house
Julio J – Rhythm Vault 1 [SFR006]
Julio J, aka Californian-born Julian Smith, resurfaces with ‘Rhythm Vault I’ on his SFR imprint, showcasing his ability to evolve through multiple aliases. Known initially as Don Froth and later as Jane In Palma, this EP marks a return to form with a modern, tightly wound house sound. The four tracks offer a blend of broken beat and UKG influences, while inventive percussion and razor-sharp production give each track a distinct, spacious feel. The echo-heavy dubs feel built for the dancefloor, with cavernous reverberations creating a dynamite soundscape perfect for peak-time sets.
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.
Mark Grusane ft. Saucy Lady – Take Me [DM12001]
Chicago underground legend Mark Grusane presents ”Take Me” on his own Disctechno imprint, a proper 12” single featuring vocals from DJ Saucy Lady, the Beantown Disco Queen. The lead single uses a driving bassline, infectious synth fills and filtered arps and pads to build up an electrified disco heater with sweat-soaked NRG. Saucy Lady’s seductive, dubbed out vocals bounce off the walls with a repeating mantra of ”just take me” and spoken words from a creature of the night, backed by her harmonizing ooh’s and aah’s. This combination sounds something like Bobby O locked in a Chicago basement during a heatwave with nothing but a fog machine and broken A/C for company. On the B-Side, disco wizard Rahaan reworks the lead single with a ”Psychedelic Dub” that layers the sounds of machine funk synth sweeps and disorienting tweaks for a mesmerizing take on the lead single. On either side of the record are also the Dub Instrumental and Accappella versions – versatile tools for freaking out any dancefloor.
Mystic Freaks – Blast Off [FRPP030]
Three groove heavyweights unite on this new Frappe release. Jamie 326, Young Pulse and Danou P are the Mystic Freaks, taking us on a cosmic Disco House flight. These 3 tracks are sweaty, made for dancing numbers. They are sexy, dirty and relentless, dripping with funk and disco influences. The very essence of House Music. You’ll hear disco drums, over housy drum machines, eiry sound effects surrounding groovy keybords and vocals franctically whispering at the dancer’s ears.
GǼG – Jack EP [SOV022]
GAEG is the production pair of Tokyo’s Monkey Timers and Okayama’s Keita Sano and now they present a heavyweight release on Sound of Vast. The EP opens with ‘Jack’ with its powerful bassline, sharp synths and ACID voices from Ron Hardy’s Jackmaster Hater tapes. ‘Yamato’ follows with percussion inspired by Curt Cress’ 80s jazz-rock drumming, while ‘Central’ reimagines The S.O.S. Band’s funky bassline with roaring guitars and cosmic synths. Blending disco, krautrock and Chicago house influences, the EP showcases Monkey Timers’ club music expertise alongside Keita Sano’s experimental, leftfield production style.
DJ Steaw – Holding On [PHONOGRAMME52]
Phonogramme brings back a pivotal moment in its history with a fresh repress of DJ Steaw’s ‘Holding On’. Originally released in 2012, the track marked both the label’s debut and DJ Steaw’s emergence as a serious producer. Fast forward to today, and the record has been revived with an added twist: a remix by none other than Ron Trent. Trent’s take manages to build on the original’s deep house foundations, injecting it with his signature Chicago warmth and effortless groove. Alongside this standout remix, Steaw contributes two more tracks that capture his enduring talent for crafting timeless house music. It’s a testament to both DJ Steaw’s vision and Phonogramme’s place within the scene that ‘Holding On’ remains as compelling today as it did when it first dropped.
Taelue – Dark Worlds EP [PHONOGRAMME51]
Phonogramme Records announce the upcoming release of Taelue’s highly anticipated EP, “Dark Worlds”. This exclusive, limited edition marbled vinyl EP is a five-track masterpiece that showcases Taelue’s exceptional talent and deep connection to the roots of house music, offering listeners a journey through rich, immersive soundscapes and infectious rhythms. “Dark Worlds” is a masterful collection that highlights Taelue’s signature style, blending deep house grooves with soulful undertones. Each track on the EP stands as a testament to his skillful production and unique artistic vision. Among the standout tracks is a stunning remix by the renowned artist Abacus, adding a fresh and dynamic layer to the EP.
VA – Various Vol.1 [PHONOGRAMME50]
Paris-based record label Phonogramme proudly announces its milestone 50th release, a spectacular Various EP featuring 4 exclusive and unreleased tracks from legendary artists Abacus, Fred P, Byron The Aquarius, and Felipe Gordon.
