“Loves Love” jettisoned STÜM into 2024 and now “Beautiful Dancers” is here to take him ever higher. As the second single off his forthcoming Essence Of Time EP, “Beautiful Dancers” is a blissful yet haunting take on techno. This track is total club rapture made up of ghostly vocal calls, static-like percussion and howling wind effects. A record of mixed emotions, pleasure and pain all blended up into 6 plus minutes. Speaking on the tune, STÜM says “The songwriting process involved juxtaposing the organic with the synthetic weaving together contrasting sounds to mirror the duality of human emotion.” Third in line is “Limbo”, a heaving acid hit full of hypnotic foreign instruments and vocals. This one gives off a massive street party feeling. From there we head to “Escape” a more dreamy and introspective bell-tone tune. A deliberate breather from STÜM before storming into the title track of the EP. “Essence Of Time” is a shimmering rave piece. Dulcet piano intertwines with airy effects and hammering synths – another excellent example of STÜM’s ability to blend light and shade all at once.

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It’s 2024 and Egyptian-born artist of South Sudanese origin Sam Alfred has had a monstrous 12 months. A new year means stepping in a new zone with new tunes. This is Forward Step. First is the title track “Forward Step (Journey Mix)”, an epic cow-bell-laden house hammer that blooms into a euphoric flower. Running with a 90’s club flavour, Sam lays airy synths over punchy piano and rave stabs while an all-powerful speech plays out, celebrating the idea that we’re all in control of writing our futures. There’s a bubbling over of excitement on this one as it builds and builds and builds! Up next is “Care 4 U” – a crunchy drum club roller paired with fuzzy bass tones and a super hooky vocal loop. A section that’s been lodged in our brains from the moment we heard it. Toss in airy pads and a key melody that’s also impossible to forget and this track’s got you hook, line and sinker. In true Sam Alfred style, “Care 4 U” is yet more proof that this lad is a wizard at writing jacked-up club cuts, each full of fizz. Third in line comes “Keep It” a relentless hypnotic piece of techno. Outer space synths drone while shuddering percussion rumbles beneath. It’s here where the EP takes a darker turn. The curtain closer and focus track for the EP drop is “Distance” – an acidic house track to seriously lock and load to. Characterised by sharp hi-hats and lively keys, as its name suggests this one goes and goes and goes.

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There have been more than murmurs about Sam Alfred lately. The 22-year-old Naarm-based producer has been on quite the tear, releasing a slew of dreadnought records. Born in Egypt with a proud South Sudanese background, Sam brings a worldly essence to the Australian club landscape. already, the young producer has fashioned a distinctive energy to his sets and songwriting, one full of joy and fervour. Needless to say, folks are picking up what he’s putting down. Next up is his Suzuka EP, a bullish 4 tracker that we’re proud to emblazon with the Gallery insignia. A bundle of tunes that call to charged dancefloors and the unshackling of day-to-day stresses. Opening with force, we’re greeted by the title record ‘Suzuka’. Made up of a mean kick, euphoric synth strokes and hyper 808s, this one doesn’t let up. As beastly as ‘Suzuka’ is – there’s a warm and inviting undercurrent, an encouragement to gather your crew and party well into the wee hours. No doubt, DJs from both hemispheres will send crowds hopping mad with this bullet train. You only need to take a look at his sold-out Boiler Room HERE to see the stir this armament creates. Second, in line is ‘Salzburg’. An ode to 90’s rave culture, the track canters along with glee, full of fuzzed-out pads and a roaring vocal sample. Spliced throughout are galactic whirls that serve as perfect interludes to what’s an all-out riot. Tumbling over to the B-side, we come ear-to-ear with ‘Auckland's Groove’. Having been out since early December, this piano-laden roller continues to shine. Bringing a lovely buoyancy to the tune are squelchy kickdrums and lively sirens. A nod to Alfred’s skills in composition and ability to brew certain moods. Rounding out the body of work, ‘Lovin U’ comes into land. Defined by an enticing two-step rhythm, whirring synth play and sundry percussion, Sam signs out with serious polish. An honest and skilful interpretation of house that’s built to get people moving. Sam Alfred’s music is one of energy, celebration and satisfaction and this is an ideal ending.

