Deep House Recommendations January 2012

Review: Having been quiet since slipping out that rather fine Prime Numbers EP of archive house, Linkwood surfaces on the Firecracker affiliated Shevchenko imprint with some house music that can be best described as effortlessly gliding. A preface to the producer's second album which is set to drop in the early months of 2012, all three tracks here are superb - not least the title track "Secret Value" which sounds naggingly familiar to these ears. Massively vibey, the track begins with an upwards poise and veers in that trajectory throughout augmented by delightfully plump string flourishes that appear in cloud like formation atop the intricate syncopation. "Between Me & You" is essentially the same track twisted inside out, with the vibes deep set beneath the glowering sheen of saturated atmospherics. Those seeking something straighter will find much to admire in "Ignorance Is Bliss" which begins in more prominent fashion, thanks mostly to that burning bass line; though as the track progresses it's flushed with a delightfully smudged warm sensation. Big tip!

Review: With its classic Detroit strings and delicate piano melodies, this beautifully simple deep houser from Birmingham natives Ethyl & Flori was crying out for a weighty Motor City remix. Step forward former Underground Resistance man Rolando, who delights in turning the fragile but calming original into a pulsating chunk of classic D-town techno. In typical Rolando fashion, his "Shelter" rework pushes the synth-strings to the fore, giving them space to shine on a mix that should delight anyone who likes their dance music sweet and emotion-rich. There's also a neat bonus cut in the shape of "THD_001" - all bespoke tribal percussion, bubbling synths and heady vocal edits. Impressive stuff.

Review: Manc-in-Berlin Tony Lionni rounds off another strong year with a second 12" for Kerri Chandler's revitalised Madhouse imprint. Bijou is arguably Lionni's most obviously US-sounding release yet, with lead cut "Steps Ahead" sounding like an authentic Chandler production - all positive riffs, New York deep house shuffle and just the right amount of build. But Lionni doesn't stop there: "Bijou" itself is like a Larry Heard take on "Your Love", while "Hypnotize" is faithfully deep and just dubby enough to impress. Best of all, though, is "Rumours", a darting combination of shimmering synths, Nu Groove bass and drifting vocal samples. Highly recommended.

Review: Despite putting out 60-plus digital releases since 2009, Aki Bergen's Nuerotraxx imprint has only recently made it to vinyl. Here the Rome-based DJ/producer brings his popular Sampler Deluxe series to vinyl for the first time, unleashing a set of silky deep house cuts that are smoother than a naked rub down with baby oil. Drummer turned 2020 type Moodymanc drops the drifting "Alone", Noir & Chris Minus get bumpin' with the naggingly hypnotic "Sleep No More" and Bergen joins forces with pal Pezzner for the piano-laden, soul-flecked vocal cut "Tarreand". Huxley brings down the curtain on a solid selection with the fluid "Shapes". Recommended.

Review: Maria's Transcendence marks a welcome and long overdue return to the MOS empire for Melvin Oliphant III, unveiling another alias in the shape of The Poetic Painter M. You can't help but be impressed by the production skills on show with "Maria's Transcendence", a deeply dark track with a classic acid refrain at its core which is subjected to wave after wave of textures flushed with raw emotion. Along with the expansive nature of the original track (nearly every inch of the A Side is utilised), MOS Recordings have also secured a towering remix from Chicago Skywave which flushes "Maria's Transcendence" with all new levels of soaring emotion and some brilliantly scattergun drum machine manipulation. Label boss Aroy Dee further edits the track, transforming it into a skeletal exercise in dizzying reverberation.

Review: The Further imprint adds Irish producer John Daly to its already excellent roll call of releases with Sea Level, a two track twelve that comes housed in the kind of typically eye catching sleeve design we've come to expect from the Seattle label. Held within are two variants on "Sea Level" by Daly, both recorded live to tape with the A Side "Haze Mix" an appropriately subaqueous excursion through house that showcases his talent for composition across 21 expansive minutes as opposed to being a track you'd slip out to add some bump to the floor. Those wanting something more along those lines will of course find plenty of rhythmic thrust in the accompanying "Aerosol Remix". Highly recommended.

Review: These remixes of Pursuits on Carl Craig's legendary Planet E imprint succeed in providing visceral dancefloor thrills. The remix from Daphni (aka Dan Snaith, better known as Caribou) features heavy drums, insistent vocal samples and discordant acid lines, combining for a wild analogue climax. The Cwejam approach is somewhat less abrasive, with busy drums combined with dark riffing, but the end result is largely similar- highly effective but uncompromising techno. Recommended.