Vinyl Releases: November - December 2002 updated:15/04/2003
SOANE & MAJIK J Saxy beast 12"
(Paper Recordings)
VPAP094
This is a collaboration between Soane and Majik J, a.k.a. Dick Johnson, Dick is one half of production outfit del-5 and co-owns the Blackpool based house label Shaboom and is a keen gardener. Soane is a hugely popular DJ in New Zealand, as we all know. Dick moved to Auckland a year ago and since then has been making quite an impact under the production moniker, Magik J. He has produced successful remixes for the likes of Q Burns Abstract Message, Amillionsons and the Keys Brothers amongst others. He has co-produced alongside Ian Pooley one of the biggest tracks of the year Piha on NRK’s sister label, Honchos. The A-side starts out with a fairly tight funky beat with the percussion building until a layered sax loop begins circling around the bass line. The B is a floor filling Latino track with elements of the west coast vibe, a perfect compliment for the A-side. It fuses samples from Soane’s trip to the Rio carnival last year and weaves them through a bass line and drum attack which is pure funk. Support comes from David Duriez, Silicone Soul, Justin Robertson, Greg Vickers, Soane, Dick Johnson amongst others.TIEFSCHWARZ Never Pt 1 12"
(Classic Music Company)
VCMC34
Tiefschwarz follow up the recent release of their highly acclaimed debut album Ral9005 with a corking new single Never - plucked from the aforementioned album, after previous EP's Thru A Little Window (featuring the massive On Up) and Hello Again. Never is comes complete with mixes from The Beloved and Joshua from San Francisco. John Marsh of The Beloved turns in a tough yet spaced-out journey that has those trademark, tantalizing Beloved melodies in abundance. Joshua's (Iz from Iz & Diz fame) Dub meanwhile heads straight for the jugular - a driving West Coast mix that hits hard yet leaves no scars. Tiefschwarz fan's read like a list of who's who of UK house, getting props from DJ's as varied as Pete Tong, Tom Middleton, Yousef, Ashley Beedle, Lottie, Craig Richards, DJ Q, Laurent Garnier and Terry Farley and we’re pleased to say a few kiwis dig em too.
TIEFSCHWARZ Never Pt 2 12"
(Classic Music Company)
VCMC34RMX
Limited edition remix 12inch featuring the Full Vocal Remix of Never by Joshua along with his Beats version. On the flip we have an exclusive remix of Acid Soul by Freaks and finally The Beloved’s peak time dub mix of Never. Bootiful! Get it while it’s hot!
CAIA EP #1 10"
(DIY Diversions)
VDIV14
Caia is Japanese artist Maiku Takahashi. Maiku met up with Andy Cato of Groove Armada fame whilst he was on tour in the Far East in 1998. The two became firm friends over a shared love of Trip-Hop and down-tempo grooves and later Andy agreed to produce Maiku’s first album. The unison finally happened in between Andy’s busy Groove Armada schedule (they have just completed their fourth album) and now here are the results that will be followed by a full-length CD album, The Magic Dragon, in the New Year.
CAIA EP #2 10"
(DIY Diversions)
VDIV15
The second in a series of 3 limited edition 10 inch singles.
VARIOUS Get Together 12"
(Friends & Family)
VFANDF003
BRS’ Friends & Families label pushes forward with their 3rd release, the Get Together EP featuring tracks by BRS, J'n'R Productions & The Twins. Songos by J'n'R Productions travels the whole of the A side taking you to destination groove! Gee is on board, supplying his dubbed out guitar licking goodness, cantering on top of the un-missable bongo led percussion ride... fueled by a full tank of bassline. Whispering vocals, warm chords and slices of high pitch synths remind us of those warm summer evenings now passed. On the flip You Know Why takes you down on an underground route with the British Rhythm Services. Deep and dirty is the bass on the line... high hats that slice and beats that drive unconsciously into your bones... You know why swoops the vocal... & then you've got that rhythm servicing you again. Finally The Twins debut on Friends & Families and double trouble it surely is! A serious organ driven journey takes you into a pure groove, reminiscent of early 90's style house. An endless and positive, upbeat vibe...
SIFTER Departure 12"
(Honchos Music)
VHONM022
Sifter AKA Scot Markland, hails from Texas, US of A, and with this, his second single for Honchos, displays a sound akin to the agit-house of labels such as Classic and Moodyman. Departure’ quirks and shuffles along with all the airs and graces of that Chicago homeboy Derrick Carter. Rolling, clicky percussion makes way for a fat lingering bassline whilst the vocal scats and puffs and the fingers get clicking. Very harmonious and dubby, this little fella should crawl its way into your record box with ease Departure (Sift ‘n’ Shuffle Mix) leans more towards a tougher 4am dark house experience. Already picking up a lot of props from its inclusion on Audio Soul Project’s recent DJ Magazine covermount, this techy and robotic mix won’t go amiss on the bass shattering dancefloors of clubs like Fabric and The End.
KIDSTUFF Kominski Park 12"
(Honchos Music)
VHONM023
Kidstuff are Mark Wilkinson, Paul Jackson and Kevin Brooks. Three very hot London producers for the price of one, no wonder these boys are hot property at the moment. Kidstuff have just remixed Alison Limerick, released a new EP on Skint offshoot Loaded, remixes for Credence and Skint and this, their debut 12" for Honchos. Busy boys! Kominski Park is one of those rare tunes that you can’t begin to stick in a genre. Suffice to say, it’s got the dreamiest chords, the bounciest bassline, the tightest beats and, what can only be described as a yapping canine on the beat! Kominski Park is where they burned loads of disco records at the end of the 70’s, but this Kominski Park proves that the disco flames still burn brighter today.
