DJmag - Charts and Track Reviews

Mendo - Remember - Cadenza

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Cadenza put out a fine balance between more pumping functional club tracks and their more experimental detailed releases and this definitely falls into the first category. 'Everybody I Got Him' was first released on Groove On in 2000 and this re-rub brings it back. The track's based around a solid kick, with a restrained key riff that really builds, filtering up. It's very simple yet totally devastating. On the flip, '1992' has micro percussion, a resonating synth, bumping bass and diva-esque vocal snippets.

Sven Tasnadi - 'Lost In Chaos' - Cargo Edition

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'What We Do' is a bad-ass groove underpinned by subby groaning bass, neat, tight percussion, some exotic animal noises and a housey chord, which gives it real warmth - a really well done groove track. 'Amour Fou' is also equally as pleasing but on a deliciously deep tip with its warm hypnotising chord paving the way for the groove. Halfway through the chord slips away and we're left with the percussive parts working away, increasing the intensity. Both tracks are winners.

Christian Burkhardt - 'Boomerang' - Deep Vibes

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The highlight is easily Rick Wade's remix of 'Boomerang', with his signature style deep, yet powerful chordy drive with kickin' beats, high disco string line and big warm chords. A2 'Shui' is a track entirely focussed in the groove with its more reduced feel. B2 sees 'Boomerang' in its original form with lo slung subby bass and chopped, quirky vocals. Last up, 'Rocket' is another reduced tooly track. Burkhardt's tracks are solid but a bit like the other tracks, this lacks the musicality and soul we get from Wade's strong remix.

Tolga Fidan - 'So Long Paris' - Vakant

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

One-sided killer dancefloor bomb. Normally known for his more experimental excursions into techno, this is a fairly straight-up driving house track with kickin' beats and percussion, honky bassline and a huge sax interjection - which is bound to get them screaming. Without doubt dancefloor dynamite!

San Proper - Keep it Raw - Perlon

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Dutch producer San Proper and Perlon seem like a strange pairing, but 'Raw' offers a modern take on Nu Groove's dark house, with 'December 10th' and the title track fuelled by eerie synths and menacing basslines. However, these are not mere retro tracks, and the robotic screeches, razor-sharp metallic riffs and ghostly organ stabs are enough to guarantee that 'Raw' is a proper modern anthem.

Orlando Voorn - Power Of Beauty - Divine

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Voorn revisits '90s US house on 'Power'. 'Love Break' combines heavy drums, subtle disco filters - and echoes of that dreamy production feeling labels like Prescription excelled at - with Blake Baxter's velvety tones. Meanwhile, the title track sees Voorn choose a topical dubby sound, propelled by a warbling, Derrick May-style bass; lastly, 'Beat It Up' surprises, a stripped-back jack track documenting a lewd encounter.

Agoria - Solarized - Infine/Different

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Under most circumstances, the combination of opera singers and underground house is a recipe for disaster, but it's safe in Sebastien Devaud's hands. 'Altre Voci', with its robust drums and tripped out filters, provides a credible backing for the unnamed vocalist. 'Solarized' achieves even greater results, with Devaud's lush strings and emotive keys pushing the resonating male vocal to an epic, yet unusual finale.

Dan Curtin - Other - Mobilee

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

It's testament to the range of Dan Curtin's work that he's still releasing vital house music a good 15 years after his debut. Compared to some of his material, 'Other' is straightforward, with an infectious melody playing over woozy percussion and a rolling, filtered groove. 'Sandwalk' is of a similar persuasion, but focuses more on the disco influences that Curtin is devoting much of his attention to these days.

Aubrey - Aqua Warrior - A7

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

After a long hiatus, '90s tech house hero Aubrey returns. The freaky outer space rhythms on the title track, with its trippy blips and bleeps, and the wired disco techno of 'Beat The Clock' both show that not much has changed chez Aubrey. Having said that, the off-kilter rhythms, organic drums and demented jazz keys of 'African Song' prove he's still an edgy producer.

Nina Kravitz/Efdemin - Hotter Than July - Naif

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Kravitz impresses with a tracky house tool, while perhaps unsurprisingly, Efdemin takes it deeper, with a blissed out, almost Ibizan vocal at the heart of his sensuous tech house.

Harry Craze - Wa6 - Deep Medi

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Some tunes really hit you in the soul receptors, and 'Wa6' by West Londoner and anti-socialite Harry Craze blows dust off the 45, and moistens the eyeballs. If J Dilla made dubstep, you'd get the same feeling; sweet strings bounce off mood-drenched synths and circulate the warmth. And whilst this won't set the dancefloors alight, it will start a fire in the soul. The flip is great too, but you'd be forgiven for never listening to it.

Matt-U - Can't Wake Up - Boka

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

If anyone doubted dubstep's ever expanding reach, then let the sounds of Matt-U from Hungary wipe the taste of Croydon firmly out of your mouth. Still stinking of lacquer from his True Tiger and Red Volume releases, the Budapest resident does something rather fresh for his inaugural Boka plate, utilising discordant melodies rather than standard mid-range grot, to produce a brace of welly smashers; a thoroughly refreshing approach for those hooked on the heavy sound.

Scuba - Aesaunic EP - Hotflush

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

In a past life, Paul Rose, aka Scuba, was probably a pharmacologist or something equally scientific, as his song titles are often clinical descriptions of liquid states, or bizarre experiments with embalming. I wouldn't be surprised to discover that Mr Body Works, the Gunther geezer, was a fan of his music and regularly got inspiration for injecting penises with plastic from a night at Berghain. If you like Scuba, then this is more intricately abstract aural chemistry.

Mrk 1 - X-Tatik - Contagious

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

When away from the noisy carbuncle of the Virus Syndicate, Mrk 1 can often lay down a mean riddim that doesn't sound like it's attempting to induce a migraine. Sadly, the Manchester producer is still clearly being booked at too many underage or student raves where pointless mid-range wobble is party currency. I would have expected a head of his experience to be moving his sound in new directions, but this sounds very tired indeed.

Darkstar - Aidy's Girl Is A Computer - Hyperdub

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

One of the highlights from the 'Hyperdub 5' compilation, the extra-curricular stalwarts that comprise Darkstar continue to re-assemble their beautifully abstract shapes into patterns that flirt with the very idea of dubstep, but never really take its ethos on, preferring to exist outside. And this wonderfully charming track will delight all who listen; it's simply a gem. 18-year old Detroit resident and Omar S protégé Kyle Hall goes in deep and jazzy with the remix.

Invasion Vs Shackleton - Wizards In Dub - Less Music

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Not a lot of information on who Invasion is, but those with a more progressive palate will be fully tuned into the sonic landscape of Shackleton. When I saw the Skull Disco boss at The Big Chill this year I thought Armageddon was upon us; a fearsome bass-caked barrage assaulted the senses. This experimental release is as disorientating as it is dubwise, constantly fighting with itself to be rhythmical and free at once.

TRG - EP - Tempa

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A pleasingly gratuitous double pack from TRG, Bucharest's best-loved producer, which sees him truly come alive on this expansive canvas. With eight golden opportunities to hunt down bass music over a battlefield of funky, techno, electro and even disco influences, this EP never feels like it stops to rest, presenting a sense of agitation and impatience to move forward. A robust re-visioning of dubstep, stretched and prodded to its funkier limits.

Brother Culture feat Ghetto Priest - Willing & Able - Reggae Roast

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Isn't it great to have a CD of one drop riddims on the stereo, the sunshine streaming through the window and a cold Red Stripe in the hand. In November? Probably not, but you can slap on this reggae dubstep hybrid, boil the kettle for a hot water bottle, and soak up the conscious vibes and get somewhere near it. The Hackney-based Reggae Roast crew deliver a pleasant slab of roots and culture, with classic soundsystem panache.

Subenna - Solidify feat Jamie Woon & Om'mas Keith - Planet Mu

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The dulcet tones of Jamie Woon never fail to please, and some of his best work is backed by the phantasm of electronic music. Subenna does well here.

Kowton - Stasis (G Mix) - Keysound

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Dark, revival garage sounds at a 33rpm reduction, from the Bristol-based producer Stasis, complimented with a re-lick on the flip, tweaking the formula.

Emalkay - When I Look At You - Dub Police

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

This is the sound of mainstream dubstep incarnate, but there's simply no doubting the largeness of this tune. Expect sycophantic frothing from Annie Mac and her Radio One chums.

Headhunter - Experience - Tempa

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Three-tracker from the Bristol bulldozer that encompasses obese rolling slabs of bass, all hiding a pregnant beast underneath, waiting to pluck out your cochlea.

