House News

A lot can happen in a decade: children, national self-harm, mid-life crisis and a side order of pestilence to boot.

At Misericord this is all grist for the mill and for Al Usher - returning to our so-occasional-it's-taking-the-piss label for the third time after his Gnanfou and Hilversum EPs - the impetus for two inspired pieces of chamber disco-not-disco 'The Evenings' and 'The Visitors'.

Adding an off-kilter pop sensibility to his musical arsenal, Al has written his first songs, grappling with parenthood, ageing and post-Brexit identity with self-deprecation and poignancy.
Vocals are provided by partner Jeanette whose immaculate diction conjures Sarah Cracknell, Jane Weaver or Would-Be-Goods by way of Neil Tennant.

These songs haven't left our heads since we first heard them in demo form, and label founder and Al's Partial Arts partner-in-crime Ewan Pearson is on duties for additional production and mix, alongside a Sleeping Bag-ish disco re-rub of 'The Evenings' on the B-side for club use.

This is a strictly limited vinyl release ahead of a full Al Usher LP due on Prins Thomas' Internasjonal in the coming year - we're honoured to be kicking off Al's return to discerning listeners and dancefloors with this stunning 12”.

Your favourite deep fried potato-based label is back. Pomme Frite regular Benjamin Groove serves up his endearingly titled debut EP, ‘Mr Chips’.

Benjamin Grooyve has featured previously on Pomme Frite, collaborating with head chef Alex Virgo. This time Alex returns the favour, featuring on their B Side track ‘Night Train’.

We’ve called on 2 piping hot acts, Alinka & Matrefakt, to provide us with remixes; two amazingly individual flips on ‘Mr Chips’ & ‘Night Train’.

Back In Stock!

Detroit producer Norm Talley shares his debut album, Norm-A-Lise' on FXHE Records. Having started his career when disco was king, Talley's real life influences over his 25+ year career have included the originations of house through various iterations. His reference points as one of the original members of the West 6 Mile Detroit crew and his dedication to his Analog only studio position him as one of the more dynamic Detroit artists who's finally taking the time to release a complete project for his long awaiting fans.

The album features 14 original tracks with influences of disco, house, and beyond taking his signature infectious style deeper. On top of all of that, the album includes a track written by FXHE label boss Omar S aka Alex Smith featuring L 'Renee.

Time Won't Wait is the track that marks the return on the scenes of Alex Farolfi.

A pillar of "Deejay Chiama Italia", one of the most famous italian radio programs, Alex is also an established producer and remixer best known for being among the producers of "Feel It" by The Tamperer feat. Maya, an iconic track that topped the charts halfway around the world.

The idea for the production of Time Won't Wait came to Alex during a relaxing moment on vacation. The song contains elements of the song Deep fear by Sidekick and features American singer Aaron Pfeiffer as a featured artist. Time Won't Wait is a track that can win you over from the first listen.

Another classic in the rebound on the original Prescription Records will be out in March 2021!

USG aka Chez Damier & Ron Trent Featuring Monica Elam - Life 4 Living from 1998.

Re-mastered and highly recommended!

Blessed Madonna, Pete Tong, Gerd Janson, Ash Lauryn... the list of great DJs playing and loving Sam Ruffillo's very special italian disco music is long. With only 3 EPs on Toy Tonics, he might be the most talked about producer on the Berlin label (with Cody Currie and Coeo). One of his Italian disco songs form his last EP ITALIANISSIMO ("Chiamami Subito“) made it into the high rotation playlist of the biggest Italian pop radio and is still growing in the international club underground.

Now Sam comes with a new EP. And this EP shows his other side. Until now Sam has been known for his Italian organic disco songs (no samples, all instruments played live). But for his new BROOKLYN TAPES EP the Italo-Sicilian DJ, producer and super styler Sam Ruffillo worked with a few American rappers and soul singers to create what a New York critic called „post digital soul house music“.

In fact these 4 songs are house and electronic funk - but it's also rap music and R&B and disco. Played in a very modern way, musically colorful and complex and extremely groovy. Its dance music made by musicians - not by DJs. And that makes a big difference. The melodic and harmonic elements are catchy and clever, the chord progressions are beautiful and the syncopated bass lines make you think about great bass play by maestros like Bootsy Collins or Marcus Miller (musicians know them!). It’s a rap house & disco soul EP and it features a well known Canadian rapper (who decided to stay anonymous) as well as Edson Sean, soul singer and composer from New York.