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Nationally adored Australian dance music producer Cassettes For Kids (Zak Degenhardt) has delivered his most thorough body of work to date, releasing EP Turpins Falls via Gallery Recs. Turpins Falls is a vast array of moods that ebbs and flows in energy, texture, power and emotion, wrapped in an archetypal, Cassettes For Kids glaze of hardware driven house music. Every track has its own unique deeply human feel and bounce, as evocative synths, swinging bass lines and driving, varied percussion layers fall effortlessly together, giving audiences an intimate insight into the mind of one of Australia’s most talented and prolific producers

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Pretty Girl is in some sort of purple patch. Storming off the back of stellar releases ‘Arc’ and ‘Sun Phase’, the Naarm neophyte has officially arrived with her debut EP ‘Middle Ground’. What is now becoming somewhat of a signature, the artist lathers the debut in her very own saintly vocals. This is a four-track exposé of emotive dance music. ? The A1 ‘Arc’ sets the tone. Flexing her muscles in sound design, PG pieces together a shimmering house runner. Featuring laser-like chords and delectable drum patterns, ‘Arc’ sends you skyward. Racking up giant streaming numbers and snaring features on more than 20 Spotify Editorial playlists, this one’s an underground bullseye. ? 'Empathy’ is the next to arrive. A call and response record that walks a lovely tightrope, perfectly balanced in both vocals and production. As the name suggests, the piece is stacked with deep motif’s that act as a window into Pretty Girl’s day-to-day. Her standout vocal production to date is met with her distinctive driving percussion and melancholic chord progressions. ? Lavender’ is a sharp percussive creation and a fitting welcome to the B-side. A one-line affair that burrows deeper and deeper. Once again, showing off her prowess in production, PG plays masterfully with sub-bass and glitchy drums resulting in a stellar display of late-night audio. ? Although devoid of lyrics ‘The Only Way Is Through’, brims with feeling and is the perfect climax. Here’s a record full of hope and promise. Manipulating an array of judiciously chosen synths, PG shapes a vast interstellar space. Over the 8 minute trip, a palette of tight drum patterns come knocking, pleasantly surprising you with each visit. With time on her side, the producer gives each sonic element its moment in the spotlight. And girl do they shine! Where there is light, there is darkness and PG plays with both moods to perfection. Listen closely and you can almost hear the concentration involved in piecing this moving galaxy together. ?


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1993 progressive acid house produced by the prolific and elusive Will Brunner. To date the only release from Shimmer records and almost impossible to find second hand. Features four diverse mixes which have been remastered by ManMade.

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Two little ducks, it's 22! You asked so we have delivered, with this mind and groin boggling 12''. Kicking things off with some monsterous uptempo garage courtesy of Grant Nelson’s Remix of Dave & Omar 'Starlight'. Next up is a forthcoming DJ Fudge production ‘Everything' by Chocolate Fudge Band, featuring lots of live instrumentation and a Curtis Mayfield style vocal.

Flip it over for Dave’s super soulful 4/4 workout of 'Look at the Stars' featuring Maurissa Rose and the brand new Opolopo - 'Looking For You', a deep and bouncy cut filled with soulful Motown vocal chops and an Organ workout worthy of any Sunday service. Take your trousers off, lie back and enjoy.

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Repress!

Radio Slave reissues 2000 and One’s noughties house bomb ‘Wan Poku Moro’ with an extended version and a remix by Riva Starr. A real dance ?oor anthem, 2000 and One’s vocal house hit ‘Wan Poku Moro’ was initially released as part of his 2009 ‘Heritage’ album on 100% Pure. The track is now getting a reissue as a single, with two new versions pressed on wax via Rekids, an edit from label boss Radio Slave and a remix from Riva Starr. On the A-side, Radio Slave extends ‘Wan Poku Moro’’s original eight minutes of hyped-up hands-in-the-air house music to the ten-minute mark with Snatch! Records’ Riva Starr remixing the track on the B-side. He returns to Rekids for the ?rst time since his EP with Mark Broom as Star B and reimagines 2000 and One’s track into a late-night warehouse groover, trading its organic percussion for tight, techy drums but maintaining the original’s infectious energy and earworm vocals.

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Soulful sounds from the South of Italy, coming courtesy of Soul Departure Recordings label head Kikko Esse. Four dynamic, emotive, and downright delectable house cuts that will have you dreaming of Italian coastlines and Campari’s. Produced to perfection, laced with feeling and driven by groove, it’s house that hits you in the heart.

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Tour-Maubourg presents his debut studio album ‘Paradis Artificiels’. This touching piece of music shows the talented artist’s beautiful exploration which is a mixture between house rhythms and jazz sonorities with a pinch of pop influences.

