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Following the passing of our dear friend DJ Romain earlier this year, we've spent a long time reflecting on when to share some of the new music he entrusted to Hard Times Records. The incredible response to 2024’s 'The Lost D.A.T.S.' EPs reignited Romain's creative spark at a time when, unbeknownst to many, he was quietly battling serious ill health. After relocating from his beloved New Jersey to Cleveland, the studio once again became his sanctuary, inspiring a remarkable new chapter of music. The 'New Jersey' and ‘Cleveland’ EPs were the first recordings from that period.

Funky Streets completes the first trio of new EPs, but it is also just a glimpse of the wealth of music Romain crafted before his passing. His final studio sessions became an escape from his daily battles, inspiring a remarkable outpouring of new material that he was determined to finish, knowing his beats would continue to warm dancefloors and further cement the legacy of one of house music's true masters.

Opening with the horn-driven swagger of the title track, the EP moves seamlessly into the soulful groove of 'I Like To Boogie' before culminating in the deep, organ-led dancefloor energy of 'This Is Where I Wanna Be’. Romain signs off with 'The Chocolates’ - an uplifting, guitar-laced boogie jam filled with warmth, joy and unmistakable soul.

Beautifully crafted from beginning to end, Funky Streets stands as a lasting testament to DJ Romain's extraordinary talent, timeless musicality, and enduring contribution to House music. His legacy lives on in every groove.

A special 12" reissue of a Detroit techno classic from Gary Martin, originally released in the early 2000s on his Teknotika label.

Built around infectious, loop driven grooves, the record captures the timeless spirit of Detroit techno while showcasing Gary Martin's unmistakable signature sound and singular sonic vision. Over the years, this enduring classic has transcended genres, earning support from influential DJs including Zip and Ben Klock.

Expertly remastered and repressed, this long-overdue reissue brings together all three main versions on a single 12" for the first time. Essential Detroit classic!

The Jazzcodes and Michele Chiavarini kick off this fine survey of contemporary deep house with 'Wolf Dust (Saison Rework)' which draws on jazz-inflected motifs and feeds them into a steady groove with layered keys sitting over a controlled kick pattern. 'Friday' from DJ Romain works in a more direct frame driven by looping piano stabs and clipped drums with diva vocals injecting heat. 'In The Moment' has an air of cool jazz to it with deft horns and spoken word that muse on the great genre while Saison's 'This Is A House Record' sure is that: classic drums and knotted little synths bring a warming vibe for grown-up floors.

House is the Religion. The DJ is my Deacon. The Music is my God and James Bangura is cool af.

Genuine, passionate, clear, authentic and real…. He isn’t trying, he just is. And his music is the same. It’s fucking cool. It’s real and authentic and it just is James Bangura. So it’s a real honour to add him to the Shall Not Fade roster; from Techno to Jungle to House and everything between the DC native can extract the true essence of a genre and simultaneously make it his own & pay homage to its roots.

So on Jack Sermon there’s no surprise when he flexes a seemingly generationally inherited knack for all things House (and Techno) and delivers four tracks of raw, real, genuine House music. OG shit.

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‘House is the Religion, and the DJ is my Deacon, but the music is my God” says the Evangelical vocal on title track ‘Jack Sermon’. Never has there been a more aptly named track…This is a jack sermon… an OG inspired Chi town cut channeling early house music’s soulful beginnings delivered with straight up jacking house beat offset with laidback dusty dub chords….. We don;t say this lightly but we’re calling anthem on this one.

‘Scat Pack’ takes a more percussive and drum forward House motif. Thunderous kicks tease techno but this is still house, NY at heart complete with voguing diva vocals . Blown out and choppy we could say ‘this could have been ripped from a late 90’s club recording on a lost tape’ but that would do disservice to the precise but invisible fusion that's been laid down here..

‘Funk To Berlin’ opens the flip side and in Bangura’s journey to explore classic forms of house and techno, this track may well have taken root from Dub techno pioneers from the past. Deep dub chords and deeper subs lead the track but that jacking percussion makes this more than homage. Machine Funk, Machine soul. AA side business.

‘The Green Line’ closes out the EP in style.. rolling it out with skittering synths that work like percussion, ethereal pads and a faint vocal ‘Chicago’ spiralling into itself making this track one you can get lost in. Some might argue that this one is techno but who cares. It’s the journey not the destination. Two tickets please.

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If you don’t know James Bangura’s music already (or even if you do) do some digging.. Look for releases on Mister Saturday Night, K7! and Floorspeed and check his output as part of “Black Rave Culture” with Amal and Nativesun and as a member of Groovedeep with Toronto’s Ciel and fellow DC native Jackson Ryland.

To close, we’ll leave you with this note from James……. told he is cool af.

House music, to me, exists on a wide spectrum. I’m inspired by its many forms: stripped-back minimalism, percussive drive, hypnotic textures, and soulful undertones. Rather than confining myself to one approach, I treat each track as an exploration—testing structure, pushing rhythm, and allowing subtle details to carry emotional weight. The studio becomes a space where groove and atmosphere meet intention. This body of work highlights that process. It reflects how I balance technical precision with feel, tension with release, and tradition with forward motion. Every decision—from drum programming to spatial design—is part of shaping a sound that feels honest and instinctive. - James Bangura

Luca “DJ Rocca” Roccatagliati isn’t just a producer, he’s a shapeshifter of sound. Emerging from the late ’90s under the Maffia Soundsystem alias, he’s spent decades bending genres, dissolving boundaries, and reconfiguring the DNA of club music.

