RECORD OF THE WEEK: Sweely - All The Reasons [Lobster Theremin]

Young French house producer William Montana aka Sweely has joined the Lobster Theremin ranks with a sumptuous four track EP. NY house inspired and oozing with groove all four tracks are winners. From the arm raising affair that is ‘Around’ to the more rugged laid-back style in ‘Blue Faces’ this is an EP for all occasions! The addictive and soulful vocals in title track ‘All The Reasons’ and ‘Yes He Is’ should also be commended. 

Being a musician since he was young Sweely naturally progressed onto production when he was 16 years old and hasn’t really looked back since, with a very active SoundCloud account uploading new tasteful productions with regularity and this is a similar trait of Lobster Theremin also. The London based label have followed up from last years active release schedule already releasing six EPs and an album too. A label and an artist to keeps tabs on!

3.7/5

Buy: Vinyl / Digital

Words by Ben C

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Till Von Sein – Puntarenas [Suol Records]

Till Von Sein is back and comes armed with his ‘Forever’ EP which was released on Suol Records on the 13th January. This EP is a groovy yet subtly intelligent double-sided record.  After spending many years in the music scene, releasing many successful tracks and collaborating with numerous artists it would seem too easy for anyone to fall into the ego trap and therefore lose enthusiasm for the craft. However Von Sein does not fall into this category. His thirst for creating something inimitable every time really shows with his recent release. In his latest interview for Deep House Amsterdam he perfectly describes his new release stating, “I’ve been working on this EP since summer and to me it has a solid throwback vibe, back to when there were records with four dope tracks on…I always loved buying a diverse 12 inch with more than just that typical A side banger, so this was my goal behind this EP. I’m really happy with the way it turned out.” 

The other three tracks on the record have a stunning groovy techy vibe but ‘Puntarenas’ is the one that magnetised the ears. The track is deep and sensual. The saxophone is the pièce de résistance, it seeks to gently take you adrift and light up the world around you. Its one of those tunes that provides nostalgia from all the festivals in the summer you attended. Make sure to grab yourself a copy!

4/5

Listen to the full EP

Buy: Digital

Words by Max J

RECORD OF THE WEEK: FOLD - Mill's Theme [On Loop]

It’s been a journey that has taken well over a year, but finally, after much toe-tapping and to much acclaim, Fold’s ‘Mill’s Theme’ EP has found a home and thankfully seen its release from Moxie’s On Loop label.

The title track was a stand-out from Leon Vynehall’s March 2016 Essential Mix as well as receiving airtime on pretty much every show from Moxie on NTS last year. It’s no surprise her London-based label had the decency and the delight to choose the fellow NTS resident for its second release and press this piece of pure joy for all our ears.

The 3-track EP charts a course through winding drum tracks and lurching techno on the B-Side in the forms of ‘Another One’ and ‘Bend Sinister.’ But real time should be taken to stop and admire the perfection and simplistic formula that is the enchantment of ‘Mill’s Theme’ on the A-side. Already gaining huge plays from the likes of Midland and Joy Orbison this track has been a hard one to avoid.

Clocking in at 9:18, it’s straight into action with a muffled melody that sways, contorts and effervesces in and out of consciousness, begging the question of when the track will ever get going. Five minutes in we are greeted with the track’s one repeated vocal, a sample of Evans Pyramid’s “Never Gonna Leave You.” The original features the same contorted guitar rift, and this is left in its full glory with Fold making mere tweaks, pairing it alongside a simple rolling bassline and crisp hi-hats, ushering in the tracks full euphoric, smile-inducing potential.

You barely notice the tracks impending end, as up until this point you are completely immersed, barely acknowledging its length as it jives in and out of full gear leaving any sense of repetition irrelevant.

A triumph, finally available for all.

