House News

Repress

The debut EP on Council Work from label owners Frankel & Harper. The Trimmers EP contains 2 originals, the first in the form of "LHR.AMS", a heavyweight slice of UKG with strong influences taken from the European house scene and also their drum n bass background. "Trimmers" is a raw dub and jungle infused cut with a sub layer guaranteed to shake speakers stacks. INSTINCT joins for a remix and switches things up by adding a catchy vocal which definitely passes the old grey whistle test.

Calibre's new album - Double Bend. Nine tracks pressed over three pieces of 180 gram vinyl with artwork by Craig Richards.

Manchester mainstay Mason Maynard makes a highly-anticipated return to Hot Creations this February.

Providing the five-track Somethin’ For Tha Underground EP, two leading vocalists feature on the release in the form of esteemed reggae talent General Levy and American singer-songwriter Hadiya George.

Somethin’ For Tha Underground feat. General Levy begins proceedings. A tribal, old-skool leaning number, General Levy’s vocals add that signature jungle feel, as Mason’s four-four style marches on in the foreground. Ring Of Fire feat. Hadiya George comes next, manifesting as a soothing sunset cut packed full of emotive chords and warming strings throughout. The dub version soon arrives before Motherland ramps up the tempo courtesy of a rolling bassline and rampant kick-hat combos. Finally, Disco Punk brings things to a funk-driven close thanks to an instantly recognisable vocal sample.

Manchester DJ and producer Mason Maynard has built himself an exceptional reputation since first bursting onto the scene in 2017. Releases on Hot Creations, Relief and Sola have cemented his standing as one of the scene’s brightest young prospects, whilst performances at clubbing and festival institutions such as Privilege (Ibiza), Parklife (Manchester), Hideout (Croatia) and Space (Miami) have brought his sound to global audiences. In recent times, his Lookin’ At Me release saw him work alongside USA heavyweight leaders Insomniac, setting the tone for a new musical direction, with tastes of rhythmic Detroit style electro further establishing his ever-growing musical palette.

Hidden Spheres is the alter ego of Manchester’s Tom Harris, who first made his mark on the underground circuit with his release 'The Bloos' on Moods & Grooves, before following it up with the much in demand ‘Waiting’ on Lobster Theremin offshoot Distant Hawaii.
Here, Tom joins the Scissor & Thread family, the Brooklyn label founded by Francis Harris, and home to music that traverses a number of boundaries. Hidden Spheres fits right in - the five track 1985 EP blends house, broken beat, ambient, jazz and other elements into a heady brew.
'King Tut' starts proceedings, a laid back jazzy groove, rich in textures and soulful flourishes.
'My Names' touches on the UK broken beat legacy of 4 Hero and Bugz in the Attic - an off kilter groove layered with sweet jazz and house inflected licks. ‘Karl' is a much more direct dancefloor track, albeit with the deepness that we expect from Hidden Spheres.The penultimate track '1985' steps into the unconventional house vibes of Detroit's third wave. 'Soon We’ll' finishes up the EP - a supremely jazzy piece built around the sax, piano and washes of strings and ambient elements - a superb closer for a deep and heartfelt release.

The 18th offering from Instinct features four different acts, each with their own take on moving the dancefloor. Pinder P has a funky house/UK garage flavour to it but laced with wonderfully deep bass heavy and shaky enough to dislodge fillings. Papa Nugs' 'Super Beagle' delves even further into the raw aesthetics of early hardcore and especially the reggae-tinted futurism of Shut Up & Dance, Ragga Twins and Hype. DJ Crisps has arguably the least retro sound, relying on very steady and sturdy, more US garage-slanted beat foundations, before the EP is rounded off with the bubbling, skippy 'Only You' from Yosh, re-connected with a subtle reggae flavour to its UKG swagger.

4 bits of top tackle from one of ukg's finest, DJ Perception.

We have really enjoyed the launch of our Dirtybird White Label series. So far this year we have been able to release some outstanding records across a wide range of genres.

Up next, the eclectic sounds of the series continues with an extremely talented LA producer, Danny Goliger. Our friend Justin Jay who also helped kick off the entire white label series, turned us on to Danny's music.