From cosmic disco to leftfield house, Rocca’s catalogue reads like a map of underground excellence. He’s collaborated with a roll call of innovators—Howie B, Dimitri From Paris, Daniele Baldelli, François K, Jazzanova, Zed Bias and many more. Crafting releases for some of the most respected imprints in the game: like Rekids, Toy Tonics, International Feel, Defected, Rush Hour, Hell Yeah, Rotters Golf Club among others.

His output is prolific, restless, constantly evolving.

Partnership is central to Rocca’s universe. With Dimitri From Paris, he co-created Erodiscotique, a sleek electro-disco project that fuses vintage sensuality with future-facing production. Alongside Daniele Baldelli, he’s explored deeper, more psychedelic terrain, delivering albums like Podalirius and Quagga—records that blur the line between Balearic mysticism and dancefloor propulsion.

His aliases Ajello, Supersonic Lovers, Crimea X are parallel auditory dimensions. Each one pushes a different facet of his sound, from Italo-tinged grooves to raw, analog-driven club cuts. As a remixer, Rocca has reworked everyone from Andrew Weatherall to Soul Clap, always imprinting his unmistakable signature.

To say we are excited about this new EP is kind of a massive understatement……

Having been huge fans for over two decades, when he reached out to us it was a bit of an eye rubbing and arm pinching moment.

We have been graced with a 3 track EP titled “Tonight is the Night”

A1. Sun Deck – A link-up with Athens mainstay Lex, drifting somewhere between yacht funk and late-night boogie. Sun-washed grooves, crisp synth leads, and just enough 80s energy to keep it moving without trying too hard.

B1. Italo Boogie Stomp – Does exactly what it says. Rolling Linn drums, sharp synth lines, and a nostalgic flute motif that nods to NYC’s street soul era without getting stuck in it.

B2. Ferroso – Picks up the pace slightly. Deep house drums meet a driving electro bassline, with arpeggiated synths and warm pads rounding it out—focused, functional, and built for the floor.

Common Language is a project of the Community Library label. We started it as a way to reconnect with the ideas that drove ComLib’s inaugural releases back in 2005, uncompromising and eclectic DJ 12’s. We’ll be focused on this imprint for a while, and near-term, putting the emphasis on releases by label cofounders and our closest friends.

On CLANG02, the Middlemarch 12” EP, Solenoid transmutes his signature buoyant syncopated acid, electro, and mutant techno into moodier, reverberant territory. If you previously knew Solenoid for his restless, sophisticated Braindance-adjacent stuff, this EP is totally consistent with his long discography. Here though, he gets into a dreamier, and also bassier zone that is equally rewarding either in the innerspace immersion of headphones or in the warmth of your favorite local underground club’s sound system--lots of detail and atmosphere to sink into.

“Middlemarch” is moody deep techno-- a clatter of distant percussion encircles eerie pads and an extra-bassy, double-filtered TB303 bassline. “Ways and Means” rotates perplexing polyrhythmic patterns driven by bright, elasticchords that keep it moving (reminding me of The Martian’s stuff on Red Planet a bit). “A Winter Walk” offers a skeletal, skittering rhythm that wouldn’t be out of place next to a Livity Sound track; and the closer, “Dvv Waltz” reserves a 3/4-time experiment for the bravest / most inquisitive DJs.

Edition of 300 vinyl copies includes special full- color insert
Mastered by Dietrich Schoenemann

About Solenoid
Solenoid is the primary musical vehicle of David Chandler, a lifer underground producer, musician, and visual artist. As a lone electronic voice in the wilderness of early-90s Portland (which was at the time a grunge-saturated third backwater) he started out releasing adventurous, now- unobtainium tapes on his DIY Pharmacy label. Solenoid then became known internationally at the turn of the millennium as one of Portland’s persistent ambassadors for underground crossover electro and techno, releasing on labels like Outward Music Company, Emanate, Orac, and many others (most recently, on the Paris label Partout). He’s a real legend honestly--doggedly clocking in almost 40 years of uncompromising experimentalism with a signature sound and vision running all the way through.
-- Paul Dickow (Strategy)

Detroit producer and DJ Kyle Hall joins forces with New Zealand drummer, producer, and current Fat Freddy's Drop drummer Cory Champion for a new collaborative 12-inch on Wild Oats Music, featuring the tracks "Acuna De Mar" and "Steppin'".

Hall and Champion first met in Auckland in 2016 while Kyle was touring Australia and New Zealand. They stayed in touch over the years, with Champion regularly sharing music from his Borrowed CS and Clear Path Ensemble projects—records that Hall quickly became a fan of and frequently included in his DJ sets.

When Hall returned to Australia last November, Champion had relocated to Melbourne. The two seized the opportunity to spend time together in the studio at Dune Castle, where their shared musical language naturally evolved into these two recordings.

Rooted in a mutual appreciation for jazz, deep house tradition, rich chord voicings, and rhythmic syncopation, "Acuna De Mar" and "Steppin'" capture the organic chemistry between two artists whose paths have crossed over nearly a decade. The result is a warm, groove-driven release that reflects both Hall's Detroit sensibility and Champion's distinctive rhythmic approach.

