Hidden Spheres and Private Joy dance away the heartache of a doomed romance. Balam gets dark and tribal on Earthly Measures. Manuel Tur has his Intertextural made over. Michele Mininni hooks up with Hell Yeah. JKriv unleashes some Afro-acid that’s sure to be a summer smash. 

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

HIDDEN SPHERES & PRIVATE JOY / HOLD ON ME / FRUIT MERCHANT

Tom Harris aka Hidden Spheres first gained recognition in the underground music scene with a tune called, The Bloos, on Moods & Grooves. However, he’s most famous for is his continually repressed Distant Hawaii debut, Waiting. He later made a significant impact on Bradley Zero’s Rhythm Section with Well Well and further solidified his reputation with It Ain’t Easy. Releases on Church, Scissor and Thread, and Oath, have followed, with an additional appearance on CC: Disco’s First Light Compilation for Soothsayer. Having recently revitalising his own label, Fruit Merchant, Tom now collaborates with the terrifically talented Private Joy Together they tackle, Hold on Me, a track that explores the theme of still being captivated by someone as a relationship deteriorates. Featuring lyrics that tackle yearning, and resignation, it comes in two mixes: one combines refined deep house rhythms and textures, while the other is a fierce, driving and acid-laced – perfect for peak time moments in the club.

MANUEL TUR  / INTERTEXTURAL REMIXES / SPACED REPETITIONS

This new remix package features a series of wonderful reimaginings of tracks taken from Manuel Tur’s cinematic downtempo album, Intertextural. London producer DJ Counselling kicks off the E.P. with an energetic take on Omina, raising both tempo and excitement. His expertly crafted excursion includes fresh filtered synth chords, that purposely echo some of Tur’s most acclaimed releases from the late 2000s. Montreal’s Frédéric “Fred Everything” Blais, using his eclectic electronic alias, All Is Well,  then turns up the heat with Flakon, transforming the tune  into a groovy, head-nodding masterpiece, while still retaining the subtle `90s trip-hop vibe of the OG. On the flip, Tokyo’s Yuu Udagawa gives us shimmering shakes of both Slow White and Shadowgraph, guiding listeners on a floating journey through her signature sparkling sound, and providing a dreamy and immersive experience.

MICHELE MININNI / POP ARCHETYPES / HELL YEAH

Michele Mininni joins forces with Hell Yeah to deliver something quite unique on his debut LP, Pop Archetypes. Michele is well known around the world for his leftfield take on electronica, releasing music on respected labels such as R&S, Optimo Trax, Internasjonal, and Curle Recordings. His album blends jazz, ancestral rhythms, electronics, and live instrumentation. It begins with the tumbling drums and synths of Spinning Around Cotton Candy. Golden Room and Slipped Air are melodic broken beats, while Vertigo immerses listeners in some gorgeous key work and subtle vocals. Bangkok Tempo introduces Eastern strings and Kundalini fuses organic and synthetic sonics. Muting Cat brings more Eastern vibes. Congoflash electrifies with busy drum patterns. The Magic Of Synesthesia blends breakbeats with uplifting flutes, and, finally, climactically, Carousel Of Tears bathes listeners in fluid frequencies and celestial pads that energise the soul.

BALAM  / CARAVANA PLANETARIA / MEASURED

London-based label and party posse Earthly Measures have launched a sub-label, Measured, which will specialise in edits. Their first musical missive comes care of the mystical Buenos Aires sound sorcerer Balam. Known for releases on Hard Fist, Calypso, Get Physical, Playground, and Multi Culti, Balam’s renowned for his tribal and folkloric samples, and a dark and distinctive style. His approach to rhythm is deeply influenced by his Latin roots, blending “organic” ritualistic sources with analog synths, guitars, and his own live percussion instruments. The Club Mix of Caravana Planetaria is trippy, but melodic—a down-tempo, shamanistic chugger that’s sure to send psychedelic fruggers into a crazy, hazy trance. 

OSCAR SULLEY & THE UHURU DANCE BAND / BUKOM MASHIE (JKRIV REWORKS ) / RAZOR-N-TAPE

Razor-N-Tape delivers pure dancefloor joy in the shape of JKriv’s rework of Oscar Sulley & the Uhuru Dance Band’s Bukom Mashie. His 8 minute edit of this much-loved afro-disco gem was first released in 2015, and has been in-demand since then. It’s now been repressed on a fine 45, with cool artwork, and amazing effervescent acidic version  that’s set  to be one of the standout records of the summer. An absolute must-have for your box, it’s a little record with a massive attitude. Don’t sleep on this.