House News

ROBERT MATOS returns to OCHA with an Afro-jazz house burner feat. the voice of Deep House legend RON TRENT reminding us that House Music needs soul. Afro House phenom CARLOS MENA drives the message home with his club worthy remix, while COFLO delivers signature percussive deepness with his remix.

Undoubtedly one of the finest disco songs ever created, “Dance Reaction” emerged as a sensation from Holland, representing a true ‘one-hit wonder.’ The distinguished ‘Siamese’ label in the US and Carrere in Europe both recognized its potential and took it under their wings. This track, clearly inspired by dan Hartman’s “Vertigo”, swiftly climbed the charts across the continent in the spring of 1982.

On the A-Side, listeners are treated to the captivating and sensuous sounds of the Martin Boer version. This interpretation unequivocally showcases Martin’s innate connection with disco, evident in his captivating electro-disco masterpiece. Notably, Martin Boer holds the distinction of being a founding member of “2 Brothers on the 4th Floor,” a Eurodance phenomenon that dominated the 90s, amassing millions of record sales globally. Intriguingly, this release marks his return to remixing records, after a 15-year hiatus; incidentally, Martin embarked on his journey with High Fashion Music in 1990.

Flipping over to the AA-side, Croatian legendary DJ Pucko presents a remix that encapsulates the unique essence of the former Eastern bloc sound. This rendition exudes a raw and forceful energy, characteristic of that regional style. At the behest of High Fashion, the components of his mix were extracted and meticulously reworked and refined through the mastering process. The objective was to preserve the core while polishing the rough edges, culminating in an essential vinyl record that retro and disco DJs alike must acquire to elevate their dance floors.

Juan Pablo Torres was one of the best trombone players in the Latin-jazz community of the second half of the 20th century.

He was the director of Algo Nuevo and a member of Irakere, two of the leading exponents of Afro-Cuban jazz in the 1970s and 1980s. He has also directed various Cuban supergroups such as Estrellas de Areito and Cuban Masters.

Almost all of his albums were made for Areito de La Habana, Cuba.

‘Cuba Disco’ was the only album released in his name in Europe; recorded in Milan in 1984 and produced by Aldo Pagani. In Italy in the same year he participated in two records by Pino Daniele and one by Astor Piazzolla.

Accompanied by his faithful Gruppo Algo Nuevo, with the addition of some guests such as the Italian jazz guitarist Angelo Arienti, his traditional Afro-Cuban vein is contaminated by disco and balearic moments; as in the case of the magnificent ‘Bermuda Triangle’ which anticipates the current atmosphere of Nu Genea.

Limited edition. Released from the transfer of the original master tape.

Following on from Melodic Motion, Martin Matiske returns to Bordello A Parigi with a track that first appeared over a decade ago. Released on his first album on Stilleben, “Dimension Phantasy” has been dusted down and given a new lease of life.

This extended version bubbles with the same energy as the original. Steady kicks give way to scaling chords as a racing piece of future gazing brilliance takes hold.

Melodies are addictive, yet cold, with a common ground between disco and electro being forged. Sharing the 12” real estate are two good friends, each offering their own remix. Captain Mustache is a musician who can turn his hand to any style.

Here the French producer remains true to the Matiske’s version, adding layers of warmth while maintaining the Springtime coolness of beats and harmonies. The flip is given over to Play Paul, a trailblazing figure in electronics. BPMs are reduced as sweetened lines take flight in the “Oh Lord! Remix”. Arpeggiators rumble before bold keys and heartfelt vocals enter in this emotive reinterpretation. The finale strips back lyrics to focus on those succulent synthesizer sounds. A celebration of past, present and future on one very special release.

We are honoured to have none other than Jamal Sul better known as Moving Still as the first artist to bless us with two ‘90s Kuwaiti edits on a 12” EP release, the first of the ‘Yallah Ya Ashab’ (Let’s Go Friends) series. The release is in collaboration with Kuwaiti cassette label Al Nazaer who have had a major impact on music from the Gulf region since the ‘80s. Moving Still follows on from his infectious disco floor-filler Sidi Mansour (Moving Still Edit), which took the festival circuit by storm, and his italo-esque edit of Egyptian pop star Azza Kamal’s Maadna Bkra in collaboration with Dutch producer Tjade. Both edits reached #1 in Rush Hour’s best-sellers chart and were played out across the world with support from Palms Trax, Hunee, Skatebård, David Vunk, CC:DISCO!, Esa Williams and Nabihah Iqbal. He recently came full circle with a beautiful 6 track EP Kalam Hub on close supporter Palms Trax’s label CWPT.