Harry Craze - Wa6 - Deep Medi

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Matt-U - Can't Wake Up - Boka

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Scuba - Aesaunic EP - Hotflush

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Mrk 1 - X-Tatik - Contagious

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Darkstar - Aidy's Girl Is A Computer - Hyperdub

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Invasion Vs Shackleton - Wizards In Dub - Less Music

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

TRG - EP - Tempa

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Brother Culture feat Ghetto Priest - Willing & Able - Reggae Roast

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Subenna - Solidify feat Jamie Woon & Om'mas Keith - Planet Mu

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The dulcet tones of Jamie Woon never fail to please, and some of his best work is backed by the phantasm of electronic music. Subenna does well here.

Kowton - Stasis (G Mix) - Keysound

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Dark, revival garage sounds at a 33rpm reduction, from the Bristol-based producer Stasis, complimented with a re-lick on the flip, tweaking the formula.

Emalkay - When I Look At You - Dub Police

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

This is the sound of mainstream dubstep incarnate, but there's simply no doubting the largeness of this tune. Expect sycophantic frothing from Annie Mac and her Radio One chums.

Headhunter - Experience - Tempa

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Three-tracker from the Bristol bulldozer that encompasses obese rolling slabs of bass, all hiding a pregnant beast underneath, waiting to pluck out your cochlea.

321 vs Tim Healey & Deekline feat Bounty Killer - Bring It Back - Giant Pussy

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Marcie Phonix and Hypa Fenn (321)'s UK funky vibe receives an overhaul by the Giant Pussy bosses, turning it into a wobbly basslined killer ghetto carnival cut - complete with steel drums, airhorns and dynamite stabs. To top it off, Jamaican dancehall legend Bounty Killer drops by to add some choice rhymes. Fresh 'n' fly - great stuff. Brighton boys Ed Solo & JFB turn in a top dubstep reworking, and there are some other vibrant UK funky mixes too. No stopping Deekline at the minute.

Breaking News - Ya Booty - IBWT Music

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

All conquering Russian breakbeat superstar Lady Waks has now started a label to complement the massive In Beat We Trust parties she throws. Almost single-handedly responsible for kicking off breakbeat in the former Soviet bloc, the crucial role Waks has played over the past few years internationally is not to be underestimated. She's a wicked DJ, too. Here we find the Ragga Twins cropping up to invoke some booty wiggling over raw ghetto beats, a basis built upon by Hardy Hard & Lady Waks herself on their sidewinding breaks remix. A deep, lowdown burrowing bass and nifty synth work are teased into acid funk peak-time territory, while BreakZhead's revamp is equally zippy but more refined.

General Midi feat Whiskey Pete - Get It Down - Distinctive

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Pete's spoken word drawl fits snugly over scuzzy electro-breaks, and GM themselves rerub the album cut for the clubs by stripping back the words and accentuating the electronic bass. Paul and Eels also turn in bassline and dubstep overhauls, while Dee Zed again mines the fidget furrow. "We don't give a f---, you know we party non-stop" becomes the message, offset by scything sideswipes, and then Nottingham cat Hexadecimal turns out a more sedate and straight-up breaks reworking.

Son of Kick feat Arabyrd & Illeagle Immigrant - Byrdkick/Hustle Muzik - Botchit & Scarper

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

There's a definite Major Lazer (Switch & Diplo) vibe to this, helped by Arabyrd's ghetto vocals that recall M.I.A, Rye Rye and the like. Favela beats and a primitive-sounding synth add authenticity to Arabyrd's rhymes - absolutely love it. Unfortunately Stereotyp's electronic dub version makes it lose some of its ghetto charm, although Son of Kick's own 4KL dubstep revamp atones somewhat. 'Hustle Muzik', meanwhile, is the bleepy Arabic lovechild of classic Orbital and a bad-ass Baobinga cut.

Beat Assassins - Put 'Em Up - Mofo

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Beat Assassins have been playing a fair bit of fidget in their sets of late, and so it seems they've decided to make a fidget choon themselves now too. The latest instalment in their Urban Electro project, 'Put 'Em Up' utilises a great wobbly b-line that recalls Sinden & Hervé before they whack a rude, raspy electronic bassline over the top. The skippy beats and zippy bleeps are all expertly worked, and although it's a bit of a departure for them it still fits well within their overall sound. The NAPT boys inject melody, cowbell (yes!) and varied intricate percussion and beats into their stomping overhaul.

Pixel Fist - Speaka Freaka/Get Down - Rocstar

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Pixel Fist are a new combo made up of Mackie from Afghan Headspin, Audio (Virus/Freak) and Lorne, who used to do stuff on legendary d&b imprint Moving Shadow. Together they're coming with some grimy, fresh breaksteppy bizness. 'Speaka Freaka' does what it says on the tin, beginning all haunted and nightmare futurist before the harshcore wibblestep starts up. The beats increase for da steppas to get the polyrhythmic limbs flailing, while 'Get Down' is some dark recess-scouring dubstep shizzle to scare yer mum.

Far Too Loud - Dancefloor Destroyer/Bass Association - Funkatech

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Far Too Loud have split in half now, with Dom Smart peeling off to start Neurodriver and leaving Oli Cash as the sole FTL operator. He returns to the underground with a Beethoven-sampling beast. Expertly programmed as usual, 'Dancefloor Destroyer' skirts the psy-breaks sound with some big dynamic orchestral chords and bouncy b-line, while 'Bass Association' is a dubstep excursion that swiftly morphs into a power-driving, head-freakin' breaks steppa.

Myagi - Smartbomb - Pop & Lock

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The original of this was out on Pure Phunk a few years back, and was even used on The Plumps' 'Saturday Night Lotion' album in the mid-noughties, but now Canadian uber-producer Myagi has decided to revisit it. Myagi's own 'Laser Guided Rerub' does, indeed, inject it with a more tripped-out sensibility. It shimmers, whooshes and funks in all the right places, while Plaza De Funk starts on a bit of a wonk tip before running with the 303 baton and turning in a busy acid funk revamp. Electro don Lazy Rich carves out a big riff monster that will scythe more commercial floors to smithereens.

Slyde - Block Parties - Hot Cakes

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

This spunky, superfly scorcher perfectly symbolises the Finger Lickin' funk feel, although is probably on the semi-legal Hot Cakes here because of all the samples. A block party joint rocker, for sure. Audio Stalkers supply the fidget 4/4 rework, while the 'Miami Block Parties' mix has much more of an old skool electro feel. Lastly, 'Discofukka' has a bit of an '80s feel, with 21st century production techniques extrapolating outwards from the core.

Meat Katie - The Tension EP - Lot49

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Four expertly primed club tools, all variations on the tech-funk template. 'The Real El Santos' and 'Lucia' stand out.

DJ Dan - N20 (Krafty Kuts Re-Rub) - Against The Grain

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Krafty beefs up the bottom end of American jock Dan's recent electro-house behemoth. Culled from his soon-come re-edits album, it's another Krafty monster.

601 - Plasmatic State EP - Rocstar

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Assured newbies 601 turn out a shiny technoid beast that kinda recalls Deadmau5 being overhauled by Kid Blue. Big room, accessible and sure to make an impact.

Tom Staar - Console EP - Moda

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

New Moda signing Tom Staar unleashes a cosmopolitan, if somewhat kooky, debut. Bulging with spangly, intergalactic goodwill, the title track's mood is a cheerful counter balance to the dark side currently skanking through the dancehall. '4more4me2' is similarly upbeat, but this time on a techno tip underpinned by a battery of military snares and topped off with a quirky vocal line. 'ERM' takes a more b-line direction, leaving 'Parade' to finish the job with a superbly wet and wobbly bass.

Fever Ray - Seven - Rabid/ Co-Op

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Karin continues her upward trajectory, injecting excitement into an '80s-influenced ambient pop song with her off-kilter tones. CSS are first up amongst the top draw remixers, and on their best psych-disco form, too. Marcel Dettmann and Seth Troxler catch a similarly mellow groove, with Dettmann turning out a long, burning techno track and Troxler creating a killer deep house track. Crookers take it into expected bumpier territory, while Martyn cooks up a superb bouncing glitch dancehall version.

Midfield General - On The Road Remixes - Skint

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Damian Harris calls in Fukkk Off, OrtzRoka and Broken Hookers to add extra bottom end to his Robots In Disguise electro collaboration. Fukkk Off, aka Hamburg's Bastian Heerhost, pulls out his crunchy analogue, glitch electro trademarks, while OrtzRoka add a more unexpected flavour, including robotic vocals, wobbling pylon bass and acidic keyboard lines. Broken Hookers add a clipped, dub house flavour, while Harris adds his own Italo disco-influenced remix.

