Nunorthern Soul have some damn fine future fusion from Maarten Goetheer and Pong Nakornchai; FSQ channels Jane Fonda’s 80s aerobics workouts for Soul Clap; The Disco Express cherrypicks hits from their extended family; Tigerbalm takes a trip to Rio on Razor-N-Tape; Freerange’s Jimpster & Bishy get both afro and deep; Mark E resurrects his Merc imprint… 

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

MAARTEN GOERTHEER & PONG NAKORNCHAI / SUITE FOR CHICK / NUNORTHERN SOUL 

Maarten Goetheer teams up with acclaimed drummer and key artist in the Thailand’s contemporary jazz movement, Pong Nakornchai, to deliver a terrific tribute to the legendary fusion icon Chick Corea.

Maarten’s musical journey has been deeply influenced by his father, jazz pianist Gerard Goetheer. On Suite For Chick, Goetheer’s dynamic interpretations truly honour Corea’s lasting legacy, incorporating a broad array of modern influences. Goetheer strikes a balance between sequenced elements and live performance, with the resulting album, not only a fitting homage, but also a highly unique and modern, futuristic take on the jazz fusion genre.

FSQ  / FREAK OUT FOR FITNESS / SOUL CLAP RECORDS

Masters of interstellar funk and disco, FSQ, release workout winner Freak Out For Fitness and a set of high energy remixes that will delight their fans worldwide. The OG blends new wave with disco and funk, while channelling Jane Fonda’s leotard, John Travolta’ sweatband in Perfect, and `80s fitness crazes.

Soul Clap co-founder, Charles Levine, then ups the step count for maximum sweat, while the Lisbona Sisters bring an Italo-flavoured rework, laced with Morroder-esque arpeggios, while Norwegian wonder boy, Third Attempt, stretches the track out into a supple six-minute house hit. A Try Outs anthem no doubt!

THE BEST OF 2024 / THE DISCO EXPRESS

Get ready to hit the dance floor with the Best Of 2024, the highly anticipated compilation from Tom Lilly’s rising London label, The Disco Express. Pressed on purple plastic, this electrifying collection highlights the imprint’s diverse sound, blending soul, disco, and house to maximum body-moving effect. The selection includes Sam Karlson & Magnolia’s Everybody Move, Art of Tones’ The Magic Count, and Moodena’s remix of Maryag’s Poison For Us. Plus, there’s Brazilian artist Doche’s emotional piano house cut, with Kria McKenzie on vocals, Luksek’s high-energy Break For Dancers, and Baka G’s bump of Cocktail Cool’s What The Funk. Closing the set is Rayowa’s sunny summer sensation In The Sunshine. It’s hard to believe all of this is packed on one piece of vinyl! 

TIGERBALM / PROFUNDA ALMA / RAZOR-N-TAPE

Tigerbalm has continued to solidify her unique sound, with releases on Ubiquity, Wonderwheel, and Razor-N-Tape. Her latest, Profunda Alma, draws from vibrant tropical influences, blending them with contemporary club rhythms. The Brazilian influenced E.P. features two stunning originals that reflect Tiger’s deep connection to exotic climes. The title track showcases the soulful vocals of Joy Tyson (who previously collaborated with Tigerbalm on the Nina E.P.), enveloping listeners in an atmosphere of rich emotional depth. With its driving percussion, infectious bassline, and guitar accents, it pulses with energy and intrigue. Vem Cá embraces a playful, retro samba groove, with João Selva’s voice adding a nostalgic feel to the hook. Man of the moment, Yuksek, gives the track a more club-ready spin while London’s rising talents, Make-A-Dance, offer two hypnotic takes rounding out a dynamic 5-track package that’s simply impossible to ignore.

JIMPSTER & BISHY / COME DOWN / FREERANGE RECORDS

Freerange Records founder, Jimpster, teams up with Essex-based producer DJ Bishy for the fresh Afro-inspired deep house hit, Come Down. A captivating piece that effortlessly merges proper soulful piano with rich vibrant rhythms, it envelopes the listener in feelings of warmth. Lively percussion builds a pulsating energy that drives the track giving it both movement and vitality. Spoken word snippets and phrases add an introspective quality, encouraging dancers to lose themselves in the groove. For those who prefer a more pared-back vibe, a dub focuses on the percussive elements, but whether it’s the dancefloor or a quiet, thoughtful moment you’re after, Come Down is sure to resonate long after the music fades.

MARK E / TAKE A DEEP BREATH / MERC 

Mark E is a standout producer whose records have sat in the crates of discerning DJs for over two decades. Starting out initially making edits, Mark quickly became the underground DJ’s DJ, while building a reputation for his unique approach to original production. Often referred to as the UK’s answer to Larry Heard, Mark keeps things simple; his productions consisting of minimal parts worked to the max, creating groovy, understated atmospheres. Mark has worked with some of the most respected house music labels, including Spectral, Running Back, and Delusions of Grandeur, as well as his own imprint, MERC. What has always stood out about Mark is his unwavering commitment to crafting his own sound—one that refuses to mimic anyone else. Mark now makes his return to MERC with his first physical 12″ on the label in seven years. This new record features four tracks of deep house that stay true to his roots while pushing deeper, into more experimental territory. It’s a journey through the undercurrents of house, one that reveals a more introspective side of his artistry. Typically understated yet intoxicating, this release is the perfect encapsulation of Mr. E’s musical vision.