DJ PORKY Ese Ritmo 12"
(Jam Block)
VJB002
Tutto Matto’s very own Jam Block label is back with Dj Porky’s massive Brazilian house cut Ese Ritmo featuring the vocals of Laure Donnatt. This follows the success of his remix of Tutto Matto’s latest single Peace and is DJ Porky’s first actual single to date. It’s a great sunny track that features the beautiful Brazilian vocals of singer Laure Donnatt... DJ Porky is hoping to bring some summer to these so-called summer months. Instrumental and accapella versions are included for the more adventurous.
GREEN FRIDGE The Best / The Strong 12"
(Laws Of Motion)
VLM035
Laws of Motion’s next installment from Green Fridge, a.k.a. Luke McCarty / Restless Souls, is an array of eighties, New York club and luscious old skool inspired sounds mixed together with dance floor might and pure optimism. The Best is a relentless slice of silky smooth eighties piano loops. Imagine lost extended versions of Atlantic Star and Luther Vandross re-edited with some dancefloor energy and you’ve got the picture. The Strong delivers an infectious New York groove with deep filtering that never strays too far from its old skool disco roots. Old Skool, sampladelic yet uplifting and fresh. The Strong remix injects a tougher grinding groove, still with that twisted disco vibe, but keeping it soulful and taking the crowd up a notch on the dance floor.
RANDEE JEAN Extended player 12"
(Noid)
VNOID999
More dumb master tape slicing from people who don’t want to be named, although Chicken Lips made the tea during the session. No copies have been sent to Pete Tong, Fergie or Seb Fontaine, although copies were fashioned into plant pots and sent to their partners as it was thought to be more useful. The tulips gave them 5 stars... It’s a genuine garage classic... Frankie Knuckles plays Frisbee with his... You don’t want to know what Jean does with hers...
RICKY MONTANNA Redzone 12"
(NRL Sound Division)
VNRK075
NRK continue their roll of quality house 12" with an EP from Italy's Ricky Montanari & Davide Ruberto. Ricky & Davide are two of the main players in the Italian house scene, from the old days of Peter Pan and Echoes right up to present. Both Ricky & Davide record together and individually for a slew of labels including Azuli, SFP, Neo, Irma, Warners and A&M. On the A side, Redzone offers a pulsating low slung acid groove and robotic, industrial drums and some sweeping atmospheric chords. Epic piano chords strike and stamps the feel good factor all over this track. Redzone has a classic, timeless feel to it, and those who can spot the reference in the title will be reminiscing of old David Morales productions from back in the day. On the flip, Hold It Down forges a darker and techier route whilst retaining an exceptional quality of production. Sparse drums, head scrambling FX with a sleazy vocal, this track will please the big room DJs no end.
PLAYGROUP Bring It On Remixes 12"
(Playgroup)
VPGR001RMX
Here we have the in demand remixes of Playgroup’s Bring It On and Front 2 Back. Firstly Italian hit makers Par-T-One get to grips with Bring It On and deliver a thumping Electroclash club killer as Kathleen Hannah from Le Tigre demands you to bring it on... Secondly a back in form Todd Terry meets Hip House legend KC Flight on Front 2 Back to create a slammin’ peak hour house monster.
TOM CHURCHILL Project 2 12"
(DIY Discs)
VDIY64
Now based in Glasgow, Tom Churchill first met up with DiY at one of his club nights in his native Cardiff. They soon became firm friends and he gradually passed them some tracks, which became Project One, a double pack released 2 years ago on DiY Discs. His musical activities revolve around his first true loves, deep house and Detroit techno, with heavy influences from jazz, dub, funk and soul. Equally at home with deep, late-night house grooves, broken beats, freestyle downbeat jazz or soulful techno, the common themes in both his DJ’ing and production are thoughtful programming, smooth mixing and a healthy dose of funk. Together with his mate Raeph, he also runs the Headspace and Emoticon labels with acclaimed releases from artists such as CiM, Hanna, Sean Deason, Morgan Geist, Aubrey, Funk D'Void as well as many from Tom himself. Here, on this release, Tom’ s trademarks of tight beats, crisp synths alongside live bass and overlaid live Rhodes are all present. The first mix is more of a rolling bassline driven groove, with the second going further down the synth direction. On the flip we have an almost Chez Damier-esque house groove, beats are working and the synthetic stabs are raw and groovin. Solid house. The final track is more of an experimental deep cut for the later sessions. Nice!
FUMI Ain’t No Sweeter love 12"
(Out Of The Loop)
VOOL022
Fumi is Manchester's Jersey Street, operating under a different name and leaning slightly to the left, like a tipsy spy. Following on from Let's Fly / Inception, which found favour with house and jazz heads alike, Fumi return with a full vocal, featuring Jersey Street singer (and New Order backing vocalist) Dawn Zee. The original version (which has received heavy rotation from Rob Mello off TP) features a fat, growling bottom, swinging beats and a rather beautiful piano loop, topped off with Dawn's slinky vocal. The dub mix has the fatness and the swinging but less of the singing... because it's a dub. On the flip is Marston Ferry's 80's Soul/Disco-tinged rework, full of analogue keys, live bass and punchy beats. It is accompanied by a dub, on which Mr. Ferry and Shades Of Black take Marston's new groove and turn the bass up to 11.
