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

ROOTDOWN 30 COMPILED BY RAINER TRUBY / DAYBREAKERS

“Root Down 30” isn’t just a compilation, it’s a birthday party, a love letter and a victory lap for one of Europe’s most quietly influential club institutions. Daybreakers hands the reins to Rainer Trüby, who curates the whole thing with the easy confidence of someone who’s been shaping dancefloors since long before the word eclectic became a marketing term. For 30 years, Root Down in Freiburg has been the place where jazz heads, house dancers, Brazilian obsessives and brokenbeat disciples all ended up sweating under the same roof. The guest list over the decades reads like a who’s who of underground royalty: Jazzanova, Gilles Peterson, Theo Parrish, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Laurent Garnier, Dixon, Kruder, Dorfmeister.  Basically, everyone who ever made a record you’ve tried to track down on Discogs at 2am. The compilation captures that spirit with charming accuracy. Jimpster, Osunlade, Jazzanova, Crackazat, Laroye and friends glide through warm keys, nimble percussion, deep grooves and sun kissed rhythms. It’s soulful, sophisticated, and moves with the kind of effortless confidence only 3 decades of good taste can produce. Shout out to Miche who heads up the very impressive Daybreakers Records!

VISIONS OF LIGHT / MYCELLIUM BLOOM / NUNORTHERN SOUL

“Mycelium Bloom” finds Visions Of Light in full technicolour mode, stretching their Balearic / ambient / dub universe into deeper, stranger and more luminous territory. After a packed 2026, the trio of Simon Sheldon, Muzka and Dan Dub Lounge return with an album that feels like a slow burning sunrise: patient, glowing and quietly transformative. Opener “Split The Scene” sets the mood, its acidic electronics swirling around languid beats and weighty bass like a cosmic tide. “All The Best Thing” drifts into early ’90s chillout nostalgia, dusted with desert blues guitar lines that melt into its hazy atmosphere. “Holding Jupiter” pushes further into psychedelic dream space, all drifting rhythms, echo washed guitars and chords that seem to stretch out into the horizon. Their dub roots reappear with warmth and confidence on “B Town” which skanks with summery ease, while “Radiant Flux” nudges the tempo toward Balearic dancefloor territory. “Perfect You” is a sunset standout, glowing with emotional depth. “Let Go” closes the main album in pure bliss, all gentle melodies and slow motion drift. Digital only cuts “Saru” and “Mirage” add deep dub wobble and jazzy, sample rich head nod respectively. Altogether, the album is mind soothing, mind expanding and unmistakably Visions of Light; a confident next chapter from 3 friends still widening their own shimmering corner of the Balearic landscape.

CAETANO MALTA / ETERNA JUVENTUDE / FAVOURITE RECORDINGS

Caetano Malta’s “Eterna Juventude” arrives like a warm breeze from São Paulo, the kind that carries sunlight, street chatter and a hint of mischief. If you’re already partial to Marcos Valle’s silky blend of groove and melody, consider this album your next essential stop. Malta has spent more than 20 years weaving his own musical universe, and you can hear every thread of Tropicalia, MPB, Afro Brazilian rhythm and psychedelic folk glowing inside these tracks. His résumé reads like a guided tour through modern Brazilian creativity: performances with Lucas Santtana, Bixiga 70 and Karina Buhr; guitar duties for Flavia Coelho, Luiza and Guts; songwriting partnerships with Wado, MOMO, Rubinho Jacobina and Arto Lindsay. After years of touring, collaborating and absorbing influences across continents, Malta settled in Paris, and “Eterna Juventude” feels like where all those experiences finally crystallised. The album radiates confidence without ever shouting. Harmonic sophistication, organic percussion and melodies that lodge themselves gently but permanently in your memory, all flow together with effortless charm. There’s joy here, and tenderness, and a childlike sense of wonder that never feels naïve, just beautifully open. This isn’t simply a debut; it’s a fully formed artistic statement from someone who’s been ready for this moment for a long time.

