On the Corner's DJ tool and eclectic favourite, Versus is back for a second instalment. There are some familiar faces occupying this tasty wax and some new comers pushing the needle further-out On the Corner.
As 2015's Versus sold-out we'd already acquired some fresh production talents and sent stems over to new and old friends alike.
Get your atlases out as we criss-cross the globe introducing you to artists from afar-afield as Nairobi, Manchester, Pune, Iringa, Detroit, and South London.
We kick off with Jinku, self-proclaimed space monkey hitting OtC wax for the first time. The producer is one-fifth of the East African Wave, a collective of young DJ Producers who are revolutionising the East African arts scene. As a 'sponge' of different influences, Jinku lays down a balearic reworking of fellow Nairobian, Makadem's 'Nyako'.
Of the returning artists none is quite as mysterious as the elusive and incomparable Black Classical - discordant-Ra-like organ meets Brazilian poly-rhythmic percussions bludgeoned with a heady slab of rave breaks make for 'Jeje': already a firm fave of Gilles Peterson.
Boundary pushing Contours brings a new swing to the 'Agama' groove, following the underground smash from Al Dobson Jr back where it all started with the release of Tamar Collocutor's first album in 2014.
Wonky psychedelic perambulations through the Traab al-Beidaan (Sahara) from Sam Jones who adds another construct to his mantle. Group as Salaam have a cassette release forthcoming and this construct comes from field recording sessions conducted during a feast out in the shadow of Africa's largest Windfarm by label head Pete OntheCorner. Vibes!
On the B-side, sprightly producer Daisho from the Indian hotbed of Pune brings a layered percussive heater hanging in the atmosphere with ominous synth b-lines and rightly tipped to be in the realms of and early Four Tet mover.
The release enters into a deeper shamanic dance territory in the final third: the beathead's elixir, M.I.X.G. and their massive xylophone (Embaire) are back and gets a heavy acid rerub as South London's FYI Chris appear OntheCorner wax again with
'Drop the beat'.
Peter Croce, head of Detroit's Rocksteady Disco brings it deep into the early hours for this euphoric 4am fix of OntheCorner's
afro-latin-electronic party experimentalists, Penya.
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House music is a global love thang. Viennese label secret crunch releases its fourth EP and his 2nd various artists sampler, which unites producers from all over the world.
On Side A Vienna based Sam Irl opens with a jazz infused bouncy groove. "Come back" shines with its exciting musical diversity and suspense. Tijuana born Soul Of Hex alias Sebastian Vorhaus delivers a subtle rave vibe that grows into an uplifting groove.
On the b side Moff & Tarkin impresses with a subtle steady builder based on a funky baseline, fueled with floaty space sounds. Italian Clang 83 finishes in style with a deeper than deep banger.
Cassette + 7"
Fallbeil is an Acid duo from Hamburg. This C.90 Tape contains Fallbeil tracks, exclusively produced for this release.
Piyojo's work is an alternately contemplative and contorted journey through unconscious spaces in research of time' echoing electro-tribalism and ethereal minimalistic micro-music compositions
- A1: Enei - The Process
- B1: Break - In The Clouds
- B2: Sam Binga Feat. Eva Lazurus - Show U Something
- C1: Mefjus - Mirage
- D1: Kasra - Phases
- D2: Hyroglifics - Swish
- E1: Ivy Lab - Amber
- F1: Upbeats - Grasshopper
- F2: Foreign Concept - Breaking Again
- G1: Emperor - Bad Blood
- H1: Klax - The Mute
- H2: Halogenix Feat. Solh - Flames
- I1: Current Value - Leave Behind
- J1: Signal - Periphery
- J2: Shyun - Unfold
Critical Music reaches its 100th release in its 15th year, celebrating with the landmark album Fifteen Years Of Underground Sonics. Spanning the broad spectrum of drum & bass that the Critical sound represents, the exceptional 15 album is as bold as it is beautiful and looks to serve the test of time in the D&B history books.
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Kasra Critical
On UKNOWYs latest release 'Homeless Soul Music' NEMOY delivers a trilogy of warm & unique house grooves further extending and developing UKNOWYs catalog of organic dance music. From the rolling and hard hitting banger 'We made it' to the percussive piece 'Particular Beat' to the laid back, bassline driven 'One for CKENZ' NEMOYs sophisticated blend of delicious synth- and samplework with additional remixes by Sam Irl & Chief makes for an overall exciting EP. Ranging from classic house cuts to afrobeat elements this crisp production will get into your head & legs!
Repress
Solid red 12 vinyl comes accompanied with a limited edition double sided 'Redders' Ep poster (insert). Vinyl purchase includes EP instrumentals as a digital download (Critical Store exclusive)
A man who guested on many a Critical release finally brings his very own EP with the hugeproduction backing of Gorgon Sound, Sam Binga, Hyroglifics and Moresounds. An onslaught of halftime bassline, dancehall and electronic twists in one EP ready to floor the room!
