Norm Talley/Moodymann - "Jus Hangin" (feat Charlotte OC - mashed up by D'Julz) (7:21)
Review: There is a heavyweight selection of names on this first release from Norm Talley's promising new label Upstairs Asylum. Firstly, the man himself is a Motor City heavyweight who links with fellow luminary Omar S on the opener 'Muggy Detroit Heat.' It's an intense and steamy house track that bristles with raw melody. On the flip, French house icon D'Julz reworks a tune by Norm in cahoots with the one and only Moodymann. This one is all cuddly chords, romanic vocal chops and warm, rough edged house beats for those cosy basements.
Review: Ludovic Navarre aka St Germain requires no introduction, and the French house legend has literally seen and done it all ever since his first productions began to surface and influence other house artists back in the early 1990's golden era. The majority of his music has been released on F Communications, but his latest studio album drops on EMI's Parlophone sublabel. The self-titled St Germain is a proper LP, not a mere collection of house tracks put together helter-skelter. Inside, you'll hear many of Navarre's influences and inspirations, from Afro tribal melodies, to jazzy influences and even Middle-Eastern chimes. It's a house album in structure, but much more than that beneath the surface...as it always was from the legend of French dance music.
Review: After his debut release with remixes from Arpanet and Mr Oizo, Kavinsky is back! Killed in a car crash back in 1986, Kavinsky is now a zombie in need of revenge. This record, released on Record Makers, is the story of his first steps in the world of the living dead. Three powerful and original tracks and a Sebastian remix. A bloody good one too.
Review: The album that started it all for Daft Punk sure explains why they were one of the biggest acts in dance music for so long. Even now, all these years later, it is still a mind blowing work that blew electonic music wide open. Homework landed in 1997 and showcased astonishing production skills, a dizzyingly wide-array of influences and spawned plenty of stone cold dance classics such as 'Around The World,' 'Da Funk' and 'Teachers' which shouted out all of the French duo's biggest influences.
Nightmares On Wax - "Rose Rouge" (ReRub mix) (7:18)
Traumer - "What You Think About" (Re-Jammed remix) (6:44)
DJ Deep - "Sure Thing" (DJ Deep remix) (6:23)
Review: One of the greatest house albums of all time is 20 this year. To mark the occasion the legendary French producer behind it - Ludovic Navarre aka St Germain - has selected a sympathetic team of expert remixes to add their own spin to the still classic source material. Atjazz is the perfect man to open up thanks to his deep, lounge and of course jazzy house style. Osunlade then brings his shamanistic sounds to 'Sure Thing' and it glows as a result with Ron Trent later tackling the anthemic 'Rose Rouge' and slowing it down to a lush jazz dance. With DJ Deep, Nightmares On Wax and more also featuring, this is a must cop.
Review: The fourth and final studio album from the now disbanded French electronic duo, Daft Punk, Random Access Memory gets a re-release on Sony complete with an exclusive poster and 16-page booklet. This release pays tribute to late 1970s and early 1980s American music, particularly the sounds hailing from Los Angeles at the time. For this seismic album, the band developed and enriched the minimalist production style typical of their previous releases though collaborating with session musicians performing live instrumentation, limiting the use of electronic instruments to simple drum machines, a custom-built modular synthesiser, and their signature vintage vocoders. Spanning an impressive selection of genres from disco, to prog rock and pop, the album also boasts a serious list of chart-topping collaborators - from Nile Rodgers, to Pharrell Williams, to Giorgio Moroder. Featuring hit single, 'Get Lucky', this album is already considered a defining release of the 2010s pop/electronic landscape.