"Potency continues apace with 'Jackin Shit', a gleefully self-explanatory EP from label founder Cromby. Following widely-played recent releases from Malik Kassim aka Retromigration, Trax Unit and Rhythms of Prescott, the prolific DJ and producer reaffirms his imprint's fundamentals with four upfront, high-energy tracks, each reflecting a different facet of the Belfast-via-Berlin producer's decades-deep understanding of house and techno history. Title track 'Jackin' Shit' gets things moving with a rich blend of rolling basslines, liquid keys and diva'ed up vocal snippets. Lucid and groovy in the style of seminal East Coast vocal pleasures, Cromby's vision of house is nonetheless driven by a dusty kick drum that references Head High/WK7, or Paul Woolford in a warehouse somewhere... In contrast, 'Sense Control' places percussion front and centre, locking in a tight rhythm in order to ride out a liquid collage of acid lines, ecstatic piano and other blissfully wavy elements. 'Con Gas' establishes a tougher direction on the flip, finding Cromby's busier instincts reduced the simplest of ingredients - sub, bass and stabs - taking dancers deep into the bowels of house, replete with classic vocal call-outs, and yes, even a well-earned inbuilt spinback. Having exhibited such restraint, we're unceremoniously booted out of the cubicle and back toward the strobes for 'Cheeky Bump', a rubbery, driving dancefloor tool guaranteed to delay any impending cab home. Colourful, charismatic and exclusively engineered for true party people, 'Jackin' Shit' finds Cromby returning to home turf on definitive form."

Do You Want Me Baby sees Cloud 9 deliver a timeless garage house cut from New York legend Victor Simonelli, returning on fresh 12” vinyl.

Built around uplifting piano lines, soulful vocal hooks and groove-driven rhythms, the track captures the feel-good energy of classic US garage house and remains a staple for DJs across house and garage sets.

Featuring a full suite of mixes including Club Mix, Deep Dub, Bonus Beats and Instrumental, the release offers strong versatility for DJs looking for both peak-time energy and stripped-back club tools.

With a sound rooted firmly in the New York house tradition, this release sits comfortably alongside artists such as Masters At Work, Todd Terry and Kenny Dope, making it a natural fit for stores supporting classic US house and garage.

Back on fresh 12" vinyl, this iconic track continues to resonate with both long-time collectors and a new generation of DJs.

A reliable and highly playable catalogue piece for stores supporting classic house and garage.

2026 Repress

Amsterdam-based duo DJ Windows XP provide the next EP for Live Ones, serving up apple infused, sample driven rhythms that'll pop cherries you never knew you had.

DJ Support: Nick Warren, Andy Wilson, Bill Brewster, Max Essa, Simon Lee, Pete Herbert, Mark Broadbent, Be Lanuit, Coyote, Andy Pye, Andy Taylor, Steve KIW, Mike Bradbury, Pathaan, Steve Optix

NuNorthern Soul welcomes Lonely Deckchair, a deeply personal and nostalgic long-player shaped by memory, place and the passing of time. Rooted in a return to Aguadulce on Spain’s southern coast, the album reflects on childhood summers, family connections and the quiet beauty of life coming full circle.

Written as a dedication to the artist’s children, the record moves between reflective ambient passages, Balearic rhythms and gently propulsive grooves. Across the album, reversed guitar sequences, soft synthetic textures and field recordings create a dreamlike sense of revisiting the past—like flicking through faded photographs or Super 8 footage.

From the misty-eyed opener Rayman’s Kingdom through to the closing drift of Alhambra Space Station, the album captures moments of wonder, movement and stillness—sunlit coastlines, long drives, first experiences, and the emotional pull between leaving and returning.

Full sleeve notes from Robert Harris aka Dr Rob from BanBanTonTon

Brighter Discs opens with its first release from label founders Kamma & Masalo. Born out of Brighter Days, the duo’s long running party series since 2014. A colourful get together where generations mix freely, DJ legends share space with new voices, and the dancefloor is treated as common ground. Brighter Discs carries this same spirit into recorded form, a natural continuation following the Brighter Days compilation previously released on Rush Hour.

Brighter Discs starts things off with ‘Can’t Fake The Feeling’, built around the original vocal by Renee Mohannon, taken from the 1989 release produced by house music pioneer Joe Smooth. The vocal is fully cleared and officially licensed, with everything surrounding it newly written and produced, resulting in a club track that honours the emotional core of the original vocal while giving it new space to shine.

The ‘Club Mix’ unfolds with immediate lift, a classic yet upfront house energy carried by Kamma & Masalo’s elevating instrumentation moving in lockstep with Renee Mohannon’s vocal. A pure club track celebrating dance music to the fullest.

On the flip you will find K&M’s ‘Unity Dub’, a darker, percussion driven workout that strips things back and presents the track in a different light. A twilight version that highlights the duo’s versatility and deep dancefloor understanding.

Kamma & Masalo have tested both cuts extensively while touring, from sun soaked festival stages to esoteric club spaces. Each version has been shaped in real rooms and refined on the road, ensuring the tracks are heard in their best possible form.

All produced with care and free-spirited party energy, Brighter Discs 001 marks the beginning!

Originally released in 2004, Because Of My Dream is a quietly overlooked gem from the early-2000s Dutch underground. Produced by Amsterdam DJ and producer Angelo D’Onorio, a longtime presence in the city’s club circuit including Mazzo, Roxy and Paradiso, the record blends rolling House rhythms with analog synth textures to create a deep, late-night atmosphere.

Though it circulated among a small circle of DJs at the time, the release never reached the wider audience it deserved. Its patient grooves and dreamy progression reflect D’Onorio’s hardware-driven approach to production and the understated emotional pull of Dutch House from that era.

Two decades later, Anacalypto Records brings Because Of My Dream back into circulation, rediscovering and reintroducing this forgotten dancefloor moment for a new generation of DJs, dancers and selectors.

Ketiov joins Radio Slave’s Rekids with the ‘I’m Okay’ EP The artist, also known as one half of the Catz ‘n Dogz duo, released on the REK’D sublabel last year.

