Review: Planet Orange Records' fifth release is a four-tracker from the legendary minds behind Alien Recordings, aka A2 and Stopouts, who take one side each. From the opening moments, the Beyonders EP weaves a thread between the halcyon days of tech and minimal from the 90s but with forward-thinking energy. A²'s 'Glider' is a happy, piano-laced celebration to start with ,then 'Let's Get It Together' cuts loose with lithe pads and more mid-tempo drums. Stopouts steep up for the flip and soon melts the mind with some tightly woven acid and cosmic tech on 'Sin City' and 'Kartwheel' then brings a more freewheeling and loopy groove with some neon colours dripping down its face.
Review: Bristol producer Borai (Boris English) and London's Denham Audio (Peri Ashwood) pulled off a remarkable feat with 'Make Me/No Good', an unequivocal release put out on Higher Level Records in 2019. Repurposing the unmistakable hookline from Donna Allen's g-funk jacker 'Serious' from 1986 into a fully re-recorded sample all their own, 'Make Me' set alight the feet of the breaksy raver, striking serious gold in the classic formula of easily-recognised old-school-soul vocals and sculpted tearout heft. As anthemic as its original B-side, 'No Good', the original latter half of the record now comes substituted by Big Ang's Rave To The Grave mix, whose blooping trooper sound design and mains-hum Reeses provide an ecstatic alter. A can't-go-wrong reissue by the Room Two camp.
Review: The Bird series is back once again with a fourth offering and it is label founder Jason Wilkins who takes care of this one under his Camille moniker. It kicks off with a flip of 'Hogin' Machine' that has raw and dusty drums and funky basslines that keep on coming and keep you locked. things slow down n the B-Side with 'Safari in D'. This one becomes a more mellow and laidback sound that offer a different take on an original by L'Eclair. The bass is warm and melodic, the drums loveably lazy and the keys jazzy and pensive. Super stuff for lo-fi lovers.
Review: DIGWAH marks its tenth release in style, maintaining its signature mystery while delivering two standout cuts that embody the British label's underground ethos. Side-A's 'Wayside' is a clutch tech-house banger that has finesseiclean, classy and an irresistibly groovy. A crisp breakbeat underpins a funky rhythm, while a strong vocal hooks you in, giving the track a timeless yet fresh feel. This is underground house at its best, effortlessly balancing sophistication with dancefloor heat. On the flip, 'Demeanour' leans into ghetto tech-house territory, with a weighty bassline and infectious r&b vocal samples. The groove is deep, the funk is undeniable and the track's raw energy makes it an instant mover. Another essential release from DIGWAH - stripped-back, hypnotic and built for those who know.
Review: Originally released as part of Dub Narcotic Sound System's Dub Narcotic Disco Plate series, 'Fuck Shit Up' has stood the test of time as a raucous blend of garage soul punk. The track made waves upon its 1994 release, with its genre-defying energy gaining instant admiration from artists like Beck, Chemical Brothers, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (who later covered it), and Make-Up. "We loved this piece of ramshackle punk funk when we first heard it on 7" in 1994 and we still love it now!" said The Chemical Brothers in 2025. Still a staple at underground dance parties, the track has amassed over 100,000 YouTube streams, so for the first time, it's now available digitally, paired with a fresh remix by Hifi Sean, best as former singer with C86/baggy heroes Soup Dragons.
Review: London's Mysticisms label spill valorous guts in issuing this new dub and breakbeat crossover record from Dub Specialists. Having emerged from te potent 1980s-90s fallouts that enshrouded the pioneering digital roots label Conscious Sounds, Dub Specialists tracked the storied meeting-of-minds that was and still is Douglas Waldrop, Piers Harrison, and Stuart "Chuggy" Leath. This time, the trio are heard teaming up with DJ Millie McKee and studio brain Matt Bruce to formate yet another splinter cell, as missionaries of Conscious Sounds' digital mission: to explore samplers and videogame sounds in dub and funk. Using an Atari 1040 running Cubase and armed with a Soundcraft mixer, this latest iteration hears drum loops and reggae basslines played over funk samples and layered with Petter's chords, crafting a series of short, DJ-worthy heaters. The result is unhindered by expectation and breaks many calcified digidub moulds, as on 'Funkin Dub', where speak n' spell garblings meet downtown funk licks and sonorant snare whacks.
