As the clocks go back and the terraces slow down, we move back into the basements for some proper underground vibes and we have just the tonic in our October disco and house gems for your listening and dancing pleasure.
SIMBAD – NUPHORIA EP (FREERANGE RECORDS)
It’s always a pleasure to hear something new from Simbad. The French born, London schooled, Cape Town based DJ, musician, and producer, is known for his constant innovation and commitment to the scene. His authenticity continues to shine through Nuphoria. From the outset, this music lifts hearts and spirts, featuring South African artist Sanele on ‘Dreams’. Simbad provides two versions of the title cut for different moments of the dance, Frederick aka Peter Oakden adds further house happiness to the proceedings on ‘Wake Up’.
SESSION VICTIM – LOW KEY, LOW PRESSURE (NIGHT TIME STORIES)
A fave of ours from their countless releases on Delusions of Grandeur, and the more recent Needledrop album on Night Time Stories. Berlin duo, Session Victim, deliver yet more quality in the form of their new long player entitled ‘low key, low pressure’. It’s a collection of ten pristine cuts designed for way into the night, for smoky basements, and heavy after- hours sessions. Think DJ shadow meets Massive Attack and you’ve almost got the vibe. It’s a lesson in how to connect subtle musical ideas and intelligent visions. Session Victim bare their musical soul to the world here. It’s headsy, tender, and introspective. Just as we like it.
DETROIT RISING – ROCKET LOVE REMIXED (DOWN JAZZ)
When the end of the year comes and the ‘best of lists’ begin, this record has to be featured. The Detroit Rising collective started out in 2018 and is made up of members of Parliament-Funkadelic, Public Enemy, Mary J Blige, and Prince. From their 2018 album ‘A Cosmic Jazz Funk Adventure’ comes a remix EP that calls on some of the UKs leading lights. Jimspter, Seam McCabe, Kaidi Tatham and EVM128 all work their remix magic on a few of the album tracks. Highlights are the previously released remix by Sean McCabe, and Jimspter’s solid rework of space opera ‘Rocket Love’. This EP is pure heat from top to bottom!
ANNA CAVAZOS – LOVE INTERLUDE (LITTLE GIANT)
While she may not be a well-known name, Anna Cavazos is something of a NYC scene stalwart. A DJ, and producer, but perhaps more well known as a vocalist. Starting out as a singer 20 years ago, Anna Cavazos worked with some of the industry’s main players. Her DJ and production career took off shortly after with her spinning at some of New York’s leading club nights. Anna started up Little Giant Records in 2016, and having worked with the likes of Sandy Riviera, Satoshi Tomiie, and Eli Escobar, her releases have been hosted on King Street and Defected. The ‘Love Interlude EP’ is full of that deep house sound we love to hear. It’s an assured and club-friendly affair that’s big on bold grooves and party-starting flavours. For proof, check the chunky title track which is melancholic and piano-heavy with deep bass, warm pads, and soulful drums. There’s Remixes from Rissia Gracia, Mathias Vogt, and Rick Wade that add further weight to this already cracking release.
INTROBEATZ – FÓKUS EP (SLOTHBOOGIE RECORDINGS)
Deep underground house at its best from Iceland as the new Fókus EP from Introbeatz is full of class as it expected. Five original tracks make up the EP. ‘Concentrate’ is a dusty & nostalgic Deep House jam, with its keys, swinging hats and vintage hip hop style hooks. ‘Homage’ is a soothing slab of House with slow filtering chords, crisp hats, deep subby bass & ethereal pads. ‘Use What You Got’ is a lesson in doing just that, doing what he knows best, with raw, bumpin’ rhythms back up crystalline synths that sparkle over cavernous bass. ‘Don’t U Ever’ takes a deeper dive with it’s low-passed lead humming along over phasing hats, chunky kicks and chopped vocals calling. Finishing up the EP is the sexiest cut ‘Line’ with chopped soul vocals echoing over deeply filtered chords and bass synth accents.
