Collection: New Releases

Rimshot-packed comedown house from Marcus Paulson on Quintessentials, amounting to a four-track cochlear purgation and cleansing. The sonic equivalents an aloe scented exfoliants with notes of hibiscus and azalea, 'MP' and 'Keep On' serve to anoint then massage the ears by way of expertly panned FMs, pressed reverb rumpuses, and chord-string dances. And though its name gets at a theme of purity, the EP's 'House Music' retains still the only reserve of dirt (hydroponic gardens still need soil) left over on the entire record, though it's still sprayed over by anthro exhalations and "huh" sounds, in lieu of a crop duster. The titular 'Pure' is the final highlight, offering the listener an ascendancy of wafty cloud synthetics and tickly claves, among other perc sounds.

Crackazat's 'In The Sky' EP offers a dynamic blend of jazzy and future house elements, delivering an engaging experience for both the dancefloor and the soul. The title track, 'In The Sky', is an uplifting tune driven by infectious piano breakdowns and jazzy undertones, creating a perfect mood for a carefree night out. It's a track designed to elevate, with its airy vibes and feel-good energy. On Side-2, 'Burnin'' brings a surge of 90s-inspired energy, with a high-octane piano banger that channels classic New York house vibes. The track is a nod to the genre's roots, brimming with nostalgic energy while still feeling fresh and relevant. The closing track, 'Dark', shifts to a deeper, hypnotic groove with rich bass notes and tribal influences. Its deep, pulsing rhythm creates a captivating atmosphere with Crackazat's versatility and range within the deep house spectrum showing brightly. With its compelling mix of energy and soul, this EP is going to be a much needed dancefloor go to.

Four decades on and Azymuth has reached legendary status amongst fans worldwide and across the music industry thanks to the trio's pioneering blend of traditional Brazilian jazz and proto funk fusion from the early 70's right through to the present day. In 1979 the band's first Milestone Records release, 'Light As A Feather' quickly became one of the best-selling LPs of the year. Featuring the worldwide disco/fusion hit single 'Jazz Carnival' and going on to sell more than half a million copies internationally, the album stayed in the UK Top 20 for eight straight weeks. An incredibly well thought out album both in pace, song selection and musicality, 'Light As A Feather' marked a maturing of the band as they began to rightfully utilise the studio as an instrument itself, embracing numerous mixing and recording techniques not yet common for the time as well as pioneering the use of the Big Muff and Dolby System to great effect. The end result is an album that endures to this day as a samba/jazz-funk masterpiece. Now Far Out presents this seminal recording re-mastered from the original 16-track tapes, which were given to Joe Davis by Azymuth, lovingly reproduced on heavy weight vinyl. This definitive edition of Azymuth's breakthrough LP is a must-have for connoisseurs and an invaluable introduction to the Azymuth sound for the uninitiated.

While many have imitated, no one has ever really come close to crafting the sort of spiritually affective deep house that Ron Trent kicks out with apparent ease. 'Black Magic Woman' is a prime example - an ode to the power of the feminine form with vocals from Harry Dennis, most known for his previous work with Larry Heard. The original is a deep house epic with jazzy chords and organic drums, lashing of bass and spoken word musings from Dennis. The Joaquin edit & Overdubs version is more intense and bright and the Coflo remix is more soft, mellifluous and warm. Epic stuff with great artwork, too.

This vinyl sampler, taken from 'Moxa Vol.1' CD compilation (named after the same named club, opened in Mantova in 2006) , includes unreleased and classic material from Moodymann, Larry Heard and Osunlade. Tip!

The legendary and ever-green talent that is Satoshi Tomiie is back with more of his house excellence. 12B Dub highlights Tomiie's versatility and innovative production style as he nudges at fresh territory here on Phonogramme Records. Opener 'Haus Muzik' blends deep grooves with experimental flair, 'Shakedown' is dubby, stripped back and raw but packed with feeling and 'Out Of The Present, Out Of The Future' is a beautiful track that all have you gazing off into the middle distance, happy to be lost in its balmy pads swirls.

Last Nubian's debut for Eglo Records is a soulful, jazz-infused celebration of London's rich diasporic culture. With 'We Celebrate Us', the Brixton-based producer crafts a sonic journey that spans from deep house to broken beat and UKG, rooted in the legacy of Black British dance music. Collaborating with a diverse range of vocalists and poets, the EP evokes everything from the introspective moods of West London's Broken Beat scene to the uplifting party energy of Soul II Soul. With tracks like 'Black' and 'Desolate Place', Last Nubian creates an intricate tapestry of sounds, capturing the essence of London's vibrant, multicultural rhythm.

Having given the Dream 2 Science album the wider audience it richly deserved earlier this year, Rush Hour dig out another NYC garage classic from the archives of Ben Cenac for a much deserved reissue. Unlike that album, this Sha-Lor record Cenac recorded in collaboration with vocalists Sharmelle and Lorrie back in 1988 gained wider success, becoming a Summer Of Love staple. It's not hard to see why "I'm In Love" proved so enduring on the A Side Caught Up mix either, with the duo's vocals still retaining a power to move some 24 years on, while Cenac's stripped back bass heavy production is NYC garage at its finest. This being Rush Hour, there's also the bonus of a previously unreleased instrumental version occupying the flip.

