Sublevel Sounds, a sub-label run by DJ Spider, comes with a four-track remix project featuring tracks from DJ Spider alias Kuru’s “Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy” LP from Summer 2011. Remixes here by Dakini 9, Monty Luke, Joey Anderson and Innerspace Halflife.
Levon Vincent presents his first 12″ of 2012 just as the year approaches closure, on his own Novel Sound. The EP includes three tracks, “Stereo Systems” was featured on Levon’s mix CD for Fabric earlier this year.
Marco Antonio Spaventi returns on MOS with two tracks. ‘Insanity’ is a mad melange of fizzing electronics, ticking cowbells and swirling atmospheres all pinned to a chugging deep house beat. Raw drum fills and squelchy modulated synth sounds fill nearly every gap, taking you to a place as intense you could imagine for the duration. On the flip, Spaventi’s lo-fi aesthetic gets even more fucked up as he delves deep into the recess of house music with ‘The Jungle’. Crunchy hits, echoing hi hats and a tightly coiled melody all race along next to each other with a slapping drum combination keeping energy levels up down below. Raw and brash yet totally beguiling, it might be some of his best work yet on the ever excellent MOS Deep.
Frigio Records presents the first part of the “Lost Series” by Juanpablo. This first series are dedicated to creatures that are disappearing from this planet because of human colonization of their territory. This time, Juanpablo drops us 3 tracks with a strong identity and lots of energy that combine similar elements of heavy atmospheres and deep melodies using structures from different electronic styles but with a final result that could be difficult to describe. This record includes an amazing and unique remix by Mick Wills featuring Isabella Venis & Intergalactic Gary.
Tevo Howard with an EP featuring some House versions of some of The Black Electro Orchestra’s favorite Pet Shop Boys tracks. The EP includes a remix of Domino Dancing, vocals performed by Portable.
Third release on Andrew Weatherall’s Bird Scarer label with some advanced disco influenced electronix by George Thompson part of Spectral Empire, also known as Black Merlin. Remix work delivered by Scott Fraser.
Chunky is a proud Mancunian with roots in Zimbabwe which may explain such a worldly, open-minded outlook on life. This ‘Chunkadelic’ four track double EP is packed with fresh ideas, taking the UK bass sound in new and interesting directions. “Decca” is a crisp, busy, jacking house cut, but one that combines UK bass and Chicago house inspiration. “Experiment 727” swings it in a stuttering electro-samba style – tight. “Thang” offers a new take on the 90s garage sound, looping up a hooky female vocal (‘put that thing on me’) with a 2-stepping 808 groove. And finally we have “Rugged”, which does exactly what it says in the title, combining a tough dubstep double punch with juke style skittering percussion.
For the 32nd release, Skylax brings back the fantastic Jason Grove with six brand new tracks.
The French My Love Is Underground with more timeless house tracks inspired by the golden era of New York and Jersey house music from the early and mid nineties.
Continuing their quest to unearth deep house gems new and old, Vibes & Pepper introduce the world to Manuel Keyz with a killer four-track workout that makes all the classic moves.
Emotion II Emotion is Portland duo Avalon Kalin (Finesse) and Rafael Fauria (Miracles Club) that blend Garage & Deep House live with gritty samples, FM synthesis, analog hardware, swing and passion. Looking back to the golden age of House Music and pushing it forward as a live art form. Inspired by the best of the 90’s club sounds, they deliver here their first EP full of house killers.
This time Dockside works with Dwayne Jensen, one of Detroit’s true pioneers of house, boss of Fathom Records. Here are 2 excellent tracks of funky deep house with a really serious groove.
Julius Steinhoff comes up with his second solo 12inch on Smallville “So Glad”. Steinhoffs soloworks strike even more voluptuary with slightly rapturous pleasure. ‘So Glad’ makes slick moves with sparse chords and a frisky machine beat revolving limber square bass. ‘Slow Movement’ slips down a gear into robust Chicago jack mode and ‘All Of A Sudden’ gets all minimal and sinuous next to the plush late night swerve of ‘Speak No Evil’.
Delsin’s house series is back once again, this time with mysterious producer Low Jack. His Free Pyjamas EP is house, of course, but thick, dense, gauzy textures fill every inch of the airwaves throughout. The title track is a big barrelling loop of warehouse music that has rattling drum fills, muffled r&b vocals and plenty of noise in its heart. And flipping to the bside, ‘LJs Jam’ is even more fucked up, with harsh, raw drums hidden under layers of dust, static and hiss. Various synths add some ethereal light to the backdrop and a vocal struggles to be heard in the midst of all the chaos. Finally, ‘The White Towel’ is a crunchy groove, with melancholic melodies dampening down the sonic destruction all around. Light yet dark, heavy yet groovy, it closes out a wholly arresting EP from this little known talent.
The Hipodrome Of Music 