Danny weaves a tapestry of sound, vibes and emotion across four pieces of unique, left-field electronica. We love it.

Fresh out of the K-LONE kitchen, Sweet N Tasty 001 packs a punch with four fresh flavours of delectable 4x4 UK Garage. Served warm on a 12 inch slab dripping with cheesy vocals, crisp hi-hats and tangy low-end. Sweet and Tasty means delicious delights delivered to your door, every time.

Around a year ago, Jerome Derradji received a message from a well known record dealer out of North Carolina. He found a couple of test presses at a storage auction near Durham. In fact the two tests Daniel found were for a Lee Moore release scheduled for release on NYC’s LM Records in 1981.

The 12” featured a vocal and instrumental version of the same song - Bodywork - a mean boogie down joint featuring Lee Moore’s trademark heavy bass, gritty soulful vocals and mad synths …
So here it is pressed for the first time, a lost 12” from the mighty king of Memphis Boogie Funk: Lee Moore!

Nightcrawlers is a Scottish house music project, assembled by producer, DJ and vocalist John Reid. In 1992, John Reid formed the act following his local success as a DJ and vocalist. It was 1995 when he released his debut album, which was titled after its lead single. Two singles of the album reached the UK Top 10: “Push The Feeling On” and “Surrender Your Love”, plus three singles that reached the UK Top 40: “Don’t Let The Feeling Go”, “Should I Ever (Fall In Love)” and the lead single “Let’s Push It”. The latter became an overnight success, peaking at No. 7 on the US Hot Dance Club Play charts and briefly crossing over to pop radio, peaking at No. 80 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Push The Night Again” gained new spotlight recently, when Nightcrawlers together with Riton scored a worldwide#1 hit with “Friday”, which is a remix of the track.

“Push The Feeling On” was then remixed by Marc Kinchen, an American record producer. He stripped down the song to edited vocal samples, creating an unusual sounding track “The Dub of Doom Mix”. Reid released an album containing all six singles he had previously released, using the single “Let’s Push It” as the album’s title. Marc Kinchen once again worked closely with Reid, repeatedly remixing tracks to his trademark sound.

Soul Mass Transit System returns to Time Is Now with the weighty ‘Blocked’ EP featuring a collaboration with legendary vocalist Killa P.

Mysterious producer Soul Mass Transit System has been pumping out some serious twelves this year, with killer cuts on labels such as Warehouse Rave, Time Is Now & Rhythm & Vibe. His latest outing ‘Blocked’ EP is the rising producers weightiest work to date, lead track ‘Blocked’ featuring legendary ex Roll Deep member Killa P does some serious damage, backed with three rolling UKG cuts of groovers and movers, best played loud.

Foul Play is definitely a suitable title for this EP as Kessler has brought the big guns to the tea party for this one. Really getting to the heart of what Holding Hands is all about I love how straight up in the face these bangers are.

Expect a lot of gun fingers and shouts of “this one’s a stinky wiiiiiiinky” when these get dropped in the club. That’s probably the best way of describing the vibe here...

Italian master, London based Stefano Ritteri takes centre stage for the latest edition of Shir Khan presents Black Jukebox — number 32 in this illustrious series. This one is a chiefly electro-flavoured affair, joining the dots between the genre’s past, present and future across four slick tracks — with a dash of garage at the end.
‘Slow Tripping’ is a homage to the charismatic boogie sound of the early ‘80s, resplendent with beautiful melancholic melody and a wistful air. As the name suggests, the lazy beat perfectly compliments the array of dreamy sounds, and there’s a definite nod to French disco/electro/hip-hop fusions of days gone by.

‘Donna’ is a collab with Mytron (Bordello A Parigi, Multi Culti)which continues the chuggy theme, its gently swaying synth arpeggios and unhurried beat recalling some of Soulwax’s more pared back material. Its simple arrangement is kept engrossing with synth automation and subtle atmospheric touches.

‘Brutesque’ strips things back to an almost minimalist approach, where twanging, monotone sounds slowly morph over a taut backbeat and a variety of bleeps and blips. With its spoken word sounds and Krautrock-ish mixture of sounds, it recalls the work of Public Service Broadcasting.

