Detroit deep house don Rick Wade back in full force with four cuts of pure groove, lush vibes, and soulful grit on Phonogramme.
Rick Wade – Dusk Runner [PHONOGRAMME62]
detroit house
Delano Smith – It’s Not Over [MM17]
Chicago born, Detroit-raised Delano Smith is one of the foundational artists of the contemporary house scenes. In 2023, he revealed he was suffering with a rare form of cancer but as this new EP title suggests, he is still here and still crafting high-grade sounds. ‘When I Was Young’ kicks off with his signature smoky drum loops and train travel sense of hypnosis. ‘The Rush’ is another heads down jam, this time marbled with eerie pads and wet clicks and claps that oil the groove while ‘Rewired’ shuts down with real late night delicacy and evocative minimalism.
Andy Vaz ft Black M1D1 – The New Germans EP [PHONOGRAMME58]
Andy Vaz delivers The New Germans EP, a deep house heavyweight straight from Deutztroit Studios in Cologne. Tracks like ‘2 Brown Skinned Brothers’ and ‘Hometown CGN’ bring a raw, soulful vibe that hits different. This is underground fire for those who know what’s real.
VA – Blueprint [MUJA202503]
Demuja unveils ”Blueprint”, the first release on his label MUJA to feature collaborations with other artists, both familiar and fresh faces in town, Kylle Hall, Gonno, Retromigration, Makez, Basic Soul Unit and Hubie Davison. While it offers a variety of sounds, it stays true to its core, remaining focused on deep and underground house music.
Theo Parrish – Orange Barrel Action [SS103]
The Sound Signature boss remains in a class of one and continually finds new ground to explore in the studio, often taking a freeform jazz mindset to roughed-up house and techno that blends the mechanical with the soulful in otherworldly, hypotonic fashion. ‘Orange Barrel Action (Yellow Flashing Light mix)’ is very much in that mould with lumpy drums detuned and off-grid keys and hissing hi-hats all coalescing into something seductive and subversive. ‘Pianamonn’ is a deep house foundation topped with weird and wonky keys in inimitable Theo Parrish style.
VA – Various Shades Vol. 1 [FD-010]
Forbidden Dance Records presents its 10th vinyl release: “Various Shades Vol. 1” – a milestone that encapsulates the label’s commitment to diverse and innovative dance music. This V.A. EP features a carefully curated lineup of artists, blending renowned names with emerging talents: Patrice Scott, Aleqs Notal, XDB and Gary Superfly. The release offers a genre-spanning journey, with each track contributing to a rich and colorful exploration of sound that defines the label’s ethos.
Marcellus Pittman – Bumpin Squwow??? [UNI1009]
Marcellus Pittmann’s deep and unique house cuts are on his Unirhythm label. Faze out reminds us of those classic early Unirhythms with the robotic rhythms.
Omar S – Something Real [FXHE-AOS891]
Omar S, the FXHE label boss, wastes no time in dropping heat this New Year as he once again hooks up with vocalist Desire for this latest house gem. Up first is ‘Something Real’, in the classic Omar S mould of laying down a deep, heartfelt drum line and then topping it with a mad emotive vocal hook that is filled with r&b goodness and joined by the most subtle cosmic chord motifs. ‘Hard Leaf Rag’ follows next, so raw it will make your ears tickle with its busted drums and serrated stabs. Then flip it over for ‘Conant Leaf Rag’, which pairs warbling synth sounds with dusty hi-hats and tight kicks for a nice, full mind and body workout.
Patrice Scott – Solitude [SIS033]
‘Solitude’ is a perfectly apt title for anything Sistrum label head Patrice Scott does. The US deep house master makes such introverted and introspective sounds that they have you utterly transfixed in the moment, locked into thought and gazing on at his gorgeous synth designs which are cosmic, meaningful and jazzy. The title track here does all that and more with some deft vocals laced in and gentle tambourine sounds. ‘Inoffensive Dance’ is another meditation of deepness with loose drums and lovely melodies all soothing mind, body and soul.
Byron The Aquarius – Dey Know Vol. 2 [PHONOGRAMME54]
The second volume of Byron The Aquarius’ Dey Know on Phonogramme. Four serious grooves on a green coloured vinyl.
Alton Miller – Afrika Alright EP [MB005]
The deep house maestro Alton Miller turns out supremely designed sounds as this one on Mister Bear evidences. ‘Afrika Alright’ opens with smoky, soulful vocals and lovely flute melodies next to wispy synth explorations, ‘Dub Afrika’ pads it out with some extra pillowy low ends, then ‘Hang On’ brings some bright xylophone melodies and jumbled percussion to a more Afro tinged house shuffler. Last of all is ‘Super Hero’ with its whimsical synth leads and interesting sound designs adding rich detail to a dusty deep house groove.