Natural Blues (Reinier Zonneveld Homage remix) (7:22)
Review: Spanish imprint Suara are a force to reckoned with at the moment and continue to bring the heat with his fine collection of remixes by US electronica icon Moby. Brazilian Victor Ruiz kicks off proceedings with his rendition of "Go" and he sure had his work cut our for him, trying his deft hand at such a defining rave classic: it's pretty good and gives a fresh perspective while staying true to the original. Also on the A side we've got French hero Oxia who stays on the same vibe as the original with his deep and emotive rendition of "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad". On the flip, the m_nus affiliated Julian Juweil delivers an absolutely stomping peak time weapon with his version of "Porcelain" which blows the bloody doors off as always. Reinier Zonneveld's homage to "Natural Blues" goes for some sunny uplifting deep house: Kater Blau style.
Bob Sinclar - "I Feel For You" (Star B extended remix) (5:03)
Groove Armada - "Superstylin'" (Riva Starr edit) (6:18)
Review: The idea behind the Snatch Classics series, which is finally making its vinyl debut following a few tester releases digitally, is deliciously simple. It sees label founder Riva Starr and friends deliver fresh interpretations of classic cuts. On side A you'll find a fresh take on Bob Sinclar's "French touch" filter disco anthem 'I Feel For You' by Star B - AKA Starr and UK techno stalwart Mark Broom. Their version is chunky, energetic, loopy and bass-heavy, re-framing the cut as a tech-funk workout with added string-laden disco chops. Over on the reverse, Starr re-edits and pimps up Groove Armada's 'Superstylin', making it even more sub-heavy, dubbed-out and boisterous (albeit in a rather classy way, we think). Tasty tweaks of classic cuts: what's not to like?
Review: It's easy to forget that Justice were once one of dance music's most hyped acts, gracing magazine covers and gate-crashing the pop charts with a succession of crunchy, electro-house bombs. Times may have moved on, but the Parisian duo remain big news. Woman is their first studio album for five long years, and smartly moves between quirky, radio-friendly pop and thrusting club workouts. In the latter category you'll find the spiraling, low-slung, Italo-disco-with-balls of "Alakazam", the classic Ed Banger growl of "Chorus", and the vintage Daft Punk madness of "Heavy Metal". While these are impressive, it's actually the more downtempo songs - "Love S.O.S" and the dreamy "Close Call" included - that arguably stand out.
Review: With each album, Daft Punk threw down something new for their mammoth fanbase to deal with. Never ones to repeat themselves or play it safe, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo ruffled feathers when they followed up the pop-tastic heights of Discovery with the rock-tinted stylings of Human After All. In hindsight, with the world-beating project brought to an end, the album sounds like Daft Punk through and through, not least on lead single 'Robot Rock', but full credit to them for not taking the easy route to give the fans what they want. As we reflect on the legacy of one of the biggest dance acts of all time, it's a fine time to revisit this album with a sparkling new pressing as part of the Daft Life Ltd series.
Review: Judging by the overcrowded sweaty scenes in Dalston for the launch party of Justice's second album, the iconic French duo still retain a core number of fans - who will no doubt be eager to snap up this deluxe version of said album. Audio Video Disco comes in gatefold, silver embossed sleeve, holding both the double vinyl and CD versions of the eleven track album. Musically, this is an album that delves deeper into Gaspard and Xavier's passion for prog, marrying the jagged harshness of the 07 era when they ruled the roost with stadium sized ambition. It's probably one of this year's most divisive albums, but then Justice have always liked making a noise.
Review: Six releases in and Michigander label head Brian Kage teams up with the legendary French Techno producer, Taho, aka David Jacopin. The electronic music world knows to put respect on the Motor City, but the "Detroit EP" represents a fusion, emphasizing l'accent aigu - not a typo or spec on your screen that needs cleaning. Between Kage and Taho, their production pedigree includes releases for labels like FXHE, Planet-E, Delsin, F.Comm, and more, so it's no surprise the pairing makes for a masterfully produced EP covering the spectrum of Detroit house and techno sounds, with an added deft touch from its French connection.
