March: 10 big tunes you need to hear this month

1 Fatima Yamaha

'Araya' (Dekmantel)

First out back in ’04, it’s fair to say that everyone now knows the classic, slow-burning end-of-nighter ‘What’s A Girl To Do’. Fatima’s return on Dekmantel is not only timely, but with new music that’s timeless: you may have heard this at one of his live shows of late, including that incredible show at Oval Space.

2 Hammer

'Canna' (LOFT Records)

Belfast DJ/producer Hammer (part of the Feel My Bicep crew) is next to release on LOFT Records, the label behind last year’s huge ‘Higher Level’ remix from Bicep. This channels the spirit of Angelo Badalamenti’s Twin Peaks soundtrack; or, if you’re more rave-inclined, Moby’s ‘Go.’

3 The Black Madonna

'He Is The Voice I Hear' (we still believe)

Says Marea: “This is my first all-new work since ‘Lady Of Sorrows’. It’s been a long journey... I’m so thrilled to realise my dream of bringing together an ensemble of live musicians.” And what a dream! If you love (and miss) string-drenched Frankie Knuckles Def Mix house vibes, this ‘…Voice’ is for you.

4 Marquis Hawkes

'Eivissa' (Aus)

It’ll come as no surprise to hear that Aus continue to deliver, with Mixmag favourite Marquis back on the imprint for his fifth release. The follow-up to his ‘Doornroosje’ EP, in ‘Eivissa’ he’s delivered his most Balearic piano-strewn release yet. Could well be this year’s ‘End Credits’ come summertime.

5 Radio Slave

'Another Club' (Rekids)

It’s a Happy 100th release to Matt Radio Slave’s Rekids, who along the way have released music from Peggy Gou, Nina Kraviz, Mr G and of course Radio Slave himself, who returns here with his biggest jam since ‘No Sleep’.

6 Mr G

'Navigate' (Lo)

Speaking of Mr G, Colin is back in big tunes too with this percussive, space-age techno instrumental that builds and builds until you can take no more. If you saw him live at Fabric recently, you’ll know what to expect: soul-infused tech-noir.

7 SHDW & Obscure Shape

‘Wenn Die Masken Fallen’ (Rødhåd mix) (From Another Mind)

One more slice of undeniable techno this month, with the biggest heavyweight package coming from Tale Of Us, James Ruskin, Shlomo and more. But it’s the epic, loop-fuelled seven-minute Rødhåd rework that has us dreaming of Timewarp.

8 Sohn

'Signal' (4ad)

Since it came out mid-January, we thought it sensible to alert you to the fact that the new Sohn album is a thing of wonder: Solomun was a driving force behind his stratospheric rise (The Wheel was constantly on rotation in his sets) and the standout track from his second LP looks set to do the same.

9 Tom DeMac

'Aurora Dawn' (X11 Series)

Hot on the heels of his sterling Pet Shop Boys remix, here comes the first new material from DeMac in almost a year. Says Tom: “I’ve set myself the tricky task of releasing a track a bloody month all year!” It’s one for all the 5AM Cocoon and Innervisions fans out there: watch this trippy houser fly.

10 Francis Inferno Orchestra

'Oasis' (Celestial Body mix) (Superconscious)

Already voted one of Mixmag’s top rising DJs of 2016 and released on his own label Superconscious Records (which he runs with fellow underground houser Fantastic Man), the drums recall early XL Recordings classics like ‘Sweet Harmony’, but the contemporary warehouse feel is present and correct.