DJ Aakmael – The Xposd EP [NDATL038]

NDATL continues with DJ Aakmael’s vibrant EP, ”The Xposd EP”. Kicking things off is ”Track 109” a lively and rhythmic blend of Latin jazz infused groove with a bouncy shuffle guaranteed to set hips in motion. Next ”Imagination” a mesmerizing groove and Aakmael’s signature solo work, transports the dancers into a hypnotic zone. On the B-side, we encounter the dynamic collaboration ”This Is Not A Game,” a potent creation by Aakmael and label head Kai Alcé, featuring sparse piano notes and a penetrating synth solo. Aakmael then draws upon his Windy City influences for the final track, ”102.5” characterized by a smooth deep bassline and velvety keys. With its diverse soundscape, ”The Xposd EP” with its captivating rhythms and melodies invites listeners to immerse themselves.

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DJ Aakmael – The Xposd EP [NDATL038]

Omar S – All The Little Hands Around [AOS-1105]

Omar S’ first outing of 2024 on his own FXHE opens up with ‘Life Force’ which pairs Smith’s unique drum sounds – brushed metal, scruffy, raw – with his super sweet synths that always bring the warmth and soul. ‘All The Little Hand’s Around’ is another metallic sound tech house cut with celebratory chord loops up top and well-treated samples, then ‘Evil J’ shuts down with rasping basslines and glistening 80s keys. Another fine 12″ from the Detroit don.

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Omar S – All The Little Hands Around [AOS-1105]

VA – 1st Unit: Underpass Records EP [RH-STOREJPN12]

All musical movements require a spark to set them alight; in the case of Japanese house music, that spark was provided by the forward-thinking resident DJs of The Bank in Roppongi, Tokyo. In 1989, to celebrate the ground-breaking club’s first birthday, the venue released a 12” EP featuring first-time productions from three of its DJs, Junichi Soma, Shuji Wada and Strong Katsuya AKS Katsuya Sano. Widely considered to be one of the first ever EP of house music produced in Japan, 1st Unit was never officially released. Instead, 500 of the 1000 copies pressed were given away at The Bank’s first birthday party, with the rest initially being sold not in local record stores, but rather the venue’s own in-house shop. Three decades on, the 12” is finally set to get its first worldwide release via Rush Hour’s Store JPN Series.

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VA – 1st Unit: Underpass Records EP [RH-STOREJPN12]

Siegmar Fricke – Commercial Breakdown EP [CMF003]

From home recorded tapes in the 90s to a newly released vinyl record in 2024, The Comfort presents their third release, Siegmar Fricke’s Commercial Breakdown. Back in the year 1990, the working method of Siegmar Fricke and his contemporaries was one best described as a DIY recording process. With spare tapes, glue, scissors, and sheer determination, Siegmar sought to share his music with an audience hungry for adventurous electronic music. In an era of limited access to labels and platforms, those not conforming to commercial trends had little choice. Thus, tapes like this one, dubbed simply as “home-recordings,” circulated among DJs and friends, embodying the playful experimentation of musicians exploring unconventional sounds and even dabbling with mainstream pop sounds.

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Siegmar Fricke – Commercial Breakdown EP [CMF003]

Christopher Rau – Blade EP [PHONOGRAMME43]

Christopher Rau unveils his latest four-track EP, “Blade,” out on esteemed Parisian label Phonogramme Records. Rau’s signature deep, soulful sound shines through on the EP, infused with elements of jazz and funk. Each track is a captivating journey, transporting listeners into Rau’s world of emotive and atmospheric productions. Opening track “Blade” sets the stage with its pulsating bassline and hypnotic melodies, while “Alfred” delivers a soulful and groovy groove. “Comet” takes things up a notch with its energetic and upbeat tempo, while “Lee” concludes the EP on a dreamy and introspective note. “Blade” is a must-have for house music enthusiasts and is sure to solidify Rau’s position as a genre pioneer.

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Christopher Rau – Blade EP [PHONOGRAMME43]

VA – Many Shades Of House (Selected By Lea Lisa) [FVR192]

Favorite Recordings and Lea Lisa present Many Shades of House, a personal selection of House music tracks that have a very special place in Lea Lisa’s heart and in her record box. Amongst this selection, Many Shades Of House is including many very rare and hard to find titles, mostly never reissued on vinyl until now.

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VA – Many Shades Of House (Selected By Lea Lisa) [FVR192]

Members Only – The Worst Edits Vol.6 [MO022]

Members Only is back for 2024 with another entry in what must be one of the most creatively off-the-wall series of edits ever committed to wax. The 4 cuts on offer here deftly blur the lines between disco, house, and EBM reminiscent of The Music Box or Medusa’s.

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Members Only – The Worst Edits Vol.6 [MO022]

VA – xoxo [BAKK020]

The Den Haag label, Bakk presents it’s closing release. This concluding compilation contains a selection of the many artists that took part on the label, from the first demo until the last drop of ink printed. 11 years, 11 tracks. xoxo

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VA – xoxo [BAKK020]

Jay Bliss – Neuromancer [BERGA06]

After being featured on BERG AUDIOs “Horizons” compilation, Bucharest’s Jay Bliss is back on the label with his first solo release in more than seven years. What to expect? A delightful blend of deep, dub, minimal & even a disco influence for the highly awaited track “Neuromancer”.