Review: Parisian producer Franck Roger lands on Nu Groove with 'Cosmic Tree' EP, a four-track outing of deep house perfectly at home on the legendary NYC label. Still going strong almost 35 years after its inception, it's nice to see the label is still welcoming fresh talent: Roger delivers a sultry, sauna-dunked steam on 'Part Of My Soul', one of the most contented-sounding house tracks we've heard in a while, thanks in part to the vocal stylings of Rimarkable; then there's the more repetitious ardour of 'Radik'Hall', 'Cosmic Funk' and 'The Music', all of which revel in the purely seductive potentialities of deep house production. "The music just turns me on!"
Review: Phonogramme is in the middle of a fine series of releases that highlight the great work of legendary US deep house don Abacus. Analog Stories Vol 3 opens with the lush depths of 'It's Bubbling (Short Stories)' then gets more busy with 'Beautiful African Girl' which features humid pads and jazzy keys with dense percussive layers. 'After The Disco' (Submariner edit) sinks back into smooth grooves with light sprinklings of percussion and nimble drums and last of all 'Take A Trip' (feat Keitajuma) closes out with ambient laced and late night sounds.
Around The World (Kenlou mix - Masters At Work) (7:49)
Around The World (Mellow mix - Masters At Work) (7:53)
Around The World (Tee's Frozen mix - Todd Terry) (7:57)
Burnin' (Slam mix) (6:45)
Burnin' (Ian Pooley cut Up mix) (5:26)
Review: We find it hard to believe it's taken Daft Punk all these years to compile all their favourite remixes of 'Homework' onto a single album, but they've finally done it. This up-and-comer remix double album compiles myriad interpretations of three of the helmed robo-crusaders' most iconic tunes - Around The World, Revolution 909 and Burnin', specifically - from artists as unexpected as DJ Sneak, I:Cube and Masters At Work. Don't miss this one, as it's set to be a raucous spinal-scratchy affair.
Review: Parisian producer Leo Pol is back after a great release on Velvet back in 2014 that showed his potential to create some deep, dusty and totally tripped out house for the afterhours, particularly on the Le Chat Qui Danse EP. He now inaugurates local label IILE (a sublabel of Uniile) with some more hypnotic subtlety; even if it is tougher and faster than his previous effort. There's the opener "2 La Deep De Bretagne" which really rolls deep. "Korben Dallas" gets its swing on in infectious fashion, much like local homeboy Varhat can. On the flip, he teams up with Marc on "21" for a bumpy and minimal jam while closing out the EP is the absolutely sublime "Parking" which is sexy and summery and has a certain DJ Gregory flavour about it.
Review: Originally released in 2003, Daft Club was the first official compilation of any Daft Punk material, and they chose to gather together some of their most prominent remixes from the likes of The Neptunes, Cosmo Vitelli, Basement Jaxx and Slum Village along with a few other exclusives and obscurities like 'Aerodynamite' and 'Overture'. It's a must for any fan, especially now we know (or at least assume) there won't be any more DP material to come in the future. Repressed to fox the resellers, you can finally grab this one on wax once more, and you don't need to be told it's packed full of bangers.
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: For the latest release on his consistently impressive Mate Records imprint, Madrid stalwart Rafa Santos has turned to Parisian twosome Groove Boys Project. Their take on house tends towards the nostalgic and musically expansive, and the four tracks assembled here fit that description. They begin by joining the dots between Kerri Chandler style garage-house and dreamier European deep house on 'Keep On Dreamin' (Club Mix)', before expertly fusing elements of new age house, Italo-house and solo-laden US deep house on 'Sunrise (Underwater Mix)'. Over on the flip, 'The Jazz Palace (Long Ride Mix)' is a vibraphone-solo laden chunk of rolling deep house warmth and Rawai hook-up 'Djoon Trax (937 Classsic Mix)' sees the duo add delicious jazz guitar solos to a sun-soaked deep house groove rich in rubbery synth-bass.
