Letherette's main objective is to introduce a bit of much-needed fun back into electronic music – and by and large the Wolverhampton duo succeed in music that charms, smiles and most importantly impresses. At times their off-kilter funk seems to float in a dream, but elsewhere in a track like 'Warstones' they pump some iron at the disco to good effect. Tracks like 'After Dawn' combine a bit of pop sensibility, a couple of hooks, a sense of exploration and a whiff of nostalgia in the harmonies, a...

This collection of eight tracks represents another chapter in the collaboration series between Burnt Friedman and Jaki Liebezeit, one of Can's founding members. As the title suggests the emphasis of each of the unnamed tracks is firmly on rhythm, though the approach is a relatively subtle one – and in the persuasive third track the pair introduce soft, chant-like vocals. Some of the percussion is tuned, which means there is an occasional melodic thread, but most of the time it's all about the in...

It's difficult to explain, but Boris Carloff's debut album is a bit of a head scratcher. Not in a bad way, you understand, but the music moves restlessly between a number of different styles in reflection of his varied musical background. Normally that is a good thing, but here the music struggles to settle, giving the impression that the clearly talented producer and vocalist hasn't fully settled on a definitive approach yet, remaining something of a work in progress. The progress is found in s...

In need of a synth pop shot in the arm? Well you'll find it here, without a shadow of a doubt, because Big Black Delta make fabulously upfront music to administer that immediate musical high. 'Put The Gun On The Floor' is a brilliant, highly charged opener, and the album never looks back from there, bringing in shades of M83, Depeche Mode and Passion Pit – which all ties in with main man Jonathan Bates's musical past. The two tracks already unleashed as singles on a grateful audience, 'Capsize' ...

'Tranklements' is apparently a Sheffield word that means 'a collection of objects, often precious to the owner' – and it's safe to assume the 16 objects making up this particular collection will become precious to their owners in time. The Black Dog are well versed in albums of course – this is their twelfth, after all – and it shows, with an ebb and flow that works well between the close knit, slower tracks and the ones that break loose towards the dancefloor. These quicker tracks include the i...

I love the way this reconnects the past with the future while never seeming overplayed but celebratory like the class act it so obviously is. Opening with ‘Runaway’ which plays teary Rhodes chords alongside lush pads that seamlessly wash over you until the timeless vocal hits. In a word: soulful and cleverly backed up by piano and moody bass lending it all a definite contemporary edge. Next, ‘Love Youx (Don’t) blends more atmospheric piano together with chugging guitar and this time with the add...

The first release from Crecimiento is based around ‘Lady Luck’ from Jamie Woon and breathes fresh life into the already emotive vocal line. Coupled with an excellent remix from Jimpster this scores high on all points with a production that is seriously heavy duty, via pumping beats and nagging synths, yet still compliments the voice most soulfully. A killer combination for sure this tweaks the boundaries between various styles while never feeling less than infectious and always funky. An Instrum...

‘You Started It All’ is a stunning piece of music in anybody’s book with this startlingly good remix care of Ron Basejam pitched note perfect for the forthcoming summer. Transforming it from the original neatly into Balearic bliss the vocals tease you alongside Mick Fleetwood (Mac) styled percussion as the bluesy music also reflects that reference tastefully well. Horizontal listening at its very finest you should expect to hear this alongside any self respecting beach sometime very soon. The pr...

‘Hausch’ has got to be one of the standout productions this week as andhim neatly blend warm soulful tones together with pleasingly addictive drums to feel all at once anthemic for the forthcoming summer. Musically this references classic Americana with stirring organ chords and pulsating bass notes playing out against breezy, gospel inspired vocals that hint very at much at the past, while sounding most definitely like it should be the future. ‘The Wizard Of Us’ then takes a slice of classic di...

Cape Town’s Terrence Pearce delivers this on-trend EP for the distinctly fashionable Futureboogie and does so with a large degree of sophistication on the excellent title track. ‘Halcyon’ undoubtedly harks back to a certain time frame exuding emotions attached to swirling ambience and looped Saxophone across classic House beats and brooding bass. Next, ‘Kings N Queens’ goes for a more tech feel with taught bass and moody stabs on what is another killer production. ‘Poise’ plays with a space-funk...

