Various Artists - Collective Continents - Inner Shift Music

New year, new faces at Inner Shift Music [ISM]. But what isn’t new is the label’s commitment to high-quality electronic music as their latest various artists release, Collective Continents, ably demonstrates.

With the owners 2DeepSoul [aka Brad Peterson and Rai Scott] taking a back-seat on this occasion, it’s left to their handpicked line-up of four more-than-capable debutants to keep the fires burning.

Deep house poster boy Jacksonville - straight outta Glasgow via Yorkshire these days - marks his label début with the kind of glorious, infectious and sparkling groover with a soupçon of the eighties that he’s been delivering for some time now on his own label Doppler. The impressive The City Sleeps is arguably Inner Shift’s most full-throttle offering to date yet still sits comfortably within the imprint’s carefully-crafted sound and mindset. So much so that Jacksonville has also landed a forthcoming solo EP with the excellent Edinburgh-based label.

California-based José Lau [Altered Moods/Deepselect/Downbeat] serves up another début to remember although his cut I Can Yet Love is much more chilled and languid, less frenetic than our friend Jacksonville‘s number, yet still seriously catchy and promising enough to suggest Lau too will return at some stage.

Recently unmasked as Owen Jay [Batti Batti/Underground Quality] and Natan H [ManMakeMusic/Ethereal Sound], Gauss make a first appearance on Inner Shift with Denormal, the kind of superior, obtuse and devilishly-brilliant techno that has graced their own label of the same name and ear-marked that imprint too as one to watch.

In-form Marco Nega, fresh from an ear-catching slot on the latest Batti Batti EP, shines here too with the gorgeous Night Hiker (Boost ‘N Time edit), a beautifully restrained and emotionally-charged synth-driven production that floats effortlessly from start to finish and brings the EP to a close with the gentlest of landings. Hit ‘buy’ immediately.

Check out:
Inner Shift @ FB
Inner Shift @ Juno

Various Artists - Tribal Roots - Batti Batti Records

It is pretty cold round these parts this time of year, not to say a little cheerless following the festive overload, but if there is one thing guaranteed to warm the cockles then that is a new release from the beauteous Batti Batti.

And Tribal Roots, the eighth EP from the ever-consistent deep house label, is a particularly heart-warming treat.

Indeed, featuring old favourites, stalwarts and newcomers too, tracks inspired from across the house and techno spectrum plus more deepness than a Jacques Cousteau expedition, Tribal Roots once again showcases the Malta-based imprint at its very finest.

Take the title cut from label boss Owen Jay and regular partner Melchior Sultana. Just when I thought I had the measure of the pair, that I understood their dark twisted tendencies versus their moody Mediterranean-influenced leanings, they go and flip the script and knock out a track so outrageously funky and infectious that all you can really say is ‘wow’. Teaming up with drummer and percussionist Antoine from Malta’s leading live act, Tribali, the track is a lengthy bongo workout par excellence, underpinned carefully by Jay and Sultana’s restrained kick, that suddenly bursts brilliantly and warmly into deep house heaven with the sound of summer stamped all over it. Simply stunning.

It is a tough act to follow for sure but fortunately the other artists on board are more than up to the job. 1Dan, a returnee to Batti Batti, is one of those producers who seems to have slipped below the radar for many but really shouldn’t have. He’s obviously not escaped Jay’s attention and here on the rather splendid Recovery Process serves up some tough beats balanced by a melancholic undulating synth and an erotic-temptress vocal sample.

Marco Nega, another member of the Batti Batti family, is also back with Inside Out, yet another slab of soulful and infectious deep house featuring the vocal talents of Leen Vivid. On another occasion this excellent cut may have grabbed top billing but hasn’t such is the strength in depth on Tribal Roots.

Proving this point ably is closing track Depth Of The Ocean from the underground’s First Lady, Rai Scott. It’s trademark Scott; ambient, atmospheric and delivered with aplomb. This time with more of a techno-bent, Depth Of The Ocean is the kind of quality deepness that has elevated Scott to sought-after status on the circuit. It’s her first appearance on Batti Batti. I doubt it will be her last.

