Back in stock: Progressive House

Review: The 39 Orbits pair of Nick Annies and Twink put out only two releases and they were back in 1993. In the years since though, they have become real digger's delights that now fetch high prices on the second-hand market if and when copies come up. But not anymore - Cosmic Soup has assembled this welcome 180g 12" which features tracks from those original records as well as one previously unreleased cut. 'Mercury' is pure dreamy post-rave prog house, as is the slightly more direct 'Outer Limits.' 'After Life' is high-speed house with lush synth work and 'Orbit's Theme' gets more deep and inwardly reflective.

Review: There's something unavoidably magnetic about the intersection between ambition and self-awareness and this release, by Charonne, Nemo Vachez, Umberto and T Oceans, knows exactly how to tap into that tension. With each track, there's an undeniable undercurrent of both vulnerability and swaggeriproducers twisting minimal beats into something far deeper, dragging you through shadows with a mix of melancholy and movement. You feel the weight of their collective sound but also their defiant lightness, straddling the line between introspective and dancefloor-driven music. It's a textured, driving release with an ever-present air of mystery.

Review: Some would deny that sound could be at all malevolent, or carry an innately evil intent. Greek techno producer Cirkel Square may think differently; his latest red-label EP for Ukrainian imprint Jerelo makes the argument quite clear that since sound does not exist without an ear to receive it, and a subject to perceive it, all sound is thus subjective. Its emotional contents are as contingent on the presence of a human mind as is the capacity to hear the sound itself: if we hear a sound, we cannot avoid ascribing it an intention. Cirkel Square, meanwhile, refrains from bad philosophy of this kind and draws on Ancient Greek mythology to inform his tutelary four track EP, each of which is named after the Greek gods of time, hell, war and hell again. The Greeks believed in four "sinister harmonies", and Cirkel Square has finely tuned each track to conform to each of said grave frequencies, to harrowingly electric effect. It's not all doom and gloom, though: make it to the end for the calmest balm in sound there is here, 'Persefone's Whisper'.

Review: The French label and distribution arm Hostom Records are a clandestine operation, owned and operated by the Parisian parent label Yoyaku and specialising in French disco edits. Here the imprint's eighth vinyl instalment comes after an initial 7" and two 'ZZZ' black label editions. Four tracks of origin-unknown sample sources make up an array of razzle-dazzle disco, stylish urbanite techno, and minimal munitons, all four of which seem to portray the wildest, most oblique club vertices of a strutting French city.

Review: Sonido Club step up from their club residency to drop their first EP, spotlighting the talent of Papolious Jonesian alter ego of Peruvian artist and Barcelona-based Brian Topham. 'Danzantes Incansables' showcases four distinct tracks, each drawn from his live performances and ranging across synthwave, electro and progressive styles. With every track played live in the studio, the EP captures the unfiltered energy that has become a hallmark of his performances. This EP is a nod to the tireless dancers who lose themselves in the music, following it through the night and into the mind's deeper recesses. Kicking off with 'Internal Life,' a track that threads synthwave aesthetics with a driving rhythm, the EP establishes its hypnotic pull. 'Danzantes Incansables' itself channels the energy of the tireless dancers it's named after, blending progressive elements with a steady, entrancing beat. On the flip side, 'Prophecies Of A Modern World' carries a more introspective tone while keeping the energy flowing, before closing with 'No Te Quedes Sin Amor'ian electro cut that pairs tight production with an emotional depth, perfect for closing out the night.

Review: Laars taps into the rich nostalgia of the mid-90s with a release that will resonate with anyone who longs for the early days of trance and progressive house. Side-1 kicks off with 'Breath Control,' a track that could easily have been spun by Sasha in his heyday. It starts with progressive house rhythms and a subtle breakbeat before edging towards trance, creating a hypnotic atmosphere. 'What If You Fly?' follows, channeling the early 90s progressive house vibe, reminiscent of the sound championed by labels like Guerilla Records. It's a mid-tempo journey that captures the essence of that era. On Side-2, 'Concur' ups the tempo slightly, with a sound that harks back to 1994-1995 when trance began to blend Goa and analog psy elements. This track brings memories rushing back. Finally, 'Delight' closes things out with a more chilled, spacey vibe, perfect for winding down. A true homage to the golden age of progressive house and trance.

