Ban Ban Ton Ton`s hot house consultant, The Insider, came by at the weekend, bending my ear about a fresh batch of forthcoming four-to-the-floor firecrackers. So fresh in fact that only one of them currently has an on-line link where you can listen – other than The Insider`s exclusive mix posted below. The half a dozen diamonds selected this month take in tracks from Columbia, two French “ones to watch”, a lush long-player from a legendary Irish dance institution, a “Nu-Disco” anthem revised and revisited, and some terrific, timeless, techno. 

Words and music cherry-picked by The Insider.

Vince Watson / Make A Wish – Forever / Everysoul 

Vince Watson has been making timeless music for an age. High on the radar of heads and deep in the underground, held in the highest regard by some of the greats, the Scotsman now resides in Amsterdam where he’s been lecturing in music technology for as long as he’s been producing. Two hundred releases and eleven albums to his name, he’s played regular parties for Richie Hawtin, been resident at Tresor, released on Planet E, Cocoon, Poker Flat, Yoruba and Mobilee. Are you impressed enough yet? This month Vince Watson unleashes two fresh new feel-good cuts that effortlessly bridge the gap between house and techno like only he does – proving again that this master of his craft deserves our utmost respect.

Marina Trench / Over There E.P. / Heist Recordings

If 2021 is the year of the female producer, Marina Trench is going to be in pole position. Stylish, tasteful, and extremely competent are words to describe this Parisian native who has had releases on DJ Deep`s Deeply Rooted, and London’s Wolf Music. The Over There E.P. sees Marina work her soulful magic, drawing heavily on classic house inspirations, with heightened contemporary touches. Mixing well-chosen samples with smooth pads, Marina builds her warm compositions effortlessly. Opener Sunrise is slick and nostalgic, using chords that remind you of euphoric summer days. Carry On throws classic house stabs into layers of elegant arpeggios and hopeful trumpet flourishes – providing an upbeat atmosphere. Marina’s sultry vocal on the title cut adds spice to a very tasty groove. Closer Wake Up is simply stunning, incorporating the exotic tones of French Algerian chanteuse Sabrina Belllaouel.

Felipe Gordon / Sincopa Liquida E.P / Fluid Funk

Columbian native Felipe Gordon has polished his craft with a slew of heaters on Shall Not Fade, Quintessentials and Razor-N-Tape. This time he’s showing out on new Dutch imprint Fluid Funk, with six tracks – plus added remix action from London Disco talent Aroop Roy, and NDATL top man, Kai Alce. The title track is a colourful display of jazz trumpets reminiscent of St. Germain, with warm and soulful Rhodes. Samplin’ N Slappin gets reshaped by Aroop Roy who flips the already killer cut, into a record bag secret weapon. Obtuso is vibrant Chicago house, with a shuffling rhythm and some muscular bass that contrasts well with the magical piano chords. Evolving Textures is light and airy, getting a full-on change of personality from the legendary and masterful Kai Alce, who turns in a heavier a more physical jacking house gem.

Midnight Magic / Beam Me Up / Razor-N-Tape 

It’s hard to believe that this disco anthem is ten years old, with Brooklyn’s Midnight Magic – one of the greatest modern disco bands on the planet! – lighting up dancefloors when it first came out back in 2010. An Andrew Weatherall classic according to Sean Johnston! This time, Midnight Magic join forces with fellow Brooklynites Razor-N-Tape for a 10-year anniversary celebration. This three-track hottie is packing some fierce remix talent, kicking off with Internasjonal boss man, Prins Thomas, who goes full on cosmic Diskomiks, while Kim Ann Foxman takes it down to a dirty basement with acidic synths and throbbing low end layered over Tiffany Roth’s powerful vocal. New York club royalty Justin Strauss teams up with Frenchman now – another – Brooklyn native, Max Pask, under their Each Other moniker, turning in an Italo-disco tinged, extended peak-time heater.

Fish Go Deep / This Bit Of Earth / Go Deep

Deep house heroes, Fish Go Deep, aka Greg Dowling and Shane Johnson, have been playing records and producing music for over two decades. With releases on esteemed labels like Large, Innervisions, Local Talk, Freerange and Defected, their `90s residency at the legendary Sir Henry’s pretty much introduced a generation of Irish clubbers to house. Starting out on pirate radio, their long standing Fish Go Deep radio show is still going strong and is very much respected. This Bit Of Earth is a collection of tracks that reflects on our place in this fragile world. The music mixes modular synths and samples with jazzy loops and drums – the collection straddling a wide range of genres. Highlights are the stunning sonics of Suburban Key, with its dusty groove and fast paced drums, stately piano, and cinematic strings reminiscent of a Four Hero orchestral masterpiece. High As Scaffold is full of warmth and soul and is yet another example of Fish Go Deep going even deeper into the dark blue waters of their brilliant musical minds.

Lea Lisa / Keys Of Life (Glenn Underground Remixes) / Karakul

Karakul is a sub label from the London record emporium Phonica and this month they bring French player, Lea Lisa, into the spotlight with her Keys Of Life E.P. Lea has been a key figure on the French and Swiss scenes since the early `90s. This competent lady of house has had outings on Wolf Music, Mona Musique, Memories and Chez Damier & Jorge Caiado’s Inner Balance Recordings. With Kerri Chandler in her corner, the Kaoz Theory don remixed her last EP, and invited her to guest on his recent Beatport residency. Working those connects, this new 12 features Chicago house heavyweight Glenn Underground. Lea Lisa’s got sass and on Keys Of Life she showcases her unquestionable production talent. The E.P. opener is bumping but soulful, lifting the dancer up and away with its classic feel and good vibrations. G.U. takes the title cut up into space, with pads that swirl above a squelching acid bass line. His Esoteric Dub allows even more space, reshaping the sonics into newer shapes and forms closing out this super serious and solid three tracker.

Selections from all these releases, and more, can be heard this Saturday – 8 til 9PM Japan time, from midday GMT – when The Insider will be my very special guest on The Remedy, care of FM Karuizawa 77.5 MHZ. Following broadcast, the show will be archived on Mixcloud.