Zopelar – Astral Dynamics [ROYAL057]
Zopelar makes his debut on the Clone Royal Oak series with a 4 track EP, delivering some of his unique blend of house grooves firmly rooted in the 90’s Chicago, New York and Detroit house traditions. Pedro Zopelar is a musical wizard from Sao Paulo and is twisting the classic sounds and production methods into a fresh sonic Brazilian Caipirinha cocktail.
Stefan Ringer – Echo Chamber EP [FWM008]
Stefan Ringer returns with a new EP which us designed for “dancing in the dark.” It comes on FWM Entertainment on a nice hand-stamped 12″ that opens up with ‘Hypnosis’ which is stepped in sublime chords and detailed with Ringer’s own vocals. ‘Echo Chamber’ is a more immediate rhythm with an atonal melody and loopy bass then ‘Nasty’ explores a fresh take on the classic Chicago jack style with hefty drums and stabbed synths that amp up the party. the varied vibes continue with ‘Slanted House’ which takes the energy out and allow you to relax in the refined chords and closer ‘Sweet Chariot’ is a smooth end to a terrific EP.
Carlos Souffront @ UFOCAMP 2024
Joshua Cordova @ UFOCAMP 2024
Mystic Bill – U Won’t C Me (Remixes) [NG158]
Mystic Bill’s deep house favourite ‘U Won’t C Me’ receives a remix from German electronic innovator Stefan Braatz on Nu Groove. Originally released on the legendary Strictly Rhythm and acquired by Luke Solomon’s Classic Music Company in 2015, this seminal deep house record remains a firm favourite of house heads in the know and is a shining example of the genre. This five-track Nu Groove outing features the original ‘U Won’t C Me’ alongside Jake’s Savage Acid Re-Dub from the mind of NYC’s Jake Reif, as well as the original B-Side ‘Like A Dream In The Night’. Joining these seminal tracks is the new Panic Remix from Stefan Braatz, incorporating his reverence for the deep house genre into a striking club-ready remix that ups the tempo and bewilders with thoughtful synthwork at every turn, as well as the headsy and hypnotic Panic Dub built for the backroom.
Fabio Monesi & Tom Carruthers – The Bass Theory EP [WLS029]
Legowelt – DX Days / Bayville Cove [CWCS005RE]
3 classic Legowelt “Slam Jack Deep Chicago Ghetto Technofunk” tracks from the Clone Records vaults get the deserved remaster treatment. The early 2000’s Yamaha DX Synth tribute by Scheveningens Jackmaster never sounded better…
VA – Time Passages 10 Years LP [TP024]
Time Passages celebrates their ten years of existence with a stellar line up of artists; this is the full LP to complement a shorter EP. The mood on this one is decidedly hellish yet, of course, for that very reason, tempting to cop; this being the characteristic of the flagrant provenance of DJ and producer Binh, whose brand of sinister minimal techno and electro always turns up scorched, hardened into granite, by the embered airs of hardcore. The Berlin outfit welcome The Model and DJ Hell on the A1 side, with the first opening up his own private bacchanal into the hungry streets with ‘Eat More House’ – a motto we can really chew on – while Hell’s ‘Alienation’ plays on similar themes, with a central acid riff and sniper clap pattern. Barnt and Bezier steer and slow the B-side to a canter, the latter especially on the low-slung, ominously new beat-inspired ‘Roter Faden’, while the likes of Z@p and DC Salas go on to encrust the ensuing sides with a haunted clog of synthpop and new wave judder-offs.
Massimiliano Pagliara – Hooking Up EP [FV020]
Next up on Funnuvojere Records is label boss Massimiliano Pagliara’s highly anticipated ‘Hooking Up’ EP. Featuring four distinct club belters, each one is crafted to suit different moments of the party. The new EP once again truly showcases Massi’s deep understanding of the dancefloor.
Böhm – It Is Hard To Feel Good EP [X2403]
X-Masters deals only in authentic underground sounds and Böhm keeps the reputation up to scratch with this new hand-stamped 12″. It opens with the title track ‘It Is Hard To Feel Good’ which taps into 90s deep hose magic with dusty pads and drums, ‘Healing’ picks up the pace with some hi-tek synth stabs that light up the analogue drums and ‘Material 1’ then has a deep feel once again with a haunting synth phrase and crispy hits. ‘Planet Purple’ shuts down with some pulsing, sonar-like blips and lo-fi drum grooves.
SIRS – Bandcamp Goodies [Free download]
SIRS throwns in some free downloads of disco dance tunes that are mysteriously not so mysterious.
The Hipodrome Of Music 