Cadenza have the enviable knack of releasing timeless, genre defying gems such as this from UNER. Hitting all the right notes in sequence are the tastefully emotive keys of ‘Bonheur (Part 1)’ which deceptively also has a kicking, percussion fuelled drum track to ignite all those cinematic passions in full. Perfect music for night, or day, you can just hear this being played by all sorts of Dj’s at any given time. ‘La Playa (Part 2)’ follows with moodier rhythms and equally picturesque sounds as ...

I don’t know, perhaps I'm biased but exploring Volume 3 of John Morales series of classic productions sounds like heaven to me. But then how could it not with a track list that includes Barry White whose opening ten minute opus, ‘Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up’ is second to none. Following on from that is Side Effect’s timeless ‘Always There’, Jean Carn’s soulful gem ‘Was That All It Was’ and that’s only the first three tracks on cd one! The three cd set then proceeds to include many favourites s...

This is described as ‘a journey through the archives of the fabled and historic KPM Music Library, but there’s no stuffy old relics here! In fact there is a wealth of original funk and groove, often used by DJs either in sets or for sampling, with an impressive live feel to the recordings that holds the whole way through. Duncan Lamont’s ‘Funky Express’ typifies the sound, with its bright and brassy approach, while John Cameron’s ‘Swamp Fever’ is cool and groovy. William Farley and Dennis Bovell...

‘Disco Circus’ has been an extremely well planned and received series by Mighty Mouse, and the fourth volume continues the winning blend of disco past and present, while never taking itself too seriously. CD1 is paced to perfection, kicking off with the chugging ‘Spaceship’ of Triangle Sun and moving through to piano-led hands in the air anthems like Phonetica Vs. Soulemotion’s ‘Impossible Love’, presented here in its Casio Social Club Acid Sunrise remix. Believe me it’s worth the long title! Fu...

Few voices, Western or otherwise, have the range of expression and natural instinct that Rokia Traoré does – and here she returns to a slightly more Western way of thinking with the inclusion of producer John Parish. The title track is striking, not just because she sings in English, but because it comes from the very heart of her home continent. It is symbolic of the intense motion felt throughout the album, whether in the gentle breeze of ‘Ka Moun Ke’ or the lighter instrumental arrangements o...

If you excuse the frankly dubious name and album title, Pearl Necklace are well worth investigating, because they make the kind of slower, leftfield beats that Norwegians are so good at. A key part of this is the guest slots of Arp, who crops up on the loping, slow disco of ‘Did You Feel It’. Meanwhile the woozy, unfocused sounds in Why Toto? work nicely, as does the shimmering ‘Wist’. Sometimes a bit more pace would be welcome, and ‘Don’t’ feels like it creaks along rather, but overall this is ...

This is an irresistible package from the Portico Quartet, offering two albums in effect – a live set that catches the band on tour last year, and a set of remixes that serves to illustrate just how malleable their music is. The live album is definitely best heard in one go, and shows how strong and cohesive the band are. The style is elusive, so best perhaps just to call it ‘leftfield’ and say that fans of Four Tet and all things Warp and Ninja would definitely find something to tickle their fan...

What strikes you immediately about this combined Spanish production is the sheer diversity of the sounds employed and just how fresh it all feels. Starting with the Original Mix which sees fizzy electronics and commanding guitars sizzle upon Balearic infused rhythms with just the right hint of voice completing the picture. At times this feels more ambient/ ethereal but none the less this has a pulsating, moody quality to it all the same. The Adriatique Deeper Vibe Remix gets, as the title sugges...

And now down to business as Mobilee’s founder Anja Schneider delivers a set of inspired productions her latest EP. The title track tack simmers with dark energy and an undulating funkiness that neatly crosses the joint T’s of tech and taste. And at just over eight minutes it’s imaginative enough to keep you engaged, while tough enough to keep you moving via its moody stabs and punchy drums. ‘Surrender’ then follows a more reflective path holding the tension at breaking point as further moody not...

For someone who needs little introduction this compilation sure makes a loud noise. As if it wasn’t enough to help define the sound of House Music in the nineties MK now pushes forward with his excellent selection for Defected’s In The House series. Its taken almost twenty years for some of these sounds to come back into fashion, which just goes to prove it was all good in the first place! and is perhaps best typified by the opening number from MK himself featuring Alana ‘Love Changes' with its ...