SWEET LEFT PEG /DUJI Cookin’ & Sewin / Save The Party 12"
(Ragbull)
VRB02
Ragbull is the brand new label from ex-Nuphonic man Jools Butterfield who will be releasing a number of dancefloor friendly EP’s over the coming months. This first release features two new artists. Firstly Sweet Left Peg, a new artist from sunny Cambridge, with Cookin’ and Sewin’, a solid funky leftfield house groove with a blues feel and vocals that also comes with a version. Secondly we have Duji, a multi instrumentalist from that lovely northern town of Leeds, with funky house beats and samples for the dance floor in the shape of Save The Party. Both tracks have had extensive support from Groove Armada; No 1 in their charts, extensive play on their radio show and featured on their Muzik magazine giveaway CD.
MEIKBAR Feelings / Sunshine 12"
(Rush Hour)
VRH012
The midtempo Feelings was pressed on a one-sided promo last year and was instantly praised by people like Osunlade (who wanted to license it for Yoruba), Dego (who licensed it for his new mix CD), Larry Heard & Brett Dancer (who wanted to license it for Trackmode). This track can be compared to the grooves of Moodymann and like-minded souls. For the full release a new track has been added as the AA side. This is the more uptempo Sunshine, this can be categorized in the NYC house genre and should work well on the floor! This joyful track should bring a smile to everyone’s face! Comes in Delta Inc designed sleeve!
ABICAH SOUL Chuckies Turn 12"
(Rush Hour)
VRH012
ABICAH SOUL is also known as Stax, a house producer from Chicago (Release the Jazzbug EP on Classic a few weeks back!). He also records for labels such as Nitelife Collective, Wally's Groove World, Classic and Real Estate (as Harmony Funk). Chuckie's Turn is his latest outing, produced with Glenn Underground. This release can easily be seen as some of his best tracks. Chuckies Turn was released 6 months ago on one-sided promo. This deep, spiritual house track received a lot of good feedback by many DJs, like Osunlade, Recloose, Terry Hunter, Kemetic Just, Kerri Chandler, Lil Louie Vega and even John Jellybean Benitez! For the official release Lacumbia was chosen as the B-side: another excellent, deep house track that will please many fans of true house music.
BAMBU The Real Thing 12"
(Bitches Brew)
VBITCH003
3rd installment from Cosmo's Bitches Brew label - this time a nice, authentic percussive house thing with a vocal so Masters-At-Work-esque, it'll make you dribble - spotless piano solos, conga solos and all-round excellence from the Bitches-Brew-Crew.
GENE FARRIS Black Satin 12"
(Soma Recordings)
VSOMA1251
Gene’s extensive discography of over fifty productions and global DJ track record is definitely a testament to the true sound of Chicago. For Gene, music is his undoubted passion and his creations are amongst the very best of deep, bumpin’, funky, soulful house tracks in the industry. Black Satin is no exception, featuring the beautiful vocals of Lady Sarah - this is a deep cut of emotional house and one of his most accomplished works to date. On remix duties is none other than Naked Music maestro Miguel Migs who really needs no introduction, a true master of his craft! For his Petalpusher Vocal Dub he has surpassed all expectations and the result soulful masterpiece oozing with organic funk. Since the release of Gene's album This is my Religion on Soma two years ago he has been busy developing his label Farris Wheel into the widely respected label that it is today, he has also been working on a new album for Soma which we are pleased to say he is putting the finishing touches to now! Look out for Los Conquistadores Chocolates early 2003!!
TO-KA PROJECT The Waldeck Road 12"
(So Sound Recordings)
VSSR001
The long awaited EP from Nottingham’s To-Ka Project and debut release for the brand new Chicago based label So Sound Recordings. To-Ka’s roots run deep in the history of English dance music and the collective members have played a key part in the renaissance of deep house in the U.K. and across the globe. Individually and collectively, their work has appeared all over the world and at the same time, as DJs, their turntable skills keep them in high demand just about everywhere. Andy Riley, Steve Walker, Jay Cowley and Adam Sculthorpe have produced four top-notch tracks on this EP, with a range that allows one to use this record at about any time of the night, making it a very useful DJ record. As usual, To-Ka’s unique style is evident in each of these tracks, making this one very solid record. Four gorgeous, deep as the ocean, cuts made to groove you.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE Like I Love You 12"
(Jive)
VJDAB-40071-1
The sexy one from *NSYNC has teamed-up with The Neptunes to craft a song that's so good it hurts! This is the sight and sound to send Michael Jackson crying into his Neverland pillows. For years Senor Wacko's held on to the crown relying on HIStory alone, but is that enough to stop this charge? Justin Timberlake's a smart young man (even dumping Britney could pay off in the long run). He knows Jackson's 'King Of Pop' title is up for grabs and he's moonwalking in that direction with hat tipped. This isn't to say that Timberlake is going to produce a Thriller or Off The Wall (he might do but it's unlikely) but what he should do is usurp Jackson's position as a true pop idol. Further extending the Neptunes writing/production CV, Timberlake has done what Nick Carter's first solo outing hasn't, namely added a touch of the unknown to the pop world they are both guilty of neutralising in the recent past. If there's a battle brewing to find Jackson's successor, there's only going to be one winner and our money is on Mr Timberlake, why, well just check out the cracking Deep Dish and Basement Jaxx club mixes on this 12", two each.
