Various Artists - Kiss The Sun - Batti Batti Records

Just like the most successful football squads, there is strength in depth at Batti Batti Records. Each release is cohesive, coherent and collectively classy no matter what the line-up due in no small dose to the formidable backbone of the outfit formed by irrepressible label boss Owen Jay and his gifted long-time collaborator Melchior Sultana.

So why change a winning formula? Thankfully they haven't and this the Maltese imprint's sixth outing is as on-point and essential as the previous five must-have releases. Deeper heads will also be delighted to discover that the Kiss The Sun ep not only features the return of Natan H and Brian James to the Batti Batti fold but also the welcome addition of Ernie from the truly wonderful Minuendo Recordings. The deep house force in the Mediterranean is clearly strong and the links forged lately between Malta and Madrid have resulted in the link-up with Mr Minuendo himself.

And it is indeed Ernie who opens up this four-track beauty in style. Hoth Stuff is hot stuff and pure Ernie; chunky, funky, soulful and with plenty of dancefloor nous. The man from Madrid knows how to push all the right buttons when it comes to grooves of a deeper inclination and this is no exception.

The eponymous title-track from Brian James, a compatriot of Jay and Sultana and a man who really seems to be hitting his stride as a producer, is every bit as infectious and even more fantastically heads-down and groovy, a real gem.

Label stalwarts, the midfield generals of Batti Batti, Owen and Sultana do what they do best with their offering Contrasts, which again features the vocal talents of Mykle Anthony; beauteous, sun-drenched vibes that shimmer and shine and that you hope will never come to an end. Sublime from first groove 'til last.

Back on the team is the consistently-excellent American producer Natan H, who made his label debut back on BBR02. Inspired by a trip to Israel, his cut Negev has quality oozing from every note, as deep and dark as house can get whilst remaining head-noddingly and foot-tappingly exciting and inspiring. An awesome foursome from Batti Batti yet again.

V/A - Los Dedos Cortados - Minuendo Recordings

My love affair with Minuendo Recordings goes on and on. With every release the wonderful Madrid-based label grows in reputation, stature and self-belief. Now celebrating its tenth year it has gone from a vehicle largely for the inspirational Ernie and friends to an imprint at the very beating heart of the deep house movement that has become home for the scene's best talent, old and new. It has been a delight to watch it blossom from a great label to a truly great label.

Los Dedos Cortados [the 'cut fingers' if my Spanish translation software and the EP's artwork are to be believed], the label's 27th release, is classic Minuendo and highlights all that is best about the imprint. Legendary producers and artists, rapidly rising stars, beautiful artwork and attention to detail, more deepness than you could possibly wish for plus a long-overdue re-appearance from the man himself, Ernie.

Side one is the epitome of a label brimming with confidence. Featuring Soul Element (aka Stacy Kidd, the vastly-experienced US producer who has recorded for amongst others Dance Mania, Cajual and Peacefrog) and the iconic vocal talent that is Peven Everett, their track How Bad I Want Ya is classic soulful house done simply, with subtlety and to perfection. No tricks, nothing fancy or too clever, just a great song executed superbly. Nothing more, nothing less.

As if that weren't enough, the cut gets the remix treatment from yet another legend, a man whose records have adorned my shelves and those of countless disciples since way back when, none other than Glenn Underground. The man from Chicago's Southside does what he does best, adding a touch of jazz and GU magic, beefing and bumpin' up the track just enough whilst paying respect to the original throughout.

If side one is an all-Stateside affair then the flip is thoroughly European, at least by manufacture anyhow, and all about the label stalwarts. Making a second appearance on the imprint are Owen Jay and Melchior Sultana, the creative forces behind the Batti Batti label and key players in Malta's electronic music scene. Their offering Memento is delightfully lush, deliciously downtempo and stylistically a laidback complement to the Soul Element tune. 

Wrapping up proceedings is Tormenta Tropical from the tattoo-obsessed Ernie, his first artist appearance on his own label in the best part of four years. As usual, the man does not disappoint. Once again the track fits entirely with the rest of the release albeit with a Mediterranean undercurrent and a classic electronica twist. Deep, kick-driven, dream-like and a hefty nod to Manuel Göttsching's E2-E4, the quintessential Balearic chill-out, it is not only a welcome return for Ernie but also a suitably fitting way to mark ten years in the game. 

Various Artists - Sunken Guidance - Appian Sounds

Five releases and counting for Appian Sounds and head-honcho Al Blayney’s A&R skills and powers of persuasion are still sharper than Julie Burchill’s tongue. Having secured highly-desirable releases already from Ethyl & Flori, Eduardo de la Calle, LAAK and others, Appian is bang with a bomb from four more sought-after debutants.

There’s a first time outing for the much-talented and erudite young American Natan H, who has popped up in the last few years on other on-trend labels such as Ethereal Sound, Batti Batti and George Fitzgerald’s ManMakeMusic. Here with VX407 Natan is again on form, this time with a more contemplative Detroit techno offering than of late. Dominated by waves of glistening synths undulating throughout and set against a broken and not too heavy-handed kick, the track is superbly subtle, simple and sublime.

In many respects, Starling Dance is of a similar genus. Produced by the excellent Irish producer Leonid (real name Paul Smith), the cut relies heavily on atmosphere and emotion, the bass a delicately restrained yet much-apparent force resulting in a track that is near-on as good as anything produced by Smith previously. And that’s saying something for a man who has previous with Sistrum and Dolly.

New York starlet Joey Anderson’s Dormency, however, strays into much darker territory. The former dancer’s track creeps, crackles and slithers menacingly and magnificently with little more than a distant bittersweet melody for company. Prima facie evidence of why Levon Vincent, Jus-Ed and DJ Qu rate him so highly.

Fellow New Yorker DJ Spider’s Anticipate The Wolves is, as might be expected of the man, more muscular and direct. Yet there is something decidedly funky about the piece despite the trademark sonic assault, with the plangent bells, reverb and general aural fog very much adding to rather than detracting from the overall vibe. A high five for Appian.