Black Key return from a four year hiatus in style - with 4 sublime tracks from Australian ultra deep house don Planisphere - aka David Swatten. Following an incredibly well received LP on reissue label For Those That Knoe, Swatten returns with more expansive, smokey and utterly consuming deep house cuts, stamped with his unique sound but offering a different flavour from his Definitive Transmission LP. One which immediately stands out from the crowd. Being only his third release in 20 years, there's an understandable sense of anticipation around Swatten's output. This release undoubtedly puts Black Key firmly back on the map, picking up their deserved reputation for releasing only the very best deep house, aimed well and truly at the heads. More

Black Key return from a four year hiatus in style, with 4 sublime tracks from Australian ultra deep house don, Planisphere, aka David Swatten. Following an incredibly well received LP on reissue label, For Those That Knoe, Swatten returns here with more expansive, smokey and utterly consuming deep house cuts, stamped with his unique sound but offering a different flavour from his Definitive Transmission LP, one which immediately stands out from the crowd. Being only his third release in 20 years, there's an understandable sense of anticipation around Swatten's output. This release undoubtedly puts Black Key firmly back on the map, picking up their deserved reputation for releasing only the very best deep house, aimed well and truly at the heads. More

Brighton's boutique house label Black Key Recordskicks off 2017 with a fantastic EP from label newcomer Cinthie. Cinthie is a well established force in Berlin: as well as being a resident at key spots [IPSE] and Humboldthain Club-where she spins heady vinyl only sets-she runs three much loved labels and collectives in Beste Modus, Unison Wax and Beste Freunde. As such, she is a true leader of the underground house scene who also runs a studio complex in Berlin, and so is very much at the heart of the house conversation. Kicking things off is the excellent 'House Rhythms', a rugged, bass driven, deep house cut with flabby drums and snares and icy hi hats all sounding informed by classic deep house greats like Ron Trent. Warm, soul infused pads emanate from the core and the whole unhurried affair really sucks you in with its cosy and romantic atmosphere. The second splendid offering is 'Liberty,' a much rawerand direct cut designed for peak time sets. Again it is riddled with jazzy chords that have real soul, but the drums are exposed and banging and the whole thing barrels along at a sweat inducing pace. This is a typically classy offering from both artist and label that kicks off 2017 in real style.
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The Black Key team return for their third various artist release, compiling tracks from an array of talent. The lead track comes from the SMPL pairing of Iron Curtis & Leaves, who deliver a wonderfully subtle journey through murky pads, shuffling percussion and a sparsely used vocal sample, fitting perfectly into the overall feel of this classy number. Proof once again that these two are at the very top of their game. Sharing the A-side Laak delve into late night territory with haunting layered leads & pads rubbing shoulders seamlessly with understated sub-bass and wonderfully panned hit hats - this really is a thing a beauty. On the flip, Terrence Pearce steps up with a track which changes the mood nicely, increasing the tempo with perfectly worked strings, driving bass and lusciously simple keys, delivering a track of real quality for the floor. Finally, Leftback's own Dudley Strangeways rounds off the EP is his usual style, which cannot be described as anything less than true quality. As ever, Black Key have excelled in delivering a package which ticks all the right boxes - this is a release which will undoubtedly appeal to a diverse range of house music fans who appreciate a rather large nod to the underground. Vinyl Only.
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Brighton's Black Key Records has won many underground house fans thanks to superb releases from Iron Curtis, Tom Ellis, Ethyl & Flori and others, and is now back with another tasteful offering from Cecil. The EP is supported by a remix from Berlin's Matthew Burton and Kate Rathod. Artfuldivision's head honcho, Cecil, hails from the midlands city of Leicester, that has in recent years become less known for it's hosiery and more for it's deep house. Born Thomas Fallon, he has released on 124 Black, Slow Town Records and Moonlight and comes correct here once more. The title track 'Depths' is a liquid deep house cut that saunters along at an inviting tempo as blurred chords roll next to the groove. Lazy claps add human warmth, a fat bassline makes you want to shake your limbs and overall it's a cuddly, feel good house offering. His next cut 'Trip' is deeper, more driven by its rubbery kicks, and rawer. The keys here are pleasingly unhinged, a rasping bassline brings plenty of bite to the table and once again the result is an acid-flecked deep house number that puts most to shame. The remix comes by taste making duo Matthew Burton and Kate Rathod, who have released on Fear of Flying and Visionquest amongst others, and have recently played room 1 at the infamous Fabric nightclub. Their stripped back techno sound is showcased once again here, with elastic drums, molten chords and tripped out sound design all making for a slick, synthetic back room cut for the heads. Finally, 'Right Now' from Cecil is crunchy and expertly reduced, where a shuffling drum clap combo is embellished with jazz motifs, swirling pads and a drunken bass riff that is full of feeling. Black Key never fails to impress, and the unearthing of this latest talent and his superb deep house offering sets them off in fine stead for 2015
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Brighton's ever-cultured Black Key label pushes on with another house connoisseur for its next release, namely the venerated Scotland-based deep house producer Brad Peterson. Before now, Peterson has cropped up on seminal Detroit labels like Moods & Grooves as well as boutique vinyl only outlet Contrast Wax. His sound is deep, moody and atmospheric and comes littered with gorgeous melody and soulful synth work. Opening up the EP is 'Monsoon', a nice and propulsive house jam that journeys through deep space with infectious drum hits and radiant synths fleshing out the rubbery groove. Squelchy, subtle textures also appear in the synthy trails and the whole thing is a feel good, optimistic bit of music that will get dancefloors moving and feeling at the same time. 'Sit Back' is a more reflective and sombre cut, with wallowing, liquid chords draped over a ponderous, snaking bassline. The percussion here rattles gently, like branches in the wind, and the mood is contemplative and cerebral, which is not something your average producer can achieve from their machines. The classy, cultured work continues on closer 'Cloud Remedy' with its reverb coated hits, decisive drums and carefully spraying, ever shifting synth patterns. Classic but not overly reverential of the past, it's a beautifully musical bit of deep house with gently tumbling, starry night sky melodies to die for. As ever with this label and artist, this is a magical EP that puts most modern deep house releases to shame.
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The Black Key team step up once again, this time with the third in their limited, vinyl-only series, with Freerotation resident and established producer, Tom Ellis, delivering 4 sublime tracks of subtle and hypnotic house music, in the form of the simply titled "Limited Volume 3". Now undoubtedly an established and respected label, Brighton (UK) based Black Key Records are approaching their third year in the business, having released records from the likes of BLM, Iron Curtis, Pawas, Flori and Ugly Drums, all of which have gained attention for all the right reasons. Here, Tom Ellis delivers an excellent and intelligent EP, with all 4 tracks displaying the talent this man posses for creating a unique and instantly likeable take on deep house music... the right kind. There is no question that this limited release will appeal to the real heads among us - quality stuff. This EP is yet another statement from the Black Key camp, proving their worth in true style. Limited hand-stamped.
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The Black Key team return with the second in their limited, vinyl-only series, with Cologne based producer, Pawas, delivering a truly excellent and diverse 4 track EP, which oozes quality from start to finish. "Dubba" commences the EP in an understated but crisp fashion which uses delayed rim shots, subtle synth stabs and perfectly executed sub bass to build a flittering, shuffling groove, which has unmistakable dance floor appeal. "DA" builds from nothing into a pulsating and hypnotic houser, moulding loose hi hats, layered claps and an acid-infused bass line to supreme effect. Add in expertly-placed rising synths, plus a haunting vocal sample, subtly used, and you have a serious track on your hands. The production versatility of Pawas is demonstrated on the flip with "2047" - such a contrast from the opening 2 tracks, but delightfully so. This is guaranteed to make heads nod and feet tap, mixing together jazzy keys, fluid tom rolls and perfectly panned percussion. Then the vocal drops. Last, but certainly not least, we have "Mello" which sees Pawas partner up with Matthias Keul to great effect. A more down-tempo and musical affair, rounding off the EP is true style. Vinyl only.
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Boutique beat outlet Black Key Records return with an eighth release, welcoming the SMPL pairing of German deep house don Iron Curtis, and Leaves into the fold for the Hello Ada! EP which comes brandishing a remix from AUS and Secretsundaze talent Youandewan. "Hello Ada!" is a nicely driven jam with louche hi hats racing atop nimble beats and bass which duck and dive as they bobble along deep below the surface. Fleshing out the nicely roughed up framework are synth hooks, more smeared pads and the occasion vocal yelp as well as some cute trumpet motifs that are oh so subtly stitched into the overall arrangement. It's archetypal deep house with a kick and is sure to be one the label's biggest to date. The remix from insular soundsmith, Youandewan, is just as good but for different reasons. His version has more emphasis on the big rubbery kick drum blobs, uses the vocal more frequently, and abstractly, but glows in the same way thanks to the aqueous, shiny and reflective synths that rise up and up through the mix. It's as elastic as it is fantastic and contains possibly his finest breakdown to date.
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BRIGHTON'S BLACK KEY SIGN UP MILTON JACKSON FOR THEIR NEXT RELEASE ALONG WITH A REMIX FROM THE MIGHTY ANDY ASH. More

