When it comes to releasing groove-driven productions suited for the warm-up all the way through to the afters, there aren’t too many better than Michael James. A studio natural with innate talent earning him a reputation as a must-visit producer, the Manchester native’s growing discography has already welcomed stand-out material via Burnski’s Constant Sound and Constant Black alongside the likes of S.A.S.H., e1ven and INFUSE. Returning to FUSE for the first time since his huge collaborative ‘Weird Things’ EP in 2020 alongside imprint boss Enzo Siragusa, early May welcomes a big solo debut on the label as he drops his dynamic four-track EP, ‘Another Dimension’. Lead cut ‘Nobody Does’ sees James skilfully fuse funk-fuelled bass licks with sharp drums and wonky synths, while title track ‘Another Dimension’ offers up weighty low-ends beneath skippy percussion and sweeping melodies for a powerful peak time anthem. ‘Downstream’ arrives full of swing as delicate pads float amongst the mix, before closing with the driving sonics and spacey electronics of digital exclusive ‘Underwater’.

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These three offerings from Michael James might fit into the minimal/tech bracket comfortably but there's a free flowing, shuffling sense of funkiness that undeniably runs through them all that defies all the usual 'shoulder twitch' stereotypes about the genre. 'Signal Issues' employs a panther-like bass hovering under the radar, with the briefest of breakbeat snippets adding the growing syncopation. 'Still Waiting' continues the technofunk mission, a sea of underplayed bleepery augmenting the groove, while 'Rush Hour' has a breezier and more open vibe and perhaps a more classic techno feel, proper graceful like.

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Michael James debuts on Infuse to open the New Year, delivering three original productions in the form of his ‘Fat Earth’ EP. A surging name within the scene, Manchester’s Michael James is quickly becoming a staple name in the record bags of some of the biggest names in the game following an impressive string of releases via the likes of Constant Sound and sub-imprint Constant Black, Mulen Records and Hoarder. Taking inspiration from artists including Ricardo Villalobos and Zip through to Raresh, Rhadoo and Barac, the blossoming producer, DJ and digger has forged a sound combining his own take on house, minimal and dub techno – resulting in appearances at the likes of fabric (London), S.A.S.H (Sydney) and DC-10 (Ibiza), not to mention his long-standing residency at The Zoo Project. Opening 2020, here we see James’ latest effort as he touches down on FUSE sister label Infuse to reveal the infectious three-track ‘Fat Earth’ EP. Title cut ‘Fat Earth’ opens proceedings in slick fashion, fusing skipping hats and evolving electronics amongst swinging rhythms, whilst ‘O.H. Groove’ ups the energy as rumbling low-ends and slinking percussion licks go to work revealing a lively effort perfect for the peak time or the after-hours. Last up, ‘Guidance’ sees out the package as tripped out vocal snippets interject amongst sweeping synths and rich drum shots, rounding out an impressive label debut from the blossoming UK talent.

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Next release on Mulen made by a big talent from UK Michael James, welcome!

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Despite presumably being insanely busy A&Ring for all his many labels, which put out music at a high rate of release, Burnski does also still find time to make his own music. And it's top tackle too, whatever he tries, from garage to ambient. To kick off with here the Northern rock cooks up a super breezy and Balearic-tinged house tune that you can imagine playing at some vibey Ibiza sunset party. That's probably why he called it 'Summer 23' to be honest. On the flip, 'Afters' gets more chunky and tribal, with tight and pinging drums and that sort of wide-eyed, tongues-out energy that gets the freaks going.

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Is there anyone in the game that has been turning out such essential club sounds in so many different styles for such a long and consistent run as Burnski? Whatever he has on his cornflakes, we want some, because he's done it again here, this time with pal Kelper. 'What I Want' takes up the whole of the a-side and is mix of everything from deep house to minimal to Chicago jack. It's a busy, restless tune with a hooky vocal that keeps you locked. 'This' is a more tripped-out 5AM groove with warped deep space sound designs and airy drums that float. 'Lucid State' taps into a dreamy 90s tech house vibe that is utterly compelling.

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Constant Sound is one of the many labels Burnski aka Instinct is heading up right now and they are all as good as each other. This one focuses on house and tech sounds and welcomes Adam Pitts to the fam with three standouts. 'Gadget Crew' opens up and has a big, high-energy groove with plenty of oversized drum sounds and a retro melody paired with an intriguing soulful vocal. It has a dark garage tinge and is perfect for late-night action. 'Just This Once' is tough and physical, with warped and naughty bass and thwacking great hits irresistible to all. Last all comes a Skins Junglist Crew remix which is exactly that - a fine one for the jungle heads.

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Brazilian beat maker Fabe has emerged over recent years as one of tech house's most skilled groove smiths. His drums and bass are always seductive no matter their style. Here he links up with Burnski aka Instinct's Constant Sound label for four more irresistible nuggets. 'The Greater Good' is super quick as it glides over rippling bass with silky chords, then 'Newbie Bounce' has a more weighty groove. There is elastic funk and US swing in the shuffling goodness of 'Flow Groover' then 'On Edge' closes out with bulky deep house beats and late-night synth work of the highest order.

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The ever reliable Constant Sound is back this week, with Burnski's imprint serving up a full LP release by the ascendant Leeds DJ/producer Matthew Farrow aka Kepler. A solid selection of retro techno cuts are featured on Freedom Mills, and all for maximum dance floor impact. From the bleep techno euphoria of 'Fold', or the classic '90s house motifs of "Contact" to the dusty rolling beats of 'Professor Pace' and the sunset breaks of "Era" - they are all sure to bang the party. Tip!