4.4/5

Buy: Vinyl

Words by Marcus

Old 'n' Gold: Welcome To Paradise: Italian Dream House 1989-93 [Safe Trip]

In spite of being an incredibly adept producer, releasing records on the prominent ESP Institute and Rush Hour Recordings, as well as gaining much success with the critically acclaimed Gaussian Curve, Marco is best known for this ability as a DJ, in the form of his alias Young Marco. A product of the vibrant Amsterdam house scene, Marco’s eclectic taste and love for long-lost gems has earnt him a reputation over the last few years as one of the finest DJs on the circuit.

As a result, this has seem him contribute to the newly created Selectors series run by Dekmantel and now to assemble a compilation of Italian house music that dates back to the period of 1989 to 1993, a golden era of Italian dance music. This latest offering sees him hand-pick a miscellany of tracks with the intention of best encapsulating the unique sound that’s reminiscent of the time.

This variant of house music draws heavily on the original American house sound coming out of the New Jersey around the same time and heavily relies of fluid piano lines and deep, dreamy pads. Largely down to the likes of Marco and his contempories, it has experienced a renaissance over the last few years. The renewed interest has also resulted in the revival of the seminal Vibraphone Records, as well as the birth of labels such as Flash Forward, a label solely designed to reissue forgotten Italian house records.

The compilation not only covers the hard-to-find gems but also the more obvious classics from the likes of Dreamatic, Extreme and Morenas, all off the infamous Dance Floor Corporation back-catalogue. A personal highlight comes in the form of Q Base’s ‘II Sole (The Sun) (Deep Mix)’ a sun-soaked, deep groover with infectious vocals to match. A balance is certainly made to not just include sought-after tracks, however, the more observant of you will notice that a lot of the records have experienced a surge in prices of late on the second-hand market. Aqua Re’s ‘Holy Dance (Large Sound Mix)’ and Deep Choice’s ‘Fix of 4.38PM’ are just two examples, both readily available on the cheap in the past, but now commanding high prices as a result of Young Marco’s Boiler Room at Dekmantel Festival last year. Many, and myself included, will therefore be happy to get them in all one bundle.

Although it would be impossible to tell the whole story, the collection does however provide a wonderful narrative of a very special period in the history of house music and firmly disproves the critics that have previously labelled the genre tacky and homogenous. The compilation will be released on Marco’s Safe Trip on 20th March, released digitally in one single package and on vinyl in two separate volumes.

Vol 1: Listen | Pre-order
Vol 2: Pre-order

Words by Tom G

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Ichisan - Aperitiv [Bordello A Parigi]

Dutch label - Bordello a Parigi - known for their focus on vintage electronic music styles, present us with the forthcoming debut album of Slovenian production wizard Ichisan, set for release on the 30th of January. The eleven track LP entitled Aperitiv infuses elements of funk and jazz to bring a range of sounds including italo, house, acid, disco and cosmic. 

Originally a photographer in the 90’s, Igor Skafar’s relationship with music became stronger through playing the guitar in a number of bands. This subsequently developed into a passion for the new wave of disco music that was sweeping across Europe at the time.  Producing under the alias Ichisan,  Igor released his first solo international 12” in 2008 on London’s Airtight Recordings. ‘Global Pillage’ and ‘Tips and Tricks’ were met with an enthusiastic reception receiving praise from names such as Bjorn Torske, Pete Herbert and Prins Thomas. Since then Ichisan has moved from strength to strength releasing EP’s and one track wonders through a number of labels; Eskimo Recordings, Paper Recordings, Cosmic Pint Glass and Catune Records to name a few. 

The albums opening track, suitably named ‘Aperitiv’, sets the mood for the proceeding journey of the warm Eastern European influenced sounds that Ichisan is eager to take the listener on. However, this tune is in absolutely no rush, a plodding baseline takes the lower end, nicely seasoned with lazy synths and dressed with airy guitar chords and melodies on top, creating a uplifting yet tranquil mood to the song. If ‘Aperitiv’ is anything to go by, the rest of the album is one to get excited about. Available to pre-order on the Bordello a Parigi website.