EMANUELE CISI / PHAROAHS MESSAGE: JOE CLUASSELL ALTERNATE SACRED RHYTHM VERSION / RIGHT TEMPO

“Pharoah’s Message Phase II” is less a solemn spiritual jazz pilgrimage and more a wonderfully weird, cosmic road trip, the kind where every remixer jumps in the van with their own snacks, instruments and slightly chaotic energy. What began with the original and Joaquin Joe Claussell’s globally adored Sacred Rhythm versions now blossoms into a whole new garden of rhythms, atmospheres and psychedelic detours. Claussell leads the charge with his “Alternate Sacred Rhythm Version”, stretching the track into a deep, spacious, slowly unfolding ritual complete with an outrageous “space-is-the-place” synth solo. Something that feels like it’s waving at Saturn. From Florence, Didje Doo brings three “Sunburst” versions that drift toward sea breezes, sunsets and Balearic open air bliss – warm, radiant and gently healing, like someone handed the original track a coconut and told it to relax. Then London’s We Are The Horsemen whisk the message eastward with their “Blowing East” interpretations, full of hypnotic percussion, dubby pockets of space and mysterious melodic curls. It’s spiritual jazz meets underground global club culture in the superb fashion. Finally, DJ Fede closes the journey with a hiphopjazz flip of “Boogaloop”, adding swagger, bounce and a fresh street level grin.  Cosmic and joyously expansive, this is a remix suite that treats the originals with love while having plenty of fun along the way.

BRIAN ELLIS / METAL & WARPED / STAR CREATURE

Brian Ellis has gone full cosmic boogie scientist again, this time dragging Gary Numan and New Musik onto a sun drenched SoCal dancefloor, and giving them both a cheeky slap of funk. This is New Wave Goth Boogie, but with palm trees, vocoders and a big smile. Ellis and Star Creature boss Tim Zawada have been tinkering with synths together for over a decade and this latest pair of reworks feels like another chapter in their wonderfully eccentric universe. Ellis’ take on Numan’s “Metal” arrives thick with vocoder charm and chunky analogue warmth, turning the icy original into a swaggering, neon-lit strut. His version of New Musik’s “Warp” is even more feverish: driving, playful and packed with that unmistakable Ellis Sci-Fi wobble. Both tracks land via Tugboat Editions, dressed in Ellis’ trademark fat synths, rubbery bass and retro-future fizz. It’s proper analogue candy for crate diggers, but equally perfect for anyone who just wants a dancefloor moment that makes them look up and say, “What is this?” Digital release first, limited vinyl to follow, the kind you’ll want to grab before it disappears into Discogs mythology.

SOPHIE LLOYD / LONDON REVISITED / LONDON RECORDS

“London Revisited” is Sophie Lloyd in full treasure hunter mode, rummaging through the London Records vaults and emerging with 4 gems that were long overdue for a little dancefloor daylight. The label hands her the keys and basically says, “Go wild,” and she does,  but with that trademark Lloyd finesse that keeps every edit warm, classy and club ready. The EP kicks off with a wink: East 17’s “It’s Alright”, its iconic vocal resung by Sarah Ikumu, now strutting with a fresh house swagger. Carmel’s “More! More! More!” arrives after some playful experimentation, landing on a jacking, loop driven cut that feels tailor made for 3am. Maria Rowe’s “Sexual” is treated with obvious affection; Sophie channels the spirit of Graeme Park’s 1995 remix, while adding her own 2026 magic, keeping the track’s irresistible sultriness intact. Sophie’s shot at Carlton’s “Do You Dream” stays closest to its original DNA, just nudged gently into modern territory with a 909 bass line and triton pads that nod lovingly to the era. What makes the EP shine is its intention: not to remake history, but to reintroduce it. Sophie Lloyd and London Records celebrate these tracks by letting them breathe again. Familiar, respectful, and newly irresistible.

DENNIS  LIBER / ASTRO DANZA / RAZOR-N-TAPE

Dennis Liber’s “Astro Danza” feels like someone bottled the Caribbean sun, shook it up with a few cosmic synths, and poured it straight onto the dancefloor. After 2 standout appearances on RazorNTape’s “Family Affair” compilations, Liber finally steps out with his first solo EP for the label and it’s a radiant, joy soaked celebration of everything he’s been cooking up during his years living, creating and community building across the Caribbean. The title track sets the tone immediately with a hypnotic, moonlit groove that shimmers with Balearic pizazz and late night mischief. “Être Heureux” follows with pure tropical delight, its buoyant rhythms lifted even higher by Anoraak’s remix, which adds a glossy French touch without losing the track’s breezy charm. “Femme Papillon”, is a dreamy, fluttering ode to feminine freedom, that’s sensual, airy and glowing with an unmistakable endless summer energy Liber does so well. Musicians from across continents weave their influences into the fabric, creating a sound that feels lived in, sunkissed and deeply human. “Astro Danza” isn’t just tropical disco; it’s a postcard from paradise, stamped with warmth, connection and a little cosmic magic.