Review: Hungarian electronic music producer Laurine Frost's Cabaret Nord lands as the debut release on Spanish label Andermedt, and it's nothing short of a radical statement. A vault of unreleased material over five years in the making, it's a return to Frost's 4/4 roots but filtered through his signature lens of dark mysticism and surreal funk. Earth-shaking drums, warped grooves and grotesque theatrics unfold like a ritualistic performance in each track as he twists techno cliches into something deeply personal. As such Cabaret Nord blurs lines between satire and sincerity, rhythm and poetry. It's not comedy-it's an avant-garde theatre of sound and a mind-bending triumph that demands immersive listening.
Review: This one hits like a love letter to the raw energy of early warehouse nights. From a UK producer who's been around the block more than a few times, the EP drips with old skool DNA but never feels like a copy-paste job. It's gritty, sweaty and awesome. 'Moved (part 2)' kicks things off with a pounding rhythm and a melody that instantly pulls from the golden age of rave. There's something serious in its tone, dramatic even, with a warped vocal sample urging you to move. Think late nights with strobe lights, where records like 'Energy Flash' or 'Testone' were gospel. 'What Is Houz' flips the mood but keeps the intensity. This one rides a low, tracky groove, dipping into minimal and funky acid touches that feel tailor-made for a dark room dancefloor. Turn the record over and you're tossed straight into the breakbeat jungle with 'Satisfaction'. It's all rattling drums, big vocals and classic rave swagger. No subtlety here, just full-throttle. 'The Prowl' closes things out on a moodier note, with acid lines creeping through a dark, melodic structure that echoes vintage Belgium techno. It's the sound of someone who's been through every era and still knows how to light the fuse. This isnt a copy cat trip down memory lane. This really makes you feel like a movement could happen again with these vintage sounds.
Review: Warsaw producer Kampinos delivers a knockout trio of tunes for GAMM here that collide soulful drum & bass with deep musical roots. The standout opener is 'Good Looking Pepe,' which flips Pepe Bradock's seminal house love-in 'Deep Burnt' into a lush, jazzy roller a la LTJ Bukem. On the B-side, 'Joi' explodes with gospel fervour and raw amen breaks to make for an irresistible jungle anthem built for dancefloor uplift. Rounding things off, Kampinos offers a rich, emotive refix of Little Simz's 'See You Glow' which is both warm and intense. This is rather unexpected yet effective outing for GAMM with a fine mix of soul and roughness.
Alex Kassian x Spooky - "Orange Coloured Liquid" (part I) (6:25)
Alex Kassian x Spooky - "Orange Coloured Liquid" (part II) (5:54)
Alex Kassian x Spooky - "Orange Coloured Liquid" (Placid Angles remix) (7:08)
Spooky - "Orange Coloured Liquid" (5:02)
Review: After last year's standout 'E2-E4' rework, in-form producer Alex Kassian returns to Test Pressing Records with the next instalment in the series i this time turning his attention to Spooky's 'Orange Coloured Liquid', taken from their 1993 debut album Gargantuam. Alongside acts like Underworld and Leftfield, UK duo Charlie May and Duncan Forbes helped shape the early 90s progressive house sound under their Spooky moniker. Now, decades later, Kassian delivers two versions designed to serve dancefloor and sunset respectively, with the rolling breaks of Part I beautifully complemented by the ambient swells of Part II. John Beltran dons his Placid Angles alias for a sumptuous remix pitched somewhere between the two, while the still-fresh original rounds out an essential EP i no surprise, given the calibre of those involved.
Review: Celebrating its tenth anniversary, Sofia Records distils its now well-honed sonic spirit into a powerful EP that pairs the veteran pBPM crew and rising talent Impe?rieux. Prolific Bulgarian synth wizard KiNK leads with 'Let The Bass Kink,' a raw, kinetic dancefloor banger, and KEi follows with the emotionally charged, hypnotic 'Killing God Theme,' while Tegav, which is an alias of pBPM founder Kalin Baychev, delivers 'Stomper,' a percussive and edgy groove. Impe?rieux closes the EP with 'Jarka,' a playful leftfield track pushing dance boundaries with a blend of legacy and innovation. Now a decade strong, Sofia Records marks this milestone by looking boldly ahead.
Review: Pilot is one of the many labels in the orbit of the irrepressible James 'Burnski' Burnham. Its next outing is from M High who perfectly slots into the label's classy minimal and tech sound world. Things open up with 'Same Routine' which is a turbocharged sound with frazzled bass and thumping kicks. 'On My Own Supply' has a touch of the old school to it with the unbridled joy of the dancing piano chords and big, bulky beats. 'Same Routine' then gets a space-tech rework from Wodda and Hatori's live Bass remix brings some lush cosmic synth swirls and bumping drums.
