OMAR 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Soul meets speed garage on this new V/A EP from Z Records, blurring the lines between the genres in just the way we like it. The opening track - Grant Nelson's mix of 'Starlight' by Dave & Omar - is a euphoric, piano-laced uplifter which both sonically and lyrically urges us to reach for the sky. That's followed by the DJ Fudge production 'Everything' by Chocolate Fudge Band, featuring lots of live instrumentation and a Curtis Mayfield style vocal, while over on the flip, 'Looking For You' proves to be a deep and bouncy cut filled with soulful Motown vocal chops and an organ workout worthy of any Sunday service, over a beautifully wonky house framework.

Review: Second time around for "Benefit", a breezy and soulful song by UK soul scene stalwart Omar that originally appeared on Boddhi Satva's 2015 album "Transition". This time round, the mixes come from deep house royalty Alton Miller and Kai Alce. The former handles the A-side, delivering a wonderfully warm, intricately produced extended rework that sees Omar's incredible vocal rise above bouncy Afro-house drums, darting synth bass, rich chords and all manner of subtle instrumental flourishes. Kai Alce provides both vocal and instrumental mixes on the flip, opting for booming bass, swinging, garage-influenced drums and some suitably old school organ riffs.

Review: London-based Undersound Recordings serve up four janky, stanky new ones on their latest compilation vinyl, flaunting four tracks of deep, dubby and ploddy electro and hous. Omar Santis, Eversines, Dynamic Wave and Enrica Falqui all come to the fore. Omar's 'Quiero Bailar' sets the weirder tones on the opening track, with its new wavey jaunts and licks and slapdash feel, while Falqui's closing 'Divine Time' proving a neat counterpoint; a no more overthought exercise in wondrous, synaptic ambience.

Review: Good news for all those wanting to bag a whole heap of Henrik Schwarz goodness in one place, as Defected do the right thing and pay homage to a very worthy addition to their House Masters series. Of course there's no way a mere double pack could begin to cover the back catalogue the prolific producer has weaved his magic over, but there's no doubt the selections on offer are some of his finest. From the world-beating remix of Detroit Experiment's "Think Twice" to the powerful message and even more powerful bass lick of Emmanuel Jal's "Kuar", if you're lacking any of these gems then do something to rectify the situation!