Collection: New Releases

A Guy Called Gerald's soundtrack for the 1989 'acid house novel', Trip City.

Back in 2012, long-serving Italian producer Marcello Napoletano decided to launch a new, highly limited-edition series, the 'Private Collection'. Since only 100 copies were available direct from the producer, it was effectively a private press EP of machine-powered club cuts from his personal archives. 12 years later, he's decided to reissue it and make it available to a wider audience. This is a very good thing indeed, because the material is - to quote a certain fictional broadcaster from Norfolk - top class. Check first redlined EBM-meets-Chicago house opener 'L'apparzione', before submitting to the early Larry Heard style excellence of 'Fuck the Machines'. Over on side B, 'You Know This Groove' is a solid chunk of Rhodes-smothered, Detroit style deep house dustiness, while 'Stay Forever' is a spacey, squelchy and star-gazing slab of intergalactic house futurism.

Multi-artist EPs have all been all the rage of late, though few can boast quite as strong a line-up of artists as this one from dependable French deep house label Phongramme. It begins with a gorgeous chunk of detail-heavy, sun-splashed electronic deep house brilliance courtesy of Abacus (an artist whose discography also contains outings on Prescription, Innermood and NDATL Muzik) and ends with a vibraphone-solo sporting shuffler from the effervescent Byron The Aquarius and Computer Jay ('When The Freaks Come Out'). Sandwiched in between you'll find two more must-have workouts: the bumpin', brilliant and spiritually uplifting 'States of Motion' by Fred P, and a typically dusty, jazzy and warming number by Colombian hero Felipe Gordon ('The Gordon Way').

Steve Poindexter and Traxman's Factory Music Chicago imprint has been around for a while, though releases have historically been occasional rather than regular. This split EP, featuring three acid-fired jackers apiece from Traxman and Slick Rick Da Master, is only the label's fifth vinyl outing - and fifth in total. Traxman handles side A, confidently striding between the mind-mangling jacking stomp of 'Pulaski Road', the lo-fi acid crankiness of 'Get Some Act Right Acid' and the sleazy and breathless TB-303 insanity of 'Warp Acidz Warp'. Turn to side B for Slick Rick Da Master's three heavyweight contributions: the mind-bending hypnotism of EP highlight 'Acidbo 1', the sample-rich nostalgia and red-lined beats of 'Everybody Dance (dub)' and the effects-laden trip that is 'Acid Jack'.

First compilation album of works from Argentine synthesizer maniac Nacho Marty Meyer... Tip! Since the 80's, Meyer has been interested in synthesizers and electronic music, and started making demos. The compilation includes the Italo disco track 'Magical Journey', previously released under the name Xarion, which is now a hard-to-find record.

Craigie Knowes has solidified its standing as a label synonymous with quality electro and techno releases. Known for its consistent ability to unearth and champion fresh talent, the label's latest addition, Obergman's Pentaquark EP, continues this tradition with commendable flair. This new offering, marked by its distinctive blend of classic electro and modern dance floor sensibilities, is a testament to Craigie Knowes' keen ear for cutting-edge sounds. The EP opens with "Quasiparticle," where a melodic hook resonates with echoes of "Blue Monday." Its crisp, metallic quality and syncopated rhythm create a hypnotic effect that is both captivating and rhythmically engaging. Following this, "Omega Centuri" delivers a satisfying dose of acid-infused, chugging beats that cater to the needs of any club environment. On Side B, the title track "Pentaquark" presents a dark, spooky acid bassline, showcasing Obergman's skill in blending eerie atmospheres with classic acid sounds. Finally, "Cuspy Halo Problem" rounds off the EP with its crunchy drums and a similarly dark, acid-tinged vibe. The Pentaquark EP is a fine addition to Craigie Knowes' roster, reinforcing the label's reputation for releasing high-quality, innovative electronic music. Obergman's latest work is a prime example of the label's commitment to pushing the boundaries of the genre while maintaining a solid connection to its roots.

We're surprised that the superhero league The Jazz Avengers aren't more spoken about: the idea seems so familiar yet uncannily unknown, we wonder if the notion of a superhero troupe composed of entirely of Black jazz musicians would've been too disturbing for the US Empire not to suppress. Taking after the idea, Bryan Hervieu's 'Jazz Avengers' EP is an elegant quadruplet of boat-rocking house beats, holding more sway in the domain of vibe than they do in the way of big generic ideas. Igaxx and DJ Dreamboy's 'Through The Night' and 'New Life' move at similar tempi yet vibe at different freqs, the former waxing cowbell and dusky padwork, and the latter serving a relatively purist, calculative 808 jam energy. Jarren's 'Summertime In The 323' segues quite seamlessly out from this session mood, though it does add some surreal, pitch-convected plucks; Hanna's 'Prayin'' is the only soul curveball, its syncopated, pre-one DX7 E-Piano chord preset mixed to an impeccable, gut-churning quality.