Review: Correcciones Calypso returns from a generous hiatus with the fourth edition of its acclaimed edit series, replete with four re-edits that veer from the subtle to the downright brazen. Thomass Jackson and INigo Vontier invite the French duo Youkounkoun to open proceedings with an insane early 80s edit full of big drums and exotic touches that's been blowing dancefloors all around the world for the past years - and definitely resides in the brazen category, despite a lot of work having gone into it. Olta Karawame make their debut on the series with a powerful, compact edit full of ballsy keyboard riffing and a military-sized kick drum that is guaranteed to have heads banging . To complete the release label bosses Thomass and INigo deliver edits of their own with their characteristic sound, giving this EP maximum a value for money factor and entertainment from start to finish.
Soulsearcher - "Feelin' Love" (Soulsearcher club mix) (7:06)
Urban Blues Project Presents Mother Of Pearl - "Your Heaven (I Can Feel It)" (feat Pearl Mae - Micky More & Andy Tee remix) (6:26)
Urban Blues Project Presents Mother Of Pearl - "Your Heaven (I Can Feel It)" (feat Pearl Mae - Soulfuric dub) (6:36)
Review: This split artist dance record combines two timeless house anthems, offering a captivating fusion of funky and club house vibes. On side A, Soulsearcher's Feelin' Love' captivates with its high-energy Detroit house sound, while the Soulsearcher club mix exudes a disco-infused charm. Side-B features Urban Blues Project's 'Your Heaven (I Can Feel It)' in two distinct versions. The Micky More & Andy Tee remix evokes classic 90s house with its soaring vocals and infectious groove, while the original version delivers a powerful alternative experience. This record is a nostalgic journey for house music enthusiasts, seamlessly blending soulful melodies and energetic rhythms to create an unforgettable listening experience.
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Dimitri From Paris club mix) (6:14)
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Dimitri From Paris dub) (7:16)
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Masters At Work Clap Yo Hands dub) (7:25)
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Moplen remix) (5:03)
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Mousse T Fantastic Shizzle mix) (6:00)
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Blackchild remix) (6:00)
Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Two Soul Fusion remix) (12:05)
Review: Anane's soulful vocal delivery takes centre stage on her reimagining of this evergreen disco cut - originally crafted by Love Symphony Orchestra in 1978 - rebooted here through a series of new mixes from some massive house names. Dimitri From Paris delivers two irresistible cuts, his club mix a vibrant and energetic journey through classic house sounds, while his dub strips things back to a hypnotic groove. Masters At Work's 'Clap Yo Hands Dub' injects a dose of infectious energy, while Moplen's remix takes a more atmospheric approach, its swirling synths and hypnotic rhythms creating a mesmerising soundscape. Mousse T's 'Fantastic Shizzle Mix' adds a touch of soulful bounce, while Blackchild's remix delves into deeper, more tribal-infused territories. Two Soul Fusion's remix closes out the collection with a smooth and uplifting vibe, its soulful melodies and infectious groove leaving a lasting impression. A true classic reimagined through the lens of a host of diverse, talented producers.
Review: Franck Roger recently impressed with a vocal project alongside Arnold Jarvis and is now back on Seasons Limited with some of his signature house depths. Opener 'Don't Look Down' kicks off with louche, lovely drums and swirling pads and vocals that soon melt the heart. 'That's Alright' is a more thumping kick but is no less heartfelt with its warped bass and prickly hi-hats. 'Proscription' closes out with smooth, serene grooves that have your head in the stars and your heart locked into the romantic melodies. .
Review: Deep house fans can rarely go wrong with the work of Praising mainstay Frank Rodger. He's on a good run of late and now he keeps the going with a return to Seasons Limited that again taps into his signature and timeless sound. A side 'Deep Squares' is one of those long and winding sounds that slowly but surely seduces you and sinks you into its deep, evocative groves. 'Sandton Skys' then brings heavy kicks and subtle pad work while rickety percussion brings off-balance goodness. The highlight might well come last with 'Come Together', which is playful and louche, smartly sampled and underpinned by a dusty deep house vibe.
