Back catalogue: All genres

Review: In celebration of their tenth birthday, Selador marks the occasion in style with a four-track collaborative EP, featuring tracks from 3D, Robert Owens, Olivier Giacomotto, Quivver, Dave Seaman, Hernan Cattaneo, Argia, and Jepe. The opening track, 'Known Love', is a deep, pulasting house tune that feels like an instant classic, perhaps thanks to the soulful, pop-tinged vocals - think LCD soundsystem meets Four Tet. 'Snailblazer', the second track on the EP, takes a much darker turn, with a chugging, EBM-esque feel. Full-bodied and complete with obscured vocals, this is the kind of track to pull out your bag when it's time to really get stuck in. On the B-side, 'Napkin Knowledge' draws on the glistening synths of eurodance, yet still securing the melodies to a grounded bassline and rhythm section. 'Salitre' is the perfect closing track, rising up in a gleaming, ecstatic melody, before delicately returning to ground level. A varied yet firmly cohesive collaborative release - the perfect way for Selador to kick off their 2023 catalogue.

Review: Q.A.S.B. is a Japanese funk and soul ensemble with a.yu.mi. handling lead vocals, a singer celebrated for her funky style reminiscent of James Brown but captured here in a more romantic and subdued mood here. 'Will' is a new single on Soul Garden that offers up soulful and pop-leading sounds with elegant vocals and graceful grooves backed by big band horns. Interestingly, the same tune gets served up again on the flipside, only sung in English. It neither improves nor detracts from the original but proves to be an interesting experiment for that reason.

Review: QUAL is the solo project of William Maybelline from Lebanon Hanover, and one known for its "meaner, darker, and nastier" persona. The name qual means pain in German and since the 2015 debut Sable, the moniker has delved into dark, minimal synth, old-school EBM, and industrial electronics using analogue equipment. Following the 2021 LP Tenebris in Lux and the 2022 remix album Re-Animate, he now returns with Techsick featuring three new tracks and a Sarin remix. Highlights include the metal-influenced 'Dancing in Hell,' the familiar minimalist 'Techsick,' and the dual-sided 'Funeral Fashion,' blending classic EBM with a techno remix. The first 12" vinyl edition is limited to 500 copies so move fast.

Review: Queen of Coins unleashes a six-track journey into electro, Italo-disco and Detroit techno brilliance here that serves as a masterclass in dancefloor psychedelia. It's been crafted for DJs blending innovation with homage to legends like Legowelt, Drexciya and Francisco. From the hypnotic pull of 'Head Tension' to the electrifying pulse of '16K Cal,' this BPM adventure bridges past and future. Elsewhere 'Bring it to the Top' delivers rawness for every powerful sound system, while "Damaged Souls" offers a heartfelt reflection on life's haunting "what ifs."

Review: More house heat here directly from the home of the genre, namely the Windy City, courtesy of Chicago Vinyl. As soon as the first bar unfolds it oozes Mid-West house charm - the warm, soft-edged chords over the deep but driving beats complete with a nice light percussive sprinkle. 'I Need To Feel It' has a more laidback and soulful vibe with funky bass riffs and swirling pads. 'Let Em Blow' then rides on more elastic basslines that plunge down low and has colourful synth up top. 'The Weight Of Dependance' has a chunky feel with bold bass notes taking centre stage next to rising chord work and organic hits.

Review: Dennis Quin's back on his Eardrums label with four tracks of deep, soulful house rooted in the rich traditions of the UK, US and Dutch scenes. It's an authentic collision of OG style and new school techniques with 'The Liberation' opening with deft synth stabs that light up Detroit house beats as a Chicago gospel vocal adds the rawness. 'Muscle' has shimmering synths that jitter about over tightly programmed drums and 'Pushing Harder' then samples a classic vocal sample over turbocharged 90s house beats. It's great fun and bound to make a mark and last of all is the spun out broken beat energy of 'Tough Beat', a physical closer with astral pads.

Review: Dutch producer and DJ Dennis Quin takes things into his own hands once more here with a new EP of rock-solid house grooves on his self-titled label. These are tracks that are well-informed by what has gone before but is never too slavish to house history. They follow on from big outings on the likes of PIV, Cecille, Defected, Jerome Sydenham's Iconic Ibadan and Kaoz Theory (he has also collaborated with Kaoz boss Kerri Chandler) and feature the swinging bulk of 'Temptation', busy drum breaks of 'Ascending', dark energy of 'Odyssey' and sleazy vibes of 'Love Fiyaa.'

Review: Two And Half Records make the decision here to try and rid the A and B-side distinction on records that we are all very familiar with and instead they refer to each face of their latest 12" as 'dance' and 'listen.'' It makes sense frankly and is often how things go anyway. Swiss duo Quismi kick off this one with twitchy and narcotic tech house with an old school bent. French artist Groenogen then gets wild with bright melodies and grinding synths, r&b vocals and high speed tech funk on 'Twinkle Dance' while ILyes offers the tech silkiness of 'Starting Now.' On the flip is a trio of less direct, more experimental sounds that sure do offer plenty to get lost in on headphones.

Review: This release features four club tracks from the recent Cold Blow fifth anniversary CD compilation. It includes contributions from Matti Turunen of the renowned electro group Morphology who does a good job of serving up his signature while the EP also highlights a funky electro collaboration between Qwerty and Ed DMX. Additionally, there's a true minimal techno banger from the legendary Mono Junk and last but not least is the introduction of an enigmatic new producer named Sleep Mathew. He adds an intriguing touch to this diverse collection that marks five years of Cold Blow in style.

Review: Waage is a firm favourite amongst dub techno fans. The Icelandic producer has long been turning out icy and atmospheric rollers for the heads and here he works alongside a fresh name, Quantal, who is sure to go on to big things. Here they land on Thule Records, a legendary label in its own right with roots going back to 1995. They kick off with the textured dub of 'WQ1' which has glitchy sounds paying over the rolling drums. 'WQ2' is much more smooth and streamlined, with an underwater current that sweeps you off your feet, then 'WQ3' leans into the wind with hypnotic techno drums and vamping chords that melt the mind. Last of all comes 'WQ4', a timeless dub with infinite horizons and the most frictionless drum loops.