Review: Spanish imprint AGT continues to unearth cult classics and slept-on gems to reissue. This time round, they take us back to 2005 and the final outing of Christian Llopis (so far, at least) as Llopis. A-side 'Lobster Tan' is dark, driving and lightly acid-flecked, with spooky noises, mind-mangling motifs and echo-laden percussion fills riding a weighty tech-house beat and a deep, driving bassline. 'Stimulation' explores the more dubby, atmospheric and foreboding end of the mid-00s tech-house spectrum - think Berlin clubs on Sunday morning, rather than the UK deep-tech sound - while 'Back In The Days' is glitchy, percussive, sub-heavy and deliciously druggy, with only some sparkling, progressive house influenced melodic motifs breaking the hypnotising, early morning spell.

Review: Italian house lover Fabio Monesi returns to his Wilson label - named and styled after that unforgettable volleyball in Castaway - with a collab EP next to Tom Carruthers. It's rooted in traditional tropes from the 90s and US scenes starting with the kicking, retro flavours of 'Mi Amor' before 'The Bass Theory' brings on, yep, some more heavy bass-driven grooves. Last of all is the more synth-laden 'Killer Fruit' which is a triumph in drum programming that will enliven any crowd.

Review: Aimed's return to its roots with Palmiz channels a familiar energy for fans of the label. 'Strange From 94' sets the stage, with euphoric, atmospheric vibes perfect for expansive, open-air raves. 'Chimera' follows, blending trance and house into a hypnotic groove, its smooth synths and rolling percussion creating a captivating intro for any set. On the B-side, 'Tropyc' offers a more utilitarian rhythm, moving away from melody and focusing on functionality, perfect for building momentum. 'Acid Washing' closes the EP with a driving bassline that intensifies the release's energy, adding an edge that pushes the vibe into sharper territory, capping off a well-rounded, nostalgic journey.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


The 11th release on Random Vinyl finds Pax Romax featuring Brian Ice paying to respect to an original masterpiece while also serving it up for a new generation of ears. First up is the extended remix of 'Fade To Grey' which is a deep and cosmic disco workout with libidinous vocals. '2067' is a second production by Pax Romax that layers up jittery arps and twirling pads with a low-slung disco groove. The "Steve's Strange mix" is a codeine paced retro-future disco trip with standout synths and the Master Mix is more airy with lush pads up top was made by the late great Marc Hartman who passed away in August 2024 at only 58 years of age and serves as "Marc's epic swan song as we say, in Dutch," explains his label partner.

Review: Shiffer and Paul Brenning's latest collaboration is a masterclass in restraint and groove. The tracks here unfold slowly, each element carefully placed, allowing the deep, rumbling bass and crisp percussion to speak for themselves. There's a warmth to the production, with subtle melodies peeking through the smooth rhythms, creating a hypnotic effect that pulls you in. The vibe is steady yet unpredictable, and you can feel the influence of house, techno, and everything in between. It's an understated but impressive exploration of sound.

Review: Z@p has been part of the Uruguayan techno revolution for several years, making his mark over here in Europe and in turn sending a spotlight back to his homeland. This time out he lands on the Montevideo Electric Recordings label with four more of his stylish and deep cuts. 'Submarino' kicks off with slow, sludgy electronics and before thumping kicks drive things onwards beneath skewed acid. 'Sensations' is a more bouncy affair with a rising tension that hurries you along and keeps you on edge before 'The Box' blends acid and minimal into an impactful arrangement that never lets up. 'Frank 717' rounds out with the most punchy kicks and sleek synths of all.