Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Track Of The Day: Subfunk - So Deep (Offshoot)
From the short-lived Offshoot label, Subfunk’s ‘So Deep’ is a house tempo techno chugger which deploys a linear beat around which revolve all manner of disorientating effects. The spoken word ‘So deep’ sample is the same as that used by 51 Days on ‘Paper Moon’, so it carries a certain authority. It’s quite subdued here, which I guess is the point. Rather the essence than a full-blooded imitation. It’s a strong track from a strong EP and, as seems to be the fashion, is being offered for sale at high prices chez Discogs.
Monday, August 25, 2025
Track Of The Day: Francois K - Edge of Time (Wave/Open)
This is the second time that I’ve posted something in the past week or so in which batucada is featured. The other being the yet to be released Semtek quartet on Don’t Be Afraid. This, on the other hand, is approaching 30 years old and comes from one of Francois K’s seminal releases. Blending latin and Indian percussion with dub and disco, and calling in on Yello’s ‘Homer Hossa’ as it does, ‘Edge Of Time’ is a shape shifting track, seemingly rearranging itself in order to accommodate the imagination. Cold weather music it is not, more like the soundtrack to a surreal hoedown on crack in a rainforest clearing.
Sunday, August 24, 2025
Track Of The Day: Wayne Shorter - Footprints (Blue Note)
I’ve just been listening to this track while driving home, and if there is a fine distillation of all things jazz, no matter what strain, then this is a great example of it. Everything about it screams depth, beauty and emotion. The players all stand out, particularly Shorter and Herbie Hancock, and combine to evoke a mythical, metropolitan late night. Shorter was one of those jazz mavericks, like Miles Davis & Herbie Hancock, who made the switch to a more abstract fusion style without breaking stride. It’s tracks like these however, maybe because they create a pervasive mood of elegance, that I return to the most.
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Track Of The Day: T-Jay - Reel Love (cy-cle)
I bought this split artist release way back when it came out and knew then it was quality. One side is from Milno. The other side is from T-Jay, and ‘Reel Love’ is what I’ve decided to highlight today. It’s more techno than house, its general outlook being one of minimal, fidgety urgency. The vocals and synth washes bring the track into a sharper focus and, while it may not be as good as drift, it’s not bad at all. There were two release on cy-cle, and I’ve got both of them. Looking at the stupid prices they are going for currently on Discogs, I may sell up and move to Albania.
Friday, August 22, 2025
Track Of The Day: Putsch '79 - Arpeggio Life (Clone)
A random sleight of hand and lo and behold, here’s ‘Arpeggio Life’ form Putsch 79. Two blokes from Finland who for some very lazy reason, I imagine making music on all manner of analogue devices sustained by a freezer full of Findus crispy pancakes as the winter draws ever nearer outside. They made a few bits on Clone twenty or so years ago before mysteriously withdrawing from polite society in 2010. This track is, as its name suggests, Italo through and through. It’s also one that I feel could have been so much more if they’d just got out of their lair and hunted down a vocalist prepared to ham it up and mimic an Italian singing in English, with all the baggage that comes with it. So, it’s a good backing track crying out for an edit. Anyone?
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Track Of The Day: Psychemagik - Valley of Paradise (Psychemagik)
A psychedelic trip of a track, and I’m not the first person to say that. However, it sums it up perfectly. And it’s loops upon loops: the vocals are lifted from ‘Orleans’, a tune from David Crosby’s album ‘If Only I Could Remember my Name’, the lyrics of which are a repeated three line mantra: “Orleans, Beaugency, Notre Dame du Clery, Vendome, Vendome". Around this swirls an acoustic guitar as tense as a spider’s web, and that’s it. There are also some string effects straight outta Abbey Road Studios in the late 60s, and the overall effect is one of spiritual exaltation. Don’t let that put you off though. This is boss.
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Track Of The Day: Photon, Inc.Featuring Paula Brion – Generate Power (Wild Pitch Mix) (Strictly Rhythm)
“It was just sticking out of one of the shelves guv, honest . . . “ Amazing how this track hasn’t been posted before. One of the most recognisable riffs in house music. A track with everything, the subtle build up of which is enough to shake anywhere to its foundations. DJ Pierre’s finest moment? There’s been a few. Most of us have had a “moment” to this track. Let’s hope for many more. (Moments, that is. And to anything).
