Altered Moods Recordings

Review: D'Marc Cantu is a don when it comes to warm, rich synth-laden house and techno, with a sprinkling of electro sprinkled over his approach for good measure. Now he comes to Altered Moods with an album that finds him in a particularly mellow mood, not least on sultry opener "Always On My Mind". There's space for experimentation, as the offbeat snare patter of "Blanket Statement" demonstrates, but by and large this is all about undulating house delights. "Mozaic" is a particular highlight with its captivating synth design and dreamy demeanour, while "SteamFunk" revels in skippy broken beats that flirt with twinkling leads and lashings of delayed bass. Plenty varied but consistent in tone, this is a damn fine album from a seasoned pro.

Review: D'Marc Cantu's 2017 LP The Lodge was a high point for the ever prolific US producer, not to mention a jewel in Altered Moods' many-pronged crown. Now the label are revisiting one of the album highlights, "S.E.G," giving the punchy Chicago house jam another pressing before handing the reins over to a strong cast of remixers. The one and only Larry Heard plunges "S.E.G" into gorgeous, mystical realms of deep house spirituality like only he can, while Altered Moods boss Malcom Moore injects a different kind of spaced out energy to the track. Then Chicago Skyway finishes the package off with a distinctive version that reaches for a light and airy headspace while keeping the drums punchy and effective.

Review: Altered Moods Recordings makes its first artist foray into Asia, more specifically, it sets its sights on Nagano, Japan, where it finds a fertile and quickly expanding underground scene and one of its key players, Yoshiki Tsuchiya, also known as Miruga. Miruga has made a big splash in his relatively short arc as an underground artist. He came out strong in 2012 with "Human Tube" on Anton Zap's bellwether Ethereal Sound label after a full-length digital album on Logos Recordings two years prior. The Ethereal Sounds release brought V/A opportunities on Statik Entertainment, Rawthenticity, and Badance, as well as a guest appearance on Keith Worthy's worldly Aesthetic Audio label with "The Unusual Suspects, Vol. 1." It's that connection that was the clicher for us to sign him - not because of that label's notoriety, but because of how well Miruga attends to his craft.

Review: After some downtime for the first half of the year, long running Californian label Altered Moods Recordings returns in triumphant fashion with one of those split 12" releases that sounds destined to stay in many a house DJs record box. Inspired by the Freerotation festival, label boss Malcolm Moore has called on artists who have either played or attended the cultish Welsh gathering for this Rotate Freely 12". Along with Moore, Natan H, Chicago Skyway and Mick Welch all contribute with the supple "Ungentle Into The Good Night" a particular highlight but all are worthy of gracing the soundsystem at Baskerville Hall.

Review: Having debuted on Altered Moods earlier this year as one of the contributing artists to the Rotate Freely vinyl dedication to Freerotation festival, Crawley-based Mick Welch is granted the full space of a 12" to show off his wares. And boy does it take it the chance. Octaves of Energy is a fine 3-track addition to the Altered Moods canon, demonstrating an innate understanding of what deep house truly stands for. "Conscious Fields" sets the tone, with wavering high hats and tambourines easing in and out of focus amidst rich pad work and a wistful vocal sample. Complementing this, the B-side houses two truly deep excursions with "Octave 50" particularly satisfying.