This month’s house highlights include Delone’s diverse Romanticismo Siempre, Euro Nettuno’s globetrotting Apres Le Paradis, rocking remixes of Razor-N-Tape’s 79.5 and Yuksek’s Dance’O’Drome, plus soulful Prince flavours from Meloglen, big band disco from Doche, Javonntte joining forces with Toronto Hustle and Michigander Brian Kage’s magnum opus, Timeless Times.
Super selections and wonderful words by our favourite four-to-the-floor expert, The Insider.
DELONE / ROMANTICISMO SIEMPRE / LOVEMONK
Delone’s ‘Romanticismo Siempre’ is out on Madrid based label Lovemonk. A composer for film and TV, Andrés Téllez started Riverette Records back in 2014, the label playing host to the likes of Legowelt, Jacques Renault, and Tiger & Woods. He’s also had releases on Man Power’s Me Me Me under other guise Dos Attack. The new album is an epic eleven track score made for broad listening palettes, and for the widescreen. Music to lay back and look up at the sky to, for feelings of euphoria, , and mind-freeing moments of glory. It’s a passionate journey through romanticism, electronica, ambient wonderings, and psychedelia – recorded on analogue synthesizers – and intensifying all the feels and the goosebumps. Trip hop, hip hop, broken beat, and celestial new age, are just some of sounds touched upon. Complicated and delicate, it’s a multifaceted affair that will effect each listener in a different way each time it’s listened to.
EURO NETTUNO / APRES LE PARADIS / POLYAMORE
Bruno Belissimo’s brand new Polyamore imprint is on mission to unite dancefloors around the world. The label’s debut release comes from Euro Nettuno, the European party animals who don’t believe in stopping until they raise a cocktail to the morning sun. Their hi-energy sets are bursting with tropical disco flavours, from the Barranquilla port Colombia to the Italian Riviera and the Côte d’Azur, all borders disappear as Euro Nettuno traverse Cumbia, Italo Disco, and Afrobeat. The electronic exotica of ‘Si Fua’ is charged with positivity and high hopes, while ‘Il Diavolo’ picks up the pace evoking the spirit of old Italian house legends. Disco soldier Elado remixes ‘Si Fua’ adding further drum solos while he moves the tune in a more tribal direction. Italian space cowboys Marvin & Guy then turn up the heat, taking the dancers on a mystical journey where astral rhythms collide with a throbbing bassline, resulting in one huge disco weapon.
One of my most enjoyed long-players last year was the sellf-titled 79.5 out on Razor-N-Tape. Here RNT revisit some key tracks from the album with a fine remix package. Named after an imaginary radio station, the band’s vibe has been described as the pure sound of NYC. Soulful and psychedelic, their 1980s inspired compositions touch upon disco, acid jazz, electronica, and sugary pop. Consisting of Kate Mattison, Lola Adanna, Caito Sanchez, Andrew Raposo and Izaak Mills, the label drafts in Malik Hendricks (Colouring Lessons, Bliss Point) who helps take ‘Feel Like Dancing’ to a darker realm. RNT label co-head JKriv drops a more housed up version of ‘Our Hearts’, while New York funk outfit FSQ – founded by the magnificent Chuck Da Fonk – drop the P-Funk on ‘BDFQ’. However, I am so loving the way Damien Harris, of Vicious Charm – formerly of Skint Records fame – moves on his slowed down chugging roller of a rework.
YUKSEK / DANCE’O’ DROME REMIXES / PARTYFINE
Yuksek and friends have got the Midas touch on the Dance ‘O’Drome Remix E.P.! Named after his residency on Radio Nova France, the Reims based multi-talent dropped his fifth studio album back last summer to much acclaim, expertly combining his love affair with music from all four corners of the world. Label family old and new are now invited to this party, kicking off with Alex Blex on ‘Sainte Rose’ who adds his tropical island sway, and UK underground hero Pete Herbert who puts a brand-new spin on ‘Kwatamaja’. Parisian mega duo Acid Arab bring their Middle Eastern 303 magic on ‘O Gato’, while Londoner Sophie Lloyd ups the ante on ‘Because of You’. Tel Aviv’s Red Axes have a go on ‘Santas Almas Benditas’ giving the carnival anthem a strobe-lit basement treatment. Foot stomping electronic disco at its finest all around.