GROOVE ARMADA Purple Haze 12"
(Jive)
V9254430
It's only been a year since Groove Armada dropped their ragga flavoured (Goodbye Country) Hello Night Club album, but the ever productive Andy Cato and Tom Findlay are back already with the first salvo from their forthcoming long player - Love Box. Purple Haze contains three tracks that probably set the parameters of the current Groove Armada sound. The main track, Purple Haze, samples Status Quo's (April) Spring, Summer and Wednesdays and takes dance music deeper into guitar territory than big beat even dared to do. Meanwhile, in characteristic mix 'n' match style, the duo pitch Kentucky hip hop outfit Nappy Roots against the lyrical flow of Jamaica's Red Rat. Album title track Love Box is a lush Balearic house track and sticks closer to more familiar Groove Armada territory, while Ooh Baby rocks on its heels in a confident funked-up swagger - utilising snippets from the much favoured vocals of Horace Andy. Not a bad start considering Cato and Findlay have also been setting up their own label, starting their own club, playing live all over the place and recording yet more material. The Armada keeps landing.
ESSA Horse on a Motorway 12"
(Paperecordings)
VPAP092
The original, which features the haunting vocals of Nigerian singer Chapeyama, isn’t on this single. Instead remixes come courtesy of Magik Johnson and the Mighty Atom a.k.a. Ben Davis (who is also the cover star of Splinter 5). For those who have been asleep for the past 5+ years, Magik Johnson is Dick Johnson from production outfit and Blackpool based label Shaboom, which he co owns along with Mark Bell and Ben Davis. Dick is currently making waves with his productions under the Magik J moniker, having recently produced a remix of Amillionson’s Misti Blu which was a favourite of Pete Tong’s on his Essential Selection Show. Along with Ian Pooley he has produced one of the biggest tracks of the year, the massive Piha which is out on NRKs sister label, Honchos. Dick is also one half of the Del-5 moniker, the other half being made up by Ben Davis. They have produced several tracks for Shaboom as well as other label such as Transfusion, Kaos and Twisted. Ben unleashes his power in the form of the Mighty Atom (his new moniker) remix on the flipside.
ROLLERCONE My Life (Migs) 12"
(Sirkus)
VSIRK030
Originally hailing from Switzerland, Patrick Duvoisin a.k.a. Rollercone is a truly global producer. Whether making hip-hop in France, jungle in London or house in New York, Patrick has remained one of the unsung heroes of dance music for way too long. As Rollercone, Patrick has released many 12" releases in the last 8 years for labels like Sirkus and Nuphonic and his self-titled debut album was released in 2000 to widespread critical acclaim. The first single, When You Left was a favourite with house bods globally and for this release he enlists the remixing talents of Mr Miguel Migs - remixer to the likes of Macy Gray, Brittany Spears and god to lovers of soulful house grooves. Taking the optimism levels off the scale, Miguel takes the already slamming house production that is My Life and adds a touch more heaviness to the mix. Dub lovers will also not be disappointed with his instrumental take on the track. With the original available for the first time on this 12" too, this package makes an essential purchase!
SHERBERT Close To You 12"
(Doghouse Records)
VDHR001
"This is a proven winner trust me" DJ Shuff
From London label Doghouse Records come Tim Vine and Matt Lightbourn aka Sherbert, with this remix package of their cut Close To You, those offering up remixes include none other than local lad DJ Phully with his Phuky Hoos Mix on this remix packager alongside Sherbert & De Tang.
SHERBERT Roxanne 12"
(Doghouse Records)
VDHR002
Yes that Roxanne, well a remake of the Police track, with mixes from Cricco Castelli, Jimmy Gomez and a couple of 2 step mixes on the flip. Very limited stock holdings…. Gone!
VARIOUS Laws Of Motion Sampler 12"
(Laws Of Motion)
VLM032
Very limited 2 track sampler 12inch taken from the forthcoming Laws of Motion Volume 2 compilation. Features a never before released Anthony Nicholson remix of Modaji's See The Changes and another version of Jazztronik's remix of One And The Same also originally by Modaji.
PAPA WASHINGTON TRIO Trio De Janeiro 12"
(Paperecordings)
VPAP093
This is the title track from Papa Washington Trio's album which was released in March 2002, Papa Washington Trio are Matthew Drummond, Martin Coll from Glasgow’s DC Project and Sub Club hero, Harri. This mix by Silicone Soul is very true to their signature style of house music; techy with an 80's synth line. It’s proper house music.
DEMARKUS LEWIS Why You Wanna 12"
(Fair Park)
VFPR011
Super deep house from the reactivated Dallas based label. Lovely stuff!!
KSR Headrush 12"
(430 West)
V4W505
Marking the end of a two-year odyssey, and the beginning of a new quest, The Fall of 2002 brings record 4 of Lorne Burden’s Kaotic Spatial Rhythms series to the forefront. First conceived as a Detroit only project (limited to 300 copies sold only in Detroit Stores), the popularity of Lorne’s first 430 West solo release (he also has releases as Munchnman on Direct Beat and co-produces Random Noise Generation tracks for 430 West) quickly created a demand that reached far beyond the city’s boarders. Now record 4 brings the evolution to it greatest stage yet with Headrush b/w Down From The Sky. As a member of Octave One (where he produces with his brothers Lawrence and Lenny) he has bathed in the Blackwater, but as KSR, he takes us to the deep grooves of the Headrush. A feeling not to be missed! Lorne ‘KSR’ Burden has just mixed the recently released 430 West presents ‘Back to the Rhythm’ CD for Concept in the UK and two of the most in demand unreleased tracks from the CD are featured for the first time on vinyl here!
J AXEL FEAT ASTRID SURYANTO You Give Me Love 12"
(Statra Recordings)
VSTA1-31207
Statra Twelves bring to you the musical collaboration of Sweden's deep house Diplomat Jonathan Axelsson aka Ronin and the stunning Indonesian export Astrid Suryanto.with one listen will suck you in with its powerful vocal and its addictive groove. Add to the original a set of killer mixes from Statra’s finest including: Geche, Lypid, and Chris J, and you have a single with a little something for the whole family. All original and full of feel good vibes. Another quality Statra dish...
