Prins Thomas takes on Temple`s Who Are You. Conrad Idjut tackles Eugene Tambourine. AB Habibi hardwires some marvellous Maghreb grooves. Franck Roger`s Enchanted lands on Vibe Me To The Moon. Ray Monsieur launches new label, Holybro. Lea Lisa digs deep for Favorite. Jimpster brings The Passion. 

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

NORTH SATELLITE / THE STARS ARE OURS REMIXES / EL TRIANGULO

Quinn Lamont Luke’s label, El Triangulo, originally released Eugene Tambourine aka North Satellite’s debut album ‘Past Life Half Lived’ in 2023. The North Satellite moniker stems from Eugene’s childhood in Seattle, where he was fascinated by the satellite of the Sea-Tac International Airport, and the mystical possibilities and far-flung destinations it promised. The album was created in Darshan’s Jesrani’s New York studio, and Darshan also did the mix down. His latest release is a collection of new remixes of the track ‘The Stars Are Ours’. These include two reworks by Conrad McDonnell of the Idjut Boys. Both are deep, wonky, and woozy, taking the original into a whole new sonic atmosphere.  9/10

A.B.HABIBI / HELFY MISSION & MOTHER AFRICA / VICIOUS CHARM

Edinburgh-based Aymen Bensaad, aka A.B. HABIBI, is the latest signing to Brighton’s Vicious Charm. This independent imprint, set up by Damian Harris of Skint Records fame, has previously released acclaimed music by JIM and Crooked Man. The 12 is a double A-sided affair, and both Helfy Mission and Mother Africa are extremely heavy and massively minimal chug monsters! Weaving his Tunisian heritage into his electronica, it’s the sort of music that Andrew Weatherall would have played in one of his extended sets, that would lockdown a crowd for a good 6 hours. Sleazy, dark and deadly with distorted riffs, and haunting vocal samples, this is a fine debut from this exciting new producer.  9/10

Templé / WHO YOU ARE / Templé Musiq

Australian artist Ben Smith takes the name Templé to launch the label, Templé Musiq. ‘Who You Are’ is all sleazy and neon, with a 303-acid line and a marvellous drum machine build-up that just hits. ‘Tetrah’ is one murky bass-ed solid house groover. Prins Thomas and Ben Smith are no strangers, since Smith has already released on the Norwegian luminary’s imprint, Internasjonal, and the nu disco don pops a cherry on top of this release with his shimmering rework – injecting magical mirrorball feels and more into one of his wonderful diskomiks. 8/10

FRANCK ROGER / ENCHANTED REMIXES / VIBE ME TO THE MOON 

Parisian Franck Roger’s soul-drenched cut ‘Enchanted’ gets licensed by NYC label Vibe Me To the Moon, with the imprint calling upon DJ Spinna, Lazy Days` Fred Everything and Dallas deep house stalwart Demarkus Lewis to serve up their own signature flavours. With 20 years in the industry, Roger knows what works on a dancefloor and what hits folk in the soul. ‘Enchanted’ has a spiritually mesmerising groove, tied together with the vocals of Shawn Chappelle. Spinna adds strings that massage your mind, and piano lines that reach out with emotion on his ‘Galactic Soul Mix’. Fred lays down a dancefloor heater, and also provides a more dubbed out version. In addition, Lewis showcases his trademark heavy bass and highly percussive sound. 8/10

RAY MONSIEUR / STRONGER / HOLYBRO

Ray Monsieur hails from the European dance capital of Amsterdam, and here he brings us a solid first release on new label Holybro. All the tracks are created using a Roland TR8S drum machine and a SH101. The soft synth sounds have been lovingly created, with mixing and mastering courtesy of his good mate and Quartet Series label head Nachtbraker. Ray’s thoughtful sonic structures are infused with depth, warmth, and emotion, while dreamy undertones and candied vocals float top these shimmering soundscapes. The uplifting chug of ‘Forget’ will lift and spirits when it drops, while ‘My Love’ uses only feel-good notes in its joyous blend of colourful melodies, soaring electronic strings, and lovely keyboard touches.  ‘Stronger’ is bright and reflective, while closing cut ‘Sunshine’ is gloriously airy and at the same time a little bit woozy.  7/10

JIMPSTER / THE PASSION / FREERANGE RECORDS

Freerange Records label head Jamie Odell aka Jimpster continues to amaze, as he raises the bar even further on his consistently stellar output. This package is a soulful deep house triumph and another future classic to add to the many within his discography. ‘The Passion EP’ consists of two originals, plus a remix from another production genius, Martin Atjazz. Jimpster brings new London talent, King Crowney, into the mix, to provide horn parts that dance around the spoken words. There’s so much attention to detail within these tracks: Rhodes, classic house rhythms, and punchy bassline, are all tied together to complete the classy grooves. It’s deep house perfection! Jimpster just keeps getting better and better. 10/10

LEA LISA / MANY SHADES OF HOUSE / FAVORITE RECORDINGS

Lea Lisa is a class act. She’s been around the block of the deep house scene for over 20 years and is a competent DJ and quality selector of underground sounds. “Lea Lisa Presents Many Shades of House” is a selection of cult classics that have all had a firm place in her record box. It’s a double album, on a vinyl only format that’s been lovingly curated to serve as a snapshot of Lea’s powerful arsenal of secret sonic weapons. Included are tracks from Kerri Chandler, Lars Bartkuhn, Abacus, Mark Goddard, N’ Dambi and Ron Trent. This collection comes out on French label Favorite Recordings, the imprint known in house circles for Jeremy Underground’s ‘My Love Is Underground’ series. One thing that’s clear from these super strong selections is that the much respected French DJ and producer certainly has immaculate taste. 9/10