DOCHE / HIT THE TRACKS / THE DISCO EXPRESS
The Disco Express keep the joy factor high on their sensational new offering from Brazilian artist Doche, ‘Hit The Tracks’. Deeply soulful and high in South American flavour, Doche’s debut E.P. explores the vibrant sounds of his carnival country with the three Latin-drenched original compositions that adorn this summer scorcher. Featuring Sansy, Carla Sceno, Simona Sansovini, and Jamaica’s Kria McKenzie, who all provide vocal performances, the set was recorded at Ultra studio in Belo Horizonte. The line-up also included saxophonists, trombonists, trumpeters, violinists, guitarists – eleven in total – whose musicianship set the four tracks on fire! There’s a remix by Birdee too. This is music for disco divas, soul dancers, and house music lovers alike.
MELOGLEN / MEDICINE / LOUDEAST
Valencia-based Nacho Marco’s Loudeast has been turning out quality music since 2006. Nacho now signs Meloglen to his imprint. The LA -based duo is made up of Melchor Rossell – who has previously recorded for Leeds label 20:20 Vision – and vocalist Aqeel – who has worked with Dr Dre. Trying to put this 12 in a box will take a while, as it blends Moodymann vibes with funked-up Parliament inspirations. The E.P. opens with the paired back ‘Elegant Art’. Aqeel’s flow is set on top of a groove that`s minimal but heavy! Moody arpeggios, driving b-line, and funk guitar are the mainstays of lead track ‘For Hire’. There are 3 versions on offer, but the subtle jazzy OG is my personal fave. Nacho Marco`s rework strips out some of the melodic elements and brings vocal centre stage. He also provides an instrumental.‘Attitude’ channels pure Prince, and is perhaps Meloglen`s calling card. It`s deep, dark, and wonky, with a suitable amount of weirdness to boot.
TORONTO HUSTLE / DETORONTO / FREERANGE RECORDS
Toronto natives Mark Kufner (Toronto Hustle) and Sean Roman join forces on the ‘Detoronto’ E.P. Both artists come with a wealth of knowledge in studio production, party promoting, and in knowing what makes a dancefloor rock. Detroit royalty, Javonntte, brings the seductive vocal heat on the opening cut ‘Deep In This’. Giving us some gritty house music for serious dancefloors and the late night hours only. Simple but chunky, sure to make the dancefloor bounce, its ‘Late Night Dub’ is stripped of the melodic parts bringing the vocals and bass into the spotlight. There`s more Toronto heaviness from the mighty Demuir on ‘Fall In Love’. On his ‘God Speaks Remix’, the underground legend brings his signature Moogs, jazzy drums and piano loops in full effect. The closing cut ‘Fall In Love’ again shines a light on the moody Javonntte. One more killer release, from Freerange Records and the Toronto massive.
BRIAN KAGE / TIMELESS TIMES / MICHIGANDER
Brian Kage runs deep house and Detroit techno label, Michigander. A DJ, producer, high end mastering and sound engineer to those in the know, Brian has had releases on esteemed labels like Craigie Knowes, Carl Craig’s Planet E, and Omar S’ FXHE. A key figure on the Detroit scene and beyond, Brian continues to push himself and has forged a global reputation, for his sound and technical ability, amongst serious music heads. His ‘Timeless Times’ is a musical masterpiece that blends both classic house and authentic techno. A somewhat ambitious collection at nineteen tracks, you would be forgiven for thinking it wasn’t possible for all of them to be good, but prepare to be amazed. This 4 X LP set comes studded with talent – such as Luke Hess, Mr V, Milton Jackson, OB Ignitt, and Underground Resistance’s Jon Dixon. The album encapsulates a lifetime of knowledge and skill, and is inspired by both life and loss. Full to the brim with quality and brilliance, iIt’s a sonic experience that captures the true spirit of Detroit and all the good things that have come out of the Motor City.
Ban Ban Ton Ton 