DOC MARTIN & LILLIA Just Us 12"
(Sub Level)
VSUBLEVEL001
Sublevel is a new label and collaboration between well known DJ / producer / remixer Doc Martin and vocalist / songwriter Lillia Auzou, who together have blended a new sound with an airy vibe that will lift your feet up and a strong hit of acid that will surely lead you to the dancefloor while the vocals are dreamy with whispered gasps and phrases. A truly independent sound for a new underground label and one of many that Sublevel is secretively working away on as future groovy new releases.
UNKNOWN Outer Limits 12"
(Igloo)
VIGLOO5
More crazy pranks outta Chicago. This time it's Derrick Carter and Greens Keepers on the mix.
STYLOPHONIC If Everybody… 12"
(Prolifica)
VIFEVERY001
We have a very limited number of promos featuring the catchy original and Rob Mello's No Ears Dub.
THE RIP OFF ARTIST Listen Like Thieves 12"
(Massive Advance)
VMADV004
The Rip Off Artist drops this 4 track slab of P-Funk flavoured, dancefloor friendly electronica for Brighton’s burgeoning Massive Advance. Reminiscent in places of a quirkier Prefuse-73, Listen Like Thieves is a strong and varied EP from the L.A. based Matt Haines aka The Rip Off Artist. Matt has been making electronic music for almost a decade, spanning many styles over the years. His most recent album release was Pump on the Mille Plateaux label in 2001. He has also recently started his own label called Inflatabl Labl, and for the first release has collaborated with Uwe Schmidt (Atom Heart, Senor Coconut) and Matt Wand of Stock Hausen & Walkman for a ‘unique twist on the concept of a compilation album’. This is the most dancefloor friendly release on Massive Advance so far.
GECHE Moonface 12"
(Statra Recordings)
VSTV1-31971
Geche’s Moonface EP is nothing short of brilliant. A leftfield 5 tracker filled with tons of emotion and computer soul. A must hear for all discerning electronic music fans.
IAN POOLEY & MAJIK J Piha 12"
(Honchos Music)
VHONM019R
VHONM019
Fresh from the runaway success of his IP Series on NRK (NRK066CD - The Fly Shuffle, Missing You, Quattro etc) Ian Pooley teamed up with Majik J (aka Dick Johnson) at a secluded studio near the world famous (damn please don’t show this to our Paeroa customer!!!) Piha beach on North Island, New Zealand – yep, where we live…. This track is a straight up groover with tough, percussive beats and a lush disco-loop… perfect summer dance floor fodder and already HUGE in the truest sense of the word on NZ’s more discerning dance floors and radios, in Ibiza and claiming small children up and down the land. Out this week as two separate 12"s and due in soon a CD single, of the 12"s; VHONM019 comes with the Original Mix and Pooleys Back Home Mix whilst on VHONM019R DJ Sneak and Jamie Anderson provide the remixes. Like the beach the vinyl is black and is very hot on the feet in the summer sun, treat with care and have sun block on hand!
MIGUEL MIGS Feel It 12"
(NRK Sound Division)
VNRK073
Following on from the massive dubplate pressure of Miguel’s Dubplate Sessions EP, San Francisco’s finest delivers another bomb club cut on NRK. Feel It has already created a stir amongst deep house fans with an inclusion on the very popular NRK/DJ Mag covermount CD (mixed by Mazi). A rock solid hypnotic house cut, heavy on the drums & bumpin’ bass, Miguel pushes the dub elements in, but this time with a more robotic swing to the proceedings. Two mixes here that both rock the sound system with ease. On the flip, Laptop Excursion is a great slice of melodic deep house, with a sweet reggae vocal gliding over the vibesy production. Created on a laptop in an airport lounge, don’t be put off by the simplicity of such a track, Laptop is a classic piece of sun-drenched house music from one of the masters.
RUSS GABRIEL Offenbach West 12"
(Out Of The Loop)
VOOL019
After the success of He’s The Man, We Will Be Turning and the Wilkommen EP (which were hammered by everyone from Gilles Peterson and Rainer Truby to Ashley Beedle and The Una Bombers) Russ Gabriel has been locked in the studio finishing his forthcoming album, Into The Unknown. Offenbach West is the first single taken from the album and, with its intricate swinging beats and dynamic strings, it’s already generating a buzz from a handful of one-sided promos with the likes of Louie Vega (who actually bought his copy) and Richard Dorfmeister giving it some nightclub love. Over on the flip is the Lars Bartkuhn (Needs Music) remix of album track Live At The Nugget the mix sounds like Ron Trent on growth hormones with swirling keys, chunky percussive beats and fine use of the trumpet from the original track.
VARIOUS Glasgow Underground Allstars #2 12"
(Glasgow Underground)
VGU100
Following the huge success of last years first GU All Stars release the label have asked their artists for a similar round of remix swapping and exclusives. First up is the mighty Linus loves, weighing in here with two unreleased remixes of his well received Body & Soul, Powder Productions serve up a funky guitar feulled rhythm journey on Powder’s Unreleased Dub, and Kevin McKay takes the Powder dub and reworks it into a deeper more twisted version in his Kevins Dub Edit. Romanthony’s Musicmind gets the rework treatment from Scottland’s finest, the Groove Assasins, who take Romans spoken word epic and work it into a beat heavy DJ tool reminiscent of Kenny Dopes drum workouts. Kevin McKay adds a more faithful rendition, keeping the song intact and adding a serious kick drum underneath.