House Brigade - "A Madd Cry" (Dungeon edit mix) (4:12)
Review: Yet another early Masters At Work proto-jungle cut gets released on the inimitable Kay Dee recs. 'Blood Vibes' (Demo Version) is a desirous gemstone whose best facets reflect reggae, hip-hop and party breaks, though each side can only partially bend the unmissable light that is Kenny Dope" Gonzalez's production touch. Built around elements of Junior Reid's reggae classic 'One Blood', 'Blood Vibes' came about amid the pose-striking ballroom craze in New York in 1991, and even now we can hardly prepare ourselves for the riot that ensues on the following B-side, 'The Madd Cry'.
Review: Mr Lode is back with more surgically designed breakbeats that are aimed both barrels at the heart of the dance effort. They come with plenty of retro stylings and old school stylings that will unite dancers from across the ages and first up is 'Journeys' which is unrelenting drum funk and retro-future samples. 'Rhythms Of The Night' ups the ante with some mad whistles and soulful pads, then 'Happiness' tapes into Latin energy with raw South American horns and tumbling, funky drum patterns. 'Revival' shuts down with more drum-led goodness, underpinned by fat bass and with some kooky vocal samples.
Review: Sofian label Soul Dynamite sling a skilful slice over our way, assuring us of the finely appraised editing work of Plovdiv producer Skill. Flat caps, ochre-rimmed glasses and dug crates seem to surround Skill like bees to honey, as the self-professed "pioneer in the purveyance of soulful, funky and jazzy hip-hop" makes evident his own expertise in a monosyllabic name. Two seconds in and we already know that 'Tribute To The Godfather' refers to none other than James Brown; we hear his many rhythm-perfect funk "huhs" striating the a fearsome breaks opener. We conclude on the sax-furloughed 'Danger', which steers hip-hoppier, and sacrifices the original vocals from Brown for an unknown sample source, though the King Of Soul's reign is not lost on it.
Review: A limited red vinyl edition of Sofian producer Skill's skilful 'Tribute To The Godfather', a simple yet effective 7" breaks edit outlining just how much tension and suspense can be fleshed out of a James Brown drum sample. Mr. James Brown, undoubtedly the linchpin of funk, is said to have been so tyrannically dictatorial during recordings that he would fire session drummers in a flash if they were slightly behind. Only a man with gangsta-level gusto could have squeezed this breakbeat out of a young Clyde Stubblefield, signalled by a decided "hit it now" from our sequin-flared compere.
Review: Croatian producer Umbo makes a raucous return to Breakbeat Paradise with this two-tracker of throwback funk edits. A-side 'No Sugar' is a no-nonsense breakbeat soul cut, filtering vintage vocal hooks through crisp drums and rubbery basslines. On the flip, 'Saoco Root' cranks the tempo and energy, fusing jazzy brass, hype vocals and Beastie Boys swagger into a fast-cutting party tool. A continuation of BBP's long-running Toxic Funk series, this latest volume slots right into the label's wheelhouse: dusty, high-energy edits with bite.
Review: The Fresh Tunez series continues its hot streak with drop number five and it comes from rising Italian producer Vithz. Over the past year, Vithz has made worldwide moves and played from New York to Shanghai and Milan to Melbourne, apparently while crafting this strong new release featuring four stripped-back tracks that weave house, Balearic vibes, breaks and minimal grit into a refined yet raw sound. 'Night Tales' is a humid, sweaty throbber for the basement, 'Break Me' spins out on spacey breaks with curious synth motifs and 'Que Haces' brings a more playful and funky twist to switch up the rhythms when you need a break from solid four-four. 'Intense' is a heady one with a low-key but intimate feel and nice frayed edges.
Review: Although their debut single 'Chime' hit the UK top 20, it's the duo's iconic second album in 1993 that marks the moment when the Hartnoll brothers transcended the UK rave underground and became bona fide electronic superstars. This faithful reissue brings back a record that didn't just capture the spirit of the time i it helped shape it. The Brown Album takes Orbital's sound to a new level of sophistication and emotional depth. Tracks like 'Halcyon + On + On' are serene, dreamlike soundscapes that remain some of the most beautiful in electronic music history. Meanwhile, 'Lush 3-1' builds and blossoms with hypnotic layers, a masterclass in dynamic progression, a perfect balance between transcendence and tension. 'Remind' and 'Impact (The Earth Is Burning)' are pulsing techno beasts that dip and drive, blending rave intensity with atmospheric richness. Each track flows into the next with seamless ease, crafting a journey that feels both epic and intimate. The Brown Album isn't just a milestone in Orbital's career i it's a timeless work that continues to influence electronic music today. Essential listening for anyone who wants to understand the genre's evolution.
