With this EP James Bangura has definitely taken me to another place musically. It certainly is the deepest record on any of the Holding Hands labels and yet I was so drawn to the tracks. Something about the weight of the sub just called to me and then shot me off into an imaginary club space. I could feel myself swaying with my eyes closed in a dark space with enormous subs and it felt right.
There is a real dream like quality to this collection and at the same time there is level of bite just beneath the surface. You listen and float but at the same time there is a sense of unease that comes from the off-kilter rhythms and sounds that appear from time to time.
They may not be the straight to the face hair raisers that you might expect from a release that I’m involved in but you will find that if you take them to the right space they will definitely have the power to create impact and moments of insight.
OK enough of my blather. Go and listen to the damn things yourself and decide if you like them, rather than trying to work it out from reading a bloody press release you weirdos.
All four tracks are produced and sculpted for the club. They want big sound systems and dark rooms.
Close your eyes, hold hands and experience transcendental space flight...
Kerri 'Kaos' Chandler dropping some neat early 90's House pressure on the mighty Strictly Rhythm under his KCYC pseudonym. That's right, more and more gems mined deep outta the SR archives! 'I'm Not Dreaming / Side By Side' both serve up that typical, cherished KC vibe, all chunky swinging drums and deep basslines, and not forgetting those chords, with Chevelle's vox taking us into the garage stratosphere. The b-side is a more introspective affair, but nonetheless pure dancefloor fire. You cannot put a foot wrong with Kerri during this period, this one ticks all the boxes and has been given some tasty 2019 remastering treatment and repressed onto a high quality, weighty 12" for all you record lovers out there, this one will keep them moving in the mix. Perfect NYC/NJ House sounds here, untouched and represented in it's original 1993 form with original Strictly label artwork, snoozing not permitted!
This June Session Victim return to Jimpster's ' Delusions Of Grandeur' imprint with a third studio album. 'Listen To Your Heart' is the result of a year of cross-continental scripting, started in their Hamburg studio and wrapped up stateside in San Francisco's Room G Studios where the duo had worked on their 2014 LP 'See you When You Get There'.
Sampling still remains an ever present backbone throughout the album. Session Victim have dug deep for sounds, resulting in a richly detailed and organic sound collage that goes hand-in-hand with their live instrumentation, this time enhanced through several guest musician appearances, most notably Carsten "Erobique" Meyer (ex-International Pony). Smooth guitar samples are built up on 'Over and Over' while on 'Moons & Flowers' the live instrumentals that Session Victim do so well come to the fore.
The treasure trove of San Francisco's record shops proved to be a hard bait to resist and the pair spent a large part of their Californian time hunting for records to sample. Three new tracks emerged from these digging sessions, with the sweeping disco string arrangements on 'Shadows' standing out as a prime ode to days spent combing through bargain bins.
Listen To Your Heart is equally a product of the road. While heavy touring is often cited as a hindrance to the creativity of artists, Session Victim see their live shows as a catalyst to their creativity. Two US tours in 2016 gave the Hamburg duo the opportunity to take track sketches and fragments on the road to incorporate into their live shows and then digest them back in the studio. The playful funk soaked groove of 'Matching Half' captures the sense of movement present throughout Listen To Your Heart and the LP mix of 'Up To Rise', which caused heavy ripples when it dropped as part of 2016's Matching Half EP is an extension of the upbeat and euphoric groove
The world of dance music 25 years ago was a very different place from the one we now inhabit. Rave had transitioned through Hardcore into Drum & Bass whilst UK Garage was brewing nicely and the UK pop charts were full of underground dance records. Meanwhile, the likes of Mo Wax, Ninjatune and Compost were pushing away from the dancefloors, introducing blunted beats, jazz-fusion sonics and a whole new movement to electronic music. It was into this atmosphere that Freerange was born, a UK label that reaches its quarter-century this year. At the helm over the last 25 years has been the partnership of childhood friends Tom Roberts and Jamie ‘Jimpster’ Odell.
It’s been a long and eventful journey, from an era of 56k modems, faxed reaction reports and when DJs still bought actual records, Freerange has weathered many storms and sailed through some of the most revolutionary changes to hit the music industry. Through those 25 years, and like the proverbial comforting sound of Bob Ross’ voice, Jimpster’s own music and those artists he releases through the label remain a constantly reliable, not to mention dance floor-smashing presence through the ups and downs of the house music continuum.
This Anthology brings together some of Jimpster’s finest productions across two double pack vinyl LPs from the preceding two and a half decades, showcasing his detailed approach to production and proving why he continues to thrive in the current scene, continuing to be held in high regard by many of the founding fathers of house music and young up and coming producers alike.