Review: French producer Jerome Barresi as Robert's Diary delivers a superb EP on Is It Balearic? Something a little different. Dinky Bird is delicate pianos and an atmospheric vocal sample subtle beats and melodies reminiscent of Eple and classic Moby. Legendary Norse God Bjorn Torske keeps the atmosphere and adds creates a more percussive 4/4 shuffler. Six O Six has the trademark vocal sample and piano but a more dance floor feel. KXP which sounds like it could a long lost Gene Love Jezebel B -side rounds things off.
Review: GLBDOM sub-label GLBDOM Classic is dedicated to nostalgic house sounds inspired by the great styles of Chicago, Detroit and New York vibes, with hints of Italo-Dream house and even the Balearics. We get all that here on this new split EP from French house producer Sunny Galaxy and Englishman Dan T. Sunny opens up with some happy, piano-laced party starters, well-swung garage-house grooves and steamy basement jams, then Dan T offers a B-side trio headed up by the gloriously vocal laced 'Wrong Time.' 'My Desire' cuts up the groove with some nice raw percussion and 'Want To Love You' is a sultry and jazz-tinged number for lovers.
Review: Last time out, Stefan Ringer came well and truly correct for People of Earth, so the follow up EP was always going to be a tough challenge. French producer Hugo LX proves himself more than worthy of the job, however with this superb deep and spaced out four tracker. 'Freedom House Dance' is the opener, and rides on waves of cosmic synths and deft pads. 'Catching Thunder' is more business like thanks to the chattering claps and more direct and purposeful bassline. 'Track three layers in some doleful trumpets to a taught baseline to make for stylish jazz vibe and lastly, you're cast off into the universe on a wave of infinite pads and meandering leads.
Review: REPRESS ALERT!: This new 12" on US label Seasons Limited brings together two of deep house's most accomplished and tasteful names in French legend Franck Roger plus Arnold Jarvis who he last collaborated with in 2007, while UK mainstay and Freerange label boss Jimpster remixes. It is one the label has been cooking up for a while but proves more than worth the wait. 'Living My Life' is the one original collab and is smooth, buttery deep house with lush vocal tones. Jimpster brings a little more bounce and a fat bassline on one mix, then dubs things out to prefect for the second. A timeless set of grooves that will level-up any collection.
Alan Braxe & Fred Falke - "You'll Stay In My Heart" (instrumental) (3:30)
Review: Alan Braxe & Fred Falke's 'Intro' was an undeniable earworm in its day, being the scratchy French house montager on present everyone's decks for at least several summers in a row in the early 00s. Few know Braxe was also behind the inimitable 'Music Sounds Better With You' by Stardust, alongside Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter of course, for which he was finally credited on 'The Upper Cuts' here, first released in 2005. Now almost twenty years later, the EP gets a full reissue, documenting some of the artist's most well-known hits.
Review: French electronic icon Laurent Garnier returns with the FABRICLG4 EP to celebrate the 25th anniversary of London's legendary club. This release showcases Garnier's signature range and opens with 'Playing with the Low-End,' a fierce 2-step track that nods to the heritage of UK club sounds. The journey then shifts to techno with 'Resonances from the D' barrelling along with great force and then on the flip side, 'Odyssee Maison' features deep house grooves with Dan Diamond and last but not least 'On the Way Home' rounds out the experience with ambient sounds. This one comes with "augmented reality artwork" by Atelier 14 and is another doozy from the already untouchable Garnier.
Review: Three sumptuous offerings of quality grooves from the Aesthetic series, as Paris club scene fave Djebali and Argentinian DJ and producer Jorge Savorett join forces once again. This choice trio definitely veers on the side of the under rather than over stated, preferring to rely on warm rhythmic flourishes and enticing, inviting instrumentation rather than thumping firepower or gimmickry. The beats are tight and hypnotic, with perhaps just the slightest hint of a nod to the shuffling drum machine funk of early Derrick May productions like 'Nude Photo' here and the more head nodding repetition of Chicago jack house there. Aesthetically pleasing for sure.