Silver Columns - Brow Beaten Remixes - White

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Taking their lead from '80s high energy chart fodder, and in particular Bronski Beat (an influence that's impossible to ignore here), Silver Columns are a comfortable pop proposal. They become an equally sure-footed dancefloor proposition, thanks to Hot Chip's ubiquitous Joe Goddard, who turns up the analogue, reigns in the bpms, rolls it all through a surging string build, and locks the groove into a hand-clapping wig out. All expertly done.

Boris - Buzz In Remixes - Scion Audio Visual

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

To properly appreciate the remixes here you need to know that the original isn't some sweetly-sung pop ditty, but a grunge-fuelled track. The legendary Todd Edwards turns this angst into a sweet soul dancefloor anthem. The Mixhell version gets more of the original's attitude into the mix, while the Optimo remix works the dark and the light motifs into a superbly epic re-making. Finally, Nosaj Thing gets results with a low grooving version.

Dirty Disco Youth - Shuffle EP - Street Beats

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Street Beats return with another round of over-driven analogue basslines. This time it's Hamburg's Dirty Disco Youth at the helm firing out the Justice/Sebastian-inspired choppy beats and window-quaking bottom end. Jump to the remixes for your jackin' house and Kavinsky-style '80s fixes.

Jonathan Jeremiah - Happiness Remixes - Island

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Happiness' sees Londoner Jeremiah re-moulded in laidback 'n' soulful style. Morgan Geist, no newcomer at the soulful shuffle, is on fine, mid-paced form, while Quiet Village bring everything in close for a beatless beauty.

Semtek - Bells EP - Don't Be Afraid

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Bells' lives up to its name, rippling delayed chimes over carefully arranged beats. But it's 'Village', tucked away at the back of this EP that's pricked our interest, via ricocheting Tubby-like delays, rippled over an old school electro snare.

Nero/Plus 8 - Can't Take It/Wheel Of Fortune - Grenade Recordings

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Nero is definitely flavour of the moment, showing his skills both through d&b - on the excellent recent single 'Act Like U Know'- and through dubstep, like his remix of DJ Fresh's 'Hypercaine'. This release, the first for a new label, sees Nero providing adrenaline inducing, vibrating black hole basslines that tear your soul apart with astute, emotion-fuelled female vocals, expressing anger and deep feeling. This is why we love this music.

DJ Fresh - Hypercaine/Hypercaine (Nero Remix) - Breakbeat Kaos

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

What a gem! Amiable chords and a mountainous grand piano instill an instant attraction. The bright, chunky flow sees DJ Fresh on absolute top form. You could never accuse him of providing easily forgettable beats: this would have even the moodiest junglist smiling and singing along with their hands elevating skyward. The only bugbear is that a long intro means this takes time to fire up. Nothing that a remix wouldn't fix, though. 'Signals' vs 'Hypercaine', maybe? Hint hint!

Various - Ten Years Of Technique EP Pt 2 - Technique

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Simon Bassline Smith renewing his label's celebratory salvo, with four more bashers for your brain and brawn. Music that freezes arteries, where the only release is to move very quickly! Notables include 'RU Ready': fizzy loops in the intro give way to Stephen Hawkings-type computer voices, then all hell breaks loose, with buzzing basslines and vibes at dangerously high levels. Tantrum Desire also provides a stormer, the hip-hop inspired, buzzing feedback frenzy of 'Here They Come'.

DJ Hazard - Tactix/Wicked So - Playaz

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Hazard's all about the harsh and frivolous cheeky energy. Here's another example that's either going to make you jump and bang your head against the ceiling, or turn up your snobby nose, wanting something a little more tame! 'Tactix' has electric feedback sounds with kung-fu movie speech in the intro, which cuts into aural renditions of saws through metal, reinforced with a booming bass that plays along with the ruckus. Disjointed, half speed rough jungle on the flip.

Shimon, Moving Fusion & Ant Miles - Pimp Slap/Underbelly - Audioporn

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Shimon gathers a bunch of recording pals from the Ram empire to bring an aural jump-around like a drunken, out of control school reunion! 'Pimp Slap' has an overriding P-Funk aura, using a talk box growl sound as the hook, while electro plucks and shock guitars scatter over a wholesome soup of lively beats and smooth Guinness bass. More glittered, tinted glasses voice-box vibes on the flip, this time a little more dark and dynamic. Frenetic funk frolics.

Body & Soul vs Fourward - Spider/Pure - Nasca

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Fans of Bad Company, Black Sun Empire and the like, who thrust searing Stanley blade slashes of vicious beats upon us with no mercy, will be bang into this debut release from an Austrian label. Unsettlingly dark chords in the intro dissipate and re-form, as intense, high-pressure keys cavort and twist around scalpel snares and sledgehammer kicks. One to shake your head to. Nice start, keep it up, lads!

Rufige Crew vs Commix - Envious/Justified - Metalheadz

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

After the sheer brilliance and subliminal flow of 'Be True', Commix have teamed with the man Goldie to bring us a fine slice. You can hear the influences combine - firstly Goldie's, through an alkaline flow and teeth-clench keys, and a semblance of rage - while Commix is the glue that binds the emotion together, providing ghostly flutes and wispy, introspective wails. 'Metropolis '09'.

D Kay & Lee/Kryptic Minds - Tuning (D Kay Remix)/Hide The Tears (Loxy & Resound Remix) - Razors Edge

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Epic, punctuating electro gongs and trippy speech conjure spells, while a winding python coil synth bass fades in then encircles a craggy Amen drum. Not as memorable as, say, Dkay's 'Jungle Funk' or 'Martians' from back in the day, rather a sharpened marble stone roller. Kryptic Minds get remixed on the flip, a haunting half-speeder with gritty keys, cavernous sub bass and maudlin, whispered vocals in the vein of Goldie's seminal 'Sea Of Tears'.

Break/Mako & Andy Skopes - Natural Progression/In The Raw (D Bridge Remix) - Utopia

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A little busier on the breaks front for this guy, who usually hits us with the deep and dirty tribal rhythms. Once this chunky beat grabs you by the throat, a wispy, sort of flute-on-acid enters and sheds sunlight on the proceedings, culminating in one of those deep rollers with a huge, all-encompassing bassline that has you feeling like you're traveling through space at 100 light years an hour.

Mosus & Zero T - Headspace/Topshelf feat Spikey Tee - Liquid V

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A concrete foundation of 'kick thwack' drums are sealed with a humming, deep-melted chocolate bass. Meanwhile, female vocal melodic muses caress the low frequency flavours.

Aquasky - Deep Fat Frequencies EP2 - Passenger

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Lead piece is a fat DJ Friction remix of 'You Know We Do It', a warped, organ-type drift in the supreme rolling fashion that Friction clearly is a master of.

Sleeper Cell/Maztek - Swoop/Funk Me Hard - Subculture

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The B side triumphs here -'Swoop' sees a superb bass punch like a slimy sea-monster slurping on a legion of hapless sailors, while a big beat and neuro vibes get you frowning.

DJ Gils - Key Of G/Drift Within - Usurp

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

An amiable brass loop serves as the jugular vein, pumping a blood supply of calm, laidback drums and slinky melodic bass through this musical shuffler. Coffee table d&b.

Mosus & HLZ (Unicorn Dream) - Fluro/Nexus 7 - Liquid V

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum mechanics, synchronised flows of positive and negative charged ions twirling in mirror image harmony. Slow flow doom bass stomping over a two-step electrical drum pattern.

DJ Stingray vs Alex Cortex - Null Physics/Solition - Pomelo

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

In an inspired move, Austrian label Pomelo gets Stingray to swap remixes with Alex Cortex. The German producer's noisy breaks version of Stingray's 'Null Physics' doesn't quite match the original's surging chords and evil bass, while the mysterious, Drexciya-affiliated Sherard Ingram drops a claustrophobically dense take on the jarring techno of 'Solition'. It's a close call, but Stingray just about shades it.

Artist Unknown - Hate 5 - Hate

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

It's refreshing to hear someone not taking electronic music seriously. 'Hate 5' samples Simon & Garfunkel singing the line, "Hello darkness my old friend' from 'The Sound Of Silence'. They then proceed to loop the word 'darkness' and cut it up with an Amen break and a rave hoover bass. A similarly daft approach prevails on the flip, where a bleep techno bass underpins sped-up hip-hop breaks.

Patrick Cowley & Jorge Socarras - Soon (Remixes) - Macro

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Soon' sees Cowley at his most experimental, with high-pitched vocals leading into a noisy climax, while Morgan Geist attempts to push it onto the dancefloor with a slap bass backing. However, it's indicative of Cowley's genius that it's the eerie synths and falsetto of 'Robot Children'- which contains the line, "You read something by Nietzsche now you think you're God' - that sounds the freshest.