In some ways, this collection is a record of developments in UK Deep House as Jimpster slowly refined his sound over the years, continually reinventing the 4/4 template, creating new sounds, fresh chord progressions and original audio ideas, all geared towards creating memorable dance floor moments. He’s perfected a UK version of the sublime anticipation that is at the heart of the very best Deep House, that sense of sitting on the very edge of ecstasy, creating tracks that wonderfully stretch out those blissful moments.
Dutch duo Lars Dales and Maarten Smeets, better known as Dam Swindle, are the latest in a line of decorated contemporary producers taking on rework duties for legendary New York disco label, Salsoul Records. Comprised of four tracks split into two volumes, the pair provide fresh takes on a number of Salsoul hits, including the classic ‘Let No Man Put Asunder’ by First Choice and Double Exposure’s ‘Everyman’. There’s some funky edits of tracks by Kebekelektrik and Kongas, wrapping up an essential Reworks package courtesy of one dance music’s premier acts.
A First Choice - Let No Man Put Asunder (Dam Swindle Remix)
Following his Classic Music Company debut in 2019 ‘The Product’, Barbershop Records and Livin’ Proof boss Snips returns to Luke Solomon’s imprint to release ‘Say It’, featuring original Faithless vocalist Pauline Taylor. Floating the rich, evocative vocal over warm piano chords, fluttering horns and a groove-heavy bassline, Snips once again demonstrates his ‘London meets NYC’ sound with total finesse on. Accompanying the original is a remix from house legend Sandy Rivera, whose signature soulfulness proves a perfect match for Pauline’s exquisite vocal, lacing in soft melodies and hypnotic percussion for a blissed-out mix. This special 12” package also features Snips Disco Dub which is exclusive to the vinyl, and the essential Accapella.
Another special record, celebrating a milestone anniversary this RSD - Underground Solution aka Roger Sanchez - absolute classic 'Luv Dancin' from 1990 is celebrating its 30th birthday! What better way to join in the salutations than offering you all the definitive package of the best versions and mixes that money can buy? This expanded edition of the sublime deep house classic boasts all the mixes you need across 2 slabs of highest quality wax, pressed from the master sources, in full legit fashion! An absolute cornerstone record, from the golden era, that still wrecks a discotheque today when dropped at the right time. Evergreen, solid NYC house business by the bucketload. If you're a serious collector, or simply just a dancer and fan this package is for you - another dope RSD title that you'll not want to miss. All killer - no filler! Produced in collaboration with Sony / Above Board distribution, 2020.
Incredible, stone cold classic house music from the mighty Wayne Gardiner, a truly underrated producer whose output has remained evergreen over the decades and is definite deep house royalty. 'Moments In House' is from 1990, unbelievable really when you hear how fresh it sounds today. The clue is in the title, this is a killer version of Art Of Noise's seminal 'Moments In Love', a landmark record in itself. Gardiner pays tribute to the Art with his stripped, funky and driving use of their infamous pads and tones, a nod to the NYC / NJ clubs where records such as 'Moments In Love' would have been deemed the classics of the day. 'Just A Touch' is on the flip, a beautifully deep and bassline driven cut that evokes the spirit of Larry Heard, but doesn't borrow too heavily from him while carving out it's own late night sonic niche. One for the dancers and the lovers of the deepness. It's hard to top records like this, from the dawn of house music's golden age, innocent and uncomplicated yet oozing with soul and depth. There aren't many out there like Mr. Gardiner. Untampered with and re-presented in it's original 1990 form with original Strictly label artwork, you need this! Essential.
Seminal club sounds from the legendary Strictly Rhythm catalogue, this is some straight 1994 heat.
Armand Van Helden is a worldwide legend in house music - this is undisputed! His discography is untouchable and 'Witch Doktor' is easily one of the most classic and BIGGEST jams in his catalogue. This is the sound of unbridled euphoria, huge sound-systems, packed out darkened dancefloors and an era of dance music that has passed but still reverberates today. Do yourself a favour, if you don't know it, or aren't feeling too hot yourself - come see the doktor!
The classic 'Dark Ages' version is reissued here and featuring two slamming brand NEW mixes courtesy of Serge Santiago and Illyus & Barrientos for 2019. Huge. This 12" comes with all original Strictly label artwork, snoozing not permitted!