Check out:
Batti Batti Records online
Batti Batti @ FB
Tribal Roots @ Juno

Skew - Peckings - The Bush

As debuts go, it is impressive. Very impressive. But then Ben Micklewright, the talent behind new project The Bush, is an impressive chap.

Not content with his work as much-rated producer BLM and co-owner of the ever-impressive Fear Of Flying label, Micklewright has also recently gone halves on another excellent project, The White Man and The Arab. Now comes a new venture inspired by his West London neighbourhood and a new moniker drawing on his wide-ranging musical knowledge and multifarious influences.

Under the pseudonym Skew, Micklewright gets the project off to a flyer with an unapologetically deep four-tracker named after his local record shop, the legendary Peckings.

The eponymous opening cut is about as airy, spacious and downright desirable as deep house gets. Less is more may be the mantra, but it nevertheless takes real ability, dexterity and skill to make it work this beautifully. Og18 is similarly cerebral and gorgeous, full of atmosphere, emotion and meaning for those up for buying into its musical spirituality.

Though a little more chunky - and there’s nothing at all wrong with that - Legome is equally effortlessly cool, unashamedly laidback and, put simply, ace. Lockdown barely breaks sweat either, sub-aqueous layering, muted kick et al draped in a dreamy cloak being the order of the day here.

Like a fine wine, the still-young Micklewright continues to mature well with age and this delightful collection is right up there with his best work. More Skew, more Bush, more please.

Check out:
Skew @ FB
Skew @ Juno

V/A – Between Earth & Space – Minuendo Recordings

Perhaps it is my imagination but there seems to be a rake of fine house and techno washing around right now. Must-have labels have been knocking out must-have releases like there is no tomorrow and this week sees the return of one of the best imprints that the underground has to offer, Minuendo.

Under the steady guidance of the wonderful Ernie, the Madrid-based label has produced killer after killer in recent years and firmly established itself as one of the most important imprints amongst the deep house connoisseurs.

Minuendo’s brand new twelve, Between Earth & Space, will do that reputation no harm at all.

Leading the way is the irrepressible Joey Kay, who’s got form stretching back to when Jack had a groove when it comes to sublime melodies and infectious grooves. It is the last few years, however, that his music has begun to find a more appreciative audience. And more recently, his Altered Tempos EP on Troubled Kids back in the spring is one of the strongest deep house releases this year. He is in fine fettle again here for the Minuendo massive.

The Chicago-based artist’s I Wonder (vocal remix) is about as seductive, sumptuous and seductive as soulful house gets without being naked. Follow-up track In A Trance flips the script entirely and is Kay at his most angular, robust and spikey, yet with a groove that is entirely mesmerizing.

Secret weapons are becoming a bit of a habit for Jesus Gonsev, producer and boss of the aforementioned Troubled Kids. He near on stole the show recently on the Batti Batti EP Giuseppe’s Groove with his wonderful contribution, Drift. He’s doing his utmost to grab the limelight here too with the beautiful Seppuku, a track so achingly divine you could rewind for hours.

Surprise package, however, is Allstarr Motomusic featuring Nicole B. from the deepArtSounds crew. The increasingly popular Zurich-based label is a firm favourite round these parts and with the sassy, summery classic Chicago house sounds of Little Trinidadian Girl, the imprint has been done well and truly proud. 

Check out:
Between Earth & Space @ Juno
Minuendo Recordings 
Joey Kay @ Soundcloud
deepArtSounds
Troubled Kids Records

V/A – Austerity Cuts Vol. 1 – Austere Recordings

Less is more they say. Perhaps not though in the case of the much-loved Austere Recordings which has been away for way too long. Fast-approaching a year since the label’s last outing, they are finally back in business however with an EP well worth the wait, Austerity Cuts Volume 1.

