January: 14 house releases you need to hear this month

Patrick Topping/Nathan Barato 'Paradise On Earth 01 – Mexico' (Hot Creations)

Hot Creations launch a new mix series, with the first instalment a Mexico special from Paradise resident DJs and label stalwarts Patrick Topping and Nathan Barato. The first mix, which comes from the Canadian Barato, starts with the delightfully freaky ‘Where Ya At?’ from Derrick Carter before introducing the loud drum rolls of Moritz Piske’s ‘Dirt Cabana’, and we’re also pleased to see Ian Pooley’s ‘Higgledy Piggledy’ in there to remind us he was one of filtered disco’s pioneers. Barato includes a few of his own tracks, too, before finishing on Robert Hood’s wondrous ‘Dancer.’ Topping hits his pace quickly with an energetic late-night mix that drops into classics such as ‘The Boss’ and ‘Congo’ and weaves successfully though different styles.

9/10