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Ahead of a full-length album coming on Glitterbox Recordings, the king of disco re-edits Dr Packer presents the second instalment of this 12” series. ‘Different Strokes Part 2’ features four Dr Packer versions of soulful house favourites, giving a flavour of what’s to come from the LP. Kicking off with a bonafide classic, Dr Packer’s take on Soulsearcher’s ‘Can’t Get Enough!’ maintains all its most iconic elements, the euphoric vocals and timeless groove given a fresh-sounding elasticity. Next up is Dr Packer’s remix of The Shapeshifter’s evergreen ‘Lola’s Theme Recut’ appearing for the first time on vinyl. An exclusive to this vinyl release, a remix of Johnny Corporate’s ‘Sunday Shoutin’’ picks up the pace with a funking bassline to suit any dynamic disco set. Rounding off this foursome of impeccable remixes is Cleptomaniacs featuring Bryan Chambers ‘All I Do’, a vocal house classic from the early noughties, reinterpreted masterfully for today’s Glitterbox dancefloor,r which was originally featured on the label’s A Disco Hï compilation. Dr Packer has done it again, breathing new life into your most beloved dance records so you can fall in love with them all over again.

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MAD012 has arrived! or as we’ve been referring to it the ‘M.A.D Garage’ EP. (as in Paradise Garage)

After receiving Magari and Ilija Rudman’s tracks within a short time of each other it felt like a perfect fit to pair them together. Both productions give a nod to the 80s House sound whilst expertly bringing the aesthetic up to date.

Magari has provided us with an eyes closed dub’d out groover and Rudman supplies a winding and weaving synthesised journey, giving a sonic glimpse in to his fully stocked studio.

It’s always been top of our list to work with the inimitable Mark Seven. His music is a staple of our sets and as many of you know, is somewhat of guiding light of our scene. Any fan of Parkway Records knows it’s always an exciting day when they announce something new, needless to say we are proud to present a Parkway Powermix on M.A.D.

Finally, our good friend, the extremely versatile Producer/DJ Manuel Darquart finishes off the record with a sublime rolling take on ‘Danceteria’. If somehow you didn’t know him already consider yourself informed.

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Tom Carruthers is back with his debut drop on Syncrophone Prod, bringing straight fire with raw vibes and slick beats. “No Frequency" hits hard with four bangers that blend old-school flavors with a fresh twist. A must-grab for vinyl head

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Damian Lazarus uncovers ‘SPIRITS VII’, the seventh chapter of Crosstown Rebels’ visionary annual compilation series. The eight-track package sees the Crosstown Rebels founder curate another stellar lineup of emerging and established talent for the latest instalment of the ongoing highly acclaimed series.Since its debut in 2017, Damian Lazarus’ SPIRITS series has become a de?nitive platform for rising stars and established talent pushing cutting-edge sounds, consistently setting the tone for the year ahead. With the release of ‘SPIRITS VII’ this February, Crosstown Rebels continues its tradition of curating groundbreaking talent, delivering an impressive collection of tracks from both new and returning names. Building on the momentum of previous volumes, the eight-tracker o?ers an expertly crafted selection of deep grooves, hypnotic rhythms, and forward-thinking productions - providing a glimpse into the future of house and techno while staying true to the genre’s roots.Opening the release, US-based duo Lisbona Sisters present ‘OK GURL’, a trippy and warping track with their original vocals that sets an otherworldly tone. Next, Netherlands-based SHARE follows releases on Mobilee and Abracadabra with ‘Oh Please…’, an acid-led cut with hooky vocals from Def E? that leave a lasting impression. Next, Bona?que, part of the Maccabi House family, infuse ‘Desperadio’ with signature Middle Eastern in?uences and organic, rhythmic drums, while Dino Lenny delivers ‘I Have Sampled Father’, a playful yet o?-kilter cut loaded with a kaleidoscope of diverse elements balanced by captivating grooves. The journey continues with Upercent’s ‘Where Are You’, a dynamic composition characterised by soaring synths, sharp drums, and heavy bass licks. Collaborating on ‘Le Tourbillon’, Timo Maas & Inámo craft a hypnotic blend of grooves and sweeping melodies, perfect for late-hour moments. Recorded in his Ibiza studio, John Monkman energises the collection with ‘Colours’, a track brimming with intricate synth work, standout vocals, and dynamic sound design, before Enamour closes with ‘Jackpot’, a dreamy and hazy masterpiece featuring colourful sonics and enchanting soundscapes. With its distinct ability to uncover hidden gems and elevate them to global recognition, Crosstown Rebels remains a leading force, and this latest edition of SPIRITS proves precisely why it remains at the forefront of the global electronic scene as one of its most vital imprints.