Kyle Hall – Crimson Clouds [APNEA113]
Detroit’s stalwart Kyle Hall is back on Apnea Records with “Crimson Clouds,” his second release for the label following the acclaimed “Cosmic Touch.” This acid-infused record is a tribute to Detroit’s electronic legacy, drawing inspiration from the 90s sound of labels like Matrix and Underground Resistance, all while injecting Hall’s unmistakable modern flair. Tracks like “Acid Tea” showcase Hall’s acid-driven approach, delivering a dancefloor twister that’s pure bliss. Meanwhile, “Nimbus” stands out with its syncopated rhythms and soulful synth lines, and “Told Them Before” brings raw, head-spinning techno energy to the forefront. With “Crimson Clouds,” Kyle Hall delivers another essential record that bridges classic Detroit sounds with his unique modern twist.
Black Eyes – Hydro-Trip Vol. 2 [LC2097-005]
Lost Control 2097 present the follow up to last years debut Hydro-Trip Vol. 1 EP from Berlin based producer Black Eyes. Hydro-Trip Vol. 2 is a mixture of warm rugged soulful house drawing inspirations from the oceans wildly flowing life. A combination of subterranean chord rawness, crunchy drum workouts, sleazy basement vox and a very dope remix from Detroit myth-like producer ‘Walt J’ round off an EP constructed for the real deep house katz. As per usual, scuba gear is heavily encouraged.
RekaB – Random Fragments EP [YRE-054]
ReKaB drops a strong four-track EP, rooted firmly in the Detroit sound with a nod to the soulful techno styles that shaped the UK underground in the 90s. This is his second EP for Cologne’s YORE Records. The production, as always, is spot on—sharp, detailed, and endlessly listenable. While the tracks carry the weight of tradition, they’re not stuck in it. There’s a fresh, forward-facing energy here that keeps things exciting.
Theo Parrish – Traffic Jams [SS102]
Detroit innovator and singular soundsmith Theo Parrish returns with a new EP which we’re told is his response to “stagnation and nonmovement” either physiologically, mentally or physically. ‘Positive Mental Attitude Solves All’ is up first and is a tribute to the late great funk-father Amp Fiddler. It’s a typically deep cut with dusty drums and irregular, scruffy percussive lines layered in next to diffuse synth warmth and soulful melodies. ‘Traffic Jams’ plays with similar signature themes and is sure to loosen up mind, body and soul. Another standout bit of work from the venerable Motor City man.
Omar S – O Maarr [AOS893]
Detroit house maverick and FXHE boss man Omar S is back with a new EP named seemingly in honour of himself. And why not? Few house producers can touch him even 20-plus years into his career. The title cut ‘O Maarr’ is dry, paired back but immediately catchy with a loved-up vocal loop and knackered kicks that bump along nicely. The second track ‘Glass’ is for lovers of lo-fi sounds of the sort that this man has made his signature. Searching synths circle the dusty analogue drums and coarse claps add some raw texture. ‘Bug Off’ is another archetypal Omar S cut – pensive chords that are whimsical and inwardly reflective over chunky beats and bass with brighter chords bursting out of the mix to bring a hint of optimism.
Rick Wade – Detroit Noir EP [RMCE025]
Rawax welcomes back Mr. Rick Wade on the 25th Rawax Motor City Edition. It’s the 4th release form Rick Wade on this series, which is dedicated to the Love for Detroit Music.
Andrés – GT Flips 313-006 [GTFLIPS313-006]
DJ Dez Andres drops new heat on his label GT Flips. The man is a beat-making machine, extraordinary DJ and avid record collector who distils all that house and hip-hop knowledge into his always stylish cuts. ‘No 1’ opens up this latest jam on GT Flips and has a boogie-fried lead synth line, deep drums and chopped vocals that amp up the party but also have plenty of heart to them. ‘Doobie’ is the flipside offering and it finds Andres sampling another 80s soul classic and reworking it over some of his textbook and textured drums that perfectly straddle the house and hip-hop divide.
Orlando Voorn – Power Of Beauty [CONTRA-011]
Deeptrax Records and Contrafact continue their mission to deliver high-quality, groundbreaking electronic music with the release of seminal Dutch electronic producer Orlando Voorn’s ‘Power Of Beauty EP’. This new deep house masterpiece features four original tracks and a remix from the mighty DJ QU.
Body Mechanic – Electrosoul LP [DTR002/DTR003]
Body Mechanic has been turning out definitive Motor City techno on solid labels like Cryovac, and GASS for several years. This time out he lands-on Detroit Techno and serves up, well, some electro. It’s classic 313 tackle though – heavy on the kicks, snappy snares and filthy dirty basslines that make you want to move. Ghoulish vocals add extra grit to the opener and from there ‘Dance’ gets more playful with jittery drum funk and scratching, ‘Beautiful Bum’ has a gorgeously tender and reflective vibe thanks to the minor chords and smooth electro rhythms, ‘Magic (feat Tay) ‘ slips into a deep and soulful house groove and ‘Househead’ is jacked up, loopy and well swung amongst several more timeless cuts.
The Hipodrome Of Music 