3.5/5

Words by Alex

Old 'n' Gold: Mike L. & Lanoiraude - Mystic River (Charles Webster Remix) [Battle/Dialect Recoridngs]

Deep and soulful, old yet fresh. I first heard this record a month ago in mix by the legendary Australian DJ, Simon Caldwell. Having dug around to minimal success, all I can tell you about this record is it was the sixth release on French label Battle (sub label to Dialect Recordings) in 2004. No repress alert that I’m aware of, but it’s reasonably priced on Discogs.

Buy: Vinyl

Words by Ed R

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Do 4 Me [LNTG Rework]

Cam Bianchetti, a man from down under, has been rejigging, reworking, editing and remixing his way to disco royalty over many years under the moniker Late Nite Tuff Guy (LNTG). Cam – to the envy of many producers – has the near unparalleled ability to take a track, keep its core elements, and reinvent it in a way that brings out the “galactic groove train” hidden beneath. The Himalayan Pink Salt of the rework business, Cam’s ear for sound, his skill as a producer, and his ability to enhance an artist’s original has seen him remix across the music spectrum, disco-fying soul, techno-fying funk and destroying dance floors in his wake. 

His latest work – an oozingly groovy rework of Chaka Khan’s “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me” – is no different. From the artist of “Ain’t Nobody”, Chaka Khan’s career has spanned five decades, and Cam’s rework is an opus to the success she has had. Building on the foundations of the track, Cam adds a chugging jungle drumbeat, the type that saw his “Bless The Rains” rework catapult to stardom. Building the track, he introduces some signature LNTG disco synth and orchestral goodness. In the final breakdown, Cam’s sweeping, melodic sax synth gives the song a fitting end. 

The result? Another pearl from the man many call the “disco vigilante”.

3.8/5

Words by Nick D

MIX OF THE MOMENT: Soul Control - Dec 2016 [Balamii Radio]

It’s the week of Christmas. Wham!, Shakin’ Stevens, The Pogues all died a meagre death in your head back in your mothers womb… what you’re really yearning for is some Stephan Bodzin, a sprinkling of Mind Against, maybe even a side portion of Rex The Dog, hell, perhaps even a real-live dog to really get those Christmas juices flowing! Well no matter how much you try and tell yourself your Dad, and certainly your Gran aren’t… so look no further than the vinyl only party boys, Soul Control with their latest show over on Peckham’s finest Balamii Radio.

Almost two hours of the good-stuff taking you on Dub/Soul/Funk/Jazz/House journey that is certifiably fit for all the family. The two on the controls keep their best radio voices to a minimum, focussing on seamlessly stitching together their fine selections and ensuring this musical hotchpotch will lift anyone’s’ spirits.

What really makes it special is the absence of any one stand out track. However credit must go to the inclusion of two classics in ‘See Line Woman’ and Kiki Gyan’s ‘Disco Dancer.’ Some of 2016’s best material is represented featuring a cracker from each of Tenderlonius and Yussef Kamaal’s sumptuous albums. At one point you even find yourself marooned on a desert island with the Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band’s cover of ‘Love Like This’ (Definitely check out their long awaited LP 55).

All in all, a real delight and greatly looking forward to their next show hitting the airwaves. So wrestle the aux off your little sister and get locked with the whole family while you baste that turkey!!

Words by Marcus

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Hammer - At Once EP [Optimo Music]

Optimo Music’s latest offering is from Glaswegian resident, Hammer, with his debut release on the label. The first two tracks on the EP are heavy hitting, house stompers, but the final number, the Special Disco Remix of ‘Stripes’, is the one with the vocals more prominent and suitably sugar-coated to match the Disco mood - a real sweet-sounding Disco belter! 

