Rodney Bakerr: RH019 (The Lost Tracks)
After decades around records, I still can't find anyone that can explain the voodoo of the vinyl re-issue market to me. It reminds me of the hi-fi stereo business - it's the kind of...
Z Records’ Attack the Dancefloor Vol 6
In so many words and in so many ways, House Music has been about fucking over the vocalist. It's tradition. It's old school to fuck over the vocalist. It's the Italian production team behind...
The Sun God: Root Frequencies Project (Machining Dreams)
"Root Frequencies" opens with a filtered and processed sound that sounds like a phone ringing when you place the call - a signal of the call being placed, for the rhythms being summoned by...
One More Time: Thoughts on Thoughts on Romanthony
Six months ago, I sat awake for 48 hours, blowing up phones with voice mails, emails and text messages that sought to verify that a genius was dead.
Death sells, and when you're doing this,...
Orazio Fantini: Back in 20 Minutes (Traxx Underground)
For Christ's sake, you spoil us. Traxx Underground follows up on releases from Samann and Victor Simonelli (highly praised here) with yet another smash.
Back In 20 Minutes is a new four track EP from...
Hakim Murphy: Murph Tone Jack Session II (Synapsis Records)
Well okay, Hakim: the Chicago producer (and former contributor to this space) Hakim Murphy has been travelling the world this year, both solo and with Ike Release as part of Innerspace Halflife. Following his...
Borai: Last Time Out (Tasteful Nudes)
I've missed a few releases from this Chicago label but I don't think anything could have held me back from this one. Enthusiasm? Try lust: two tracks of lustrous, melodic techno (or techy house...
Max Graef: Broken Keyboard (Heist Recordings)
Lars and Maarten of Detroit Swindle continue spreading the love around with a quirky 12" from Max Graef. Broken Keyboard features a couple of good, adventurous pieces and one that's an absolute monster. That...
UNA: Laughing Man (Charles Webster Remixes) (Cool Jewel)
Charles Webster, where had you gone? I had incredibly high expectations for this release; Webster, in seven minutes and nine seconds, blew me away.
The "Charles Webster 1" remix of "We Are the Lonely" is...
Slum Science: 10 Years of Virtue and Vice (Hudd Traxx)
I love that these guys did this. After several years in limbo, the lads are back with Slum Science album of unfashionably downtempo, trippy and funky tunes. This sound isn't particularly hip at the...
Giorgio Luceri: Prophetic Vibes (Fly By Night)
There's much to love about Giorgio Luceri's warm 12" on the London-based Fly By Night Music. Luceri is still a pretty young guy, but already has a solid LP and a spectacular EP on...
Primitive Sci-Fi: Untitled (Unestablished Moves)
The first thing you noticed were the words "Chicago" and "Detroit" becoming adjectives rather than nouns. A Chicago Sound, A Detroit Sound - you can find a hundred tracks released each day described as...
Dance Music’s Forgotten Master: Stefano Pulga
Kano: I'm Ready
(Emergency Records)
Dharma: Plastic Doll
(System Music)
Gaucho: Dance Forever
(System Music)
Pink Project: Disco Project
(Zanza Records)
Ask even a knowledgeable fan of that confusing but utterly exhilarating era of early '80s dance music about one Mr. Stefano...
Kool Vibe: House Trax Vol 1 EP (KV Records)
I like to imagine that there's a single apartment block in Paris where people like Brawther, Jef K., Jeremy Underground Paris and Kool Vibe live, work and carry on like actors in an underground...
Adam Rios: Book One (Vega Records)
Some artists are very well known. Some are known well by those that KNOW music! This is the case with this tight EP on the well-known Vega Records label by a guy that music...
Jay Daniel: Scorpio Rising (Sound Signature)
Years ago, I knew this crazy Serbian poet/philosopher. With his flowing beard and hair and world-weary grimace, give him about ten years and a few more misfortunes and he'd look like Zeus. He showed...
When Guetta Was Underground: Up and Away by David Guetta and Robert Owens
Beating up on David Guetta at this point is about as fun as slapping around a middle aged accountant in a leather mask and gimp suit: it's not really that satisfying and you get...
Marasco: Need EP (Nordic Trax)
There is no denying the therapeutic capabilities embedded in good music. When I'm in the middle of a DJ set and I'm in the zone, it's like I'm in my own little world and...
Rick Wade: Equivalent Exchange (Quality Vibe)
5 Magazine risks becoming, in essence, Rick Wade Monthly, but I can't pass on a good record because an artist is on a roll. And Rick Wade is on a fucking roll - at...
Chicago Service and Body To Body
Updated Apr 13 2015: The phenomenally popular Chicago Service was just repressed.
As much as anyone on the outside knows, Marcel Vogel is doing most of this business himself - making songs, DJing parties, and...
MUST READ!
Library of Congress adds Jamie Principle’s “Your Love” to National Recording Registry
The classic of classic Chicago house tracks was selected for preservation as one of "the defining sounds of history and culture." Here's how it was made.