American house music royalty Ron Trent and Joaquin Joe Claussell’s imprint Sacred Medicine presents “Tsunami’s Muse” by Coflo. His debut on Sacred Medicine brings a rich, immersive sonic journey across three transcendent tracks. The title track, “Tsunami’s Muse,” blends syncopated grooves with lush synth layers, anchored by an emotive piano ballad. “Tsunami’s Groove” deepens the experience, its encapsulating synth lead creating a recurring melodic motif. The EP concludes with “Tsunami’s Muse (backside mix),” a beat-less reprise that expands on the piano’s story, enriched by the earthy resonance of a large wooden kalimba. This release promises a distinct vibe, weaving an atmospheric and evocative narrative from side to side.

The first notes of Strength In Numbers pull you in with the immediacy of a tightly wound groove. 'Team Spirit' sets the stage with sharp percussion and a bassline that feels as if it's pushing against a restraint, only to give way to an effortless swing. 'Gear Up Rudi!' follows with a cool, almost cinematic feel, as Gibin's intricate rhythm patterns dance around the space between the beats. The pace slows slightly on 'Come Mornin' (featuring Sandra St. Victor),' where the warmth of her vocals transforms the track into a soulful, melodic anchor. Yet, it's on 'No Matter What' that the LP really finds its strideian undulating groove, building steadily before its final, emotive release. The album balances thoughtful restraint with moments of release and in that, Gibin creates something that moves through time without losing its pulse.

We end the year with the second in our series of The Coin EP featuring a different artist on each side. In case you missed Volume 1 - TLM033 it featured Cumulative Collective and Re:Fill in September 2023. This time on side A we have Italian brothers The Robinson who have previously released their track Song 1 on TLM034. They are back once again with two superb jazz infused house tracks, Passion Is The Key and A Satisfying Day. Both ideal for the dancefloor. Moving onto the AA side and someone who has become a TLM regular, namely Japanese artist Takahiro Fuchigami who supplies us with three amazing tracks; Jazzing Bird, How’s That Sound? and In Motion. Fantastic broken beat from one of Japan’s rising stars. If you missed his two tracks that we previously released on TLM034 - Strange Acquaintance and TLM035 - Outer Heaven, you need to check them out.

D3 Classic Edition proudly presents its debut release, shining a light on an unsung hero of Detroit’s electronic music scene: Nathaniel Killins IV. Active from the mid to late 1990s, Killins was an underrated talent who operated under the radar during a pivotal era of Detroit’s musical history. Under the alias Naquil, he released his debut EP in 1996 on Perception Records, a short-lived yet significant Detroit House/Techno label. Krem de la Krem is a deep melancholia and obscure Detroit deep house EP, beyond qualification, like only a few Detroit records can attain.

Stockholm's DJ City debuts on Dresden's Uncanny Valley with his COSMICOMICS EP, a playful, sensory-filled record inspired by Italo Calvino's 1965 short story collection. The record channels the essence of 80s Italo disco and 70s sci-fi films by blending high-energy tracks with a sense of fantasy and drama. Each one draws from Calvino's blend of scientific facts and fictional narratives and mixes in comical absurdity with metaphysical depth. With nods to Hi-NRG and dancefloor-driven rhythms, this is a high concept EP even without the back story. It comes with a cover which is a censored painting by Jens Fange. Artful stuff.

Chicago duo Kenny Gino and Mike T aka Solid Gold Playaz have consistently produced material since 1999 on a variety of labels. From Portland's Losonofono, through to Soulfuric Trax and even Berlin techno merchants Kanzleramt and not to mention their own Solid Gold Records. The Minds Beneath Atlantis EP comes courtesy of Jerome Deradji's esteemed Still Music and starts off with the absolutely sexy deepness of "Shhh (Quiet)" (feat DOT) which will appeal to proper deep house nostalgists like us, likewise "U With Me" has that Detroit style that calls to mind other great producers like Big Strick or Andres. On the flip, things take a turn for the more energetic and look more towards the Motor City than their Windy City again on the soulful techno workout "What Lies Beneath"

Past Due Records is thrilled to announce the release of Midnight Blue's "One Wish - South Carolina 1975-83," a compilation showcasing the legendary funk and modern soul band from Columbia. This limited edition double LP compilation is an exclusive collection highlighting the band's peak during the mid-1980s American boogie funk era. Formed in 1975, Midnight Blue blended the talents of local musicians Myron Alford, Robert Hoefer, Jr., Ronnie Amiker, and many others. Despite their underground status, their music left a lasting impact, performing alongside legends like Midnight Star and Prince. The compilation includes their debut single "Feel It and Groove Together," their powerful rendition of "I Who Have Nothing," and unreleased tracks recorded with Cameo's Larry Blackmon. Fan favorites such as "All Because of You" and "Coolin' Out" will also be featured. This double LP comes with a full story and many never-before-seen pictures of the band, making it a must-have for any fan of eighties funk, courtesy of Past Due Records.