Ever had goosebumps in your brain? If yes, you might want to see a doctor. Or you just been exposed to the chubby chops of Touché #1 - a spiralling collection of three french touched edits that know no other home than the dancefloor. Cooler than the other side of the pillow. Get your hands on these now and thank us later!

TODDSONIC33's Yes EP on Hot Biscuit Recordings is a fresh take on classic disco vocals, transformed into a modern Chicago house sound with a deep house twist. Side-1 starts off with 'Yes,' a track that features a jackin' beat blended with post-disco vibes. The result is an exciting track that captures the essence of both eras, creating a rhythmic pulse that drives the dancefloor. On Side-22, 'Make Me A Woman' and 'Deesko Music' continue the exploration of High NRG disco vocals within the Chicago house framework. 'Deesko Music' stands out for its innovative use of vocal samples, skillfully integrating them into the Chicago house sound in a way that feels both fresh and natural. TODDSONIC33's approach to blending these vocal elements with deep, groove-heavy beats is both classy and distinctive, offering a new perspective on how disco can be reimagined in the house genre. This EP is a standout example of how classic sounds can be innovatively updated for modern audiences. These will bring a different and original peak to dancefloor madness.

Jovonn has long been a stamp of real deep house authenticity and quality, and so has his label, Body'N Deep. Here it rolls out another volume of the crucial-for-house-heads BND Project, the fifth in all, and another one packed with heavy hitters such as DJ Spinna, Atjazz, Demuir and Dirty Harry. They all serve up their own distinctive twist on US garage flavours with 'In Awe Of You' laying up lovely acoustic guitar and horns, 'Night Life' going deep and dusty, 'Many Days' bringing some soulful grooves and 'All Niter' rounding out with more characterful synths and life-affirming sounds.

Rome's contemporary jazz maestro Stefano De Santis is back with his 'New Beginning' EP on the esteemed Quattro Bambole Music. Across four stunning tracks, Stefano's musicianship shines as he explores jazz-infused broken beat, boogie, deep house and lo-fi hip-hop. Highlights come thick and fast and include the mellow jazz landscapes of 'Roy,' the lush blend of slow-motion house and broken beats on 'Lie#3', the emotive, piano-driven 'Paths' and the 80s boogie vibe of 'Tokyo 80.' UK producer Sean McCabe mastered the EP but also delivers a deep house dub of 'Lie#3.'

Jonny Dillon is Automatic Tasty and One Foot in the Rave is his debut album on Winthorpe Records. An influential name in acid-driven electronic music, Jonny has spent over 15 years with labels like Acid Waxa, Further Electronix and CPU and knocks it out of the park once more with this new eight-track LP. It's immediately recognisable as his work thanks to its sonic blueprints, melodic acid grooves, bleepy funk and warm analogue textures. Tracks like 'The Apocalypse is Now' and 'Raymond Tuesday's Big Day Out' bring upfront energy, while 'Starry Night' and 'Ringfort' infuse subtle psychedelia to make this a captivating braindance workout.

The accomplished Zopelar debuts on the equally superb Clone Royal Oak series with a four-track EP packed to the rafters with his 90s Chicago, New York and Detroit-inspired house grooves. The Sao Paulo-based producer and musician born Pedro Zopelar adds a twist of sound from this homeland into his work and opens this one with 'Astral Dynamics', a deep, widescreen sound alive with bendy synths and noodling keys. 'Arp Magic' is bright, synth-laced and uplifting with ever-busier lines and jacked-up drums. 'Miles Away' is another dreamy cut with cosmic pads and an infinite horizon then 'Dark Places Where I Feel Safe' brings a little unsettling synth work to close.

Virgo Four makes a compelling return with their latest release SoDp. This EP showcases the legendary Detroit duo's knack for blending deep house with their signature acid and Chicago house influences. On Side-1, the Gherkin Jerks Tribute remix of 'SoDp' is a Larry Heard remix bomb! With its captivating melody drawing listeners in and sinister acid line, we know this record will get massive play. The Fuckthegovernment Ltd remix follows, delivering a deeper, jazz-inflected take with an eerie atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the original. Side-2 presents the original version of 'SoDp,' featuring high-strung acid sounds that capture the essence of Virgo Four's raw, innovative edge. Closing the EP is '333', a track steeped in Detroit's deep techno tradition, offering a minimalistic groove that underscores the band's enduring influence. With Virgo Four's return you can always expect quality and nostalgic intertwined into their signature sound.

Chicago's disco-house generator Rahaan Young goes a tad Balearic with 'My Girl Is Better', an exemplar of the artist's much-honoured and much-emulated skill at disco editing. The star track on this record is itself a version of Talking Heads' 'Girlfriend Is Better', which comes backed by an impressively isolated dub version on the B-side, which the original Talking Heads number itself did not come accompanied by. Rahaan's version fattens, monoises and clarifies the beat, adding little more than a DJ edit's worth of space to mix things; the dub version is only subtly dissimilar, its main feature being its echoic breakdowns and word painting.