Childhood friends with the Bicep boys having grown up together in Belfast, Hammer, aka Rory Hamilton, has been messing about with them on Ableton since he was fifteen but said earlier on this year that ‘we’ve definitely stepped it up a notch over the last three years, making as much music as we can together’. Last year his well received collaboration with Bicep, EP entitled ‘Dahlia’, was a breakthrough moment and this year has been much more of the same having joined forces once again with the duo but for AUS Music as part of their milestone tenth year compilation AUS100; their first collaborative release not on the Feel My Bicep label. Since then Rory has had a track go out on Huntley + Palmers and now he gives us these three, as it says in the bio, ‘dancefloor activators’. 

3.7/5

Buy: Vinyl

Words by Ben C

MIX OF THE MOMENT: Static Discos Dimension Series with Bake

Over the last three years Mexican label, Static Discos has been delivering an enchanting series of mixes from renowned selectors such as Ital, STL, Intergalatic Gary and Shawn O’Sullivan – all of them fitting with the label’s less-conventional sonic explorations. Curator of the Dimension Mix series, Oscar González aims to expand the perception of what electronic music can be with insights from all corners of the globe – and this is exactly what’s achieved in Bake’s December mix.  

Composed of tantalising experimental obscurity and luscious ambient bliss, this mix is nothing short of effective meditative immersion. Nicely balanced between the weird, the emotive and the serene, Bake has curated an exonerating mix that remains curiously captivating and expressively sentimental. 

Bake has risen as a cult hero over the last few years, having successfully gained his Glasgow based label, All Caps esteem as one of the UK’s most exciting labels-to-watch. He frequently exhibits his DJ skills on Rinse FM where he started out as a guest on the Hessle audio show. 

Get to know more of Bake in his interview with The Ransom Note here; and discover more of the Dimension Series here.

Words by Fred

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Orlando Riva Sound - Body To Body Boogie (Midland Edit) [Stamp The Wax]

If you haven’t already tuned into Midland’s edit of German Disco group, Orlando Riva Sound’s 1979 disco hit ‘Body To Body Boogie’ then it’s about time you do! Kicking off the third Stamp The Wax Advent Calendar compilation in style, Midland has upped the tempo and refined the original diligently. 

Like the two previous years, all the proceeds go to charity and this year Stamp The Wax are supporting Giles Peterson’s charity, The Steve Reid Foundation, which Giles set up as a tribute to Steve who was a jazz drummer that sadly past away in 2010. Steve could not afford the medical treatment that could have saved his life and Giles was horrified by the conditions his good friend was living in during his last days. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Steve Reid’s life than to start a charity to help other musicians in his name. If you love music like I do, please support the people making it.” - Giles Peterson.

4.5/5

Buy: Digital

Words by Ben C

Old 'n' Gold: Theo Parrish - First Floor (Part 1) [Peacefrog Records]

After months of speculation and initial issues in the pressing plant, the much anticipated reissue of the seminal 'First Floor' is finally with us. Originally released on Peacefrog Records almost twenty years ago, it's Theo's first album and arguably his finest piece of work. The album makes a stark contrast to any of his recent releases on Sound Signature, instead relying heavily on samples and showing us the rawer end of his production. It's a definite must-have for any deep house lover and provides the next best thing to seeing him live.

Buy: Vinyl

Words by Tom G

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Etbonz - BAH032 [Bahnsteig23]

For owner Ziggy Sternenstaub it has been a year of hard work at Bahnsteig23 HQ. There is no particular genre; in a recent interview Ziggy describing the sound ‘Marching together’. But it’s a German affair of cold wave, cosmic, krautrock and leftfield groovers that have built Bahnsteig 23’s pedestal away from the crowd. Ziggy can finally put his feet up in time for the New Year with their latest single sided release ‘Cambodian Dream’ by Portland’s Elliot Thomas otherwise known as Etbonz. Etbonz has a really interesting blend between cosmic and organic sounds – post-trump neo-garage? Genre’s seem to be getting more ridiculous names and its because guys (and girls) like Etbonz keep creating these different sounds. In 'Cambodian Dream' he takes his xylophone for a serious ride maintaining a slow tempo and keeping it in space. A real treat in time for the festive season. 

4.0/5

Buy: Vinyl

Words by Jack