Elitetechnique - Nite Lite - Clone

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

It's hard to believe that 'Nite Lite' is the product of an austere urban centre like Rotterdam; its Rhodes keys, easy listening vibes and gentle electronic disco groove sounds like the ideal soundtrack for late '70s Californian porn. The dub version is the money shot though: based on organic beats, its acoustic guitars and infectious hooks are more cosmic than Lindstrøm and Prins Thomas's collected works.

The Has Beens - You And Me - Clone West Coast

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

It would be tempting to pontificate at length about Dutch producers like Alden Tyrell appropriating '80s Italo disco, but the real issue is that his electro super-group makes great pop music. Over epic chords and a heavy, swaggering bass, vocodered vocals complete the infectious appeal that 'You And Me' exudes with every note.

Mount Kimbie - Sketch On Glass - Hotflush

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The somewhat overrated Mount Kimbie deliver an interesting release that veers from the glitchy dubstep of 'At Least' to the freeform jazz and Oriental weirdness of 'Sketch' and '50 Mile View'.

Jimmy Edgar - Function EP - Items & Things

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Detroit native Edgar impresses with the super electro funk meets '80s disco of the title track, and the nasty acid jack of 'Young Thing'.

Boris - Buzz In (Optimo Remix) - Scion Audio Visual

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Scion make cars, but rather than spunking their marketing budget on those bikini girls at motor shows, they have set up a record label. This is the second decent release so far - the last was Roy Davis Jr, with a great Todd Edwards mix. Todd's back, but it's Optimo's tripped out, Chemical Bros album closing-style swirly mix of the noisy rock original that grabs. Perfect to lose yourself in.

The Japanese Popstars - B.C.T.T - Gung Ho!

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Northern Ireland's stadium dance heroes are back with a track that's every bit as epic and hands-in-the-air as the best of their debut LP. This precursor to a live album is a little more melancholic than their singles to date, but still has that Orbital crispness and euphoric feeling that they specialise in. It might not be the track to take them as supernova as they deserve, but should catch the right ears.

Long Range - Control Me EP - Pure Mint

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

When Orbital reformed, Phil Hartnoll and Nick Smith's Long Range project split for good, so we're not sure exactly what happened here. This thumping, loose-drummed piece of slutty big room electro was made before that break, and showed real promise for what was said to be a clubby album to follow. The male and female call and response vocals make it, though Long Range's widescreen feel remains.

David Guetta - Grrrr! - Toolroom

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

It's testament to Guetta's absolute love of house music that just weeks after 'Sexy Bitch' hit the No.1 spot of the real charts he's slipping out a seriously throbbing club track on Mark Knight's label. There's a trancey edge to the top line melodies that might be a bridge too far for the real underground, but 'Grrrr!' proves that the French pop star really does know what rocks a club.

Little Boots - Earthquake (Dekker & Johan Remix) - 679

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Is it just us, or has Little Boots completely failed to live up to the hype? No matter, because the pairing of Dekker & Johan are quietly going about their business in the most powerful of ways. Tough, no-nonsense electro tech house with an understated euphoric edge, this picks up where their destructive mix of The Hours left off. The punchy bassline alone shows they're ones to watch.

Linus Loves - European Vacation - 21:12

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Pretty synths that should find favour with Falke and Menace fans, and those who need their Italo a bit more upbeat.

Hell & Christian Prommer - Freak It - Buzzin' Fly

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'French Kiss' gets a free jazz sax wig out while being stretched to ten minutes. Spencer Parker goes deep on the flip.

Doorly - Toys EP - Wax:On

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Up 'n' coming Ibiza Rocks DJ - and Wax:On club night resident - gets typically bombastic with bouncy tribal house.

Sumeet - You Belong To Me (Phonetix Maximum Bass Dub) - (Stereohype Recordings)

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

This Canada-born soulful beauty has been working incredibly hard out of New York City for the last few years, working with artists like Elephant Man. Noticed by Charma for his Stereo Hype imprint a few years back, and with big releases already featuring MJ Cole and Karl Brown, Sumeet hooks up with new school selecta Phonetix for this ultra-fresh version of 'You Belong To Me'. Heavyweight, yet skippy drums add spice and anticipation to a melodic, invigorating and soulful vocal tone, until one of the biggest basslines of the year drops from nowhere, and immerses the listener in a sonic fusion of musical madness. Essential purchase.

Ny - Seasick - Dream Juice Music

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Sexy singer Ny returns with a brand new collaboration with producer Davinche. Having already gained attention from the UK underground with her massive funky track 'Dangerous', NY has built a heavyweight fan base by working hard and gigging absolutely everywhere. The original holds a very tidy R&B vibe, while The Mischief Makers deliver an absolutely storming bassline rework entitled 'The Baby Making Mix', which even Barry White would have been proud of! Extremely well-produced, and reminiscent of the Niche sound of 2005 with an updated flex, this should find favour with both Northern and Southern DJs alike.

Meleka - Go Remixes - Defenders

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

If you are not aware of this record yet, where have you been for the last year? Pure anthem business, and definitely one of UK funky's finest moments. North West London 21-year-old Meleka has been stacking up her chips, ready to roll to the casino with this monster track. Jamie Duggan collaborator Booda drops a disgustingly crisp warper of a mix, that adds an extra kick to an already massive package. Meleka's jazz-laced, self-penned lyrics really hold their own with the best in the song writing business, and this thoroughly deserves to go Top 10.

A1 Bassline - Bad Man Horror EP - Southern Fried

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Brighton superstar Norman Cook's label brings forth a ridiculously hot four track EP from A1 Bassline, aka Christian Sibthorpe. Not strictly categorised as UK garage, but with clear influences from the scene, this release will certainly excite any music connoisseur. Fusing multiple genres into his own crazy sound, each track offers something different for the listener. Don't be disturbed to find broken beats, 4/4, filthy basses, old school stabs, electro bleeps and nutty vocal hooks here, and watch A1 seamlessly cross musical boundaries. If you're bored of the same old, same old, look no further.

Xploder feat Ashley - So True (Burgaboy Mix) - Audio Music Star

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

New UK talent Xploder drops his debut single with Highly Rated Entertainment and D.Dark, featuring lushly sweet vocals from Ashley. The lead mix has a quirky, upbeat urban sound with a laidback delivery on X's spit. Already gaining support on Ras Kwame's Radio 1 and 1xtra shows, this is set to generate further heat for his 'X Marks The Spot' mixtape. Alternative mixes and our favourite on the package comes from bassline soldier Burgaboy, who rips in with a quality effort. Also check out Funky Boy's house vibes. A great start on the road to a potential dynamite career.

Newham Generals - Hard - Digital Soundboy

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Breakage's 'Together' has been a mainstay track on the Generals' Rinse FM show since last year, and they have been performing the vocal mix for the last couple of months. Finally the track sees the light of day, with MCs D Double E and Footsie going back-to-back with war lyrics. Footsie's verse about former MC Bearman stand out over D Double's vocals. It will be a favourite among both dubstep and grime fans. Battered by Skream and Logan Sama.

JME - Over Me (Silencer Remix) - Boy Better Know

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Rinse FM's DJ Silencer remixes the Boy Better Know CEO's first single since last year. Allegedly it only took the East London producer five hours to make this, and he uses all his signature sounds, which are like old school Ruff Ryders productions, but with a 2009 grimy edge. JME's vocals are clear and catchy as usual, but to get the authentic experience, you have to see the North London MC live.

Rude Kid - Jack Daniels EP - No Hats No Hoods

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The second EP from the East London native sees Rude Kid go 4/4 for a dancefloor effort that sounds like dark funky. It has been a favourite in the clubs for months with DJs Vectra and JJ battering it. On the flip, a rare collaboration track with Terror Danjah 'The Best Crawler' mashes up both of their signature sounds for a bass weight extravaganza. Taking Rude Kid's smash from last year 'The Best' and Terror's classic 'Creepy Crawler', it forms one of grime's best producer collaboration tracks to date.

P Money vs Sukh Knight - Left The Room - True Tiger

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Lifted off P Money's second release 'Money Over Everyone', South London's finest links up with Sukh Knight to produce the best dubstep and grime hybrid this year. P Money is known for the catchy lyrics and tongue twisting flows, and Sukh for the heavy basslines, which sound like a middle finger to commercial radio. Steppers will be familiar with the instrumental 'Born Invincible', which has been doing the rounds for the past year, and P Money's 'Left The Room' lyrics have been a reload favourite in the grime raves. Perfect combination.

