Super selections and wonderful words by our favourite four-to-the-floor expert, The Insider.

GRATTS / SUN CIRCLES (ALEX KASSIAN REMIX) / BE STRONG BE FREE 

Gratts, aka Tristan Jong, brings us some bumpin’ Balearica on this must-own February release. The Belgian-born, Adelaide-based DJ and producer penned the song for his sons, Leo & Ziggy, and it serves as the first release on his new imprint, Be Strong Be Free. Gentle rhythms are interlaced with sparkling chords and sensual synth waves. The vocal comes via London’s Mr Beale, adding a layer of ethereal loveliness to this already richly textured piece. Nathan Haines works musical magic alongside a host of other talents – Jasper Hauteliet, Frederik Kuhn, and Levi Wyants. Ex-Berliner Gratts pulls in a favour from his old pal Alex Kassian, who provides a stunning remix, as expected, but it’s all about the original Sun Circles for me. Beautiful Balearic music for sexy summertime sunsets, that’s what this is.

DANILO BRACA / SIANA WOZA WOZA (RON TRENT REMIX) / THE SOUNDS OF NEW YORK CITY

Danilo Braca heads up the NYC radio station, The Sounds Of New York City, and label of the same name. He`s also the artist on this deep house cut curiously entitled Sïana Woza-Woza. Although the afro-house groove of the original, and it’s trippy Zulu Mix, have their moments, the money shot is the hefty rework from Prescription Records maestro, Ron Trent, who hands in a ridiculously powerful version. Ron adds a warm build up, together with his euphoric and intoxicating touch. Packed full of energy, this is full-on trademark Trent-style layered goodness that raises the roof and elevates spirits all in one.

LOVEBIRDS & DECLAN MCDERMOTT / MAR-A-LAGO / TEARDROP

When you think of Sebastian Doering aka Lovebirds you probably think of the obvious – his global hit ‘Want You in My Soul’ – often described as ‘one of the most important soulful house classics of our time’. His Mar-A-Lago treads a very different path, but what it does have in common with the aforementioned smash, is that it possesses the same timeless and trendless quality that can only come from someone at the top of their game. For this E.P. Lovebirds welcomes Declan McDermott into his studio – a super talented chap that he met when selling his surplus music-making gear. The two working together on the arrangements and polished production. Mar-A- Lago is all about sunshine and good vibes, encapsulated in thirteen minutes of feel-good sonic bliss.

FERRARI / SUBACQUEO / ROLLOVER MILANO

Next up on the super slick Rollover Milano is Ferrari. Also hailing from fashion central, Milan, the DJ  / producer makes a welcome return to the label at full throttle. Known for conjuring up space rock with a warm house  / cosmic disco touch, Subacqueo is a collection of high-speed, floor-fillers. The rhythmic rave and acid lines of the title track get a rework from Aussie producer Bell Towers, who adds a little “paradise house” flavour. The E.P. also stylishly pays further homage to the `90s in its closing cut, Morning Routine. As with all things Rollover Milano, this is a package designed to make elegant well-dressed dancefloors sweat.

KEVIN REYNOLDS / A CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCE / YORUBA RECORDS

In the autumn of 2022 Kevin Reynolds released the single, Riverfront, on Yoruba Records, the third track lifted from his long awaited and much anticipated album A Certain Circumstance. It’s been a while in the making but then you can’t rush insane quality and polished perfection, can you? Having worked for years with the legendary Transmat Records, Kevin is well known on the Detroit scene, with a host heavyweight heads showing their support. Kevrey’s current collection takes in thirteen tracks of tech-tinged, deep house, Motor City goodness. Warm techno meshed with soul. Highlights include the euphoric Fembehyahget, the bouncing Come on Then, and the jazzy broken beat of Soil Before The Rain. Kevin Reynolds is one of Detroit’s unsung heroes and it is time for the rest of the world to hear what he’s all about. The secret is out.