Review: DJ Deep's Connected EP on Gettraum from France is a refined collection of deep house tracks that beautifully explore emotion. On Side-1, 'Sunday Loop' stands out with its melodic and groovy elements, embodying the classy house sound DJ Deep is known for. 'Cable Guy' follows with a deep, immersive vibe that pulls you in with its rich layers while 'The Third Man' rounds off the side, delivering a strong, resonant track. Side-2 brings a fresh take with Traumer's edit of 'Sunday Loop,' which amplifies the energy with a stomping house beat and lush organ keys, adding a new dimension to the original. The version of 'The Third Man' strips the track down slightly, offering a more focused yet still powerful interpretation. Connected EP is a perfect example at melodic house music that resonates on multiple levels.
Review: If there was ever a duo with the bombast and flair to pull off the 18-minute electro-rock-opera, it's surely Justice. Gaspard Auge and Xavier de Rosnay created Planisphere in the wake of conquering the world with their debut album Cross, initially for use on the catwalk but subsequently shared on their MySpace. Of course such releases now attain a kind of cult mythos, and Planisphere is no exception. In the Ed Banger era of dirty French touch, this is a fans dream come true - the gnarly monster that keeps on giving, now pressed up on a single side of vinyl for continuous listening, with a classy etching on the reverse.
Review: Nu Groove is one of those labels that everyone who knows recognises as having played a key part in the early house movement. Based out of the New York scene on the East Coast it had a distinctive 90s deep house sound which DJ Steaw now taps into but with his own twist. His grooves are jacked up and analogue, densely packed but high on warmth and soul. 'Take It There' is a prickly opener and 'Seascape' then brings some acid. 'Close To U' has a more low-slung groove that is peppered with raw claps and last of all, 'Exotica' brings some cosmic synth work to crisp, funked-up and electro-tinged rhythms.
Review: This second set of remixes from Paris-based eight-piece Cotonete's "Super-Vilains" album is another heavyweight selection with Alex Attias, DJ Deep and Romain Poncet and Aleq Notal all coming correct. For his part, Attias keeps the jazz-tinged Latin vibes front and centre with a sunny, sweaty jam laced with house goodness. DJ Deep & Romain Poncet dub things out for those more subtle moments in the night, when a slick rolling groove is enough to hypnotise a crowd, and then it's pure bumping and jazzy deep house from Aleq Notal. Elements of 90s deepness, lounge vibes and funk all colour in the airwaves as you bask in the goodness of his work.
Don Swing - "Fabulous" (Franck Roger remix) (6:18)
Franck Roger - "Things We Had" (7:55)
Franck Roger & Mr V - "Come Back To Me" (6:16)
Review: The Real Tone Classics series does exactly what it says on the tin, reissuing older label classics from the storied Real Tone Records house music catalogue, based in Paris. A precocious (the label has only been going since 2011) but still refreshing exercise, this second edition focuses on the older, apposed works of label favourites Franck Roger, Don Swing and Mr. V. Brachiating from as recently as 2023 to as far back as 2009, the ability to group together tracks from different eras here speaks to the modularity of house music when done right: Roger's 'Things We Had', for example, is a kwaito-informed ode to freedom, while the fanned, equitant track 'Come Back To Me' jostles jazz-dancier; the stylistic difference between them speaks nothing of their side-by-side fit, which is as seamless as they come.
Review: Two house music institutions come together here as DJ Steaw lands on the Kaoz Theory label run by Kerri Chandler. He brings his usual stylish sounds to four cuts that cover all forms of house. First up it's a deep US garage vibe with jazzy chord work on 'Get Back To The Fonk' then 'Don't Stop' brings more punch low ends but no lack of emotion. 'In My Body's House' throws it back to the 90s with its muted sax stabs and organ basslines complete with wailing diva vocals and the blame and future facing cosmic house of 'Grey Matter' closes out a nicely varied EP.