For the A side, Moving Still & Disco Arabesquo have combined forces to flip Omrena, a 1998 track from Kuwaiti singer and actor Bashar Ali Sultan, best known for his playful song El Galb El Mehtas. Omrena (‘our lifetime’) is a tale of longing to that time spent with our loved ones and the desire to unite with that lost love. The edit is brought to life with Moving Still’s signature arpeggiated bassline and drums, and masterfully arranged by Disco Arabesquo. The result is a percussive club banger, adding a sense of urgency to the yearning of the original.

The B side Nerjaa (‘we return’) is a mystery of a one hit wonder by the obscure band Firkit el Lotus (the Lotus band). Recorded in 1994 in Kuwait, written by Sultan Johar and produced by Meshal Jumah, there are no further details on the band’s members or how long they were together. The original track was a Moving Still find from a Kuwaiti mahragan (festival) compilation, sharing it with Disco Arabesquo during their first in-person meeting in Amsterdam in 2019. The Arabic new-jack swing track has been a quiet obsession of the two ever since. This stripped back edit transforms the original with a refuelled and recreated 808 drum and sub-heavy bass, with crooning vocals to have you fall in love while dancing in the club.

Who doesn't love a good edit, some nice Balearic, and especially some mystical Balearic edits? Well, that's just what we have here from Matsoaka who taps into several worldly flavours on this new six tracker courtesy of Magic Wand. 'Parlband Utmed Kusten' starts slow and steady, wet and dubby. 'Jah Banana' is a supremely horizontal and sun-kissed beach groove and 'Alligator' cuts loose on glistening melodies and playful chord vamps. Gentle breakbeats power the seductive 'Shish Balearic' and 'Asian Dance Groove' closes out with loose, percussive rhythms and funky guitar rifts. A truly global sonic trip.

Paul Older is the man behind the Disco Mind Records and after something of a short break, he and it are back with a bang. These two superb cuts are the result of him going on a deep digging record trip and unearthing two marvelous old gems that have been expertly restored for modern dance floors without losing any of the grit and realness that makes old tunes so appealing. 'The Venetian Girl (Marisa)' comes on strong with huge horns and big Philly percussion that reminds immediately of the legendary Studio 54 and then 'Up' is a big-time party pumper with funky elements to get the floor going.

Hot on the heels of Daje Cutz Vol. 1 which featured a trinity of talented producers in the shape of Monsieur Van Pratt, Matalo! and Paul Older, Samosa Records modern funk offshoot Daje Funk continues to evolve. Their follow up EP ‘Daje Cutz Vol. 2’ jumps from 10” to 12” so that they can pack in more of the finest dance-floor groove to help satiate even the most enthusiastic listeners among us.

‘Daje Cutz Vol. 2’ brings in five heavy hitting tracks including club jams from M.B. Edit, C. Da Afro and label boss Les Inferno. There are also return appearances for Paul Older and Matalo! who’s Vol. 1 jams were picked up by DJ’s all over the globe.

Up first and keeping the labels support for Italian producers running strong is M. B Edit aka Massimo Berardi. His track ‘Your Love’ is packed with groove aplenty. Warm bass notes, funk edged guitar licks and smooth keys all surround a bluesy funk vocal. Building up slowly ‘Your Love’ is soon dancing head first into Temptations-esque smile inducing vocal harmonies and powerful brass solos which give us a quintessential hands in the air moment.

Matalo!’s 'Abeja' takes us off into heavy percussion edged 70’s vibe house music. This one is a gilt edged groover whose Caribbean flow is a real rollercoaster of emotions. With summer vibes through and through this one could very well become a BBQ rave and carnival staple.