And for release number seven the imprint has plumped for its first various artists EP featuring a clutch of new names alongside a well-respected older hand.

French DJ and producer Life Recorder is now firmly established as one of the underground’s brightest talents following a series of exceptional releases for the likes of Soul Print Recordings and the grossly underrated Bokhari. Here he is on the kind of form that caught the attention of Aesthetic Audio’s Keith Worthy with a sparkling techno cut, From Above, that glistens from every chord and delights at every turn.

Young newcomer Arnheim is clearly a talent to watch out for. Remember the name because there is undoubtedly much more to come from the London-based upstart on the evidence of this über-deep diamond. A self-confessed jazz fan, his melancholic piano-driven piece Late Night In The Loft more than holds its own, exuding class and evoking images of long-lost smoke-filled dive bars. Nice.

Gradul Lashton, a moody pseudonym if ever there was, debuts on the label with the wonderfully dreamy and redolent Summer Solace, a track in no particular rush that meanders jauntily and languidly from start to finish. Superb.

Rounding off proceedings is Fat Dog’s All That I Own. It’s a blissful, bluesy and elegant contribution dripping in soul and warmth, not least because of the gorgeous Marvin Gaye undercurrent. And you can never get enough Marvin.

Check out:

Austerity Cuts Vol. 1 @ Juno

Life Recorder @ FB

Arnheim @ FB

V/A – Depth Sifters – Future Reactions

Statements of intent don’t come much bigger, better and bolder than new label Future Reactions’ debut EP, Depth Sifters. Because apart from featuring industry stalwarts Rick Wade and Norm Talley, it has quality running through every inch of its grooves.

Although clearly rooted in the very best traditions of house music and with a deep understanding of the genre and its history, such is the confidence of the debuting imprint that it opted to open up its first release with newcomer Cris J.

Easy to see why though as his cut Around Philly is bursting with funk, chunky as fuck and with its ever-popular ‘mean streets’ style voice-over it totally nails the classic house sound.

Legendary beatsmith Rick Wade, of course, has been there, seen it, done it and with Clizias Theme brings a sumptuously soulful edge to proceedings, whilst veteran Detroiter and erstwhile Beatdown Brother Norm Talley’s Str8 Housin is, as the name suggests, no messin’, house music. Proper.

Young Spanish talent Satore is by no means out of his depth either in such illustrious company as his outstanding offering Moodment (Upstreet Mix) cuts the mustard and some. 

No doubt the first of many must-haves from yet another label to watch.

Check out:

Future Reactions @ FB

Future Reactions @ Soundcloud

LAAK - Our Ways – Altered Moods Recordings

Another day, another deep house pearl from LAAK.

It’s been a rewarding few years or so for the enigmatic Birmingham-based duo that has built a reputation as one of the best production outfits in town with a slew of captivating releases, mostly via their own handsome label Austere Recordings. It’s a status that has been cemented further by carefully chosen guest appearances such as the recent sought-after Invocations EP on Contrast-Wax.

Now comes this. If anyone knows a thing or two about quality deepness it is Altered Moods owner Malcolm Moore. So it is absolutely no surprise he went knocking at LAAK’s door. And it is even less wonder that the resulting Our Ways EP is bang on and utterly essential.

Opening shot Our Ways Run Together is the kind of melodic, understated and wistful interpretation of classic deep house that has become something of a stock in trade for the production pairing; soul warming music for even the weariest of listeners.

The beauteous Discarded Memories is similarly spiritually affirming and uplifting, subtly groovy too, a comfort-blanket of a track indeed, whilst New Dawn is another blissful and hypnotic assault on the ears.

Completing the line-up is I Can’t Help (This Feeling), the bounciest and most robust of the four-track selection, which calls to mind the best work of veteran producer Soul 223.

Check out:

Altered Moods Recordings @ FB

Altered Moods Recordings @ Soundcloud

LAAK @ Soundcloud