LOVETEMPO / THERE IS A LIGHT REMIXES

These remixes of “There Is A Light” have Lovetempo’s universe cracked open and refracted through seven different prisms, each producer bending Mattie Safer’s “lonelyhearts disco” into their own colourful corner of the alternative dance world. A full body reimagining of his 2026 debut album, the package isn’t a victory lap, but more of a kaleidoscope. Bosq, and his trademark tropical soul finesse, injecting warm percussion and a breezy, sunlit swing. Turbotito steers things into West Coast G-funk territory, all rubbery basslines and laidback swagger. Black Loops 2 versions bring the deep house pulse: crisp drums, silky chords and a serious late night glide across. LEONG pushes toward broken beat futurism, twisting Lovetempo’s melodies into something angular, propulsive and beautifully off centre. Sophie Lloyd’s contribution is a standout moment. Her soulful house rework, full of lush strings, bouncy bass and crisp percussion, reshaping the original’s jazz funk leanings into a hopeful, Chicago-spirited floorfiller… And then there’s Fouk, who drop a funk heavy take of “The Right Way”, all bounce, grit and irresistible groove. The collection moves from northernsoulmeetsbreakbeat through shimmering disco, to peaktime house and cosmic broken. It’s eclectic, warm, and built to be played front to back  

THIRTY YEARS OF FREERANGE RECORDS  VOLUME FIVE

Freerange Records’ “Volume Five” arrives like the final firework in a year long celebration — the last chapter in the label’s 30th anniversary series, and easily one of its most charming. As with the previous instalments, it’s a neat snapshot of Freerange’s musical DNA: deep, soulful, underground and always aimed squarely at the dancefloor. While this closes the five part vinyl run, the story gets an encore in November with the full “Thirty Years” boxset, that will bundle all 30 tracks into one lovingly crafted package. 

Jimpster kicks things off in classic early00s fashion with “What U R”, a rolling, bouncy house cut packed with warm bass and tight drums. It’s the kind of groove he can practically do in his sleep, but still makes sparkle. Last Nubian’s long awaited debut on the label arrives via “Magic”, a London-flavoured, soulful house jam built with Tommy Rawson and Redbird: rich, musical and unmistakably UK. Crackazat then slides into loslung boogie mode on “Groove Again”, all crunchy drums, Moog bass and hooky synth stabs. The flip brings fresh faces: Reagan Grey’s hypnotic “Sidewalks”, Simbad’s spacious “This Joint” – with Andrés sprinkling Detroit gold – and Toronto Hustle & Sean Roman’s deep, rolling “Unconscious Therapy”. Altogether, “Volume Five” is a fitting finale consisting of 6 exclusive cuts that honour 3 decades of Freerange’s impeccable quality.

STE ROBERTS / EH AYE / CYPHON RECORDINGS

Ste Roberts has been quietly causing trouble in the UK underground for years, slipping out mutant house, crooked techno and oddball electronics, like someone who enjoys confusing dancefloors just a little too much. His debut for Cyphon Recordings continues that delightful mischief: 4 tracks that wobble, warp and shimmer in all the right ways. It kicks off with the gloriously bent “There’s A Schizophrenic In Our Park”. The bassline is thick enough to trip over, the textures feel like they’ve been left out in the sun too long, and the drums crunch along with a wonky grin. It’s strange, hypnotic and perfect for dancers who enjoy things slightly sideways. “Queen Bee (Live Version)” is controlled chaos: primitive drum machines holding the fort while oscillators wander off on their own adventures. It’s ritualistic, mechanical and just a bit haunted — in a good way. Flip the record and “Ey Aye” heads toward Detroit futurism, all mechanical rhythms and alien atmospheres, like techno that’s been left to rust beautifully. “Lemon Top” closes things out with early ’90s IDM melancholy: drifting melodies, fractured electro and a nostalgic glow. Across all 4 tracks, Roberts stays gloriously un-categorisable: adventurous, odd, and quietly brilliant.