‘Robot Love’ takes its cues from the sweeter side of 2-step garage, bubbled down to a more laconic pace. Cute melodic refrains and big reverbs adorn the stuttering rhythm to make for a colourful, atmospheric, reflective track.

Welsh producer Harrison BDP is back on Phonica’s main label with the excellent ‘Easy Tiger EP’. It’s yet another impressively crafted 12” of his idiosyncratic take on House, Techno, Garage and beyond!

Once again, we were blown away with Harry’s grasp of producing a multitude of different electronic styles. The record launches with the melancholy-tinged Deep House/Garage crossover ‘Easy Tiger’ and its familiar vocal sample, before veering over to the more deceptively lighthearted yet carefully constructed two-step cheek of ‘RIP Ralph’.

On the b-side ‘One For The Club’ is just that, an epic and club-ready anthem with huge builds and breakdowns that’s dying to be blasted out on a huge system. Here’s hoping 2021 eventually gives us an opportunity to hear it where it’s meant to be heard!

The record closes with the sharp Tech-House/Garage skip of ‘Snake In The Grass’, another curiously catchy and original production from one of the UK’s most prolific artists.

For this second opus, Chat Noir Rec continues its momentum and offers a various composed of 4 tracks all different and complementary.

The Ep opens on the track " Prendre l'Air " by Vitess. We find the signature of the young producer with a neat and precise production, all enhanced by a millimetric breakbeat and an airy atmosphere, backed by an acid lead.

The second track is priduced by Pépé Elle who offers here a one-way ticket to England with his UKG infused "Carbon Dance" track We find all the markers of the style, from syncopated rhythmics to powerful wobble bass. Perfect to turn a club upside down on any circumstance.

The Italians from MDC open the B side with the track Bouncing. The atmosphere gets darker and sweatier. We find grimmy vocals, a heady and efficient acid bassline.

The Ep closes on the track The Resistance by Wilt. We continue to evolve in darker atmospheres with a tension that is created throughout the track without ever failing, all supported by a powerful breakbeat that will leave no one intact.

Burnski laid out one of his most impressive artistic statements to date late last year with the Instinct album "Still Life", where his love of UK garage reaches into intriguing and experimental realms. Now he's invited a host of artists to turn in remixes with some stunning results. Holloway is up first, delivering an essential remix and dub version of "Can't Run Away From Yourself" that rides a crafty breakstep groove and places plenty of moodiness into the mix. On the flip, "Badman" gets the treatment from 0113, who keeps the 2-step flex up and matches it with some tasteful atmospheric drops in all the right places, plus plenty of bass of course. Desert Sound Colony completes the set with another highly developed take on "Can't Run Away From Yourself" that locks into its own ethereal groove.

We welcome the very talented Dutch producer Daniele Temperilli to the Rhythm Vibe label who's previously releases on great labels such as "Slap Funk" & "Dungeon Meat".

After a deluge of dance producers sampling Quantic Soul Orchestra's classic 'Pushin On' the original composer Will Holland decided the time had come to take the wheel himself. 'I Won't Fade Away' features the timeless vocal of Alice Russell but veers away from previous channels, deep diving into UKG through an analogue lens, tape hiss included. By mining the less obvious vocal aspects and taking unexpected steps through broken beats, Quantic has created a genuine summer dance floor anthem just in time for our return.

Burnski's Instinct outlet continues to bring some serious firepower to the resurgent UK garage scene, and this time he's facing off with 0113 (otherwise known as Kepler.) for two rabble-rousing heaters packed with inventive twists on the 2-step formula. "Apache" is an intensely detailed roller that pivots around a killer vocal take, and uses all kinds of synth flourishes to create a wholly futuristic atmosphere - the garage of the future, but certainly not future garage. "Ignite" has a slightly more old-skool flavour that nods to past masters like Smith & Mighty as well as the pioneering work of El B et al. Classy stuff on both sides of this cool and deadly 12".

A wide range of artists remixing tracks from Mr. Fingers latest album 'Cerebral Hemispheres' on this three part remix ep series. For the first one duties go to Rodaidh McDonald and Larry Heard himself for versions of Praise to the Vibes. Call Super and Duplex shine their light on 'Crying Over You'. Part 1 of 3!