For Toy Tonics this is one more step in the evolution of high quality dancefloor music for the future. Combining house with soul, jazz with 4 to the floor beats, disco with Indie, the Toy Tonics crew is working hard on new forms of quality dance music. And finding the most interesting new artists. With Sam Ruffillo, and the other American artists on Toy Tonics (NY singer Kosmo Kint, American jazz keyboardist Joel Holmes...) the label is bringing together what's internationally new in the dance world - with no borders and no limits...

Remixes for this EP by some of Sam's fans: Ash Lauryn from Detroit, Eli Escobar from New York and Art Of Tones from France.

In a scene sometimes too polluted by clout and thirst for instant social media stardom, it's people like Mark Grusane that anchor our minds in truth, a north star that won't budge, operating outside and beyond the standards imposed by “the industry”, he is his own industry. The kind of truth and honesty minimal techno could barely dream of delivering, this is it, the culmination of so much understanding and knowledge in music. Not unlike what Mondrian did for the fine arts, so simple but so powerful.

Mark Grusane condenses in sound a feeling for the dancefloor that could never be described in words, and as simple as it may sound, the driving force behind it is the product of a rich scholarship in the underground. In a time where everything has been done and creating a uniqe style of one's own, Mark Grusane achieves it so effortlessly - every single track on this EP can unmistakably only have been produced by Mark Grusane during those off-hours at his Chicago record store, Mr. Peabody.

We hope you understand. For any further inquiries, please direct your calls to the party hotline.

The Barcelona trio behind the excellent Isla Fantasia from a few years ago are back to enliven another summer season with an anthemic, Ibiza-esque dance floor filler. Reminiscent of an early 90s Euro-house stomper, the production does what it says on the tin: solid four to the floor action, enchanting female vocals(courtesy of Brigitte Emaga), and a refrain that will have 'the brightest light' still lodged in your brain way into autumn.

The flip side, Mistura Magica, is a percussively-driven instrumental that feels like dancing through a tropical rainforest. With just the right amount of rise and fall to keep the rhythmic tension tight with anticipation, it's a journey of Brazilian beats peppered with exotica electronica. Sandwiched between a heavy pounding drums is the sweetest flute (courtesy of Irene Reig), taking the limelight like a bird in flight. A synesthetic track that has you listening in full colour!

The distances and limitations resulting from the lockdown become the starting point for Sara to communicate a message to everyone through the groove and the lyrics of her first track “The Heart Knows”, played by C. Robert Walker. Inspired by the Underground sound and with Soul, Deep and Afro influences, "The Heart Knows" is a project conceived to offer different atmospheres in a single release, from the Soulful House of the "Vocal Mix", to the more "Deep" one of the rinidadian Deep remix. , then passing through a more “Shelter” mood in the remix of Neapolitan Soul & Luciano Gioia.

Reissue of this all time classic, including Mr Sam's One Night In San Francisco Remix, Pete Heller's Stylus Vocal Mix and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike feat. Yves V Remix.

Called a "slow-burning vocal-house juggernaut," and an "invigorating artist's artist," BRANDON has put together a collection of tracks featuring some of the genre's best producers, such as Chicago scene founders DERRICK CARTER & ANTHONY NICHOLSON.

Italian duo Len Vitz and Charlie Iapicone debut on Hot Creations with ‘Playhouse’, backed by a remix from Cologne favourite Kolter.

Featuring as two young talents rising from the Italian house scene, Len Vitz and Charlie Iapicone are gearing up for their biggest release to date following a series of EPs across recent years. Joining forces for the first time to rework Ann Peebles’ 1972 soul hit ‘I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down’, they debut on Hot Creations with their collaboration ‘Playhouse’ - backed by a stellar remix from Cologne-based DJ/producer and label boss, Kolter.

Harnessing the original production’s resonant vocals and funk-fuelled riffs, ‘Playhouse’ brings a 70’s classic to modern dancefloors as slick drums and slinking bass grooves reveal a track made for memorable moments. On the flip, Kolter’s remix brings an add signature chords and skippy percussion to shape up proceedings.

Electronic duo Pale Blue return to Crosstown Rebels with ‘No Words’, the second single from their forthcoming album ‘Maria’, with remixes from DJ Tennis and Perel.

Italians Do It Better founder Mike Simonetti and Silver Hands’ Elizabeth Wight’s rich and storied careers within the electronic realm and beyond only elevated further with the launch of their Pale Blue project in 2015, unveiling a series of critically acclaimed releases via Simonetti’s 2MR imprint with plaudits including Pitchfork, FACT and Resident Advisor, to name just a few. Having provided the first look into their forthcoming album on Crosstown Rebels entitled ‘Maria’, scheduled for release on the label later this year, the pair return to open March with the second single from the project, ‘No Words’ - accompanied by remixes from DJ Tennis and Perel.