Ketiov, AKA Voitek Taranczuk, drops the ‘I’m Okay’ EP on Rekids 17th July 2026, following his ‘10 Hours Extravaganza’ EP with Edvvin on sublabel REK’D last year. Opening track ‘La Dopamina’ sees Taranczuk, also known as one half of renowned touring duo Catz 'n Dogz, team up with Equatoguinean Spanish DJ, vocalist, producer, and visual artist Megane Mercury. Their mesmerising voice, paired with ‘La Dopamina’s raw, infectious groove, drives this club tool forward, while ‘Shut Up’ follows with playful, crunchy, glitchy dancefloor energy. On the fl ip, the mind-melting ‘My Version Of A Kickdrum’ builds pressure to distorted intensities before dropping into a hypnotic spoken-word ritual, while ‘Guiri 2026’ closes in a whirlwind of Ketiov’s own chopped-up vocals and muscular, jackin’ drums.

“This EP is all about experimentation and just jamming out. I wanted to keep the arrangements super raw and get back to the roots of music—capturing a specific feeling in the moment so people can experience it on the dancefloor later. Overall, I wanted to make an old-school club EP with different tracks for different parts of the night.” – Ketiov

As part of Catz ‘n Dogz, the Madrid-based Ketiov has shaped global dance fl oors and contributed to his own co-founded Pets Recordings and its off shoot, Step Recordings, alongside labels like Radio Slave’s flAgship Rekids imprint, Defected, and plenty more. He also runs the local queer party CARBS alongside his husband and is a resident at Madrid’s Cafe Berlin and fetish party MyPleasure.

IT Recordings presents ITR005 — a debut solo EP from Corium.
First spotted on the label’s V/A release and having played in some of the most iconic clubs such as Berghain or RSO, Corium steps up with a solo 4-track EP that perfectly mirrors his universe as a DJ — a complete vision, with a steady precision of groove and depth.

The opener, Liberation, catches immediately the attention with its infectious rhythmic drive and soaring vocal. An uplifting energy perfect for peak time.

Event Horizon follows as a playful and hypnotic building tool, woven with a deep drone atmosphere.

Tabula Rasa is an absolute beauty — Soft as silk, yet underpinned by a rolling, relentless bassline. A breathtaking moment of contrast and grace with emotional depth.

Total Eclipse closes the EP: atmospheric, playful and mental all at once. Equally effective as a peak-time weapon or a tension-building tool.

Taken together, ITR005 is a remarkably complete EP showing the artist’s ability to hold a floor from every angle. A perfect introduction to Corium’s world.

Emotional Response presents the first of 2 EPs by Laura Sparrow aka LNS, the Calgary raised, Berlin based producer and DJ with 8 acid-tinged cuts that are equally expansive and inspiring, personal and inventive.

After her debut Malinge Range (cassette) on fellow native Canadian 1080p label in 2016, LNS moved to Berlin and has released a steady stream of 12”s, exploring ambient, dub, electro and techno. Initially appearing on Vancouver émigré’s Jayda G’s (alongside Fett Burger) Freakout Cult label before settling at DJ Sotofett’s cult WANIA label and more recently on the legendary and ‘original’ German techno label, Tresor.

A love of the Roland TR-303, alongside deep diving into breakbeat creation, manipulation, mutation and production, plus some intrepid mixing and post-production assistance, development and support with DJ Sofofett, have led to a collection of some of her favourite music to date.

LNS-ID 1 and LNS ID 2 are the result. Recorded during a burst of creativity through dedication, new studio equipment and learning techniques, as well the necessity of artistic expression in the moment.

Two sets of four tracks based on the acid tradition in the more restless corners of 90s and early 00s Braindance. Acid lines drive the melodies, while drums move between sliced break fragments and the familiar sounds of the Rolant TR-606 and TR-808.

Pads drift in with a warm glow or at times, quiet ghostly tension. The results are music that leans towards atmosphere and memory, something almost nostalgic that was built for those of us who still chase the more expressive edges of acid.

Emotional Response presents Volume 2 of the LNS-ID series. Atmospheric, infectious, at times nostalgic, warm yet ghosty, the tension of Laura Sparrow’s music is her exploration in electronic music.

An introduction to DJing and music production has been a natural progression, applying skills in new and fresh formats. Built on the heritage of Chicago and Detroit house, alongside old IDM and electro, her first productions might have been raw, but the creativity was lit.

While her recent productions have explored club orientated, loud cut records, in collaborations with DJ Sotofett, that represent the sound found in her residency on the Globus floor at the Tresor club, LNS’s interest in the solo productions of the LNS-ID recordings and more organic-style explored in the recent Misiats EP burns bright.

LNS-ID 1 and LNS ID 2 are her latest offering. Two sets of four tracks based on the acid tradition in the more restless corners of 90s and early 00s Braindance. Acid lines drive the melodies, while drums move between sliced break fragments and the familiar sounds of the Roland TR-606 and TR-808.

Pads drift in with a warm glow or at times, quiet ghostly tension. The results are music that leans towards atmosphere and memory, something almost nostalgic that was built for those of us who still chase the more expressive edges of acid.

Easygoing Acid Express, Alive Acid, Blue Acid and Gentle Acid. Get the message. We call it Acid.