Lenny De Ice - We R E Remixes - Mad Ice

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Ultimate old school classic gets the remix treatment from Madness/KMA and Dubwise. Both the funky and electro mixes work well. A welcome update of this still-played club smasher. Flashback material.

Mz Bratt feat Sadie Ama - I Like You - White

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Grime's hottest two females on one track, with Terror Danjah on production, for a radio friendly hit that will definitely be popular with the girls.

Skepta - Lush (Rude Kid Remix) - Boy Better Know

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Skepta is joined by Jay Sean, Jammer and Frisco for a 4/4 club anthem remixed by man of the moment, Rude Kid. Commercial grime at its best.

Andy Farley vs Base Graffiti - Spread The Word EP - Cubed

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The aptly-titled 'Spread The Word EP' should get hard house fans shouting from the rooftops, as this release delivers four anthems in the making while also covering considerable musical territory. Kicking off with 'The First Rebirth', Andy Farley & Base Graffiti give a 2009 hard dance twist to the Jones & Stephenson classic that can't fail to send a shiver down your spine once the breakdown hits. The duo then move onto original material, ranging from the sensibly paced chugger 'Word!', to the funky acid grooves of 'Vertigo' and finishing with bassline driven club cut 'Booby Gravy'. Essential!

D.A.V.E. The Drummer - Hydraulix 6 Remixes - Hydraulix 13

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Hydraulix revisit their series of untitled underground UK techno releases with a set of new remixes of 'Hydraulix 6'. Welsh wizard A.P. lets rip one of his driving grooves and energetic, nagging stabs in his rework of the A-side of the original, which features the hypnotic vocals "Burn out… misfit", while Jeff Amadeus joins D.A.V.E. The Drummer for a mean and moody rework of the twisted "Fu*ked up emotions" B-side of the same release. Top tech once again from Hydraulix.

Marco V - Simulated 2010 - In Charge

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Simulated' has proven to be one of the most enduring hits from the lengthy Marco V back catalogue and it looks set for another run at the top thanks to the imminent release of this remix package. Marco provides a slick tech-house update of his own to kick this classic into 2010, while Swedish ace Jonas Stenberg is drafted in from the Musical Madness stable to drop an altogether tougher, rougher rework that bangs out the percussion, drops the bass and tweaks the distortion for a truly speaker blowing tech fest that will leave dancefloors stimulated with 'Simulated'.

Future Disciple - Refined EP 2 - Traffic

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The second EP lifted from Future Disciple's debut artist album. 'Gas' fuses a low slung bass, slick tech groove and eerie FX and stabs into a minimal yet compelling groove that's certainly cool enough to also gain cross genre support from the trance and techno scenes. The second track 'Live To Die' finds Future Disciple in more familiar hard dance territory, laying down driving rhythms, strong stabs and a ramping breakdown that launches into a cheeky reworked 'Live And Let Die' riff from James Bond that guarantees to leave any dancefloor both shaken and stirred.

Various - Worlds On Fire Vol.2 Sampler - Fireball

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Fireball label preview some of the new material to be featured on their forthcoming 'Worlds On Fire' CD release, and an instant standout track comes courtesy of Toolbox young gun Ross Homson, who once again delivers a floor-friendly hard house groover in 'Run For Cover', which is heavy on sample action and cutting-edge by design, very much in the Dom Sweeten mould. The other main highlight is the Ilogik remix of label owner Ben Stevens' 'The Warning', which manages to shift effortlessly between banging beats, blissful breakdowns and euphoric riffs for a massive dancefloor response.

Showtek - World Is Mine - Dutch Master Works

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Two tracks lifted from the eagerly anticipated Showtek album 'Analogue Players In A Digital World' and it's a mouth-watering taster of what's to come. 'World Is Mine' is a timely reminder as to why the Showtek boys are current undisputed champions of hardstyle, as they effortlessly lay down hooky riffs, emotive breakdowns, standout MC vocals and quality production techniques that are a cut above the competition. 'We Speak Music' also features and stomps to a harder beat from the off.

Scott Attrill - Mega EP 5 - Traffic

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

This is the fifth and final sampler EP from Scott's artist album, proving he's in no way short of future anthem material. 'Before My Eyes' kickstarts things in fine style by laying down compelling bass-heavy tech rhythms interspersed with vintage piano stabs and instantly recognisable diva vocals; in short, it's old skool dancefloor dynamite! Elsewhere on the EP, 'Phatt' rolls out a relentless, rolling techno groove, while 'Sexydirtyfilthy' takes an unexpected turn by dropping a massive trance riff into a hard house arrangement to provide a euphoric finale.

Tom Parr - Lady Boys - AWsum

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Up-and-coming producer Tom Parr gets a solo EP on AWsum to showcase his production talents, and lead track 'Lady Boys' strikes a shot in the arm for sample inspired hard house lovers everywhere, dropping everything from disco loops to Alan Partridge vocals into a zany arrangement. Big, bold and in-your-face, you'll definitely know when you encounter 'Lady Boys' out on the dancefloor! Also worth checking on this EP is 'Damage & Control', which features an epic breakdown, soaring synths and standout vocals.

Phil York - Love (On My Mind) - Tranzlation

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Label boss Phil York turns provider for the next release on Tranzlation and draws influence from a range of styles. 'Love (On My Mind)' starts with driving techno beats but soon morphs into more of a stomping hard style groove, while the breakdown drops into surprisingly melodic synths and a strong female vocal. Remix duties are bestowed to Italian duo Luca Antolini & Andrea Montorisi, who carve up a staccato rework, and Kidd Kaos who tears things up in fearsome European hard trance style.

Ron van den Beuken & Maarten de Jong - Life's Too Short - RR

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Dutch duo's original ticks all the right boxes for a big trance hit, but it's Mark Sherry's 'Outburst' remix that brings this into harder territory with a slamming, tech-fuelled rework on the rhythm section and edgy, distorted stabs.

Nick Sentience, Tazix & Allya - Follow Me - Riot

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Canadian-based duo Tazix & Allya team up with Nick Sentience as part of a three-track EP. Pick of the bunch is 'Follow Me', which features superb, driving trance melodies laid over a rolling tech-edged groove. Future anthem alert!

Flymo - Ghetto Spastic - Slave 7

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Flymo is back with a bang and a four-track EP that features rampaging, riff-fuelled hard house in 'Ghetto Spastic', plus a surprisingly funky groove in the "shiny disco balls" sampling 'Oddball'.

La Roux - In For The Kill (Alex Kidd Crash Re-Edit) - CDR

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Alex Kidd's cheeky edit turns La Roux into a red hot hardstyle intro track of mammoth proportions. Cheekier still is the mock-up Alex Kidd artwork in circulation on the internet - well worth hunting down!

Messiah J & The Expert - Megaphone Man - Inaudible Records

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Uggh, the long shadow of the Gym Class Heroes looms large: this is way too polite in rhyme and rhythm and when the nasty jazz-Rhodes takes over for an instrumental break that hits the gag reflex squarely in the uvula, I'm getting the hell out. Weedy disco, anaemic funk - but hats off to MJ & E for using my favourite font in the world (it's called Coventry Garden) on the sleeve.

Squid Ninjaz - Wowserz - Squid Ninja Records

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Been waiting for a long time since Metabeats astonishing 'Metaphysical' album to hear some more ruffneck ruckus from Wales and delirious to find that Squid Ninjaz deal in the same kind of smoky, rugged fucked-upness as their fellow Barry Towners. 'Wowzers' hinges on a great Show & AG-style minimal loop, crackly and doomy and heavy and wonderful. On the flip, 'Luna Disco' is an even weirder spiral of dubbed out Pram-style oddity. Essential.

Sway - Mercedes Benz - DCYPHA

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Ordinarily, such a massive slab of 'The 900 Number' slap-bang in the middle of everything would make me feel this is some DJ Kool-style laziness, but dammit, it works so well under Sway's lickety-split verbals and peppered with Turkish's scratches, I'll wave this through. Fuel-injected fury that roars at you like a wounded lion worked over by the lunatics at Brabus. Should be the next theme tune for Top Gear.

Diversion Tactics - Can't Swim/Back To School - Boot

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A pleasure to welcome the Boot imprint back into my household - the family are passing round the gasmasks as I speak - and DT throw down two mighty shocks to the system here. 'Can't Swim' is so thick with viscous bass nastiness you can practically gargle it, a wonderfully incorrect slather of squelchiness you want to drown in soon as. On the flip the utterly magnificent J-Zone puts down some typically frabjous phatness for Chubby & Squeaky to rip rhymes over. Cherish more Boot greatness and play fucking loud.