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DJ Subaru has already made their name exciting dancers with offbeat anthems and obscurities as part of their luminous Pleasuremaxxx parties, alongside similarly inclined soirees in Leeds, London, Berlin and beyond. Making their accomplished production debut on CWPT with 'Lots of Love', DJ Subaru instinctively mines the expressive, outsider strains of disco, Italo and pop pleasures in their record bag, revealing an EP that throbs with the pleasures, pain and potential of a life in strobes and smoke. Vocalist and muse Tiss Vampiric emerges from London’s shadowy underground to lend their voice to the brooding, disco-Gothic track, ‘My Love’. Stalking a moody paradise amongst DJ Subaru’s EBM-oriented synthesizers, their baroque lyrics conjure an atmosphere that bridges the energies of subversive pioneers such as Soft Cell and Ministry, a sensual maze where denial only leads to more devotion, as well as more dancing. Keeping the lights dim but brightening the corners, the prolific cosmic disco pioneer Prins Thomas reinvigorates his legendary ‘Discomiks’ approach for a euphoric remix of ‘My Love’. Incorporating DJ Subaru and Tiss Vampiric into a dancefloor canon that also includes Lana Del Rey, Pet Shop Boys and the Chemical Brothers, this classic arrangement has been road-tested to build euphoria, joyfully reflecting menace from mirrorballs. The latter portion within 'Lots of Love' leaves us entirely in DJ Subaru’s musical visions. The only voice on ‘I <3 You’ is soft and robotic, intoning the track’s simple title over a lush, caramelized groove that’s pure circuits and sentiment. In contrast, the moody pads of ‘Just Visiting’ build to a crescendo of breaks and basslines that capture more urgent early hours energy, while ‘She’ provides a beautifully naive melody and a slightly balearic touch for a wide-eyed kiss goodbye.

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Originally released in 2002 the Martin Solveig remixes of Madan by Salif Keita is one of those rare releases that even now, 22 years on still gets played everywhere from festivals in Croatia to super clubs in Ibiza. Anyone who has graced any dancefloor in the past 20 years will no doubt instantly recognise this one!

Afro house with a French touch, Salif Keita, often referred to as the 'Golden Voice of Africa' lends his impeccable vocals to flawless production by Martin Solveig.

Until now the only way to obtain a copy on vinyl would be to pay close to £50 on second hand market. For the first time since its original release in 2002, South Street International have remastered and officially reissued this modern classic. Both the Exotic Disco Mix & Exotic Disco Dub are included here, one side each & cut loud for maximum enjoyment.

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Black Loops is an endlessly creative producer who has brought constant invention to house music since his first release over a decade ago. His widescreen sounds take their cues from funk, soul and disco and are underpinned by a love of 90s grooves. They appeal to DJs and dancers alike which explains his constant demand for DJ sets around the world as well as his music being played and supported by the biggest names in the scene. After many years of vital 12"s and remixes, he now draws on everything he has learned and raises his levels with a fully realised debut full length. "This album represents a step forward, an opportunity to craft something more musical and intricate, both in terms of arrangement and melody," says the artist, who draws on his roots as a drummer and lays down most of the kit and percussion parts himself. The majority of the album tracks were played live to give them an organic, improvised and personalised touch, with resulting jams reworked and reshaped where necessary over the last year. Because of that fluidity, Always Moving works in many settings. The mix of hooky vocals and compelling drums ground the record with a human feel, as do the collaborations with the guest musicians Black Loops has long admired. The blissed-out broken beats of CDMX kick things off in soulful style, there's a deeper funk to Mamao (a tribute to the hugely influential Azymuth drummer Ivan Conti) and Detroit Love Letter featuring Byron The Aquarius is a warm and gooey deep house cut with majestic chords gelling the mix together. Marlena Dae is an emerging and hugely talented singer based in Berlin and features on tracks including the Metro Area-style disco bounce of Electrical and LSD as well as the weighty deep house of Experience. She also adds her stylish and seductive tones to Pleasure Ride on which Harvey Sutherland features with some cosmic synth work. Always Moving is an artistic triumph that blends a personal and musical approach to production with lived-in grooves that warm the body and soul.
The rest of this most intimate and heartfelt record features the boogie-tinged retro-future synth glow of Synesthesia, dusty drums and twinkling late-night keys of Time Space Matter and leggy downbeat lushness of Intercourse. The lo-fi and left-field Dilla-esque drums of Slow Jamz and loved-up strings and warm, bass guitar groove of Good Bye Berlin close down the record in a tender fashion.

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