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Jay Bliss – Neuromancer [BERGA06]

VA – Inside Vol.3 [NERO061]

Third chapter of the ‘Inside’ series of various artists EPs selected by Neroli’s very own Volcov. Fred P makes a welcome return on the label with a late night banger with heart warming strings entitled ‘Time Well Spent’. The rest symbol project [by Molinaro, Moreiya and Wendy Lavone] offers the blissful cinematic ‘Etius Motif’. On the flipside Hakim Murphy and G. Marcell team up as Resonating with the raw relentless ‘J707’ and Patrice Scott’s lush opus ‘Untitled’ from The First Circle [Neroli’s 20th anniversary] album appears here in a longer beat version.

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VA – Inside Vol.3 [NERO061]

DJ Steaw – Seascape EP [NG149]

Underground hero and label boss DJ Steaw makes his Nu Groove debut with ‘Seascape EP’, a four-track odyssey of deep, soulful house. Opening with the powerful stabs of ‘Take It There’, ‘Seascape EP’ explores the producer’s signature, bass-heavy sound as well as the myriad of influences from further afield. The title track ‘Seascape’ contrasts breathy pads with bright, dynamic percussion, as ‘Close To You’ and ‘Exotica’ further demonstrate a recognisable, nostalgic aesthetic that is both club-ready and dreamlike in quality.

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DJ Steaw – Seascape EP [NG149]

Frits Wentink – Spiritual Basslines [ROYAL056]

Frits Wentink, known for his eclectic blend of house, techno, and experimental sounds, with his third release for the Clone Royal Oak series. Frits comes up with a 4 track EP with his signature intricate rhythms, lush melodies, and playful approach to production. Resulting in warm deep house tracks ready for the inbound springtime.

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Frits Wentink – Spiritual Basslines [ROYAL056]

Mystery Friend – 80’s Mystery House Edits

Mystery Friend is a DJ from Argentina who lives in the west of Buenos Aires. His search and musical selection delves into the origins of House, Techno and Synthpop music, reviving the nostalgia of the club sound of the 80’s and early 90’s, but maintaining that youthful freshness of the new generation. This is a collection of edits from Mystery Friend. Jack Your Body To The Beat.

Mystery Friend – 80’s Mystery House Edits

Juaan – Dr. Ritmo [GEEZA001]

Egypt-based Geeza Records makes a big first impression with its first press, enlisting much-acclaimed young Argentinian producer Juaan for ‘Dr. Ritmo’ with some of his most sought after productions to date. Each track weaves together elements of atonal acid techno, galactic funk and warm hypnotic baselines splattered with flirtatious vocal samples and a lot of 90s flair. The release not only showcases Juaan’s prowess as one of the most promising producers at the moment but establishes Geeza Records’ hunger to nurture the global underground’s most innovative house and techno sounds, from the mother of the world.

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Juaan – Dr. Ritmo [GEEZA001]

Traxx presents The Definitive Articles Of House Music Chapter 4

For the 4th chapter from the definitive days of house music, as the previous 3 chapters is education that a lot of alleged “House” DJs and Producers are obviously lacking.

Traxx plays again from the early 80s, 90s and today from vintage and out of print record labels: Westwood, Trax Records, Bright Star, Rockin House, Dancemania, Alleviated, Subscape and Neroli….
to productions from: Ron Hardy, Boyd Jarvis, Virgo, Tyree, Marcus Mixx, Pharris Thomas, Mr Fingers, Kenny Dope, Nightwriters, Deep Concentration and we have arrived..
a new joint from {3MM} as 3 musical minds bridging and building blocks of the early dance music scene honoring a legendary institution landmark still standing with selections of today and yesterday incorporating musical blueprints of Chicago, New York and the UK’s timeless heroes we admire, honor and inspired by their education.

We hope this will give people the chance to listen to music many may have never heard on this side of sound that provides a provocative and thoughtful musical workout in your mind with vinyl turntables, a vintage mix console…effects box and 2 cd players.

Traxx presents The Definitive Articles Of House Music Chapter 4

Timothy J. Fairplay – Convictions That Stick [PNKMN54]

Timothy J. Fairplay finally lands on Pinkman, furthering his sonic excursions into raw, jacking, yet evocative house music. ‘Convictions’ rattles through drum-machine workouts topped with soaring synthlines, inviting you to spiral in the club’s darkest corners. Between the shuffled claps, ominous melodics and delay-laden syncopation, ‘Convictions’ playfully evokes both the mechanical exploration of urban space, and the claustrophobic intimacies encountered within it. There’s even a nod towards 1980s’ cult cinema hit ‘The Bronx Warriors’ at the end. Naturally, these six tracks find a perfect home on Pinkman.

Timothy J. Fairplay – Convictions That Stick [PNKMN54]