VARIOUS Glasgow Underground Allstars #2 (pt 2) 12"
(Glasgow Underground)
VGU100R
For the second of the 12"s Jersey Street and Powder Productions combine on Brand New Day, initially a mid tempo Balearic groove, the Powder boys housed up version puts the song up there with jersey Streets classics like Cried Me A River and Born Again. Finally the second side of the 12" is dedicated to beats. The Powder boys are present again with their drums from Pascal & Mister Day’s Disco Dub while the Idjut Boys are brought out from the vault with two unreleased versions of their ealry Gu mixes.
DJ CHUS PRES That Feeling 12"
(Defected)
VDFTD005R
That Feeling is based around cool tribal rythms using killer guitar riffs, soaring strings and the funkiest of sax breaks. Circulation keep the track in all of the top DJ’s boxes with two different mixes that both utilise their trademark deep groove. Also comes with the Circus Night Boncho mix and the accapella.
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC Reckless Woman 12"
(Out Of The Loop)
VOOL021
Listen To The Music is the work of producer Adam Hurst and friends. Adam has previously worked with Bugz In The Attic and has releases forthcoming on Nice Nice. The track itself is a deep, hypnotic builder, reminiscent of Pepe Braddock’s Deep Burnt, with fat double bass, swinging beats and vocal snippets flying in and out of the mix. On the flip, Stomp It Down features choppy, percussion-driven beats and lazy horns, broken beats in fact. Perfect for leftfield dance floor action. Out of the Loop continue to impress with a very worthy release indeed!
WALDORF Fashionist 12"
(A Touch Of Class)
VATOC009
Waldorf are Kid Italy and Clark Steine who met in the mid 90s in Italy and formed a band. The duo create perpetually unique performances with specially designed costumes for each show, backup dance troupes, and custom-built electronic instruments and their own characters on stage: The Wonderful World Of Waldorf is born. In using elements of anthroposophical studies as with the case of the dance-ritual called Eurethmy it is sometimes unclear whether the band is making fun of it’s own bizarre world or just using it as inspirational tools. A question the duo can’t really answer since they grew up solely in this environment. In any case these elements combined with influences of todays Zeitgeist make their 'world' interesting and unique. After the underground success of their debut You're My Disco (also on A Touch Of Class Recordings), which was featured on the Ministry Of Sound Compilation This Is Tech Pop, their next record is finally ready! Fashionist is an ode to the high gloss world of fashion and is produced by the New York City (Chinatown) based Electro-Punque driven production duo known as A Touch Of Class, and released on their label imprint ATOC (A Touch Of Class Recordings). On the A side of Fashionist you'll find a church choir-like intro to praise the gods of fashion and the Original Disco Metal Mix that, as the name indicates, plays with a mixture of energetic elements of glam-rock and dancefloor compatible driving beats to push the envelope even further. The B side features the Disghost's Mix, a more Dance oriented and radio friendlier version of this truly innovative song.
LOOSE ENSEMBLE Apollo Funk 12"
(Foundation Music)
VFMS003
Loose Ensemble duo of Simbad and Gerry O’Rourke cheeky excursion Apollo Funk is probably best described as the delinquent half brother of Apollo Soul, coming from the same environment but with a bad attitude! Boogie inspired beats, super funky bass and keys with just a touch of dubbed out vocals combine as the track eventually goes into a slightly deeper zone as the track progresses. Backatcha is definitely a peak time joint and has been tested on dance floors right throughout the summer to great effect. It’s a broken ragga infused, bass led stomper that’s all about simplicity, using layers of bass and heavy beats to produce the kind of pure energy that rocks the house!
MODAJI Bring It On 12"
(Super8)
VSUPR001
Dominic Jacobson a.k.a. Modaji returns from a yearlong hiatus with his very own new label Super8 records, and a host of 12inch singles that will be released over the course of the next six months. The main aim at Super8 records is to establish a roster of artists who have a soul/jazz perspective but are unrestricted by the confines of style and tempo etc. With this in mind, Super8 strives to avoid the tidy little niches that are fast becoming pitfalls in the underground dance business, but without coming over all eclectic and ‘joining the dots’. The first release on Super8 is Modaji’s futuristic house joint Bring It On. Inspired by a junk diet of Requiem for a Dream washed down with some Lil’ Louis and Romanthony, the new cut features Maiya James (Focus, Kyoto Jazz Massive, East West Connection and Nathan Haynes) on vocals and Mike Patto (Don-E, Shelley Nelson, Restless Soul, Reel People) on bass and keys. Throw in some additional keys and MPC3000 rudings from Modaji himself and there we have it. A wonderful piece of soulful house!!!
UNITED EYE That Beat 7"
(Afro Art)
VUE708
This limited promotional 7inch release has an edited version of the 12inch original plus a Part 1. version on the flip.
UNITED EYE That Beat 12"
(Afro Art)
VUE008
After a year in the studio producing and remixing the likes of Ashley Slater, Tito Heron, Kid Loco, Neon Heights, Robin Jones and more, Paul Murphy finally gets it together to release something under his own steam to follow up last year’s massive Jazz Room release. This time it’s a street funk killer with electro house breaks that drop into the rawest rock break ever that will make the dance floor explode plus a vocal that leaves you in no doubt what the name of this record is. The B side edit, courtesy of Ricky ‘Salsoul Nugget’ Morrison gets a bit more percussive in a truly Nu Yorican style before breaking down to a massive bassline disco monster, plus we get a bonus remix from the eccentric English tech-house duo Big Hair.