Introducing the Dansu Discs White Label Series…

A new vinyl only series of releases focusing on all things edits. First up is label regulars Wilfy D and Lavonz serving up their own individual flips.

Limited to 500 copies. No repress.

Monkey Safari enthüllen mit 'Love Will Set U Free' ihr viertes Full-Length-Projekt und bisher massgeblichstes Werk. Auf 10 Tracks erkundet das Duo eine Reihe von Stilen, bleibt dabei aber immer seiner Identität treu. Es gibt Streifzüge durch Deep House und Garage, Chicago Roots, Breakbeat und auch Anklänge von Pop - alles durch die Linse der Neunziger-Jahre. 'Love Will Set U Free' ist eine Sommer-LP, der Lieblingsmonat des Duos, und sie repräsentiert, was Monkey Safari am besten können: positive Vibes, egal ob auf der Tanzfläche oder beim Chillen zu Hause. ‘Das Album spiegelt unsere musikalische Vielfalt wider, ohne zu stark von dem beeinflusst zu werden, was andere von uns erwarten.’ – Monkey Safari

Mint Condition would like to dedicate this release to the life of Andy Panayi, who sadly passed away on 28th September 2020, and all profits will be donated to the Peace Hospice in Watford, UK, who took great care of Andy towards the end of his life.

Although better known for his artistic output as Stopouts and A², back in 1997 Andy and Alec Stone turned their creative skills to the emergent UK Garage scene, producing this wonderful 4 track EP of fierce garage jams under the alias Upside, a one-off, originally released on seminal UKG label Underground Classics.

'Disco Killer' opens proceedings with melodic chords before a super thick b-line rolls in to overlay those essential skipping snares and swinging percussion. As the track unfolds, mesmeric synth riffs and deep chords bring the positive energy, vibes and an atmosphere like no other. 'Vibrations' is a deeper and much more melodious affair, featuring a warm bubbling b-line, haunting piano riff, intricate classic garage keys and melancholic pads that overlay a deftly programmed breakbeat and 4/4 drum workout that delivers the funk, depth and soul. 'House It Up' brings the NYC muscle, a proper heads down bumpin' affair. There's heavy kicks and an acidic bass that builds superbly before flipping into a warm cavernous sub. Positive pads and a clipped scat vocal create a fantastic late night garage house slammer. Lastly 'Nervous Dance' picks up the pace and thump, there's more acidic overtones, a hypnotic low slung bass, luscious strings, razor sharp hi hats and gritty percussion as it hustles and bustles it's way to the middle of the dance floor.

This is an essential piece of '90s UK Garage that we hope celebrates Andy's unique talent, musical vision, energy and dedication. 'Niteworks' has been legitimately re-released with the full involvement of Andy & Alec, also thanks to Rob and all at An Alien Recordings for helping bring this release into fruition. All the tracks have been lovingly remastered by London's Curve Pusher from the original sources esp

“Brumes sur le Zoo” is the first release of the label Garde-Robe Records runned by Androgyne crew, founder and art director of the club Macadam in Nantes. This 4 tracks EP gathers Androgyne’s resident artists : Combe, Moksha, GTI and Youl. Thought as a musical trip in echo with the all day long party Gloria, “Brumes sur le Zoo” is an invitation to psychedelic raves.

White Vinyl

Released at the turn of the millennium and bringing a completely fresh style to the table, Wookie's immense ‎'Down On Me / Scrappy' double header has punched it's way out of the UKG underground and passed into the history books as a bonafide electronic classic. Period. Showing a sophisticated ear, and complex musical arrangements, this 12" blows the competition away with soulful minimalism and proper musicianship. Don't get it twisted though - this is a straight club record that will set it off, 2 back to back bangers in one place. This one will tear any dance down when dropped in the correct manner. It's hard, and almost pointless to try and pick a 'favourite', both of these tunes are primed to damage and still sound like they were beamed down only a few hours ago. Yes - it is that fresh, still.

Now - 20 something years later - 'Down On Me / Scrappy' is back, and believe, you need a copy of this in your bag. Peerless futuristic pressure from London town, essential in every way. Repressed and re-released on crisp white wax courtesy of Manchu Recordings and Above Board distribution, fully legit and not ready to quit anytime soon.