7 Inch Orange Dinked Vinyl in Label Branded Sleeve
Originally issued on Paul Winley Records in 1973, “Smokin' Cheeba-Cheeba”—with Ann Winley on vocals—became a cornerstone of the 1980s UK Rare Groove scene, earning cult-classic status among collectors and DJs alike. On the flip, “Dance Girl”—also released under the Rimshots name—serves up one of the era’s most revered up-tempo breaks. Its unmistakable groove has been sampled by The Roots, Large Professor, and many others, cementing its place in hip-hop production history. The creative nucleus behind both The Mighty Tom Cats and The Rimshots would later evolve into the legendary Fatback Band, adding another layer of pedigree to this essential pairing. With original copies fetching high prices on Discogs, this special-edition Orange vinyl Dinked 7-inch, housed in a branded Paul Winley Records sleeve for Record Store Day, offers a rare chance to own two deep-cut funk/soul essentials on one collectible release.
Cécille Records Welcomes Sambo with a Standout 5-Track EP
Cécille Records proudly continues its tradition of discovering and nurturing fresh talent, and we are excited to welcome Sambo to the family with an outstanding 5 track EP!
True to the label’s signature sound - rooted in timeless, classic house - Sambo delivers a release that feels both fresh and deeply connected to the essence of Cécille. Each track reflects a strong artistic identity, blending groove, emotion, and refined production into a cohesive body of work that stands out effortlessly.
This is a release we have been waiting to share for quite some time, and we couldn’t be more excited to finally present it to the world. Please join us in giving Sambo a warm welcome to the Cécille family.
Phil Berg is back on the label, with his highly anticipated return. Four tracks that
continue to pave the way he laid in 2023 with his Raid EP.
Titled Iso, the EP is a study in reduction and discipline. Phil builds each track around a single guiding tension, rhythmic loops that breathe and shift injecting different emotions as each sound passes.
Phil Berg first appeared on SK11 in late 2023 with Raid, one of his biggest and most accomplished releases to date, an EP that made an immediate impression across techno fans worldwide. Iso's four productions here, each with their own identity, each showcasing the same commitment to craft and precision that defined his introduction to the label.
The EP is a statement of intent for Phil in 2026 and one of SK11's strongest releases of the year.
- A1: Miami
- A2: Lullaby
- A3: Dryer
- A4: Dazzle
- A5: Green Eyes
- B1: Born Again
- B2: Did A Dj Ever Save Your Life
- B3: It Stopped Raining
- B4: The Walk
- B5: Seq24
- B6: Summers Almost Gone
- C1: Intro
- C2: St Nazaire
- C3: Open Window
- C4: Cemetary
- C5: Hot Day
- C6: Rome
- C7: 5Am
- D1: Too Tired To Sleep (Awake)
- D2: 12 Hours
- D3: Peace
- D4: Wildly Oscillating
- D5: Sugar Plums
- D6: Still
- D7: My Lovely
Once I Was Young and The Airplane Album find the producer taking yet another sonic right turn. "These records were made in the same year with a very similar creative process. I moved almost completely away from sampling, experimented more than ever with ambient and techno elements and used the album format as a way to tell a story about moments in my life." Once I Was Young is a storytelling work that journeys through analogue synth-pop, modulated techno and raw, dusty drums with otherworldly melodies. Moments of beauty come through escapist, naturalistic ambient tracks and fusions of Kraftwerkian sequencing with more classical piano, while stark, clubready grooves keep things moving. Airplane contrasts similar shades of light and dark, synthetic and organic, rough and smooth. Glitchy, imperfect analogue sounds, knackered drum machine grooves and eerie synth phrasing evoke a post-human world with icy atmospheres. Elsewhere, warmth comes from bittersweet melodies and loose, funky drums that ooze retro-future charm.
Once I Was Young and The Airplane Album show a diff erent side to Escobar, one that embraces introspection and experimentation while exploring a whole other world of meaningful machine soul
Fresh off an EP on Semantica and an album on MORD, Uun returns to his imprint Ego Death with the Panopticon EP. Uun showcases his range on these 6 tracks, running the gamut from dissonance to chord driven grooves.
The A side focuses on intensity. “Aesthetic Descent” features dual synth lines, slipping between melody and atonality. The straightforward percussion allows the listener to focus on the everchanging dynamics in the leads. “Structural Obedience” begins with a chugging groove, out of which a buzzsaw synth emerges. This track is a display of Uun’s ability to walk the line between minimalism and maximalism.
The B side focuses on the interplay between melody and groove. “Ralph’s Track” channels the dub chords of Basic Channel while applying a modern edge. “The Hidden System” features the lone vocal on the EP, sampled from the work of the late great David Lynch. The interplay between the 7⁄8 lead synth and 4/4 percussion creates a feeling of anticipation, where the patterns develop in unpredictable ways.
The digital exclusive tracks go into more experimental territory. “Queen’s Chamber” is a broken beat dirge, consisting of reverb drenched percussion and synths reminiscent of Dead Can Dance. The final track, “Shokunin”, is the counterpoint to Aesthetic Descent, closing out the release on a crushing yet hopeful note.