Impact USA (The Earth Is Burning: Diversion) (11:22)
Semi Detached (extended) (9:23)
Review: The iconic UK duo's equally recognisable second self-titled album i better known as the Brown Album i remains a towering achievement of early 90s electronic music. Originally released in 1993, it blurred techno, ambient and rave into a sprawling, richly detailed soundscape. This deluxe reissue, spread across four records, is the most rewarding edition into one of the genre's most enduring masterpieces. The remastered original tracks i from the shimmering melancholia of 'Halcyon + On + On' to the urgent pulse of 'Impact (The Earth Is Burning)' i still sound breathtakingly vital. 'Lush 3-1' and 'Lush 3-2' in particular benefit from the new half-speed vinyl cut, giving extra weight to their cascading synths and intricate rhythms. The real treasure for longtime fans lies in the bonus material including live recordings like the propulsive 'The Naked and the Dead' and the hypnotic 'Sunday'. Meanwhile, the lavish packaging i complete with a hardcover book, vintage flyers, and even a slipmat i reinforces how pivotal this album was in shaping Orbital's legacy. Sprawling yet intimate, futuristic yet deeply human, the Brown Album still feels like a world unto itself i and now, it's more expansive than ever.
Review: Originally released in 1993, seminal UK duo Orbital's Brown Album marked a bold leap forward in emotional depth and sonic ambition for electronic music. Tracks like 'Halcyon + On + On,' 'Impact (The Earth Is Burning)' and 'Lush 3-1/3-2' showcase the duo's masterful blend of driving rhythms and lush melodic textures. It was hailed as an instant classic at the time and made Mixmag's Best Dance Albums of All Time list. It has endured well over the last 30 years and is now reissued on vinyl for the first time in a decade, with a half-speed remaster and new liner notes by Andrew Harrison.
Lush 3-4 (Warrior Drift Psychick Warriors OV Gaia)
Lush 3-5 (CJ Bolland)
Lush (Euro-Tunnel Disaster '94)
Walk About
Semi Detached
Attached
Impact USA (The Earth Is Burning: Diversion)
The Naked & The Dead (CD4: live At The Limelight New York 1992)
The Naked & The Dub
Sunday
Remind
Halcyon
Walk Now
Kinetic
Choice
Chime
Satan
Review: Last year, the Hartnoll brothers gave their debut album, 1991's 'Green Album' (officially simply titled Orbital) the deluxe reissue treatment, offering an expanded quadruple CD edition backed with a detail-packed hardback book. They've now moved on to its similarly superb sequel (the 'Brown Album') from 1993. It gets a similar treatment, with a freshly remastered version of the original album (CD1) being joined by two discs of single versions, B-sides, remixes and 'Peel Session' cuts (including legendary Underworld and Psychik Warriors Ov Gaia takes on 'Lush 3', and the duo's own originally US-only extension of 'Impact'), and a fourth CD containing a previously unreleased live recording from the Limelight in New York in 1992. Oh, and a fine hardback book telling the story of the album. An early Christmas present for Orbital fans!
Lush 3-4 (Warrior Drift) (Psychick Warriors Ov Gaia)
Review: There's a strong argument to be made that 1993's Orbital II, popularly known as 'The Brown Album', is the Hartnoll brothers' finest single album - a sublime fusion of bustling breakbeats, heady vocal samples (many provided by then unknown vocalist Alison Goldfrapp), twisted acid lines, memorable melodic motifs, and rush-inducing breakdowns. Here reissued in remastered and expanded form, the set - which includes fan favourites 'Lush 3', 'Halcyon' and the superb 'Impact (The Earth is Burning)' the album sounds as fresh and forthright as ever. This time round, it includes a second CD featuring key cuts from the two-part 'Raddicio' EP (including two takes on the Scott Walker-sampling 'The Naked & The Dead') and superb revisions of Lush 3 by Underworld and Psychick Warriors Ov Gaia.
Review: Yo Speed has been making moves on the likes of 83 and Distorsion Records, and after several standout EPs, now makes his full-length debut with Colores. Across four sides of vinyl he explores every facet of breakbeat, starting with the sort of emotionally, architecturally grand cut that has defined Sasha's approach to sound for many years. 'Fucsia' gets more down and dirty with howling basslines from drum & bass and soulful r&b vocal hooks. Elsewhere are gems like the sun-kissed and serene 'Esmeralda' and masterfully melodic, tightly sequenced arps of the potent 'Escarlata'. A real widescreen trip.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.