The Strictly Rhythm imprint is legendary and is instantly recognisable by connoisseurs worldwide. It's a label that has contributed time and time again to dance music culture across it's almost 30 year lifespan. Countless classics passed through the NYC offices of Mark Finkelstein and Gladys Pizarro and this brand new 'Strictly Classics' series looks to celebrate this cornerstone dance label and it's immense catalogue by going back to the archives and presenting some double-header action for diehard fans and newcomers alike. That's right, the 'proper' mixes, reissued from source and remastered to the highest spec, each track spread across one side of a 12" for optimal sonic playback.
Number 3 in the series kicks off on a proper old-school tip with CLS' mammoth 'Can You Feel It' from 1991, a collaboration between Todd Terry and Benji Candelerio CLS made a huge and lasting impression with this euphoric and anthemic slab of dancefloor madness. Instantly recognisable from it's ravey riff and funky drum programming, file this one under 'rave classic'! Over on the flip side we have South Street Player's smoothed out '(Who) Keeps Changing Your Mind?', a rolling and deep jam from Roland Clark and George Morel that came out in 1993. This one's some lights down, honest to god soulful house music, skipping garage drums and that organ driven groove offer the perfect vehicle for Clark's gorgeous vox to soar over. Yet another set of absolutely essential SR cuts from the archive!
Dan Shake makes a solid return to his Shake Records imprint with three tunes ready to make an impact. ‘Paper’ and ‘Bounce’ are tinged with records from Dance Mania, hip house and acid house legend Tyree Cooper, and a cheeky trance mix Dan made with Yomanda ‘Synth and Strings’ in mind, one of the last track he played out to a crowd.
‘Paper’ and ‘Bounce’ are the reflection of an artist still feeling the vibe from his last gigs, which saw Dan make a debut at Printworks, and coin one of the last live Mixmag labs before the world went into lockdown.
Dan explains - “I made these tracks in April 2020, immediately after the sudden cutoff of nightlife. My last weekend of gigs was incredible and left me with a big room, high energy mentality. I’d been listening to and playing out a lot of ghetto house and Dance Mania style records which no doubt pushed these tracks in that direction. Faster, harder and heavier than the majority of the music, ‘Paper’ and ‘Bounce’ gave me a hit of a sound I was craving and had just been immersed in. Directly inspired by an urge to be back on a dance floor, the thought of playing them out feels slightly surreal, but something that gives me tingles thinking about too.”
Did Dan know he’d sit on this music for over a year before releasing it or playing it out? Perhaps not. However, timing is key and clubs and festivals within reach, he’s waited patiently for a time he knows they’ll hit the sweet spot we’ve all been missing.
Our second record from Sweden's Sune is a proper full-length. Ten tracks, forty- five minutes—classic LP!
And it's arranged as such, too; it tells a story through tightly-arranged chapters. Early on in the journey, they're bouncy and whimsically animated, pillowy white clouds slowly drifting across an azure sky. As we get more invested, the tempo rises and the warm, squishy house beats feel as though they can't always quite keep up. A delight. To conclude the A-side, Sune brings a twinkly ballad, a late- night Joe Jackson piano serenade with instrumental hip-hop drums keeping everything in place.
The other side only wants to party; it begins with a wiggly bass lick that's got a wicked charm to it, and continues to explore the unusual jazz-club-meets- sweaty-warehouse space that Sune's compositions are so often possessed with. The B concludes as the A did, with a lilting, hopeful, and heartfelt send-off. Everything is fine? Everything is fine.
MADVILLA steps out on FUSE’s LOCUS imprint for the first time as he reveals his four-track ‘Old Flame’ EP.
London-based, American-born DJ and producer MADVILLA is a name making serious waves within house music at present, with his driving and slick take on the genre via the likes of ANOTR’s No Art, Seb Zito’s Seven Dials and his own Hot Wings imprint welcoming supporters in Jamie Jones, Stacey Pullen and FUSE head-honcho Enzo Siragusa to name just a few. Up next, the surging talent steps out on FUSE sister imprint LOCUS for the very first time, following his recent appearance at their London home of 93 Feet East, as he delivers his four-track ‘Old Flame’ EP this May.
Lead cut ‘So Bad’ kicks things off as crisp drums meet resonant stabs, sweeping melodies and infectious vocal coos, before introducing the spacey soundscapes and hypnotic pads of title track ‘Old Flame’, accented by Shyam P’s tripped-out vocals throughout. Next, ‘Orbit’ takes things up a gear as skipping percussion arrangements go to work beneath spiralling lasers and jacking hats, whilst closing track ‘Takeout’ dives into the afters as rubbery bass licks, hazy synths and rumbling low-ends take listeners on a warping UK-tinged journey through entrancing sounds.
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