Greek Disco machine C. Da. Afro is up next with ‘Manhattan Groove’ and it does indeed have that 70’s NYC feel coupled with a distinct and vibrant Latin edge. It’s a real musical tapestry of influences all flowing happily through its party spirit. Feel good energy aplenty right here!

Over on the flip label boss Les Inferno gets in on the act with 'Hey Santana' which again has a 70’s Latin spirit swirling around within it’s percussion fuelled soul. This is another wonderful track which brings to mind the Blackout Allstar’s ‘I Like It Like That’ for it’s anything goes crossover dance-floor potential and we all know where that one ended up.

Last up but most certainly not least is Paul Older’s 'Amor Mio' and its a real monster of a set closer which brings to mind a Latin superstition with its heavy funk clavi loop. Paul has come up trumps yet again, he’s a producer to keep a close eye on with his deft dance-floor touches always impressing. Here he has looped this in all the right places as it ebbs and flows constantly with its sultry vocals and string stabs.

If you love your funk with a 2020 edge this is another huge release from Daje Funk.

The visionary electronic music producer team Arnau Obiols and KAYYAK, known for blending cultural influences into captivating soundscapes, present two new tracks seamlessly fusing afro-inspired rhythms with groovy organic beats. Splendid remix works by the masterminds Prins Thomas, Medlar & Dele Sosimi and Rahaan are the icing on the cake.

Arnau Obiols and KAYYAK return to Compost Records with their third release for the esteemed German label. Following their debut EP, 'Chang'an', and the single 'Tunacheza', which was also featured in the compilation 'Future Sounds of Jazz Vol. 15', the duo presents their latest offerings: "Faith" and "San Diago". Recorded between Zurich and Barcelona, these tracks embody a fusion of disco, funk, and jazz infused with a strong West African influence drawn from genres such as highlife, afrobeat, and juju. Their passion for psychedelia and krautrock is evident in the recordings, characterized by raw tape echoes, primitive drum machines, heavily processed analog synthesizers and dream-like atmospheres. While the original tracks maintain an organic vibe, the remixes offer club-ready versions tailored for the dance floor. Featuring outstanding remixes by the Norwegian space disco pioneer Prins Thomas, the Chicago legend Rahaan, and the British house producer Medlar, along with Nigerian musician Dele Sosimi, renowned for his work as a keyboard player for Fela Kuti in the late 70s and early 80s. Don't miss your chance to experience these captivating tracks. Grab it while you can, as this release is expected to go fast!

This one has been in the works for quite some time. A statement compilation showing what Full Circle is about, paying homage to the very roots of psychedelic dance music. A little town in India, which was a haven to a bunch of hippie outcasts, was throwing freeform outdoor parties since the day those freaks put their flag down. What was once a gathering around live music blew up into a rave as electronic music started to appear, paving the way to what would eventually become Goa Trance.

Full Circle, the duo project of Alexis Le-Tan and Joakim, started 10 years ago when Alexis accidentally discovered that some of his old Goa Trance records he was about to sell sounded great when played at the wrong speed : 33rpm instead of 45rpm. He called his long-time friend and collaborator Joakim to work on edits of those tracks that became the sound signature of this DJ duo : a slow, heavy and trippy sound that would eventually infiltrate the fringes of the underground club scene via like-minded DJs such as Vladimir Ivkovic, Jane Fitz, Ivan Smagghe and many more.

10 years later and a bunch of releases and remixes behind them, Full Circle decided to tell the story of how this Goa sound came to life. At a time when Trance has made a major

comeback and infiltrated pretty much all the sub-genres of club music, it felt right to look back at where it all started - going full circle, when Trance was not Trance, Goa was not Goa but the seeds of tripped out dance music were being sown.

After all, there are countless compilations about Balearism, the Italian Cosmic scene,The Loft, The Paradise Garage etc but none about the roots of this Goa sound.

This is a compilation of the best tunes played by the pioneer Goa DJs like Laurent, Goa Gil, Mike Maguire amongst others, between the late 80s and early 90s. Proto House, New Beat, early Techno, Industrial, with a distinct psychedelic tone, a few arpeggios here and there, acid lines, chopped up vocals, all elements of what would later constitute a genre of its own.

This beautifully packaged compilation includes liner notes by Tom Colebrooke and excerpts from Tom and Alexis’ interview of Mike Maguire of Juno Reactor fame, one of the pioneers of Goa Trance.

