Contrafact 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Reggie Dokes, the legendary deep house and techno DJ/producer from Atlanta, Georgia, has finally released his highly expected Vault Volume 1. Originally released in 2005 as a CDR-only, this extended pressing allows fans to experience the magic of Dokes' music on a whole new level. With its captivating blend of jazz, techno, and house, the album takes listeners on a sonic journey through Dokes' unique musical landscape. 'My Peeps On 6' sets the tone with its smooth, deep house vibes, while 'Make Believe' transports listeners to a spacey, funk-infused post-apocalyptic realm. The beautiful 'Love Reigns' provides a moment of respite with its gentle bell chimes and bedtime melody, before 'D-Funk' drops a heavy bass kick and dystopian atmosphere. The album closes with the aptly named 'Freakazoid,' an explosive track that leaves listeners begging for more. Dokes' expertise in crafting atmospheric and emotive soundscapes is clear throughout the album. His ability to fuse elements of jazz, techno, and house creates a unique and immersive experience that will appeal to fans of all genres.

Review: Deeptrax sublabel Contrafact has previously released work from the likes of Hanna and Orlando Voorn, so you know they're dealing with the real deal when it comes to deep house and techno close to the source. On this latest release they turn to Atlanta original Reggie Dokes for this celestial three-tracker which opens up with 'We Was Bad', a warm but suitably freaky vocal cut backed by space-cruising synth hooks and strapped to a sizzling drum machine pulse. 'Amor' and '5 Elements' keeps the soul levels riding high and the jack in full effect, making for highly usable cuts to inject some real feeling into a late night set shot through with Dokes' unmistakable melodic flair.

Review: Hanna is a somehow rather overlooked or under-appreciated (or both) producer from the states. He had some cult classic outings on some key labels first time round then seemed to disappear only to come back again a few years ago with his superbly fresh and musical house sound more than in tact. He is a master instrumentalist and keys player who brings the jazz, the funk, the class to every tune. That is certainly the case on the warm, glowing grooves of 'Another Flannel Afternoon' with its neat synths and subtle vocals. 'Afraid Of Breakfast' is a more textured track with wet clasp and loopy synth motifs over a rugged house beat. 'In Yo Head' features 90s hip-hop maestro Jeru Tha Damaja on the vocals and gets a remix that is a perfect bit of hip-house.

Review: Orlando Voorn is an important figure for the techno and house scene since the early 90s. Along with a few other key names like Steve Rachmad, Orlando is a key link from the Detroit lineage to the Netherlands. Master 2 is a follow up to the 2021 full length album Master. There are not very many who can blend house and techno as well as Orlando can. Master 2 is on a jazzier tip then previous albums in his catalogue and we don't mind a bit. When you have tracks as amazing as 'Jazz Hoppin', you really lose sight of any particular guidelines and you just enjoy the music. We can't say enough great things about this record. Check out the amazingly cool sounds going on in 'Venus' and 'Aquarius' for example. This could rival any house album this year for best of 2024. It's that good!