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Track Of The Day: Camelia – Wingspan (Joule Imprint)
Camelia makes the same type of floaty, deep, spacey house as Janeret. However, where the latter is still tearing it up, the former is nowhere to be seen, not having put anything out since 2021’s ‘Multiverse’. This is a pity as there’s certainly room for more than one exponent of this synapse twitching, reflective, trance - inducing strain of house. The genius of tracks like these is that their apparent fragility clashes with a stamina that hints at something much stronger. It’s one for those messy moments on the dance floor, which you can never have too many of.
Semtek - 4 More Dubs EP (Don't Be Afraid)
Title: 4 More Dubs EP
Artist: Semtek
Label: Don’t Be Afraid
Cat Number: DBA046
Genre: Deep House
01: Elements
02: Bubble Science
03: Northern Lights
04: Focus Pull
Don’t Be Afraid is back with a quartet of deep house dubs from label boss Semtek, and they’re “lit”, as the yoot would say. These tracks really do show the best side of house, and there are many, or so I’m told. ‘Elements’ kicks things off in a Mood ll Swing style. It’s a linear pumper draped with the sonic motivational speech of multiple synth washes. It’s minimal and, as such, is great mixing fodder. ‘Bubble Science’ sounds like it might be a Drexciya tribute track, but it’s anything but. It’s peak time samba batucada business draped in sirens and other rave paraphernalia. The keys work really well and I wish I could remember what it reminds me of. ‘Northern Lights’ is much slower, moodier and, for want of a better expression, chuggy. ‘Northern Lights’ feels a little bit like something David Morales might conjure up while having his pecs lubricated. Dark, intense, tribal and brooding. But is it long enough to cover a good oiling? A refined quartet of raw takes, if that makes any sense.
Monday, August 18, 2025
Track Of The Day: Two Lone Swordsmen - Glide By Shooting (Emissions Audio Output)
The standout track from ‘Swimming Not Skimming’ I reckon, and a tune that showed that when AW dabbled on deep house, he did it as well, if not better, than most. There’s no doubt that this piece is unique and, as far as onomatopoeic unes are concerned, this is heatd and shoulders above the rest. It’s also ever so slightly pitched up above the normal deep house speed, and was probably perfect warehouse warm up tackle at the time, just the right thing to transition into the void. Having said that, I want to be in a place when this is playing at peak time, evoking the spectral gloom that accompanies the tainted landscape within which such crimes occur.
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Track Of The Day: Horace Andy - Man Next Door (Quiet Place)
I went to see Horace Andy at The Junction in Cambridge last night and he smashed it. He stayed on stage for just under an hour and a half I reckon, and during that time he just kept things going. Of course this track was one of the highlights and came up quite early in his set. It’s not every day one of reggae’s icons plays nearby, but when they do it’s important to check them out. Well, this was a great evening and, with the arrival of the Congos in October, maybe Cambridge is starting to become an important place to play for reggae artists. I’ve posted the version he did with Massive Attack as well, but it’s Andy's own interpretation that still burns brightest.
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Track Of The Day: Deep Square - Inner Waves (Berg Audio)
As long as the sound is crisp and clear, that’s all that matters. Well, nit quite. It helps if you have a DJ who knows what they’re doing. And the strategic insertion of a track such as this is one such time to know if said person really has that preternatural aptitude. It’s functional, but can transcend being a mere workhorse. And it’s well named as well. The whole tune feeling like some sort of giant aquatic fluctuation. There’s also the sound of galloping horse, as relayed by coconut shells, driving it along. Which makes me think of ‘Monty Python & The Holy Grail’. Tracks like this are often dismissed as being purely functional, but they get the most reaction simply because they’re the most important element in the mix and, when they raise their heads, stand out in the most spectacular ways.
