The digging is strong this week when it comes to dance and electronic music. From the Brazilian-electronica percussive fusion of Balaphonic and the blissed-out escapism of Dawn Again, to the no-nonsense club sounds of WOLF Music and Razor n Tape's latest releases - don't say I don't spoil you.
Balaphonic – Organic Matters
Manchester-based percussionist, producer Danny Ward, who you may know by the alias Moodymanc, is back with a new project under his Balaphonic moniker.
Specifically designed to pay homage to Danny’s affection for Afro-Cuban and Brazilian music, his Balaphonic project has just the kind of rich, lush, intricate rhythms and expressions you’d expect from a well-seasoned musician approaching a project close to his heart.
From the sublime piano progressions of Dew Drop, showered with syncopated percussion, to the bucolic, earthy textures of Balaventurers, a wonderfully cosy jazz-folk track that feels rustic and lived in, this EP is rewarding and dense with musical nutrients for the discerning listener.
Dawn Again – Pints Of Ambient Nectar
When an album announces itself as ‘pub-wave’, featuring a watercolour nautical scene on its picture sleeve, you naturally go in with an expectation of a certain vibe. Pints of Ambient Nectar delivers on this promise, and the sonics inside the sleeve are warm synth pads and long delays that stretch out in glorious stereo.
This record, from the Melbourne-based Dawn Again, feels like a cross between Gaussian Curve and your favourite blanket when it’s raining outside. With track titles like ‘A Day In The Life of Pond Algae (Ambient Mix)’, and clean, stretched-out, spacious tones, this is a record that will transport you to your happy place after a long day at work.
JKriv – JKriv Edits Vol. 2
JKriv returns to Razor-N-Tape with four fresh reworks packed with disco, house and plenty of dancefloor energy. I Feel Amor gives a disco classic a big modern update, while Love Dub strips things back with a deep groove and heavy bassline.
On the flip, Cuando Bailo brings some playful party energy to a camp classic, before Dance Sexy rounds things off with funky synths and a hypnotic late-night groove. A fun and versatile EP from one of RNT's finest.
BRS – Spring Dom EP
WOLF Music can do no wrong here at Sticky Black Tarmac - we see it, we buy it. This time they reissue BRS (British Rhythm Services) classic Spring Dom, bringing this sought-after deep house gem back to vinyl from the original DAT tapes. With soulful vocals, warm chords and a driving groove, it's a track that still sounds as fresh today as it did on its original release.
The release also includes a new remix from Medlar, plus the original cuts Clubtronic and Miss You. A great reissue for deep house fans, DJs and collectors alike.
DJ Alone Again – Orbital Constructs
WOLF Music can’t miss these days. Fans of a certain deep, bumping, groovy house music sound will not be left wanting with this latest release. DJ Alone Again drops this four tracker that feels like it’s straight out of the early Guidance Recordings catalogue.
Freedom of House leads with a house-focused male spoken word monologue, over a rolling, deep beat. State of Flux takes things right into the heart of deeper territory, with a slower tempo, a smattering of congas, and long, tape-warped Juno chords.
Horizontal Patterns lifts the energy with a female vocal and xylophone to match the snappier pace, and closer ‘In Your Orbit’ again heads into the depths of flute-led underwater house, feeling like a unearthed late 90’s Larry Heard track.
Franck Roger – Earthrumental Classics 003
French house favourite Franck Roger returns with the latest release in his Earthrumental Music series. Across four tracks, he delivers deep, groove-led house packed with warm rhythms and late-night atmosphere.
A strong and versatile EP for DJs and fans of quality underground house.
Fresh & Low / Kerri Chandler / Brent Laurence / King DK – Black Vinyl - 30 Years Volume 2
We absolutely loved volume one of Black Vinyl’s 30 Years vinyl release, and here is edition 2 - expect more of the quality house music you heard in volume 1.
Black Vinyl celebrates 30 years with four classics from the label's archives. Featuring Fresh & Low's Latin-tinged Especiale, a rare Kerri Chandler cut, plus standout remixes from David Harness and Scott Wozniak, it's a strong selection of timeless house and deep house.
Four proven dancefloor tracks brought together on one essential anniversary release.
Christian Smith – L'Amour Toujours
Big, thick, arpeggiated electronic bass lines, French vocal samples, and the feeling that you’ve woken up on the set of the original Blade Runner - this EP by Christian Smith nails it with the Robocop-disco brief.
Tronic returns to its melodic roots with L'Amour Toujours, a melodic house groover from Christian Smith built around a disco-inspired bassline and emotive chords. The release comes backed with three strong remixes from Hernan Cattaneo & Kevin Di Serna, Gai Barone and Kamilo Sanclemente.
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Until next time!
Tom