Review: If you know house music you know Franck Roger. The towing French figure has been part of the underground for many years and has a timeless sound that by now is expertly refined. His own Real Tone is where're he saves up some label classics now starting with a delightful deep and breezy Talk remix of 'Remember' (feat Jovonn). There is a hint of humidity and sweat to basement swinger 'Wanna Be With You' then 'Don't Ever Luv Me' lifts your head with its classic vocal samples subtly woven into a light and airy house skipper. 'Keep Yo Self' brings more classic vocal house hints to a disco-coloured house groove.
Review: One of the many songs that defined a distinct, hot, made-for-TV dance-pop era, Martin Solveig and Dragonette's 'Hello' is an energetic electro house rouser, and made waves with its tennis-themed back-and-forth music video, which allegorised the gone-bad relationship narrativised in the song. Now pressed to sporty white vinyl, this is a warm-up song if there ever was one, with its lead two-note piano riff clipped to searing, overdriven proportions. Dragonette's vocals sing of romantic vascular sweats, caused by botched inter-relational backhands, poor get-back-at-you swings, and triple bagel defeats. This version comes with a 2024 'Super Edit', bringing a stuttering progressive house continuation.
Review: French game-changers Daft Punk's tours are always some of the most iconic in all of dance music. They took the band around the world at the height of their powers and in 1997 they dropped a live recording from one of the shows in Birmingham on November 8th. It contains a 45-minute excerpt of recorded during Daftendirektour which the band themselves said was one of their favourite ever live gigs. Plenty of their biggest hits of the time make the cut such as Homework cuts like 'Da Funk', 'Rollin' & Scratchin'', 'Revolution 909' and 'Alive' but they all sound vastly different when played live.
Review: Phonogramme brings back a pivotal moment in its history with a fresh repress of DJ Steaw's 'Holding On'. Originally released in 2012, the track marked both the label's debut and DJ Steaw's emergence as a serious producer. Fast forward to today, and the record has been revived with an added twist: a remix by none other than Ron Trent. Trent's take manages to build on the original's deep house foundations, injecting it with his signature Chicago warmth and effortless groove. Alongside this standout remix, Steaw contributes two more tracks that capture his enduring talent for crafting timeless house music. It's a testament to both DJ Steaw's vision and Phonogramme's place within the scene that 'Holding On' remains as compelling today as it did when it first dropped. With this repress, it's clear that the label hasn't just resurfaced a forgotten gem, but revived a record that continues to resonate with a new generation of house heads. The energy of Steaw's production, combined with Trent's refined touch, ensures this isn't just a piece of nostalgia - it's a release that stands firmly in the present while nodding to the past. A reminder that real house music never goes out of style.
Review: Vitess is at the heart of the Paris underground and is a thrilling live artists who brings a great sense of urgency to this new album on Rossi's burgeoning HOMEGROWN label. His brand of house is slick and sleek, futuristic in feel but also full of earworm melodies and fresh hooks. 'Blue Vision' is full of vamping chords and twitchy stabs that soon get the attention then 'Drive Me Crazy' brings some 80s-style chords and wriggling lead lines that are funky and playful and 'First Night' keeps the good vibes flowing with more surging, pixelated and sugary synth work. 'Jami Rocaille' and 'Big Sound' close out with more hooky pads and clean house drums.
Review: Deep-headed, deeper-bodied dub house, hurtling our way from New Yorkers Dopeus and Satoshi Tomiie. Building on Tomiie's already relatively storied career, this chronological time-clock keeps track of the big smoke's early hours for us: '2AM' and '3AM' build to knifing edges, the latter track especially working from blueprints of overdriven satu-rave and chambered echoic dub techno, basking in hollowness. As we cross into the temporal impossibility of '4:60AM', 909 puff snares and naively high strings are accrued, and by the turn of 'Sunrise', an entire breakbeat has worked its way around our eyelid bags.
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