Dominique Young - Hot Girl EP - ArtJam Records

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Protégé of Yo!Majesty and very, very, very hip, I'm sure. You know what that means. Utterly uninventive music that performs a hipster dilution of its sources (electro, Miami bass, crunk, Baltimore racket) to the point of pointlessnesss, a voice that thinks it's compellingly mindless but actually just winds up whiningly fucking annoying. Vice magazine will love it. The rest of us can step sideways and avoid like the plague.

Strong Arm Steady - Get Started - Stones Throw

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Jeez, Madlib's getting pristine - in the greatest possible way. 'Get Started' is helped along by Talib Kweli's undeniable mic skills but also by the sizzling, simmering undertow Madlib has laced around him, a hum of sped up backwards bass and g-funk lushness that he threatens with silence and splashes to the peripheries at all the right moments. Stunning. On the flip 'Cheeba Cheeba', he backs SAS's great verses with some freaky RZA-style sumptuousness, good enuf to back Kool G or Real Live. Keep 'em peeled for the album.

Son Of Kick - Byrdkick - Botchit & Scarper

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Now see this works on every level that Dominique Young's record conspicuously fails to do. This is rush music, where the rush becomes scary, where the bass starts pulsating up your body and out the holes in your head, where the synth builds into a fuzzy firmament that showers all with Gothed-out doom. Arabyrd sounds like she's undergoing a process somewhere between lobotomy and roboticisation. Superb.

Ghostface Killah - Baby - Def Jam

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Oh noooo! C'mon, don't tell me that Ghostface Killah has succumbed to the evil influence of autotune as well? A shame 'cos the verses of this are just sweet - a slo-mo wind of lovers-rock bass and beats, threaded with some plain gorgeous fractured piano as piercingly odd and beautiful as Mobb Deep's 'Survival'. Then the chorus kicks in and some clown called Raheem DeVaughan nearly wrecks the whole thing with the usual r&b bollocks. Your choice - but those verses are astonishing.

Big Boi feat George Clinton & Too $hort - For Your Sorrows - Arista

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Mr Luscious LeftFoot teams up with the original P-funkateer and Phillip Roth's favourite rapper Too $hort for this blessed relief from the braindead bullshit the US rap scene has been sending us for the past month. Great to hear GC coughing out a great intro, even better to hear TS back behind the steel mesh, and though this really sounds like an off-cut from 'Speakerboxx' (which is sounding more and more inferior to 'Love Below' the longer time goes on), it still spills the yellow stuff from a great height over much of the competition. Wicked.

Lethal Bizzle - Going Out Tonight - Lethal Bizzle Records

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Umm. No. I was thinking of staying in actually with my Mariokart and tranquilisers. And having heard the piddly electro and piss poor rhymes you're promising if I "hang with the Bizzle" that decision remains unbudged. Hip-hop for NME readers everywhere.

The Nextmen feat Dynamite MC - Round Of Applause - Universal

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Just makes me want to hear the Meters (this rips heavily from 'Clap Your Hands'), to be honest. Always precariously possible that The Nextmen would start knocking out this kind of mediocrity. They're off the Xmas card list forever now.

Cormega - Make It Clear - Koch

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Premo's found some new loops to shove through the grinder and yup you've heard this kind of thing before but that doesn't stop it being fantastic. Feedbags on, fuckers.

Fat Joe & Lil Kim - Porn Star - Relativity

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Jim Jonsin produces a slick horror chamber of reverb-heavy '80s electropop over which Fat Joe & Lil Kim lock themselves in and seemingly fuck each other in the vocal booth. Not pretty but curiously compelling. So damn wrong it might be right.

Saigon - Martian Alien Flow - Amalgam Digital

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

"From another planet dammit" - this is just great, a flow that seemingly freewheels through topics cosmic and corporeal with equal nonchalance and grace. A hint that the soon-come 'Warning Shots 2' album should be a doozie.

Johnny Dangerous feat Kenny Bobien - Callin' You Lord (DJ Yass Remix) - King St

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

What makes a killer groove? Beats are crucial, of course, but at the heart of every killer groove lays a killer bassline. And that's exactly what Yass conjures up here. Like some of the most memorable MAW productions, 'Callin' You Lord' boasts the sort of bassline that takes control of the entire track. It's not especially complex nor even melodic, it just contains the essence of what makes dance music. The other elements don't exactly hurt, either. It goes without saying that Kenny Bobien's vocals are on-point, but this is no big anthem; the groove is all, and Yass's stabbed, deep keys, moody strings and controlled beats complete the harmonious jigsaw. Just feel it.

The Jinks feat Lady Alma - Wake Up Running - Jinks Inc

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

London's Jinks return to their soulful roots here with this carefully crafted and impressively tasteful example of traditional vocal house. Philly's Lady Alma helms the venture with a controlled and cultured vocal that leaves the diva dynamics at the door in favour of soothing harmonies for hook lines, while Toni Economides' keys and live bass and organ from Tom Ashe add the final touches to a quality finish. The 'Jinkomedes Deep Dub' is a pleasing distraction into deeper beats, but it's not why you'll buy this release.

Nitin - Silent Scale EP - No 19 Music

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Osunlade is perhaps better known for his jazzy interludes, but as his accomplished 'Beyond Elements' album displayed, he has more hidden talents for deep tech textures. True, Nitin hands him the raw material here with his terse keyboard stabs and clipped beats, but Osunlade ups the ante with colossal (but never aggressive) tribalised beats and liberal amounts of reverb; the result is one mean bitch of a groove. Additional mixes come in the shape of Teelo's tweaky tweets and Dos Dos and Einzelkind's rumbling bass hit, Nitin himself rounding things off with the minimal 'My Flashback (Drum Mix)'.

Hell & Christian Prommer - Freak It - Buzzin' Fly

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Freak It' is bereft of the prettiness that so often characterises a Buzzin' Fly release, in its place something of an ascetic grunt by comparison. The poetic partnership (at least by name) of Hell and Christian grind out a groove that seems closer to Hell's techno roots than Prommer's electronic jazz, with 'French Kiss' keys and vintage 'Energy Flash' cymbals providing high energy levels, but the embellishments, effects and unexpected note progressions are all from a different school. Spencer Parker strips it to the basic 'French Kiss' groove, a move that at first seems simply dumbed down but really swaps the intricacy for something a little more carnal.

Ou Est Le Swimming Pool - Dance The Way I Feel - Stiff

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Maverick house producer meets legendary maverick punk rock label. Stranger things happen in music, but this one's a real eyebrow raiser. Especially as the stock in trade of the remixed act, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool (outdo Scouting For Girls with stupid band name - check) is indie electro pop. In the normal run of things all this would add up to a car crash of motorway pile-up proportions, but Armand Van Helden earns his remix fee with a slick, accessible groove that neatly treads the line between his latter day commercial leanings, pumped up disco and the song's slightly shouty vocals. In fact, it's all pretty damn impressive.

Marc Poppcke - Far Away From You EP - Freerange

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

It wasn't so long ago that the racks of almost every 12" vinyl store were bulging with rehashed disco grooves of every description, but it's long enough to make Poppcke's languid retro tracks seem pleasingly fresh after several years of domination by various strains of austere electronic sub-genres. Indeed, there's almost something naïve about the riffs and melodies that drive 'Far Away From You' and 'Destination Disco', so familiar will they be to DJs who've been around this particular block before. But that's the thing about disco; it's already led at least three waves of house music and the fourth is just a question of when, not if.

Richard Dinsdale - Boom Boom - Leaders of The New School

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Dinsdale's been known to bring the noise before now, but 'Boom Boom' isn't one of his more bombastic beats. Not even remotely, in fact. There are no harsh sounds, no big squelching, warped keys and definitely no bass in your face. Instead, it sets about creating a stealthy groove with a decidedly boompty deep house accent and throws in some unintelligible vocal chants (of possible world music origin) that create a kind of '90s Armand Van Helden vibe. The 'Club' and 'Dub''s differences are marginal to the point of nominal, but the latter introduces a subtle and attractive filtered effect. Not exciting, but stylishly cool.

Harry Choo Choo Romero - Jumped - Subliminal

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The current Subliminal sound is something of a Jekyll & Hyde journey, snapping back and forth from commercial big room tunes to hard-edged underground bangers. Mr Romero can do a little of the former but mostly he's about the latter and that's where 'Jumped' lays its hat. Those familiar with vintage house tracks will recognise the cheeky riffs used to colour and soften a set of relentless thumping beats and twitchy effects. It's pretty basic in concept but when it comes to the crucial criteria, which is a question of whether it gets a groove on, the answer is a resounding yes.

