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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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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Michael James minimal / techhouse 4 track EP on Constant Sound

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It's still hard to keep up with all of Burnski's many different labels, but we're not complaining. This one, Constant Black, mixes up things with a tech and minimal twist and next to do so is Daniel Akbar. 'What' soon wins you over with its kinetic and infectious drum programming and smart samples - a phased vocal and a twisted synth lead. 'Retreat' gets more physical - the drums bang with an old-school flavour and hint of tribalism. 'Listen' is a big fat tech roller with low slung bass and 'This One' rounds out with some brilliant drum, hits and brain-frying bass sounds. Pow pow, what a record.

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No-one never quite knows which side of the deep / minimal house divide the latest on Constant Black is going to fall. The one thing you can be sure of, however, is that both sets of fans will find plenty to love in this sweaty, trippy, stealthy cauldron of house beats. We're offered four slices of the Sota sound, and they're quite the quality set, the wonderful 'Lafayette' bringing the jacking glory days of Ferox to mind, while 'At Least 10 Words' has a tactile feel to it that puts it up there with the raw tech of Transmat or other early Detroit. Simply reeks of quality.

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Ever-prolific Swedish minimal producer Per Hammar returns to Burnski's Constant stable with a surefooted EP showing off some of his freshest dancefloor approaches. 'Wrapper' keeps the groove dense and simmering, peppered with bleeps and dubby impulses, while 'Collapse' takes a more floaty direction with playful melodic flourishes darting around the pervading deepness of the rhythm section. 'TV 1000' locks into the tightest of funks, firing off a wandering bassline to get bodies wriggling with delight.

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Constant Black is one of the many labels run by the prolific Brit Burnksi aka Instinct aka Constant Sound. Here he signs up Niko Maxen for four deeper house cuts that are designed for small and intimate spaces. There is a trippy sense of melody to 'Denali' that soon has you enchanted as the rubbery drums bounce below. 'Logan' is built on another bulbous fusion of rubbery kicks and gooey bass that is stripped back but characterful. Things head into rather spooky worlds on 'Jaya' with its mysterious leads and swirling pads, then 'Elbrus' rounds out on a slick minimal house vibe that is perfect for the wonky after hours.

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