Island [SPMB008]

John Shima – Prototype EP [BOE027]

John Shima is making waves with his fresh approach to that classic Detroit sound. His contribution for Boe is nothing short of a stunning representation of underground electronic music. ‘Prototype’ is a sonic ode to industry: blueprinted in the motor city and forged in Sheffield. It’s heads down for the dance floor with shimmering metallic overtones and a side order of robot jack.

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John Shima – Prototype EP [BOE027]

Trevor Deep JR – TDJ LP [HPTY004]

The mystery man from Finland is dropping a shit hot album after a couple off critically acclaimed 12”s. Moving in the deep waters of timeless quality house and techno this album showcases the fine taste and production skills of Trevor Deep JR. Seven tracks ranging from cuddly and inviting, with undulating basslines and serene strings to darker, more meaning and atmospheric such as on ‘Kreuzberg.’ There is also airy, spacious stuff with distant piano motifs, fat bottomed acid house, timeless dub and freeform jazz cuts with big trumpets, walking basslines and lush percussive patterns. Closing out on a tender vocal number from legendary Detroit producer vocalist Niko Marks, with inviting Motor City broken soul.

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Trevor Deep JR – TDJ LP [HPTY004]

Tominori Hosoya – Recollections EP [DAS010]

Tominori Hosoya is back with a brand spanking new-four-tracker for the Swiss Boutique Label deepArtSounds. The four tracks are splendid produced and every sound and chord was crafted with care and precision. Pure and warm deep House music as it should be.

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Tominori Hosoya – Recollections EP [DAS010]