Papa Nugs & DJ ADHD team up once again for volume II of their ‘PAPADHD’ release series. This edition is headed up by ‘The Voices’, an incredibly sought after unreleased tune from the last year, spun consistently by Ben UFO around the globe. An emotion inducing, glitched out & melody driven peak time hammer, remixed on the B side by the ever evolving master of his craft Jorg Kunning, giving the song an incredible fresh take for the small hours. The A side is accompanied by OPA!, a percussive dance floor tool with a surprising, wonky & tension breakdown, finishing off another heavy hitting Suckerpunch record brought to you by Papa Nugs & Oisin

CEPX002 is around the corner and marks the second chapter of the X Series on CEP Records. With this release we welcome vinyl head Eubo from Glasgow to the label. From the first track he sent us it was clear that this is the direction we want to push. A strong old-school influence, shaped by vinyl culture and the energy of the early two thousands. The connection felt natural from the start.

A1 'Iron' is probably the most intense track on the record. A rolling bassline, sharp and slippy drums, and a lead that lays over the track with deep mids. It brings a short moment of calm, while the drive stays constant. A2 'Aluminium' stands out with its clear high hats and a modular synth that recalls sweaty and dark mornings. The sound has a slightly hypnotic and metallic touch. On the B side, 'Steel' moves through the interplay of its synths. The kick and bass stay steady and driving. A timeless track that can underline the peak moments in a DJ set. Closing the release is 'Lead'. It brings a funky bass together with serious, almost contrasting synth stabs.

Mastering by Paul Mac

Enter the debut LP of the now Spatial regular Chronicle - Expect a joyous, varied blend of old school brand new atmospherics from one of the scene’s most talented producers. A1 - 20th Century Man Straight into the beats for the deliciously cheery opening, 20th Century Man encapsulates so much of what Chronicle does best - old school breakbeat sensibilities delivered with an inimitable atmospheric charm, strongly reminiscent of that peak Good Looking era we all adored. Incredible synthwork and analogue drums layered with danceable 2-step breaks and melodies take your mind exactly where you want to be. A2 - Terraformers Seminal synths and birdsong effects prepare us for an impossibly crisp breakbeat and 808 bassline to drive this track along, coloured by a myriad of subtle blips and bleeps, delicately flecked across a detailed and optimistic soundscape. Very DJ-friendly from the first to the final bar, the purity of Chronicle’s approach to atmospheric drum & bass is once again at its best here on Spatial. B1 - Boundless Space Playful twittering birds, gentle hi-hats and panning synths introduce Boundless Space, a blissful, serene treat for the senses which soon kicks into flourishing life with the timeless Circles break. Vocal samples punctuate the soothing breakdown with exquisitely programmed effects dotted here, there and everywhere, completing a stunning composition that both reflects on the past and looks forward in equal measure. B2 - Ephemeral Style A light, delicately calming pad-laden intro with echoing melodies opens Ephemeral style, soon punctuated by a sublime 808 bassline preceding the drop. Chronicle showcases his dancefloor breakbeat prowess with an energetic 2-step break pattern, expertly programmed and riddled with detail and density, creating a wonderful collage of sound and a perfect addition to any era-spanning atmospheric set. C1 - Modular Expansion Eerily reminiscent tones harking back to the golden, ultra-classic Good Looking era introduce us to Modular Expansion, a track which quickly adds layer upon layer of original identity to the vibe with crisp breaks, a wonderful metallic backdrop snare and subtle vocal samples. The joyously retrospective breakdown complements the energy of the track beautifully, capping off another gem for the record box. C2 - Limbic System Chronicle introduces Limbic System with swathes of swirling pads and synths, straddled with a subtle yet enigmatic melody carrying us through the drop, where we are treated to a lusciously constructed old school break pattern with a modern twist. Enter the breakdown and the keen ear will spot sampled quotes from Total Recall, which fit the vibe perfectly. “You went to Recall?” - yes, we sure did. And we enjoyed the trip! D1 - Non-Euclidian Continuing the blissful retrospective atmospheric tone of the album, Chronicle serves up Non-Euclidian which opens with a wonderfully synthy intro flecked with old school break samples and an earworm melody, before the onslaught of layered breaks provides variety as well as a thoroughly danceable pattern to unleash on the discerning dancefloor. Trademark dotted effects punctuate the track throughout. D2 - Deep Thought Capping off the LP we have Deep Thought, setting a calming and quietly brooding vibe before impossibly crisp beats kick in and elevate proceedings nicely. Chronicle effortlessly leads the listener through the drop with an analogue punch, earthy basslines and fluttering effects with the kind of flair we’ve come to love from such a vastly experienced and talented producer - perfectly complementing the vibe here at Spatial. Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist)

A snapshot of UK tech house in its formative years, OLC002 finds Rob Pearson laying down the blueprint for a sound he’d continue to refine through Evasive Records. Released on Online Collective—the label arm of South London’s Online Studios—this EP captures a raw, forward-facing moment in underground dance music.

The title track Slipstream leads with intent: tight tech drums ride alongside a chopped breakbeat groove, underpinned by weighty sub bass and warped melodic textures. A fluid lead synth drives the track forward, locking into a hypnotic, evolving flow built for the dancefloor.

Vortex channels early Detroit techno through a South London lens—crisp edits, filtered drum machine rhythms, and a hypnotic vocal loop combine for a stripped, late-night roller with serious intent.

On Metaphor, Pearson taps into the spirit of early bleep and warehouse house, fusing it with late ‘90s tech house sensibilities—raw, swung, and deeply functional.

The Metaphor (Bonus Beats) rounds things off as a pure DJ tool, primed for layering and extended blends.

A sharp, authentic document of a pivotal era, Slipstream EP showcases Pearson’s early command of groove, texture, and dancefloor dynamics.

Egyptian-born, Barcelona-based Raxon makes his Lone Romantic debut with a two-tracker that sees him step decisively into breakbeat territory.