Jody Watley - A Beautiful Life - Avitone

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Love Infinity do a Kylie while Lost Daze attempt a Goldfrapp. Julius Papp and Dave Warren's fussily percussive version hits a better spot, but the 12th mix on the CD is by far the most pleasing and you got it, it's where they started, the 'Album Mix'.

Digit & Illinton feat Tyree - Get Your Groove On - Flying Forever Free

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Veteran hip-houser Tyree works a little history lesson in with his raps and rhymes as Digit and Illinton crank out a pallet load of beats ranging from the funky Chi-town 'Downtown' mixes to Illinton's more chunky 'Electric Berlin' and 'Kensal Rise' mixes.

Alex Kid - Celi Dub EP - Rekids

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Three tracks of heavy dub house from the Parisian, all quite probably wearisomely dull if you don't like dub but fantastic if you do. 'Mousseur Dub' is the pick thanks to a superior, successfully hypnotic groove.

Flo Rida feat Nelly Furtado - Jump (Chocolate Puma Remixes) - Warner Music

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Making dance tracks is all the rage for hip-hop and r&b types but if they want proper club grooves they still have to come to those who know. Dutch beat terrorists Chocolate Puma show they have the knowledge here as they twist Nelly and Flo around their usual brand of hard hitting beats and stabbed keys.

Deep City Soul - Earthly Angel - DeeCeeEss

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Too many mediocre mixes here serve only to cloud the decent Sir Piers efforts that give this soulful male vocal outing the backdrop it deserves, with the usual dollops of soft keys, gentle percussion, horns and understated bass.

Broadcast - Broadcast and The Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults Of The Radio Age - Warp

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The term 'long-awaited' tends to be much abused nowadays. However, when you consider Broadcast's cult following and the fact they are returning from a 3/4 year hiatus, this new maxi EP/mini LP is certainly worthy of that tag. Returning here in the company of Focus Group (aka Julian House, co-founder of Ghost Box) you will be pleased to know it's a case of business as unusual as they weave their way through another spooky, psychedelic, magical masterpiece.

Alice Russell - Pot Of Gold: Remixes - Little Poppet/Six Degrees

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Subject to all kind of music industry wrangling, 'Pot Of Gold' never quite seemed to get a full release. Now set to be released via her own imprint, alongside a hefty, 22-track remix album – from which these remixes are taken – things are looking good for Brighton's first lady of soul. Just take a look at the remix line up here - Kidkanevil, Shawn Lee, DJ Vadim and DJ Day and Clutchy Hopkins.

The Time And Space Machine - You Are The One EP - Tirk

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Richard Norris once again takes it upon himself to further explore that murky, tripped-out world of psychedelia. Weaving his way through a well-produced and carefully balanced mix of psych, kraut, disco, Balearic, rock and pop. We like!

Paul White - Verses The BBC/So Far Away - One Handed

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Working the same sort of dense, complex and disjointed, beat-laden angles you have come to expect from him, 'Verses The BBC' is a rework of an unknown Bombay Bicycle Club track, whilst 'So Far Away' finds him knocking Todd Rundgren into suitably trippy, cosmic shape

LCD Soundsystem - 45:33 The Remixes - DFA

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Undoubtedly one of their finest ever moments, '45:33' seemed to capture and distil all that was great about LCD Soundsystem. You have to wonder then if it was bit of a gamble to go messing with such a great release. Fear not, with the likes of Padded Cell, Pilooski, Prins Thomas, Prince Language, Theo Parrish and Trus'me on board you know things will turn out right… and that they do. Re-live and enjoy a bit of timeless quality.

Pablo - The Story Of Sampling - Soma

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Having finally decided to resurrect his Pablo moniker, Michael Hunter (aka Butch Cassidy Soundsystem) unleashes a taster of his forthcoming album 'Turntable Technology'. 'The Story Of Sampling' finds Hunter in resourceful mood, as he painstakingly constructs his own tribute to classic, cut and paste hip-hop. B-side, 'Goes To Pluto' is a subtler affair; as he offers a nod to the golden age of hip-hop with a cheeky slice of old school, electro/boogie.

Bonobo - The Keeper (feat Andrea Triana) - Ninja Tune

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A measure of just how much Simon Green has matured as an artist, 'The Keeper' is certainly a picture of subtlety, balance and restraint. Considering it's the first track from his forthcoming album it's not an immediate lead single by any stretch, but sit with it and it will reveal more and more colour. Not sure about the choices of remix though, but then you can't have everything.

Andy Nice - The Remixes - Front And Follow

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'The Remixes' turn up four brilliantly reconstructed, experimental reworks originally penned by Tindersticks cellist Andy Nice. The result is an EP that spans drifting, soundscaping ambience, experimental electronica, modern classical and tough glitchy beatwork.

Implosion Quintet - I Don't Hear A Single - Commodity

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

James Baker should've been born a man-child in 1973, a time when it was acceptable to appear on stage as a goblin and make pretentious concept albums. Nutty and brilliant in equal measure.

Passarella Death Squad - Those Are Sirens - Republic Of Desire

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Brooding, menacing and arty, the original mixes are certainly worthy of attention, but the real gem is Photonz deep and twisted 4/4 rework of the lead track. Sweet!

Aiden Moffat And The Best-Ofs - Knock On The Wall Of Your Womb - Chemikal Underground

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Featuring a brand new score and arrangement, this tender and beautiful track (once a pean to his unborn child) finds Moffat in suitably unique and enchanting form.

Fuck Buttons - Surf Solar - ATP Recordings

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

It's not actually 'Surf Solar' that flicks our fuck buttons here, it's the insane throbbing and tripped out magnificence of B-side 'New Crossbow' that does it for us.

Wild Beasts - All The Kings Men - Domino

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A few singles and an album down the line and this indie four-piece are still as hard to pin down, yet still as mesmerizing as ever.

Roland Klinkenberg - Jacked Edge/Tijuana Blues - 68 Recordings

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Jacked Edge' is a sleek, endlessly listenable number that rolls briskly along, dispatching hits of minor distortion, stabbed riffs and standout FX at regular intervals. Even better (and the more upbeat of the two) 'Tijuana Blues' plies the floor with gripping, high-tensile synths and unexpected shot-glass measures of Latin brass.

Komytea - Exit/UFO - Anjunadeep

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Exit' is a canyon-deep number that rests heavily on its overt, front-and-centre bassline. Komytea pairs that with an atmospherically sombre synth that, while not earth moving, will at least mark it out in a set. 'UFO' has a lot more going on in the drama department. Its great vocal, stabby beats, freaky electronica inserts and an atypical snare drum all coalesce to good effect.

DJ H - Sapphire/In Trust - Baroque

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'In Trust' has the same speedy pace, temperate chords and melodically-minded vision, but little in the way of the magic. 'Sapphire', periodically, has the same sound as my front door bell! The riff is superior, but it's still not got the intensity of production needed to really stand it up.

Way Out West - Ajare (Orkidea Remix) - White

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Operating in the border between progressive house and deep trance, this Orkidea rework of one of Way Out West's finest is stirring and floor-attacking stuff. Liberally applying 'Ajare''s unusual, evocative (and totally undated) vocal chant to a perfectly built driving backing, it builds with orchestral hits and bubbling acid. Release details may still be sketchy, but one to keep an eye out for nonetheless.

Andrewboy - Kenya - Baroque Digital

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Mombassa', 'Massi Fighter', 'Diana Beach' - take your pick! All in the melod-prog vein, all extremely strong.

Alan Fitzpatrick - Reflections - Bedrock

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Nice, chilled and pleasant but 'Reflections' doesn't have that necessary hook element.

Josh Gabriel - Entanglement - Electronic Elements

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Cool and minimally-minded offering from Josh Gabriel. The range may be somewhat sparse, but the mid-section offers up some nice sounds and FX.

The Freddy Turner Project feat The Three Kings - Spread Love - King Street

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Calm down, this ain't a cover of the classic Al Hudson massive Mecca sound but those of you that love that track clearly have taste, and tasteful house is what this Danny Krivit edit is certainly all about. A jazzy synth dances over the thick bass and effervescent beats on this bold and robust production, offering up a good, wholesome and grainy garage groove.

Johnny Dangerous feat Kenny Bobien - Calling You Lord - King Street Sounds

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

As you can imagine by the very title of the track, this tune harks back to the early roots of our beloved house music - the call and response of gospel music. Lazy paced, Johnny Dangerous initiates matters with a simple groove that blossoms into a string filled and soulful vocal fuelled outing, dotted with distinctive keyboard stabs. Hold out for the percussive and slinky piano interruption that just puts the icing on the cake.

