Back catalogue: Progressive House

Review: Volume One of a label retrospective of pioneering early 90s Prog House label Interactive Test Compiled by Alex from Utopia Records and enigmatic Interactive Test founder Franco Falsini. Falsini, responsible for many of the underground classics on the label he founded in Florence in 1991 was first known for his 70s Italian Prog / Cosmic group Sensations Fix. A trailblazer who continued to push the boundaries of electronic music two decades later with Interactive Test, accompanied by the up-and-coming talents of Trance hero DJ Miki the Dolphin, his brother Riccardo and an host of cult Italian music producers. Here we start with 5 tracks from the archive, all highly collectable, remastered for DJs and psychedelic music enthusiastic alike from the best sources possible. Authentic and original dance sounds still hitting the spot in our times.

Review: After debuting on Kaizenrecordsberlin back in 2020, Gauvain finally makes a second appearance with this sure-footed EP for Shaque & DJ Tjizza's Berlin-based label Mood Waves. There's a sense of the trancey tech house scene in the playful threads running through these tracks - cheeky synth lines with a little wriggle to them and plenty of ear-catching samples. 'Suspended Animation' is an especially flamboyant cut, but really they're all out to bring a little naughtiness to the dancefloor and inspire some sharply defined figures to be thrown. Even when things get moodier on 'The Pier, 1962', there's an irrepressible sense of fun which leaves a lasting impression.

Review: Semi Delicious return for their sixteenth edition with the impressive 'Asylum Of Love' V/A, inviting faces old and new to the imprint. A label noted for bringing together impressive collections of talent, SEMID016 is no exception, with six separate contributions from Krywald & Farrer, Gallegos, Tatie Dee, Omar Smadar & DJ Gear, Scarlett O'Malley & label boss, Demi Riquisimo. The A-side welcomes Krywald & Farrer, Gallegos and Tatie Dee, kicking off with 'Seize The Source' from the aforementioned Krywald & Farrer, before label regular Gallegos tops things up with 'Asylum of Love', and finally, Dee's 'For My Niece'. The B brings the most jubilant of the bunch, 'Check One', while this tonal up-shift continues with 'Hey Party People', before finally closing on Demi's finishing touch that is a version of 'Rocking You Internally' from his own 'Mirage Over' EP, released on the same imprint. All quality house here.

Review: Mineral Cuts are casting their eye back on a couple of gems from the world of progressive house and trance with a sharp diggers instinct. This eighth release on the Kalahari Oyster Cult sub label continues the format of two obscure cuts from different artists, this time leading with Grain's 1998 trip-out 'Does Jesus Have Buddha Nature?'. Dubious spiritual framing aside, it's a spellbinding workout of throbbing low end, pulsing leads and pleasingly crunchy drum processing. Logue II's 'Keep Me From Pain' is an older affair from a hand-stamped white label in 1994, more house-oriented in its make up with some sprightly breaks and organ stabs that meld into a flowing, joyous rave gem.

Review: Rebirth kicks off its 2024 with a remix EP that serves as "a tribute to the Brescian music scene in its many facets and declinations." The full original project is a complete 12-track album that brings together many different sounds, scenes and generations, with the best bits now assembled on this new 12". The revered deep house master Fred P opens up with some texture spiritual synth depths, K-Lone brings some nice house swing to his version of 'Paline' and edit maestro Rahsaan also keeps it paired back and late night on his soulful take on 'Scent Of An Old Life'. A great reimagining of some moving musical adventures, then.

Review: Just in time for Valentine's Day, System 108 from the Netherlands marks eight years of business with Eight Years Of Love Pt 1, a superb 12" packed with fresh house sounds from across the spectrum. Simple Symmetry & Lord Fascinator open up with 'The Search Continues', a thumping acid laced tech house cut with indie vocals while Cream Soda bring twitchy electronics and amped up drums. There's electroclash-style rawness from Kovyazin D, Lipelis & Cosmic G explore a more celestial sound that will place you amongst the heavens and Gleb Filipchenkow shuts down with slow, elastic, acid laced gurgles on his 'Mieux La' (feat Ode).