Check the liner notes for more info about the early Goa history !

The city of Rome once again confirms the excessive abundance of records produced for the music industry, television and, even, shopping malls. The mistery that surrounds the musicians involved in these sessions makes the journey even more interesting and tense. “Was really that drummer involved in that record?” – “I don’t know” or, of course, “I don’t remember…”. Certainly, a new distinctive brick has now been added to the Italian Jazz-Fusion heritage.

- Limited Repress in White Splatter Vinyl

Three chopped & pumpin' disco edits.
Get ready to gonna ring in the summer big time oof!

MEMBERS ONLY (AKA JAMAL MOSS/HIEROGLYPHIC BEING) is back at it with a double 12" featuring 8 previously unreleased tracks of the off the wall lo-fi edit madness they're known for. Don't be fooled by the title. it's great, but not for the faint of heart. Sure to excite fans of labels like NATION, L.I.E.S., OPAL TAPES, etc.

Continuing the deeper explorations of their last couple releases, BLR invites Delusions of Grandeur mainstay Norm de Plume to join the party.

Hear Us Now is a four-tracker offering flavours for every occasion, from the anthemic title track and fierce 'Meanwhile Uptown' to the moodier midtempo action of 'Strange Land' and 'April'.

ohann Wolfgang von Goethe is always a reliable source for a good quote: "We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise, we harden." Sure as death, there is an excerpt of his that states the opposite. In the case of Robert Dietz, it holds true. Since his first appearance on Running Back in 2009 (Forward Snipping), he did a marvelous job staying on his toes as a producer and DJ.
Rejuve-Nation showcases his talent in various alleys of electronic (dance) music with Crane Song being the prime cut here. You will get exposed to proggy house with an intelligent brush in two slightly different mixes. Imagine if Euro dance went to get a college degree or a bumper car floor and you are almost there: an almost irresistible sing a long without lyrics.
If you need help afterwards, Deranged Self Therapy is exactly what you need. IDM meets new wave drums, poignant synths mix with an upbeat hook to create a ballet piece for lovesick robots.
Centro Di Gravita reconnects those qualities with the aforementioned Crane Song ones, while giving it an acid spin, before the ambient salts of Any Plan(t)s This Weekend closes the EP off like a confident sketch for the end of a beautiful summer. A bouquet of bangers for different needs.

Short: One Rejuve-Nation EP under a groove with Robert Dietz' return on Running Back. Proggy meets acid house, IDM leanings mix with stylistic devices of new wave and extra special ambient aerobatics round out the EP. Special attention goes to Crane Song and its peak time perfection. A bouquet of bangers for different needs.

Taken from his standout album 'All Around The World', Serge Funk is back on vinyl with two delectable cuts: 'Move On Up' and 'Runaway'.

Both tracks get that extra magic touch from Groove Culture label bosses Micky More & Andy Tee for this release as they serve up a double header of specially made seven inch edits. Glamorously groovy, club heaters that blend all the best elements from disco, house, funk and boogie. 100% party starters right here.

DJ Support: Dimitri From Paris, Danny Krivit, Dr Packer, Late Nite Tuff Guy, John Morales, Moplen, Craig Charles and many others…

It’s been a spellbinding last 12 months for Tropical Disco Records, dominating both the digital and vinyl charts, with a seemingly endless stream of near perfect jazz infused disco goodness. Their latest vinyl only EP ‘Tropical Disco Volume 23’ perfectly showcases that well loved Tropical disco style alongside the worldwide musical knowledge which has been the cornerstone of the label recently. Featuring both label heads Moodena and Sartorial alongside South American pairing Infrasoul and Clean Is Good it’s a perfect showcase of the labels style.

Opening up proceedings is Mexico’s Clean Is Good, another star in the making from a country which continually seems to punch well above its disco weight. ‘Christina’ has that Latin flair aplenty. Bubbling bass, club shaking drums and a real diggers classic of a Latin jazz sample all combine for what is a real party favourite in the making.