STAX The Jazzbug EP 12"
(Classic Music Company)
VCMC37
This latest member of the Classic family, Stax aka Marquel Davis, was born and raised in Chicago. Inspired by disco of the early 70’s Stax started his craft at just 12 years old. The Jazzbug EP is his first release for Classic and it showcases the finest elements of soulful, Latin and disco house music. Jazzbug is a low-slung burner that has all the makings of a Chicago house classic. Driven by a superb melodic piano loop and gentle rattling percussion this track is light on the ears but heavy in the funk. The DJR Remix takes all the main elements of the original but re-edits them to make a brand new groove. On the flip STR8 Nasty goes for the 4am deep and tripped out vibe - perfect for darkened rooms! Finally Stax goes back to what he knows best, creating a jacked up Chicago dancefloor groove in Carnival Jazz. Any good then? Wot do you think….
SIOBHAN FAHEY Bitter Pill 12"
(God Made Me Hardcore)
VGMMH2303
What do you do when you’ve won an Ivor Novello Award, had more than 40 hit singles including number ones on both sides of the Atlantic, and sold 1.6 million copies of your last album? If you are Shakespear’s Sister / Bananarama chanteuse Siobhan Fahey, you release a classic slice of electro-pop called Bitter Pill. Described by Dazed and Confused as "the new Lazy", the single is Siobhan’s first for leading UK electronic label God Made Me Hardcore and is mixed by label bosses Richard Norris (ex-The Grid) and Andy Chatterley, aka The Droyds. Watch out for the new album due March 2003, a deep blend of Velvets, Supremes and Bolan influenced pop genius, with the odd dance anthem thrown in.
LUKE HOWARD Hi Life / Lo Life 12"
(Afro Art)
VAFR021
Luke Howard, the brains behind Cottage Alert’s Lost Love (currently changing hands for big bucks), Dance Freak and The Prayer gets on a West African tip for this latest offering on Afro Art. A catchy life affirming African guitar riff rides over a percussive door battering rhythm that drives Hi Life for that carnival vibe while the flip side gets low down and dirty to the steamier side of things with Lo Life. Luke’s first release under his own name is sure to make a few waves...
PEEJ Do It EP 12"
(DIY Discs)
VDIY62
Inspired by his regular attendance of DiY / Floppy Disco events at the Bomb in Nottingham, Peej started making house music. Do It is the first full track he's ever made and is, as with everything else he's done since, heavily influenced by the music played at Floppy Disco. The main version of Do It rides a deep grooving bassline, which is complimented by a plethora of funky percussion, guitar and vocal samples to create the sound that is so typical of DiY. The jazz mix does exactly what it says, giving the track a much lighter, chilled vibe. Flip the record over and you have the other side, I Never, another deep groover to cruise along to which is then reworked in house by the DiY boys themselves, toughening up the beats and bass... it’s late night party time. Another quality release!
CHRISTIAN CLARK Expressions In Time 12"
(Hysteria Underground)
VHUND005T
There is a disturbance in the hot winds of south Florida... a storm named Clark! During the 2002 WMC in Miami the Hysteria boys happened upon a demo CD, about the only good one from 50, and the rest is history. Here it is, the first single from artist Christian Clark, a man who has never had a label release before, a man who works some black magic in the studio that both pleases and scares us at the same time, and Expressions In Time is just the beginning of Christian Clark’s production career. Expressions In Time encompasses two big tracks of dark progressive floor workers entitled Epicenter and Momentum that lay the foundation of the Clark sound. They are mean and modern, finding favor with the progressive jocks like Satoshi Tomiie.
A J SCENT I Love Digital 12"
(Honchos Music)
VHONM015
a-J-Scent is back on Honchos Music, this time with the funked up electronic groover that is I Love Digital. This record has been doing the damage on white label for ages and is now ready for a full release over two discs. This monster head banger hits the mark from the start with a driving live kick drum that effortlessly merges into a digitally-twisted electronic groove. An uncompromising fat bassline, rolls and grooves with the melodies whilst a crazy vocal sample toasts away and wraps up a stonker of a track. This one's only for the most depraved of dance-floors, think Daft Punk meets City Rockers on Ketamine and you'd be nearly there! Limited to 1500 world wide!
A J SCENT I Love Digital (2) 12"
(Honchos Music)
VHONM015R
A new edit from Rob Mello (Classic/Music For Freaks) and an unreleased bonus cut from A-J-scent. Limited to 1500 world wide!
LOUIS DIGITAL The Crack UP 12"
(Footwork)
VFW03
The Crack-Up EP is Footwork supremo and recent Warp signing Louis Digital's solo follow up to the Change Position EP (FW01), which caused DJs, producers and labels as diverse as Andy Weatherall, Anthony 'Shake' Shakir, DJ Sneak, Luke Solomon, Diz, us here and Warp to take notice of this exciting new label. Across 4 tracks, The Crack-Up EP integrates an innovative blend of house, techno and r&b presenting a set of state-of-the-art club tracks. Escalade kicks off the EP with a sweet rolling hook, riding a deep house groove. I'm Good 4 You is an infectious, up front house track laced with funky edits that are Louis Digital's trademark. Flip the 12 over and you get Sensory-Motor a hi-tech funk crossover of r&b, techno and house. Weekend completes the set with a sensual and hypnotic 4am groove. The result is an EP that is sure to become a mainstay in any forward thinking house DJ's crate. Don't sleep on this! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
STARGAZER An Uncertain Trumpet 12"
(Ideal)
VIDEAL20024
Stargazer is the production team of Christian Davies and Dino Christophilopoulos who have been working together for some years now. They have previously released Deeper, Feel For You and Close as singles for Ideal and Night Drive and the Intergalactic Buffer EP for DiY Discs. They have also remixed Neon Heights’ Gentlemen of Funk and Midnight Star’s Midas Touch. Christian was also responsible for the nu-jazz classic Diary of a Lost Girl on Giant 45. Electrica Sambaca is a lovely piece of light modern electronic samba that should have all of the jazz boys watering at the mouth. A piece of mood music rather than a dancefloor moment and there are no samples involved here, everything has been played and programmed. An Uncertain Trumpet meanwhile is a stunning piece of hi tech jazz with soaring strings and percussion that create a carnival on the moon vibe. Nice!
