A Vision Of Panorama paints Star Creature Purple… Sofa Talk collaborates with Innertribe’s Erin Buku on Cognitiva… Tokyo Joe Orchestra and Angel-A launch Universo Positivo… Megatronic amazes on Razor-N-Tape… Donald’s House and DJ Chrysalis produce some prog-y pounders for Not An Animal… CoFlo becomes Rawb Boss for a boundary-pushing album on Yoruba… 

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

A VISION OF PANORAMA / DESIRES / STAR CREATURE

Star Creature Records is one of those labels that gets all the heads’  and collectors’ mouths drooling. Captained by Chicago DJ, digger and producer, Tim Zawada, the imprint has been consistently knocking it out of the soulful boogie park since 2015. Their latest offering comes from St Petersburg’s A Vision Of Panorama, an artist who’s been putting his own spin on Balearic, with a sparkling and spacious space disco touch. Sun-kissed synths and uplifting vibrations form the basis of his signature sound. Here he’s joined by vocalists Sykes and Stacie G. The highlight of this beauty has to be Purple. Although I cannot for the life of me decipher the lyrics, it has set up home inside my ear ways and categorically refuses to leave. 10/10

SOFATALK ft. ERIN BUKU / TWO HEARTS / COGNITIVA

SofaTalk has to be one of the unsung heroes of Italy’s nu-jazz, broken beat, and DnB scenes. Putting out music for over 15 years, he’s stayed passionate and true to his soulful jazzy roots. Probably best known for his South Side album, released on French label, Broken District back in 2019, the Rome based producer tugs at our emotions with his latest single Two Hearts. Out on his own label Cognitiva Records, the song summons the spirt of the golden days of house – think the Easy Street productions of the late 1980s and you’ve got the vibe. Innertribe’s Erin Buku’s sweet, street-soul inspired vocal adds another gorgeous layer to this tasty treasure. 9/10

TOKYO JOE ORCHESTRA WITH ANGEL-A / I RELEASE YOU / UNIVERSO POSITIVO 

Fresh new label Universo Positivo plays host to Tokyo Joe Orchestra and his collaborative effort with Detroit luminary, Angel-A. You could be forgiven for thinking that you’ve heard this record before as it carries all the hallmarks of the late `80s, but it has in fact been lovingly crafted in 2024 using analog synths and organic effects,  recreating the feeling of those halcyon days of soulful disco and boogie. The force of nature that is Angel-A – who’s worked with Moodymann, Karizma, Timmy Regisford, and released on Mahogani Music, Quantize, and Nervous Records – delivers a laidback vocal layer that packs a heavy punch. Dutch techno pioneer Orlando Voorn provides a Goosebump Remix, while UK studio wiz, Reece Johnson, gives us an extra house bump on his re-tweak. This modern soul ballad gets done a total of four ways, with an ‘Instrumental’ tucked in for those who prefer to leave the vocal aside. 8/10 

MEGATRONIC / DO I  BELONG TO YOU? / RAZOR-N-TAPE

London girl Megatronic, now based in Portugal, lands on Brooklyn’s Razor-N-Tape with Do I Belong To You? Previously part of French electro pop group Black Cherry, Meg went on to have a monthly show called Global Music Movement on Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM. There she showcased sounds from Latin electronica to African and Arabic traditional rhythms. Her RNT debut takes listeners on journey through this colourful global sound palette, moving through warm and soulful house, poetry, and straight up dancefloor magic. Co-produced with NYC production sensation Jitwam, remixes come from Freerange Records label head Jimpster – who puts his signature deep and luscious house stamp on Been Thinkin’ – and Spanish maestro Kiko Navarro who transforms The World into a hi-energy afrobeat dance cut. A bold and visionary statement, from beginning to end, the E.P. is bound to captivate both listeners and dancers. 

DONALD’S HOUSE & DJ CHRYSALIS / NOT AN ANIMAL

Chris Stoker and Andy Bainbridge’s Not An Animal racks up its 20th release, bringing together Melbourne’s Donald’s House and fellow Aussie DJ Chrysalis. This down under duo deliver a four-track E.P. infused with a psychedelic, progressive house sound that’s become synonymous with NAAR’s distinctively gritty style. Pound Bend sets the tone, with a breakbeat intro and a blend of trance-y synths before diving into a deep, driving B-line. A Curious Warmth is a textured landscape of intricate drum patterns, pads, and trippy keys, with more breaks breathing new life into its second half. The curiously titled Tingler Ring slows things down, letting the bass take centre stage. Haunting, delay-soaked stabs and acidic spikes make for a moody yet fitting conclusion. As a bonus, Apiento remixes the title track, turning in something more stripped-back and spacious. 9/10

RAWB BOSS / COAFEELIA / YORUBA

Coafeelia is a fierce and wildly creative dance album with glorious cover art that you may well recognise. The record is the work of Rawb Boss, an alter ego of Coflo – Head of A&R at Carlos Mena’s Ocha Records. You may know Coflo from his long list of releases on both Ocha and Osunlade’s Yoruba Soul. His break-through hit was 2019’s Stress Relief, which put his name on the global dance map. CoFlo’s remix work caught the ears of Prescription Records legend Ron Trent, who brought him on board to remix Black Magic Woman. A Bay Area native and Capoeira master, Coflo here, however, throws away that hat, and the album instead breaks out of his usual house box. This is music for the wild at heart, those searching to be free, and it’s not remotely subtle in its approach. It’s bold, fearless, and fabulous. Be prepared to be floored. 10/ 10