Friday, August 15, 2025
Track Of The Day: Black Sabbath - Planet Caravan (Vertigo)
An unexpected piece of stoner rock from the most influential heavy metal album ever, ‘Planet Caravan’ is possibly an attempt by Black Sabbath to provide an interlude to their sonic chaos, as well as feeling not unlike Miles Davis’ ‘In A Silent Way’. It could be because both tracks show a psychedelic side of their respective genres. Also unexpected, I guess, because Black Sabbath, like many heavy metal bands, have been wrongfully stereotyped as unimaginative and limited, simply on account of their general direction. Now that Ozzy has passed on, expect all sorts of revisionism to emerge.
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Track Of The Day: Klepzec - P/01 (Psyfunk)
Coming at you straight outta Rosario in Argentina. ‘P:01’ by Klepzec manages to mix dub techno, acid and other important trace elements (most notably the all important “disembodied voices”), into a minimal track which is far more than the sum of its parts. Tracks like this are great for longer blends, but there isn’t anywhere to hide. I think this is Klepzec’s only release so, the question I’m asking myself is “why?”
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Track Of The Day: The Mole - In My Song (Wagon Repair)
Strange to think that this track is almost 20 years old, yet still sounds incredibly fresh, and quite unique. Given the requisite amount of manipulation it’s the type of tune that could span a range of sets. Peak time chug, if pitched down, over to occupying a similar niche during a techno storm. One of those that is in the eye of the hurricane. Chaotic in itself, but with enough foundation to hold steady within the disorder.
Rob Pearson & Dave Mothersole - Wanting You (Private Parts)
Title: Wanting You
Artist: Rob Pearson & Dave Mothersole
Label: Private Parts
Cat Number:
Genre: Deep House That Swings
01: Wanting You
02: Wanting You (Iteration X Distant Relative Mix)
In spite of the artists behind this release I’m loathe to label it tech house. Whoever first came up with that category summed it up perfectly. However, because of journalistic laziness and a lack of imagination, it’s since become a negative stereotype. Anyway, this is not a new release, hailing originally from the golden age of heads down, no nonsense sarf London warehouse shape throwing of the turn of the century. “Going for silly prices on Discogs” as many of them are right now, there’s still a vibrant market for this stuff mainly due to its fluid funkiness and druggy overtones. That’s why I’d buy it anyway. The original version is a linearly structured deep house track with dubby overtones, of which disembodied voices are present and correct, and I’m back dancing in Happy Jax at the tail end of 1997 as soon as it starts. I always felt that most of these releases were pitched up a bit too much, but this feels just right. I mean it’s a functional piece of music with one aim in mind, to recreate a transcendent dance floor experience. The ‘Iteration X Distant Relative Mix’ toughens the percussion up and turns the tune into a chiasmic stomp. Energy to burn and top vibes innit.
Vewie - Music For Hiding EP (Mixcult)
Title: Music For Hiding EP
Artist: Vewie
Label: Mixcult
Cat Number:
Genre: Sonic Gossamer
01: Hide
02: Always Now
03: Behind
I nabbed this release last month by way of a freebie. Blackinstock is a subdivision of Mixcult. I came across both of these labels via Bandcamp and, consequently, was sent a free download code for this release to mark the fact that Blackinstock is a few releases old. I’m lazily calling it dub techno. However, even though those elements are present here and there, it’s not really that. There is a feeling that the tracks on this release are wrapped in cotton wool, a strain of dub muslin which allows some sounds to permeate more clearly than others.’Hide’ a broken beat/ambient excursion sets the tone, and leads into ‘Always Now’, which is the only track of the three that is recognisably dub techno, in asmuch as it generally conforms to the genre’s stereotypes regarding beat pattern, and so on. ‘Behind’ is cuut from a similar cloth, but utilises break beats instead of the more linear approach of ‘Always Now’. It’s a well put together release that builds in momentum throughout, and contains three quite different approaches, the only pathetic misgiving I have is that the tracks could have been longer and more developed.
