Daniel Solar is one half of Dikso, the excellent edits imprint responsible for many a disco-rinsed dancefloor burner over the last year. The Hannover native is also one of Berlin’s emergent talents, a DJ, producer, label owner and A&R intent on bridging the gap between disco and dance music, while coaxing the techno-loving city’s tastes a little further off the beaten track. As a child of the early 80s, Daniel was strongly influenced by synth pop and dance music, before rap and hip hop caught his imagination and inspired his first forays into production. Once he had finished school, Daniel became more and more and intrigued with house and techno, clubs and raves, and his studio style expanded to take in electro, techno, and deep house until we arrive at today and his latest release: Too Much Light EP. More

Moody melodic synth patterns, stripped back electronic percussion and haunting hypnotic vocals. May I present the latest masterpiece from Reuben Tobias: Portraits EP. A finely balanced deep underground pop release that will no doubt hold the attention of such names as Troxler and Jamie Jones. The structure, complex enough to hold interest but simple enough to maintain elegance, takes you on a journey through the mind of Reuben Tobias as you listen attentively to every word of the self expressive lyrics. The B side lead, Marran, shares very much the similar characteristics as Portraits. Minus the lyrics, Marran uses subtly layered electronic synths and the comforting sound of young children playing outside to suck you down into a place of complete concentration. Your focus becomes stuck in fascination for the sounds guiding you through the duration of the track right to the last second. A brilliant EP. Not one for the clubs but certainly one for the collection. More

Next up from Defected's Tenth Circle offshoot, is an EP from the highly in demand DUFF DISCO. A trio of laidback, disco-infused house grooves are elegantly provided on the 'Sunshine EP' by Duff Disco aka Jeremy Duffy. Ideal listening for the summer months, the EP demonstrates Duffy's prowess as one of the most original producers on the scene today, and moves though shimmering pads, quietly bubbling synths and stunningly beautiful chord progressions, creating something that is totally unique and utterly spellbinding.
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Tenth Circle launches with EP from UK deep house prodigies. With a focus squarely on the more underground elements of house, techno and electronica, Tenth Circle will be bringing previously unknown names to the attention of the dance music community in 2011 and beyond. The label will launch this month with an EP from Bournemouth based outfit Zoo Look. Comprising three young and exceptionally talented producers - Samson King, Craig Watkins & Alex Warren - Zoo Look's Holding On EP sets the bar high for the deep, melodic, lush sounds with which the label will aim to make its name. Title track 'Holdin' On' is a slow, spacey trip through layers of luscious pads, shimmering chords and echoed vocals, while on the flip 'Space & Time' is an intensely satisfying excursion through the very deepest foundations of house.
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