Moodena keeps that jazzy flair flowing beautifully with ‘Cotton Club’. It’s a track with a real 70’s soundtrack vibe running through its disco DNA. A celebration of all that the legendary ‘Cotton Club’ name brings to mind it’s brimming with class and grace and just a touch of playfulness. It’s a real moment of musical bliss.

Over on the flip of the 12” Sartorial gets in on the action with ‘Ancient Aliens’. This one has a real 90’s computer funk heartbeat with throbbing bass licks, powerhouse drum rolls and a funk fuelled synth bass. It’s the kind to track which will cause many a knowing head nod from DJ’s across the globe as that dancefloor fills up to overflowing as it causes scenes aplenty.

Closing out proceedings Colombian producer Infrasoul delivers yet another 70’s inspired gem. ‘Qanto Amor’ is a track which we do indeed have a whole lot of love for with its effortless brass licks delivering eupohia, while a dancefloor smash of a bassline paves the way for some of the funkiest guitar this side of the Purple one’s fabled aftershow parties. With a real smorgasbord of instruments perfectly playing off each other it’s all topped off with some satin shirt, gold pendant wearing synth goodness. Oh and did we mention the disco flute? Well how else would you close out one of the finest disco 12’s you will get your hands on this year.

ZYX Italo Disco: Flemming Dalum Remixes Vol. 3 sparkles with 8 selected remixes by the Danish Italo Disco legend. Flemming‘s remixes seduce with their modern, perfectly produced sound, but remain close enough to the original to convey the typical Italo Disco vibe of the '80s.

Madrid-based beatmaker Big City Lover presents a 13-track album filled with lo-fi flavored beats and influences ranging from classic house to 90's hip-hop. A collection of beats and tracks recorded on tape between 2020 and 2023 using an MPC, vintage synthesizers, and fx pedals.

Mastered by Damian Schwartz at Lyrebird Audio.

First time on vinyl is an infectious feel-good 'Give My Love' from In Dat Groove & Lee Wilson originally released digital format-only by DJ Spen’s Unquantize Recordings. L’Amour Disco Remix pays homage to the classic R&B-meets-disco-meets-house sound, while the flip side features DJ Spen Rework version that is Soulful House to the core, both impeccably executed and ready to make you and your crew groove heavy. Dippin’ approved!

MUNIR (AKA MIDNIGHT RUNNERS) drops this 6 track EP that picks up where his "EASTERN SUN" and TUGBOAT EDITS #14 releases left off. More flavors from the mind, heart, razor, tape and dust of MR. "TROPICAL DISCO MADNESS". Trippy goodness from STAR CREATURE/DISKOVER RECORDS.

Reissue of this italo disco classic from 1983 with Flemming Dalum and Victor Ark remixes!

Scruinversal is back for a fifth vinyl outing and this one takes the form of a reissue of some of the label head's favourite tunes. An unknown artist is behind the sunny shuffle and big horns of 'This Kind Of Latin Rhythm' while Thierry Tomas's 'Samba' is a shuffling house cut laden with glorious piano work. Funkyjaws then offers up his take on tango, Scruscru layers up the rhythms and percussion on 'Juicy Brass' and Frank Virgilio's 'Portrait Of You' shuts down with a deeper late-night feel. These are some superbly effective Latina house jams to drop on the hottest of days and balmiest of nights.

In the unobservable reaches of the universe sits the Cosmologist, surrounded by 12-inch vinyl artifacts found on a tiny planet in another galaxy. Earth, they called it. Sci-fi sonic scalpel in hand, he gets to work on two gems from a bygone era. The A side, a rare 1980’s UK new wave whirlwind, given a drum-focused reconstruction aimed directly at the dancefloor, and the B an afrobeat masterpiece gets an expert interplanetary rework.

Dusting off the original promo sheet, it states that the A side entered Balearic folklore as a much-loved Rampling secret weapon at Shoom. Unlike any other record of that era, it features LSD-soaked drums, a barnstorming bassline and a piano riff that wouldn’t be out of place on a Severed Heads cut, finetuned and re-crafted with that space age touch.

On the B, a magical afrobeat rhythm steeped in history whose spirit and style has traversed decades, dancefloors and galaxies. An exploration of a great, reworked and recalibrated with extra-terrestrial resonations.