CLYDE BUILT PROJECT Crazy House 12"
(Deep Freeze Recordings)
VDF004
Matthew Drummond (Papa Washington Trio) and Barry Reeves a.k.a. Clyde Built Project are back with two more rockin’ house tracks for Deep Freeze. Crazy House is a slab of peak time funky house madness with its tough-edged beats and infectious percussion setting the stage for one of the filthiest basslines of the year! Weird dubbed-out vocals, reversed sounds and brass stabs turn up the heat to boiling point. On the flip ‘Big Dipper’ is a West Coast style rollin’ journey. This laid-back summer house groove has a hazy quality but leaves plenty of space for the percussionist to work up a sweat!!!
DEEP C & RANDALL JONES THE DARKNESS 12"
(Blaktrax)
VBLK004
Two of America’s rising stars are back on Blaktrax with The Darkness, which treads the same slightly progressive tech-house territory they are renowned for, using just a few elements to great effect. They include tight beats, boot shaking bass, a scary effected vocal and a synth stab that should see Danny Tenaglia wetting himself (now theres a mental image for your day). The track has enough vibe and atmosphere to satisfy a Grateful Dead concert and will be a favourite with fans like Jon Marsh and John Digweed. Also included is a mix from Shaboom lynchpin and Yousef / Lottie favourite Blakkat, fresh from being the hottest producer of the moment from his critically acclaimed releases on Siesta, who loops the vocal and jacks things up whilst retaining the track’s dark heart, plus a child scaring bonus accapella and bonus beats.
RJ PROJECT WHAT COLOUR IS LOVE 12"
(HOOJ TUNES)
VHOOJ124
The last time Hooj man Red Jerry released a solo single (Redsun – ‘This Love’ 1996), he spent the next two years (and a shed load of dosh he didn't have) sorting out the legal grief it caused. What Color... is in fact a cover version of the Terry Callier 70's soul classic of the same name and comes in four mixes - three of them by Jerry himself. The Original Mix lays the whole song, beautifully sung by Randolph Matthews, over a drifty, atmospheric backing all underpinned by shuffling beats and a slinky bassline. On this disc we find the Original mix and the somewhat randomly-titled Monkeyhouse Mix which loops up and spaces out bits of the vocal, throws in a rumbling funk bassline and finishes it all off with some user friendly bleeps to boot.
RJ PROJECT WHAT COLOUR IS LOVE (2) 12"
(HOOJ TUNES)
VHOOJ124r
The Original Dub replaces the vocal with a bit of Stephen Hawking-style chatter and adds flecks of piano and ethno chanting to the proceedings and the only outside forces involved in this mission are the magnificent Freddy and Herman, on leave from City Rockers Balearic wing, who've chilled proceedings right out with a classy, organic funkathon that we love dearly.
J MAJIK 24 Hours 12"
(Defected)
VDEFMAJIK1
Not to be confused with Majik J, this tunes ripping up underground dance floors across the globe, this Loleatta Holloway sampling disco cut up is one of the most sought after records on the Drum 'n' Bass scene. Massive on plate for a while now,24hrs has featured heavily on Drum n Bass Arena and is finally available on this vinyl only ltd release.
TEA DANCERS Cosmic Dance 12"
(Freerange Records)
VFR026
Jamie 'Jimpster' Odell & the bass player from The Bays, Nick Cohen, deliver a nice slice of Freerange deep jazz / house dancefloor action. Why Tea Dancers? Well, they drink tea and dance around whilst making their tracks, so they figured that was a good enough reason. Following the duo’s last EP for Freerange this little beauty looks set to become a fixture in some of the deeper house boxes out there. Already creating a buzz on the west coast at a recent Naked Music party in San Francisco, Cosmic Dance really is tripped-out deep funky house music at it’s best. Proving these boys have more than one trick, the flip side includes From Within. A sublime piece of jazzy electronica with fat, rolling drums and a highly infectious chord progression. To round things off they’ve included a percappella mix of Cosmic Dance with plenty of twisted vox and spacey FX to keep the more experimental DJ’s busy. Just add drums!
ROCKETMANN Rocketmann 12"
(PIAS)
VPIAS080P
A limited 4 track vinyl accompaniment to the Rocketmann! CD only album, produced by Felix Da Housecat.
JEHST Return Of The Drifter 12"
(Lowlife)
VLOW18
Cementing his reputation with singles like Staircase to Stage (featuring J-Zone) and Alcoholic Author (on his own YNR imprint), Jehst is now pawing through beats to produce a full-length ripper. The a-side sees Jehst on a technicolour rant: introspective lyrics blend with that acute sense of observation that connects so well with heads; the piano flourishes levitate over a banging beat made strictly for the head-nod factor. On the b-side we are introduced to Hip Hop’s freshest northerner Asaviour (straight outta Huddersfield), the 2 MCs bounce back and forth in the lightest of moods…Asaviour "sat on a doorstep with a Stella just remembering…" while Jehst is "Housebound: man I’m even sat on the couch now, watching Countdown…" if this bouncy, jazzy little number doesn’t get you moving then you’re probably as stoned as them…
in music releases are available at all good record stores nation-wide