A DJ for over 20 years, Raxon's journey through sound took him from the late 90s rock, hip-hop and trance of his early teens through to the Barcelona scene where he began releasing music with some of the most respected labels in dance music — Kompakt, Ellum, Cocoon and Turbo Recordings among them.

Heads will move on 'Vision Mission' - low-slung and deliberate with gated breaks cut sharp into a two-step swing that carries a distinctly UK sensibility, and underpinned by a gritty, warping bassline and a twisted vocal coiling through like a live wire.

'Wrong Song' shifts the weight forward into physical, modern drum and bass terrain. A deep and relentless, undulating bassline drives the momentum while mechanical stabs and a grinding mid-range give the track its industrial edge.

We All Jack – Part 2
Following the success of its inaugural vinyl release, We All Jack – Part 2 continues Heattraxx’s dedication to preserving and pushing forward the legacy of Chicago house music. This second chapter deepens the journey, bringing together foundational pioneers and trusted label family to expand the spirit of the series.

Leading the charge is an undeniable icon, Roy Davis Jr., an absolute legend whose influence on house music culture is timeless. His contribution brings soul, depth, and unmistakable Chicago authority to the record.

Joining him is DJ Merci, a Heattraxx resident and true family member, delivering a groove-driven remix that reflects both his long-standing connection to the label and his deep understanding of the dancefloor.

The release is further elevated by Jerome OR, whose refined, contemporary approach adds fresh momentum while staying rooted in classic house sensibilities, and Gettoblaster, bringing raw Chicago energy with their signature jackin’ sound and unmistakable attitude.

We All Jack – Part 2 is not just a follow-up—it’s a continuation of a vision. A vinyl series dedicated to house heritage, bridging generations, and carrying the Windy City spirit forward with respect, weight, and purpose.

The Jazzcodes and Michele Chiavarini kick off this fine survey of contemporary deep house with 'Wolf Dust (Saison Rework)' which draws on jazz-inflected motifs and feeds them into a steady groove with layered keys sitting over a controlled kick pattern. 'Friday' from DJ Romain works in a more direct frame driven by looping piano stabs and clipped drums with diva vocals injecting heat. 'In The Moment' has an air of cool jazz to it with deft horns and spoken word that muse on the great genre while Saison's 'This Is A House Record' sure is that: classic drums and knotted little synths bring a warming vibe for grown-up floors.

Two decades after its original release, Herbert Boese’s “Charger“ / „Hypnotoad” returns to vinyl.

Originally released as the second record on Jaktronik, the label Herbert Boese ran together with Marc Romboy, the two-tracker captures a very particular moment in German electronic music: stripped back, physical and functional, yet deeply rooted in the sound of Detroit.

At the time Boese was a resident DJ at Düsseldorf’s legendary Harpune club and one of the people shaping the city’s underground electronic music scene. His Jaktronik productions became an extension of that world, music made by a DJ, for the dancefloor.

“Charger” was an immediate standout. Marc Romboy selected the record for his chart at the time, describing its combination of heavy bass and Detroit-influenced strings as a track that made dancefloors scream.

On the flip, “Hypnotoad” goes deeper and more hypnotic: reduced, trippy and relentlessly effective, built around repetition, tension and groove.

Twenty years later, neither track sounds like a museum piece. Quite the opposite. In a time when a new generation is rediscovering the raw, minimal and machine-driven sound of the mid-2000s, “Charger“ / „Hypnotoad” feels remarkably current again.

The original tracks, remastered and finally back on vinyl.

Milan-based independent label WEorUS Records celebrates its 10th vinyl release with WU010, a four-track Various Artists EP bringing together four distinctive names from the international minimal and deep house underground.
Moving between deep, hypnotic house, micro-minimal grooves and darker after-hours territory, WU010 is a carefully curated selection built for the dancefloor, with each track offering its own take on rhythm, atmosphere and club functionality.
Chicago veteran DJ Jes opens the record with a deep, rolling groove driven by a solid bassline, hypnotic vocal cuts and enveloping synths.
Pressure Point delivers an atmospheric micro-minimal cut, combining crisp percussion, dreamy pads and subtle melodic elements into a versatile and uplifting club track.
Romanian producer Dragosh returns with a tight piece of micro-house, built around precise drum-machine programming, organic glitches and hypnotic delay work.
Renè Audiard closes the record on a darker note, combining deep sub-bass, sparse clicks and a stripped-back nocturnal groove designed for extended after-hours sessions.
WU010 marks a decade of vinyl releases for WEorUS — four artists, four distinct approaches, one focused journey through the deeper side of the underground.

Born and raised in the birthplace of House Music, Paul Johnson was known for his raw, soulful, and infectious sound, that helped shape Chicago's house scene and inspired generations of DJs worldwide in particular he was a massive inspiration to Daft Punk and the 'French Touch' scene.
Releasing a vast amount of music throughout the 1990s for some of the most consistently underground dance labels including legendary Chicago imprints Cajual, Relief and Dance Mania he finally gained global fame with his 1999 hit “Get Get Down,” a dancefloor anthem that topped charts across Europe. Despite facing physical challenges, including losing both legs in accidents, he remained an unstoppable force in music—touring, producing, and uplifting others with his resilient spirit and signature groove.
Re-pressed for our 35th anniversary, Paul Johnson’s classic 1995 debut album on Peacefrog, Bump Talkin is a timeless showcase of Paul’s signature deep, soulful house sound, blending irresistible peak-time, piano-driven anthems with a playful touch of bouncy Ghetto House energy.
They dont make em like this anymore...
RIP Paul Johnson.