Vitamin D return with their 4th vinyl release, this time a 4 track collaboration between K-LONE and Wilfy D. With both producers having their own distinct sounds, the different flavours of the duo collide in true Vitamin D style. Expect R&B infused vocals, M1 organs and soulful garage and house grooves.

Old school legend DJ Perception joins the Rhythm N Vibe label with 4 cuts of pure U.K garage & garage House music. Perception has released previously on Dr. Banana & Groove Chronicles label "DPR"

With 3 releases under their belt Council Work return with the 4th installment on the label, the 'Crouching Tiger EP'. Sticking with the formula of the last EP, there are 2 originals from the label owners themselves Frankel & Harper, coming in the form of stripped back UKG number 'Crouching Tiger' as the A1, and then bringing heavyweight moodiness on the A2 with 'Conquering Lion'. First up on remix duties on the B1 is Italian producer, DJ and Music On regular LEON with a dubby, rolling take on the title track. Hotly tipped UKG producer ZeroFG steps up to remix the B2 and brings some serious dub reggae vibes mixed with some rude garage flavours to round off the EP and give a great contrast to the original.

Pinder has been spotted making sterling moves around the UK garage resurgence alongside Peaky Beats, but now he's going it alone on the seemingly unstoppable Instinct. It's great to hear this promising producer in full flight, dropping the kind of high-definition, willfully crafty 2-step that by rights should have dancefloors popping off. With enough smarts to satisfy the headphone shufflers too, these four tracks play with classic UKG tropes in artful ways, displaying a razor sharp instinct for how to maximize impact with the right hook at the right time.

Rob Amboule and Harry Wills fire up their BeeDeeBeeBee alias for The Return.

Felon5 make their debut on their own label, Bizarre Trax. Every tracks bangs, what else do you wanna know?

Finally, the long awaited follow up to DJ Duke's house classic "Old Skool Deep Sampler Vol 1, which featured homages to Marshall Jefferson (Jefferson), Fingers Inc (Fingers), Larry Heard (Heard) and Ron Trent (Trent). This follow up E.P. (Vol. 2) features another string of worthwhile homages to the late Frankie Knuckles (Knuckles), Farley Jackmaster Funk (Farley), Chip E (Chip E.xtacy) and Boyd Jarvis (Jarvis).

Duke has always respected the pioneers that created the house/club scene and set the grounds for what's become of the biggest music crazes in the world. For example, Boyd Jarvis used to play live on air with Timmy Regisford on NYC radio station 107.5 WBLS using drum machines for the beats and then play keys on top of it. Duke tried to keep the tracks as close to the feeling of these pioneers, selecting the right drum machines, sounds, and overall vibe, but still keep the tracks fresh and not derivative.

Ben Gomori dons his G. Markus mask once again following a hotly repressed sixth volume. '4Play' cuts up anthemic '90s house, while 'Inta' goes deeper on a 4/4 garage flex.

DJs who like a bit o' G-Edits include Move D, Romare, Disclosure, Jeremy Underground, Detroit Swindle, Hercules & Love Affair, Auntie Flo...

Earlier in the year, we heaped tons of praise on the booming, breakbeat-driven first EP from Pilot, which showcased a quartet of killer cuts from Johannes Kolter. He returns to action on this EP, taking control of the B-side to offer-up the funky, sample-heavy electro/breaks fusion of 'B2R' (think Layo & Bushwacka's classic material and you're close) and the more spacey, electro-focused bubbliness of 'Systematic'. While they're both very good, we'd argue that North Phase's A-side tracks are even better. Choose between the dubby and hypnotic breakbeat-house roll of 'Feel It', and 'Escape From Planet X', a deeper, more bass-heavy chunk of breakbeat pleasure that comes complete with fizzing electronic noises, deep bass and some suitably trippy synth sounds.

The first release on Jugaar Records is from Karachi boy Rudoh and brings together five slabs of electro-breaks architecture primed equally for the dance-floor and headphones - including a remix from Australia-based, Salt Mines Records honcho, Shedbug. Enjoy!