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Track Of The Day: The Martian - Firekeeper (Red Planet)
I’ve already posted a few Red Planet tracks, and I guess they’ll all eventually have their moment. Meanwhile it’s the turn of ‘Firekeeper’, a track the syncopation of which is “off the charts”, as the yoot would say. It’s quite a feat to keep a standard beat going throughout the track but, due to the funktastic flange work, which sounds like the Gap Band on crack, make it sound broken and complete simultaneously. The Detroit strings are there, unapologetically brash and clashing at all the right points. However, none of this would be possible without the high level of energy and momentum that propels this tune into the stratosphere, literally. It feels like another age when this came out. Right at the end of 1996. I was still living in Paris, ready to embark on life’s next chapter later in the year by moving over to London. Later in 1997 I’d go to see UR with my now much – missed mate Pete Pulford in Vauxhall. The original gig was die to be on Charing Cross Rd, but when we turned up at the venue we were redirected to a huge space underneath some railway arches. That was a great night and I’m sure this got played. A few years later I remember going to se Rolando, (who played at the vauxhall gig), play Voodoo in Liverpool, and I clearly remember him tear the roof off with this. Great tracks mark time.
Monday, August 11, 2025
Track Of The Day: Aquarian Motion - Beyond the Pillars of Hercules (Voodoo Gold)
I’ve reached the stage when tracks aren’t coming to mind as easily as I’d like, so I’m randomly pulling stuff from the shelves determined to find something good to say about the chosen ones. Today’s choice was, thankfully, an easy one. I could have picked another from this mini album, but went with the title track. A piece of haunting, looped electro that comes from nowhere and doesn’t know its final destination. Aquarian Motion is one of many pseudonyms used by Jeremiah R who was in the middle of a purple patch right around the tome of this track’s release in 2017. And the label Voodoo Gold was set up as a vehicle for these monikers. I’ve got a few of the releases, which are all excellent. My only criticism being that that the tracks are too short. I don’t know if anything has been heard of from Jeremiah R post pandemic. Has anyone checked in on him?
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Track Of The Day: Soul Motive - Atmosphere (Nuphonic)
Taken from one of the lesser known releases on Nuphonic, ‘The Nightshift EP’. ‘Atmosphere’ performs a difficult balancing act between break beats and deep house, embodying the characteristics of both and fusing them to give rise to something that feels like organic electro, whatever that might be. The whole EP has a similar, polished feel. However, this particular tune steps outside its confines a little in order to indulge in some much needed syncopation. The funkiest thing on the release without a doubt.
Saturday, August 09, 2025
Track Of The Day: Andy Martin - Neuromancer (Ssensoreal)
I came across this track recently and, while to the casual listener it may not seem that special, to me it does. I guess that’s because I’m not a casual listener. Anyway, it has depth, solidity and range, as well as a haunting sonic approach. It uses dub elements while keeping its structure intact. It’s also very minimal. Maybe five or six elements combining? Some tunes just come up from the depths and shake you by the synapses. This is one such example.
Friday, August 08, 2025
Track Of The Day: Derek Carr - Terrahawk (Firescope)
There was a period of time, pre-COVID, when you couldn’t move for Derek Carr records, such was his prolificacy. Not only that, but the quality of his output was consistently top drawer. I could have chosen any one of his tracks released around this time, but upon randomly pulling ‘Distant Systems’ from my shelves, I settled upon the Gerry Anderson inspired ‘Terrahawk’. Which embodies most of what passes for a classic Carr production. Detroit inspired for sure, but owing just as much, if not more, to the emotive techno sound that emerged from The UK in the late 80s, early 90s. It’s a classic slice of dawn of time techno, the type of stuff that the early examples of mudskippers would have grooved to as they came ashore on Panthalassa. Carr’s output has tapered off over the last couple of years. However, his back catalogue should hold him in good stead for a while yet.
Thursday, August 07, 2025
Track Of The Day: Bjork - Human Behaviour (Underworld Mix) (One Little Indian)
This one takes me back, and has come around in a roundabout way. I’ve just come back from my holidays and, consequently, wasn’t abLe to go to watch Underworld play at Audley End, which is just down the road from me. A little bit gutted about that, however, it was the catalyst to unearth this piece of early nineties cosmic chug. Underworld definitely went out on a limb here, and the atypical approach compared to a lot of their output at the time has definitely paid dividends. This has aged very well indeed, having come out the year of my graduation, and highlights the vocal really well, the length of the track insuring that nothing overwhelms. It just drives on, blending cascading elements of dub with a languid percussive trajectory.
Wednesday, August 06, 2025
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