Detailing the backstory to the record, Simonetti notes both upcoming single ‘No Words’ and the majority of the tracks on the duo’s forthcoming album project were made on the exact synths used to create Jaydee’s iconic 1993 hit, ‘Plastic Dreams’.

Guided by a captivating bassline accented by Wight’s charming vocals, which flutter amongst the mix, ‘No Words’ is a hooky and compelling production that ebbs and flows across its near five-minute duration with effortless ease, capturing the playful nature alluded to by Simonetti. Life and Death head honcho DJ Tennis’ remix arrives next, veering down a hazy yet absorbing path as crisp organic drums and engrossing melodies form around the vocals and journey through light and dark textures.

The B-side of the record belongs to DJ/producer, vocalist and DFA Records favourite Perel, offering a cosmic dive through spacey synths, skittering bleeps and pops, and tough kicks across her take on the production - before distorting and warping the vocals and shifting the emphasis on the ever-evolving electronics across her ‘Dub Version’.

Marbled Vinyl
In the wake of Portable’s acclaimed album My Sentient Shadow comes a trio of remixes which expand on his unique slant on techno and synth-pop. Finding three artists who reflect his own experimental
tendencies within dance music, Alan Abraham’s original productions head into unexpected new places while retaining the physical, club-ready energy he manages to instill in his own creations.
A true auteur within techno, DJ Qu brings a sense of poise and drama to ‘The Spacetime Curvature’ as he patiently builds the track into a fierce peak time monster driven by snarling bass and his signature sizzling, shuffled percussion.
Patrice Scott has a reliably smooth, immersive approach to deep Detroit house, and it lends itself beautifully to Abraham’s melancholic vocal on ‘I Feel Stronger Now’.
Leaning in on the jazz dimension of his wide-ranging electronica, Call Super revels in the sweetness of ‘Ripple Effect’ and places delicate piano playing upfront before slipping into a relaxed, sentimental kind of garage and eventually edging towards an uplifting, off-centre strain of house music.
Individual in their own right and yet naturally entwined with the emotional intention of the original versions, this is a set of remixes which pay full credit to the source material while offering something
you won’t expect, like a great remix should do.

Warehouse Find - Test Pressing!

6th Borough Project make a welcome return to Delusions Of Grandeur to deliver their debut LP entitled One Night In The Borough

Hot on the heels of their fifth fantastic LP ‘Thee’ - their first for 25 years and debut for Acid Jazz - house stalwarts X-Press 2 have enlisted David Holmes to remix album track ‘Phasing You Out’.

The original version of ‘Phasing You Out’ features Kele Okereke from Bloc Party and sits at the heart of the new album which again showed that Rocky and Diesel remain dedicated to proper house music.

David Holmes has had a 25-plus year career in music that has seen him release several vital albums and remix artists like Andrew Weatherall, Primal Scream and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, hold down a cult NTS radio show and turn out a seminal mix for Late Night Tales.

David Holmes brings plenty of signature musicality to what is a standout remix - his version of ‘Phasing You Out’ is an intense one that unfolds over eight minutes of percussive density, dusty drum work and careful treatment of the original vocal. The whole arrangement is lavishly decorated with wispy pads and glassy sound effects, police sirens and a rhythmic intensity that never lets up and will work any floor into a frenzy.

Das neue Album des elektronischen Experimental-Kollektivs aus der Demokratischen Repubik Kongo - KOKOKO! Die Band ist für ihren gewagten Sound, Experimente, rollenden Rhythmen, stechenden Melodien und kraftvollen Liveshows bekannt und kehrt mit einem elektronischeren, peppigeren Sound zurück, der von den Nächten in Kinshasa inspiriert ist. 'BUTU' bedeutet 'die Nacht' in Lingala. Die Idee des Albums ist ein tiefes und intensives Eintauchen in die Nacht der Hauptstadt der DR Kongo, einer lärmenden, chaotischen und erstaunlichen 17-Millionen-Stadt.

On his new album always centered at night, moby has once again conjured into reality a collection of heartachingly beautiful, tender-yet-defiant songs, made in collaboration with uniquely talented, soulfully aware, other-worldly vocalists. All the songs are love letters to the unrestricted and enchanting music scene of late ‘70s, early ‘80s New York that shaped Moby as a musician. The featured vocalists were given the same assignment: “Please don’t write anything commercial. Let it be weird. Let it be personal. It doesn’t have to make sense.”