Simoncino returns to Skylax Records with Traxxx EP, a raw and hypnotic five-track collection built for the dancefloor. Known for his unmistakable analog approach and deep connection to the legacy of Chicago house and underground European club culture, the Italian producer delivers a set of stripped-down, highly functional DJ tools. Tight drum machine programming, rolling basslines and subtle synth movements drive each track forward with precision and efficiency. No gimmicks, no excess — just pure club energy designed for long mixes and late-night sessions. True to the Skylax philosophy, Traxxx EP focuses on timeless groove architecture rather than trends, offering DJs and collectors a record that will remain effective in the bag for years. Raw, hypnotic and direct, this is underground house music in its most essential form.

There are records that do not so much belong to an era as they pass through it, leaving traces rather than statements, circulating in the margins where function outweighs discourse. World Cup, written at the end of the 1990s by Kiko, emerged in precisely that way — as a techno track whose presence was felt less through promotion than through repetition, carried from booth to booth, absorbed into the working vocabulary of DJs who recognized in it something immediate and self-evident. Its architecture is minimal yet insistent, driven by tension and release, a form of clarity that resists ornament and instead privileges duration, pressure, and movement.

When it resurfaced in 2006, it did not return as a revision but as a continuation, reaffirming its role within the ecology of the dancefloor. The same internal logic remained intact, allowing it to re-enter circulation without friction, as though it had simply been waiting to be picked up again. In both instances, the track operates less as a fixed object than as a tool — something to be used, extended, and recontextualized in real time.

Bringing together these two versions alongside Tainted Life, the release traces a subtle but telling trajectory. If World Cupdefines a certain techno functionalism, Tainted Life reveals another dimension: a proto-Italo sensibility that gestures toward what would later coalesce as electroclash, not through stylistic declaration but through texture, tone, and attitude. Long absent from digital circulation and largely confined to obscurity, it appears here not as a rediscovery, but as a piece whose relevance has simply remained latent.

Nothing has been added, nothing has been altered beyond what was necessary to restore presence. The recordings are allowed to exist in their own continuity, detached from the temporal markers that might otherwise confine them.

The artwork, conceived by H5, extends this approach into the visual field. Its restraint is not aesthetic minimalism for its own sake, but a form of structural clarity, where composition and absence articulate a space in which the record can be encountered without interference, as if resurfacing from a parallel timeline that never fully closed.

The Reflex has been back remixing on his multitracks again and if you have been out anywhere decent in recent times you might already have heard this one as it has been a favourite of those DJs in his inner circle. Finally, the unrelated rework of a legendary disco diva arrives on wax and dazzles from front to back. 'Lolita' has it all - the deft hi hats sliding above funky bass, a rhythm driven by busy piano chords and lung-busting vocal full of burning soul. 'Camels' rides funky, chunky drums and has more expressive tones this time in unison with an off-balance chord sequence and fluttering sax. Lovely stuff.

Back on Celestial Echo Records with a true modern soul classic — Jan Jones “Independent Woman”, finally given the treatment it deserves.

A record that’s been circulating in DJ sets and collector circles for years, often via bootlegged pressings as the originals are incredibly rare, this is the first fully licensed reissue, presented properly and with both sides intact - something the bootleggers didn’t do.

A-side Part 1 delivers the track in its purest form — tight, uplifting, and driven by that unmistakable modern soul groove. On the flip, Part 2 stretches things out into a longer, more open version, letting the arrangement breathe and giving the dancefloor the 6 minutes it deserves.

Musically, it sits right in that sweet spot for us — rich vocals, warm keys, and a rhythm section that just grooves. It’s one of the ultimate modern soul tracks.

Licensed officially, as always. Celestial Echo is here to put proper soul records back into circulation — respectfully cut, properly pressed, and ready to play.

Arpy Brown & Kapote Announce Collaborative Album Memento Ludi via Toy Tonics

A sun-drenched fusion of yacht rock, house and modern indie dance energy – out June 26, 2026
BERLIN, GERMANY — Toy Tonics is proud to announce Memento Ludi, the first collaborative album by label founder Kapote and multi-instrumentalist producer Arpy Brown, arriving June 26, 2026.
The album is a funk-driven journey that bridges the warmth of 1970s analog recordings with the pulse of contemporary dance music. Blending neo-soul grooves, yacht rock harmonies and modern house rhythms, Memento Ludi captures the spirit of classic musicianship within a forward-looking club context.

But Memento Ludi is more than a typical house record. The album moves fluidly between dancefloor tracks and fully developed songs. Every instrument was performed live by the artists themselves: guitars, bass, keyboards and percussion recorded in the studio by Arpy and Kapote. After jamming and recording the basis of every song in a live procedure they carefully resample the parts to create the organic, human touch that defines the Toy Tonics sound.

The title Memento Ludi — Latin for “remember to play” — reflects the album’s philosophy: bringing joy, spontaneity and musicality back into dance music at a time when many club tracks feel increasingly mechanical and formulaic.

The collaboration arrives during a particularly busy moment for both artists. While spending countless hours in the studio, Kapote and Arpy Brown have also maintained intensive international touring schedules with the Toy Tonics crew, road-testing many of the tracks as “secret weapons” in their DJ sets from Melbourne to Los Angeles via their homebase Berlin.

“We wanted to make a record that felt like a lost studio session from 1978 — resampled and synthesised in 2026,” says Kapote.

2026 Repress

For our 7th original release we welcome our good friend David Agrella, alongside Kompo on remix duties.

David’s a producer with a fast growing reputation and a label of his own, Agrellomatica. The label’s gathered support from a number of respected DJ’s such as Jane Fitz, Laurent Garnier, Ivan Smagghe, Francesco Farfa, Enzo Siragusa, Moxie, Ciel, Massimiliano Pagliara and we’re pleased to welcome him on Seven Hills.