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Next up on Constant Sound is a split EP from Laura Jones and Stephen Brown. Vinyl only remix by Endian


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Next up on Constant Sound is Berlin based Diego Krause. This time there are no remixes, just 3 solid club tracks from a producer who is really on form.

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There is no rest for Constant Sound, because the label quickly follows up top tracks and remixes from the likes of Paolo Rocco, Nail and Steve O'Sullivan with this new offering from Constant, aka the boss men themselves, namely Jon Woodall and Burnski. It also comes with remixes from Blackhall & Bookless, S.A.M and A Scott. The Constant pair are well versed in house music in all its guises, both as DJ and producers, and it shows once again here. Their first cut, 'Dub Life', is a slithering, slippery and frictionless house roller with tunnelling percussive patterns, restless drums and myriad synth smears that really pull you down into a seductive groove. Subtle vocals add character and ensure this one will keep 'floors locked for days. Acclaimed London based, Geordie raised duo Blackhall & Bookless then step up. As well as running their own night and label under the Jaunt banner, they play all over Europe and Ibiza so are well travelled talents. Their remix is a fired up, peak time techno leaning bomb with barreling kicks, ravey stabs and Detroit referencing pads that really grab your attention. The S.A.M. reshape then offers up elastic, spaced out deep house vibes with airy hi hats, lots of height in the drums and plenty of feeling in the slithering synth lines that lace up the track. Closing out the package is a remix from returning label artist A Scott, who appeared on the second EP alongside Chad and once again impresses here. His fine remix is a lovably flabby and cavernous track with oodles of reverb, rattling train track like grooves and atmospheric pads that swirl all around you as you drift in his air beats. It rounds out another assured and accomplished package from Constant Sound.

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Completing a quick fire trio of new EPs, Constant Sound hits release number six with a pair of new tracks from VRSION that come with a dance floor friendly remix from Persuader. VRSION is a German producer who has already made a big impact with his release on Craig Richards' excellent The Nothing Special label. Following up that in fine style is the opener here, 'Torn', which is a hurried and urgent track that sits on the divide between house and techno. It is driven and slick, rubbery and hypnotic but has plenty of nuance and funk in its well programmed drums. Some occult sounds and wordless vocals embellished the whole thing and it really is the sort of track that blows dance floors apart and will stand out in any set. 'Capricorn Meet Leo' then toys with kinked drum patterns, rattling percussion and fathom deep bass that sucks you right into VRSION's world. It's a restless place where harmonies ride up and down the scale, cause claps come at you from odd angles and dark vocals add a sense of paranoia. Remixing this one is Persuader, who does so with a stripped back sense of restrain. he retains the original's weirdness, but layers in serene pads and tripped out atmospherics that really make it ripe for playing at 4am. This is the most adventurous release yet for Constant Sound, and is sure to prove one of its bets as a result.

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Although only a few months have passed since Constant Sound was first minted, the label run by Burnski and Jon Woodall is now ready to unleash its fourth EP. Entitled Raw Moments, it features a hot original by Paolo Rocco and is backed with accomplished remixes from the legendary Nail as well as boss man Burnski. Canadian Rocco is well known on the Montreal circuit for his broad and energetic DJ sets, whilst he has also cracked the Beatport charts with his own tunes, namely 'Move Body, Move Forward' on Klasse, as well as with follow ups on Real Tone. He impresses once again here with 'Raw Moments', a track that does exactly what it says on the tin. The whole track is built upon rock solid kick drums that bounce and bobble about as curious bird sounds and gloopy synths dart about next to cow bells and hi hats. It's expertly lively and robust. First to re-imagine the track is Burnski, who injects some seriously fat bass, a subtle sense of shuffle and infectiously crafted grooves laden with dub motifs and rich reverb. It's perfectly designed for no frills and non stop dancing, frankly. Last to remix is DIY Discs man, Classic Music Company associate and all round house tastemaker Nail. His Smoke Dub is a bulky house jam with buffed metal melodies, squelchy drums and sci-fi synth sounds that is deep, stays low and is perfect for back room basements. This label might only be on its fourth release, but already it has announced itself as a go to outlet for fans of fresh intelligent sounding house, and this release only confirms that.


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Riding high on the success of a second release that introduced A-Scott & Chad to the Constant Sound fold, the third instalment finds Burnski back in the saddle to offer up "Changes", getting into a more techno-oriented frame of mind without losing that warmth and playful sensibility he has made his own over the years. After strong remixes from Trus'me, Steve O'Sullivan and Cab Drivers on previous releases, Constant Sound 003 gives another opportunity for the label to call upon the finest in the business to reinterpret the original material. In keeping with the heads-down workout tones of Burnski's original, it makes perfect sense to invite an artist as accomplished as Deadbeat up for a remix. Scott Monteith has long been a stellar example of how to push dub techno in thrilling new directions and it shows on his version of "Changes". Kris Wadsworth has just as much to say for himself after years spent crafting heavyweight house and techno with a mercenary instinct matched by lashings of machine soul. He reduces the original track into a stripped down techno dub perfect for late at night. His remix will only be available on the vinyl. It's yet another step forwards for a label committed to delivering nothing but the highest quality house and techno for those who seek a touch more depth from their music.


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First release on Constant Sound, a new label from Burnski and Jon Woodall. The original comes from Burnski featuring a vocal from Beckford. Remixes from Prime Numbers' Trus'me, and Mosaic boss Steve O'Sullivan producing a rare remix.


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