Pressed onto a unique custom turquoise and black hand poured color mix record inside a full printed jacket. The evocative artwork was created by Minneapolis based graphic designer Ryote.
- A1: Mas, Que Nada!
- A2: Tim Dom Dom
- A3: Balança Pema
- A4: Vem Morena
- A5: Chove Chuva
- A6: É Só Sambar
- B1: Rosa, Menina Rosa
- B2: Quero Esquecer Você
- B3: Uála Uálalá
- B4: A Tamba
- B5: Menina Bonita Não Chora
- B6: Por Causa De Você, Menina
Jorge Ben’s 1963 debut, Samba Esquema Novo, introduced his infectious blend of bossa nova and samba, propelled by the timeless Mas Que Nada and Chove Chuva. While his later sound leaned more into rock and Afro-Brazilian rhythms, this album bursts with swirling melodies, rich harmonies, and big-band energy, all anchored by Ben’s distinctive, minor-key guitar work. A vibrant, era-defining classic.
Scruniversal never misses, no matter what he takes aim at, be it disco, jazz, funk or whatever else. Here, label head Scru's friends are assembled to edit and remix a fine pair of jams. The first is a curious one that marries clary 80s electro and hip-hop with a hint of Latin percussion and jungle bird calls, filtered spoken word and a taught bass twang. It's body popping bait at a slow, inviting tempo. Martem & Ferdi Ferreira then step up with 'Chumba Lala,' which has muscular analogue drums and grinding bass, snappy hits and old school house chords that all add up to a colourful wedge of playful, rigid proto-breaks funk.
- A1: You Came Thru
- B1: Hurry Up Tomorrow
The Nu’rons were a family group consisting of two sets of brothers and cousins, the four young men in question being brothers Daryl Howard and Raymond Gibson (Daryl’s mother registered him under his father’s surname of Howard and Raymond under her maiden name of Gibson) together with Otho Bateman and Charles Bateman. They were all born and raised in Salem, New Jersey and from the age of ten and eleven began singing with a fifth member and Gibson brother Rudolph as a group called The Gospel 5. They eventually decided to crossover to secular music and as a group known for their energetic dance routines they came up with the new performing name of ‘The Nu’rons’ (taken from the word ‘Neuron’ which is a cell that transmits nerve impulses). However Rudolph was soon to leave the group due to physical illness. Also Daryl Howard and Charles Bateman had also been part of a working group known as The Devotions prior to becoming The Nu-Ron’s.Following hours of practice The Nu’rons eventually felt confident enough to put their own shows together and began to perform at local dances and parties around New Jersey and Philadelphia, often being used as a non-paid warm up act for bigger named artists. They moved between several different managers including Jimmy Bishop (Duo Dynamic Productions) until they came under the tutelage of WDAS radio DJ Georgie Woods (his wife Gilda, being the owner of the Philadelphia Gil, Dion and Top & Bottom record Labels). It was Georgie who introduced them to Manny Campbell who in turn invited them to an audition at his and partner Charles Bowen’s Emandolynn Music studio in Chester P.A. The song The Nu’rons chose to audition with was the self penned “I’m A Loner”, the audition went well, as during late January/early February of 1970 Manny and Charles took The Nu’rons into the Sigma Sound Studio’s with Tom Bell and the TSOP musicians to record “I’m A Loner” and “All My Life” which was released on the Nu-Ron label in April of the same year. The two studio takes presente don this release came short after the band moved on from the collaboration with producer Emanuel Campbell to take music matters in their own hands. Beside recording "Disco Hustle" to be part of the disco boom in Philly of the times, they recorded also “You Came Thru”, a rough yet beautiful heavy bassline driven soul funk recording, and the just amazing “Hurry Up Tomorrow”, here presented in one of the original Studio takes.
The infamous ‘Back To Black’ is back and, for the first time, on an ultra-clear 7” vinyl as a 'Spotify Fans First' edition. Featuring one of Amy Winehouse’s bestselling singles ‘Back To Black’ and her iconic Radio 1 Live Lounge performance of ‘Valerie’, this is the first time this A/B side combination has existed as a standalone 7” product. Released in 2006, ‘Back To Black’ was the 5th track featured on Amy’s second and final studio album which bears the same name.
Pete Rock & CL Smooth / The Beginning of the End
They Reminisce Over You / When She Made Me Promise (7")
For vinyl enthusiasts and music lovers alike, this 7" release is an inspired pairing that bridges generations and genres. The A-side is Rock & Smooth’s masterful blend of soulful production and heartfelt lyricism. The iconic saxophone sample and poignant verses have solidified it as a timeless classic. On the flip we have The Beginning of the End's 1971 “When She Made Me Promise”, a vibrant funk track that exudes a breezy, carefree vibe. Its infectious groove and lively melody have made it a favourite for sampling by various hip-hop artists over the years




