The Kom Dansen EP is one of David’s darker EP’s, blending together thick growling basslines and atmospheric, psychedelic samples. 4 tracks made purely for the dancefloor, all driven by a phat 909 kick, this is music for late night sessions.

Deseo drives through twists and turns with a grooving bass, precise funky drum patterns, and a vocal recorded by the man himself. Kom Dansen hits you with a huge belly bassline, while taking you on a trip on the night train, deep into the wormhole, with an ever building momentum.

Sabotage Signals is similarly growling and deep, with spooked out synth sounds, and unsettling pad action, while Kompo’s version strips everything back, and

2026 Repress

Marlon George is a British DJ and producer based in London renowned for his "slightly spacey, casually jazzy, and fully groovy house music," with support from names as illustrious as Kyle Hall and Jimpster. But really, if he's getting signed by the legendary Trelik, then that's all you need to know about his skills. He lays them bare across three tasteful cuts here, starting with the liquid dub of 'My Secrets Are Safe With Me' with its wispy shards of light piercing the water's surface and glistening against the dusty hi-hats. 'Najagen' has more drive but no less depth and warmth to it and 'Do The Rha!' is another smoky, minimal, heady dub house roller that sneaks right under your skin.

Berlin's Hypersoft crew launch their new vinyl label with Clínica Electrónica by Italian DJ, producer and Evasione Digitale co-founder Andrea Dama. Following the start of their new residency at Panorama Bar, the label opens its catalogue with a strictly limited five-track EP recorded at Buenos Aires' legendary La Siesta del Fauno, bringing Dama's Berlin dancefloor sensibility together with the peculiar chemistry of one of the world's most extraordinary electronic music studios. Forged through extended jam sessions on an array of vintage analogue instruments, including the original Korg PS-3300, Moog modular and Yamaha CS-80, the spontaneity of the sessions translates directly into the finished tracks, where ideas mutate, collide and develop into unexpected forms. Switching gears between hypnotic, mechanical, groove-driven house, and stuttering, furious, off-kilter techno, Dama moves deep into more atmospheric territory, conjuring worlds that are at once lush, organic, paranoid and extraterrestrial. An analogue vision of a future past, built by machines that were already imagining it decades ago.

The long-awaited new vinyl release from Daniel Broesecke features three original tracks and one remix by Ki.Mi., delivering a technically precise and energetic deep-tech statement. Built for the club yet flexible enough for any moment in a set, the record balances drive, groove, and atmosphere with confidence. Side A focuses on modern, immersive deep-tech — forward-moving, hypnotic, and immediately engaging. Side B explores broken rhythms, controlled tension, and deeper movement, closing with a distinctive reinterpretation by Ki.Mi. that adds a new perspective while preserving the core energy of the release. VAM13 isn’t just another vinyl — it’s a focused, cohesive label gem with a strong signature sound. A reliable companion for DJs and a powerful addition to the Afterme catalogue.


Kashatskikh Studio Mastering
Design & Illustration by Kirill Kashatskikh

It's time to get back to real Electrofunk, Breakbeat and Hip-Hop.
This vinyl bridges the gap between old school and modern sound design, delivering the rawest Funk Architecture.
Two decades of music production by DJ 33 condensed into one monumental 12-inch record.
Eight essential bangers, released as a strictly limited edition of pure, analog-driven vintage sonic art. Here we go.

Funk Architecture is a division of MixCult Records

Founded in Puebla City in 1998 by Alberto Tlahuetl, Grupo Soñador played a key role in shaping a distinct regional take on cumbia at a time when the genre was largely dominated by Mexico City and the coastal scenes. Working with minimal resources, home recordings, cassettes, and affordable keyboards, the group developed a clean, melodic, and dance-driven sound that resonated deeply within the sonidero circuit. Their breakthrough track El Paso del Gigante (2001), spread organically through DJs and street dances, establishing Grupo Soñador as a cornerstone of Puebla’s emerging musical identity. Without a formal label structure, their music travelled hand to hand, from local fairs to migrant communities in the United States, becoming part of a wider underground network of circulation. Blending electronic instrumentation with sonidero rhythms, Grupo Soñador helped place Puebla on Mexico’s cumbia map, not through industry infrastructure, but through the dance floor.

2026 Repress

This release represents the musical union of two friends who, despite the distance, have always found in music the place where they stay close. This EP is the proof that when the connection is real, sound becomes common ground - a space to share moments, ideas, and energy beyond geography.

Both artists have been devoted to physical formats from the very beginning, especially vinyl. They have always been record collectors, and that passion shapes the intention behind this project: a work conceived with the depth, respect, and materiality that only vinyl can convey. This EP is more than music; it is a cultural object that preserves a way of understanding techno.

Creatively, Truncate and Pushmann set out to merge their sonic identities. The result is an EP charged with strength, built for the dancefloor, and defined by a clear aesthetic: raw energy, firm rhythm, and a contemporary reading of hardgroove and jackin. These are intense, direct tracks - the kind that emerge when two visions complement each other effortlessly.

In a scene often driven by speed and overstimulation, this release stands out for its authenticity. It is fast, funky techno, yes, but crafted with soul, intention, and emotional depth. It does not chase trends; it delivers groove, substance, and a recognisable sonic character from the first bar.

Inspired by rave culture and the pure roots of hardgroove, this EP offers a journey that blends functionality, sensitivity, and force. A project that reinforces LILA's philosophy: preserving the essence of techno and supporting those who create it with passion.