Baqua - When I Look Back - Exceptional

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The palms of my hands always sweat a little when an Exceptional promo drops on the doormat. Well, it is a quality stable after all. Alas, even the likes of great labels such as Motown, Blue Note and Okeh have put out some shite records and today it's Exceptional's turn. I'm not sure if it's simply the effects that Della's vocals are treated with, but her vocal ruins Simbad's otherwise grainy, jackin' mix. Or maybe she simply has a shite, white, souless voice. Answers on a postcard.

Deep City Soul - Earthly Angel - DeeCeeEss

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The reviewer's lot is a lonely job, locked away with a set of phones on and usually suffering from the effects of the night before. Bombarded by mediocre music and with labels sending begging letters, it's oh so easy to become complacent and grumpy. And then a record like 'Earthly Angel' lands. This record will simply speak for itself and if you don't dig at least half of the eight mixes then you need your ears replaced! Jazz house and vocal house heads should buy this.

Various Artists - Manchester Connection EP - 1999 Recordings

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Two handy underground house cuts are finished off with the very deep vocal cut 'Tonight' by Rhythm Plate featuring the sultry vocals of Nesreen, who drops a sympathetic vocal that works wonders on this icy smooth YSE rub.

Candy Dealers - Street Delight - Eight-Tracks

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Hailing from Florida, you'd be forgiven for thinking this deep vocal splattered excursion, with mixes from Johnny Fiasco and our own Harold Heath, was outta San Fran.

Marc Poppcke - Far Away From You EP - Freerange

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Oh no! We're not going back to the days of loopin' up a disco classic by Chic or Double Exposure and putting a beat and some filter business in there and calling it a new track are we?

Lovebirds - N2Deep - Lazy Days Recordings

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Head straight for the slow burnin' funk of 'U Give Me', where vocoder vocals and soulful vocals swim in a sea of modern soul beats.

Donnacha Costello - Miss Synclaveria - Minimise

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The title track evolves gradually, with a warm, resonating bass shifting focus from the wispy chord intro and onto the irresistibly statuesque melodies that dominate. While 'Tears of the Vampire' is based on an earthier, stripped back rhythm, Costello's knack for crafting sublime, melancholic hooks remains.

DSVI - Searching - Klockworks

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Like much contemporary techno, echoes of the past reverberate through the ghostly rhythms of 'Searching'. 'Running' sees a spaced-out riff, similar to vintage Mathew Jonson, soldered to dubby beats and stark percussion; a trippy bleep sequence unfolds over a purring bass on the title track, while 'Running' deploys a bass that's reminiscent of the resonating low end Slam used on 'Dark Forces'. Classic sounding yet contemporary, 'Searching' embodies the 2009 approach.

Newworldaquarium - The Force (Remixes) - NWAQ

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

These remixes show Ame and Newworldaquarium were destined to work together. The German duo's first version is an ambient affair that sees them layer atmospheric chords and drop a repetitive guitar lick and hypnotic vocal sample into the arrangement. There's not much else to it, and the only difference on the alternative mix is the gorgeous disco filter and lithe back beats, but the end result is spellbindingly beautiful.

Samuli Kemppi - Deep Space Helsinki EP - Komisch

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Helsinki' will give Kemppi the recognition he deserves. 'Orbiter' is the killer dancefloor cut, its chugging, insistent rhythms playing host to droning riffs that occupy more and more space as the track builds. 'Metal Space' is totally different, a spaced-out, more abstract affair, while Mike Dehnert completes an excellent package with his trademark billowing techno chords combined with a chopped up vocal set to a housey tempo.

Aroy Dee - The Planets - NWAQ

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Released six years ago, 'Planets' hasn't lost its charm, with Dee's brittle metallic percussion underpinning atmospheric chords that flow into a squelchy acid finale. The re-press includes Vince Watson's remix from 2004, which is more frenetic than the original, as the Scotsman uses rolling conga drums and a piano breakdown to create a grandiose statement. This kind of deep, soulful techno never goes out of fashion.

Delta Funktionen - Electromagnetic Radiation Part 2 - Ann Aimee

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Having released the excellent 'Electromagnetic Radiation Part 1' and the more sinister 'Silhouette' last year, Niels Luinenberg's second 'Radiation' is eagerly anticipated. 'Dawn' features dreamy chords introduced over a resonating, chugging groove, while 'Intruder' marks a change of tact, with Niels stripping away any musical elements and focusing on a moody bassline and sinister claps that evoke a Suburban Knight sense of eeriness. The third instalment can't come soon enough.

Matt O'Brien - From The Periphery - Offkey Industries

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Full of time-stretched basslines, repetitive robotic riffs and filtered disco and trancey undercurrents.

Kirk de Giorgio - Isomer Shift - B12

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A wall of ominous chords set to a nocturnal, pulsing bassline and thunderous claps on the title track and some light relief on 'Traverse'.

D5 - Floatation Tank - Delsin

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Floatation' combines a resonating bass with dreamy chords, while 'Intruders' unravels to sensuous, chiming melodies. Interstellar material.

Octave One - A World Divided - 430 West

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Burdens deliver an excellent comeback single, with their trademark primal rhythms playing host to epic chords and tearing basslines. Deep, dark, driving techno music at its best.

Tasadi - Mercurius - Lost Language

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Mercurius' is an astonishing record, in so much as it's all things to all trance men. Deep, tech, melodic and euphoric, it even manages electro and breakbeat fringes and an amazing vocal! This track should be analyzed in an institute somewhere. It's the perfect equation - and bloody genius!

JPL - Summer Skin/Waking Up With You - ITWT

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

On 'Summer Skin', Joni Ljungqvist brings together chilly, Scando-trance riffs laid down over a rock solid, prog-ish production, topped by a sonically superb mix-down. 'Waking Up With You' has a more lamenting, melancholic edge. Highly engrossing nonetheless, it gives the track an authentically emotive vibe.

Adam Nickey - Callista/In Motion - Anjunabeats

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Callista' works acceptably in its build, but down at the business end it streaks off like a rocket with a dazzling main melody shored up by lustrous pads. On a more refined and melodic tip, 'In Motion' has the greater sophistication of the two and hugely benefits from its soaring 'live sounding' vocal harmony.

MaRlo feat Kristen Marlo - Is It Real - NOYS

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Once you've squared yourself with the angsty lyrics, there's plenty to love about 'Is It Real'. The production elements and their arrangement are probably the most original of this month's crop, with loads of studio box nips and tucks permeating through over repeated spins. It's got no shortage of club power either, with its combined bass, beats, percussion and low-lying melodies.

Dennis Sheperd & Cold Blue - Freefalling - High Contrast

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The lyrics are strong, the hyper-hooky vocals even better, and on Sheperd's mixes the track moves from its dark opening section to a lighter feel in beautifully orchestrated fashion. Cold Blue adds a fraction more tech grind and distortion to his extended intro sequence. Working in some great minor drops, he then pays it off with a fine euphoric concluding flourish.

Tiddey - Forgiven Lies/Savage Emotions - ASOT

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Forgiven Lies' has a ferocious lead line united with a more celestial twinkling minor part to effervescent effect. Very much its partner-in-crime, 'Savage Emotions' is a guns-blazing, highly uplifting number too. Two tracks resting very much in the top 90% of ASOT's prodigious 2009 output.

Alex Sayz feat Antonia Lucas - Fascination - Nellie Recordings

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A mightily soulful vocal trance smash. The 'Original Mix' is quite light and will probably best serve a radio audience. The wonderfully classy Alaa Remix though determinedly transfers 'Fascination' to the dancefloor. Alaa's mix is deep and brooding in production tint, while Antonia Lucas's brilliantly scribed lyrics and magnificently delivered vocals are soul searing stuff.

Sean Tyas - I Remember Now - FSOE

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The original is energetically carnivorous, sending hard beats and synths airborne in all directions. Calming things, Push gives more production space to appreciate the strong riff. Van Riel meanwhile delivers twists and turns of his own, employing steelier synths, swelling bass and judicious rave licks.

M.I.K.E. - Sunrise At Palamos 2009 - Garuda

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

On his 'Back To Basics Mix' Mike strenuously avoids labouring the central riff. Admirable, but when it's aged so well it would've been good to hear more of it. Gareth Emery's mix is a touch more lush and in keeping with the original's Balearic tone.

Alan Wyse - Gifted Soul - CGI

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Taking in the full spread of its original, Mac & Taylor, John Gibbons and Indecent Noise variations, this is CGI's best in the last six months.

The Flyers & Mike Sonar - Frozen/Despero - Enhanced

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Frozen' has a melodic, captivating main line that collars you from the off, but 'Despero' has some nice working parts too.

Vast Vision - Friendly Faces - Fraction Records

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

'Friendly Faces' has plenty of punch at the bottom end but the real splendour lies in the break's remarkable strings and angelic chorus.