“Because of that randomized freedom, I’ve been on the receiving end of so much genius work,” says moby. “And the result has been one of the most exciting, surprising things I’ve ever done as a musician, and it’s one of the most worthwhile things a human being can do: make tender, gentle, vulnerable music that’s a clarion call to act.”

Featured on this album are some of the most exciting vocalists of our time. Some are well-known - such as serpentwithfeet on the breathless daydream of a song ‘on air’, the jazzy soulstress Lady Blackbird on the haunting ‘dark days’, or the astounding poet and activist Benjamin Zephaniah on ‘where is your pride?’. Other contributors have been found in relative obscurity - such as friend and vocalist Brie O’Banion on the Cream cover ‘we’re going wrong’, or Sheffield poet laureate Danaé Wellington on the powerful ‘wild flame’.

“The goal for always centered at night is to do something uncompromising,” says Moby. “To make music that is emotional, atmospheric and potentially beautiful. And what better use of this weird privilege I have than trying to foster creative expression that has uncompromising integrity?”

Repress!

1 year after its digital release, Brooklyn Baby’s « For the Soul EP » has become a DJ favorite, with the eponymous track already a club anthem. It has been playlisted by Terrence Parker, Kevin Saunderson, Mike Dunn, Mark Farina, Simon Dunmore & Daniel Steinberg to name only but a few. With over 2000 tracks sold in 12 month and almost 500 000 streams, it was about time to bring this House gem on vinyl.

To make the package even more attractive, the french produced has added to the Frappé package an extra track named « Mad Real », which is only available on this format. « For The Soul » is now ready to now become a digger’s favorite.

Repress!

Made By Pete returns to Crosstown Rebels as he links up with Zoe Kypri for the anthemic ‘Horizon Red’ and features a brilliant remix courtesy of Damian Lazarus.

Born and raised in London, DJ and producer Made By Pete has flourished in recent years, making appearances around the globe from Set Underground (Tulum) and fabric (London) to Off Week (Barcelona) and beyond. Gaining plaudits from leading names in Damian Lazarus, Keinemusik and Pete Tong, to name just a few, the UK talent has crafted a string of stand-out releases via the likes of Flying Circus, RADIANT and Crosstown Rebels. Having first touched down on the imprint in 2018 alongside Jem Cooke for ‘So Long’, with two further appearances since, he opens the label’s 2023 schedule alongside R&B, jazz and Neo-soul singer/songwriter Zoe Kypri for the gripping sonics of ‘Horizon Red’.

A dynamic track guided by rich chords, rolling organic percussion and Kypri’s powerful yet graceful vocals, ‘Horizon Red’ is a euphoric and captivating journey balancing energetic builds with deeper moments, while Pete’s Dub strips things back as spiralling synths and hazy atmospheres take hold for a late-night trip. The B Side features a mesmerizing, awe-inspiring Remix courtesy of Crosstown Rebels Label Boss, Damian Lazarus.

Soulful Culture is a unique concept that sees label boss Zepherin Saint delve deep into the Tribe Records annals to pinpoint some of the finest Soulful electronic gems from our vaults, giving them a well-deserved new lease of life.

Brimming with production legends and new school rising stars, EP 1 opens with DJ Spinna’s soulful excursion, ‘In the Distance’, before Lush Life and label head Zepherin Saint get spiritual on the keys for ‘Lush Funk’.

On the B side, the legend Louie Vega takes on Nathan Adams ‘Sweetness In Your Soul’, beachside brilliance with soul-bearing vocals a plenty. Rounding off the EP, the one and only Timmy Regisford takes it late night, deep and delicious with ‘Still’.

Part two of the Masterworks Vol 3. vinyl sampler kicks off with the ethereal 'Lying To My Lie' where Lup Ino laces a magical, soul laden vocal behind a funked up backing beat, soring strings and glammed up guitar. Hands in the air business, hugs all round!

Woodhead steps up next for a cosmic disco trip complete with rapturous female vocal, a horn section sent straight from Mars and a squelching synth line doused in celestial sparkle.

On the B side Lux Experience goes full throttle funk, coupling a low-slung bassline and feisty male harmonies with a punchy kick and crisp hats. Last up, Mike Woods takes the scalpel to a series of strutting guitars, layering them behind a feel-good groove that captures the glory days of disco but with a fresh new spin. That enchantingly evocative vocal adds a touch of spice to proceedings, primed and ready to cause a stir.