The excellent Black Key Records returns with its first multi artist release, the eponymously titled ‘Black Key EP’ featuring BLM, Flori & James Johnston. Brighton based Black Key Records has built a strong following for its individual take on deep, underground house music. Releases from Jonny Cade, Andy Ash & Chamboche, backed with remixes from Ethyl, Ugly Drums and BLM have given Black Key an instant kudos. Now the Black Key team look to the release of their first multi artist EP featuring three superb cuts, from three outstanding producers. More

We return with our second release, this time featuring the hotly tipped Andy Ash with two brand new tracks and a sterling remix from Ugly Drums?
Ash has been making a name for himself over the last few years releasing for the likes of Chicago?s Stillove4music imprint and the Brooklyn based On the Prowl label. Still in his early twenties Ash has a passion for electronic music derived from his misspent youth, frequenting Dj booths and running club nights in his native Liverpool and it?s that passion that comes out in his own unique take on 21st century house & disco. The ?Broken Nights EP? kicks off with the original version of ?Broken?, a wonderfully languorous slice of laid back slo mo house that fuses together loose limbed percussion, an old school riff and haunting, pitch shifted vocals. The tracks builds in intensity as the arrangement progresses, bringing the piano to the fore and shifting up a gear with hypnotic vocals that give the record a truly balaeric feel, quality stuff. Next up ?Broken? gets the remix treatment from Germany?s Steffen Baldo aka Ugly Drums whose recent release on Quintessentials was a stand out release of 2011. For this remix, Baldo takes things into super deep territory with a version that strips out the pianos and vocals and draws on drums and sparsely used stabs and riffs to build a brilliantly understated groove. Finally we have the excellent ?Distro Yet?, a deep house workout that melds hypnotic hits and pads with a rolling, bass heavy rhythm section to create a mesmerizing work. Added Roland percussion and some frenetic keys join the mix and lift the track towards a superb climax and conclusion of the release. More