Having had the legend Roy Davis Jr. bless their last EP, Italian label Nicepeople follow up with another bumping four tracker drenched in house niceness, this time courtesy of label co-captain Giuseppe Scarano. On the A, fiery funk fuelled business with a skippy house soul in the form of ‘Gotta Move’ alongside a clubbier, bass grooving remix from Gourment De Funk.

Flip it to find two deeper cuts, the deftly sampled ‘Sunday Joint’, and the late night / early morning riser ‘Beat Onto Heaven’.

ft Alton Miller Mix

Razor-N-Tape co-founder JKriv delivers a trio of all-original cuts on his Something Else EP, bringing together a cast of featured hometown Brooklyn talent to center dynamic songwriting with club-ready vibes.

On the A1 title track, a playful funk-laden bassline lays the foundation for an explosive hook and soaring vocal performance from Brandon Markell Holmes. Dynamic live instrumentation take center stage in the soulful Try Again, which builds to an anthemic peak as guests Nic Hanson and Phenomenal Handclap Band intone the song’s hopeful message.

On the flip, the laid-back boogie groover Shoulda Been Me slow-burns with heavy bass, percussive rhythms, and serene synth-work to support the layered vocal textures by Toribio (of Conclave). Detroit legend Alton Miller takes the tune in a classic soulful deep house direction, with a bouncing rhodes pattern revolving over solid drums, and showcasing Toribio’s vocal prowess in a new light.

FullTime Production proudly presents KANO's "No Cents...Go Funky!". The Pioneer of Italo-Disco is definitely back with the first, so much anticipated LP in almost 30 Years!

Some of the original band members reunite to deliver such a masterpiece made of 9 surefire disco and italo-disco tinged jams. Pure brand new material ready for the ears of so many italo-disco lovers and a sonic trip of mixed fun, sentimentality, musicality and good times! The fourth volume of Kano's opera is definitely a must-have!

Lisbon’s Larry Quest joins the Pleasure of Love crew with an impressive sonic journey of all things house, balearic, and tribal.

After releases on Delusions of Grandeur and Log Records, Quest delivers his most refined EP yet, harnessing his knack for live/analog synthesis & soulful, hypnotic grooves.

'Blue Tide' leads off the EP with a wave of pads and deep sax soulfulness before giving way to a bubbly, modular groove. 'Hold Function' finds LQ exploring a tribal, almost trance-y take on Detroit techno/house foundation. And on the title track the producer eases into a throwback mid-90s house vibe with bursts of M1 organ and Rhodes stabs.

Aussie Dr Packer has remixed T- Connection – At Midnight on High Fashion Music. And with his name on the sleeve, for sure you know you have something great in your hands!

He skilfully undertakes the task of capturing and updating the distinctive Bahamas-Miami T.K. Disco sound, infusing it with his own flair and sass. Seamlessly blending nostalgia with contemporary elements and revitalising a classic disco vibe. Dr. Packer manages to retain the uplifting and energetic brilliance of the original. A refreshing take on a classic sound that solidifies its place as a standout in the rich tapestry of disco history.

Daddario debuts at Ragoo Records with the 'Quinto Quarto' EP, a record that fuses beatmaking attitude with funk, disco and electro vibes. 'Quinto Quarto', which means entrails in Italian, is the result of his deep research about roots. From the broken funk of 'Shift' to the heavy percussions of 'Space Lou', each track is full of grooves and details that showcase Daddario's skills on the MPC as well as on synthesizers. The project is enriched by collaborations with percussionist JZP, guitarist Lorenzo Mantovani, bassist Michele Freguglia, trumpeter Matteo Pontegavelli, and two remixes from Astratto and The Mechanical Man.

For its next outing, the Nebraska label has curated a mini best-of EP that serves up a quartet of tunes that have been digital only until now. Side A opens with 'Senza Parole,' featuring a weird and wonderful vocal sound and some loose hand claps under Italo-infused disco-funk drums. 'Let Me Be The One' is a nice tripped pout and slow motion 90s downtempo jam and 'Funkbraska' is an homage to French Touch with filtered synth loops fizzing with sugar goodness over a characterful bassline, and last of all is 'Love + Hate', another low slung hose groove that oozes cool and has a fantastic bassline propping it up.