Gorje Hewek is to debut an EP on Watergate Records, brings a handful of talented collaborative partners in toe.
The skilled DJ/producer first dropped heat on the label way back in 2016 when his track 'Turgoyakk' made with fellow Russian producer Izhevski featured on Matthias Meyer’s Watergate 20 mix. Since then, he’s gone on to become an entrenched member of the All Day I Dream collective, while building up his own label Shanti Radio Moscow.
His generous maiden EP offering 'Life' is as expressive as you’d expect. Fellow Dreamer Lost Desert is a collaborative partner on all but one of the EP tracks and brings his sublime touch to the work. 'Fluminnese (Dub)' features rising Moscow duo Volen Sentir and is a sundrenched slice of house that twinkles with loads of warmth and positivity also features. 'No Line Can Be Found' was crafted with Nikolai Briar and is an uplifting union of swirling arpeggios, emotional strings and a heartfelt vocal that combines for a powerful finish. 'Ocean' sees the appearance of his vocal alter ego Marvin the Sun, and is a lilting soulful cut that begs to be played at sundown. 'Night Walk' is a beautiful yet functional cut, comprised of a tech backbone and lush chord sequence. 'Covered in White' is a transcendental slice of house driven by a terrific groove and melody line. A lively vocal-led 12” version of lead track 'Fluminnese' rounds out the pack.

The next puzzle in our series, which focuses on the unique qualities of each sub-genre within house music, comes from Berlin-based artist Ede. After a guest appearance on our Secret Weapons, he is now back with a true representation of pop alike Vocals and a knack for Detroit Elements. – The “Poptroit EP”. The four tracks are characterized by steady driving rhythms, bubbling basslines, vocal samples and synth chords, a blend designed to keep your dance shoes moving.

2023 Repress

The seminal Chicago house album remastered and repackaged in a dj-friendly 3x12'' gatefold sleeve vinyl package.

Courtesy of Balance is the Balance sister label run by Frenchman Brawther, who Chicago house great Chez Damier credits with getting him back in the game several years ago, after he had taken a step away.

This is another super smooth and seductive deep house sound, with Grant & Finnoh laying down warm, rolling beats, dubbed-out chords and heady vocal whispers. Brawther brings out the jazziness with his slightly more up-tempo remix and finally, Zansika sinks you into a late-night reverie with his dreamy and loved-up remix.

Brillant Nu Jazz, Neo Soul and Deep House E.p. (incl. Atjazz Remix)
Taken from the Album "Ruby Walls"

They say House is a feeling, an ethereal groove that sits in your soul's fibres. For Berlin based Kiwi, Philippa. It's in her bones.

Immersed in her studio, whilst listening to hours of Motown and blues, Philippa has carved the 'Rainy Nights' EP. A project she describes as a "straight down the middle, sample-based deep house record, wearing its '90s influences on its sleeve, with pride." It's late night deep house, filled with emotion and groove, which speaks to us all.

repressed !

Trent Voyage and Elena Moroder debut their vocal infused house sound on Quirk.

Described as minimal, 90’s house beats and synth textures that frame Elena’s dynamic, sensual vocals and lyrics about paradise, love and fantasy. Since their 2022 formation they have debuted their live set which was well received bringing live vocals to the dancefloor.

The duo take inspiration from the classic era of house music as shown in this diverse 4 tracker.

First vinyl release by Stockholm based group QUDA on Sunken Rock! Vocal house party with a twist, plus a dub and a balearic groove.

Vinyl Only

Detroit's premier creative space, art gallery and club Spot Lite is proud to announce its second vinyl/digital EP from the sensational duo Oliver Dollar and Mike (Agent X) Clark entitled “Body Talk.” The legendary DJ Dez Andres jumped in on the bonus remix.

This three track EP floor filler was written and produced in the heart of Detroit in 2021. With its deep grooves, soulful vocals and infectious beats, Body Talk is sure to get your body moving and heart racing.

The A-side features the original mix complete with a lush melody and a driving rhythm section sure to evoke the disco queen in all of us.

The B-side delivers with Dez Andrés adding his unique touch to the original, creating a perfect balance between his manual production style and the track's polished vocals.

This release is a must-have for any house music collector or DJ who is looking to add more Detroit flavor to their sets. Body Talk is a timeless record that captures the essence of the Motor City's vibrant music scene.

Be sure to get your hands on this limited-edition vinyl that is limited to 300 first pressing on a deep purple colored vinyl. Experience the magic of Detroit's underground house music.

Ruka, a model/singer from China.

This is the third single, produced by Seiichi Yamamoto, lyric by Shintaro Sakamoto (ex.Yura Yura Teikoku).

Includes two remixes by Takuro Okada and foodman.