May: 16 house releases you need to hear this month

Weaving Genres 'Mixed By Hector Romero' (Nervous Records)

We’re well aware of Nervous Records and its history of seminal releases (not to mention its ubiquitous t-shirts and record bags, too). Here, Hector Romero shows us the label remains on point in 2017 with this debut mix. Romero has been DJing since the 80s and works as A&R for Def Mix and Saw Recordings, so he definitely knows what works: he kicks off with Louis Vega’s shimmering disco edit of ‘Bourgie Bourgie’, switches to Fred Everything’s broken remix of Joi Cardwell and DJ Gomi, and then hits hard with the Latin tones of Peppe Citarella. His bass-heavy collaboration with Benji Candelario and Michelle Rivera, meanwhile, is one of the release’s standout moments. This is an impressively dexterous mix that constantly evolves through different styles, and showcases Nervous’ enviable stature.

9/10

Aly-Us 'Follow Me' (Erik Hagleton rework) (Strictly Rhythm)

Acid pioneer DJ Pierre and George Morel were behind the original version of this house classic from 1992. It’s been revisited a few times since then, but none of those mixes compare to this new rework by Erik Hagleton. He brings the track up to date without sacrificing its original charm: there are stout beats and a turbo version of the bassline, but the much-loved vocals and lush string line are still present and correct.

8/10

Jaymo & Andy George 'Lost Loops And Broken Tapes' (Moda Black)

This first saw the light of day on the Moda Black album that was mixed by label bosses Jaymo and Andy George; its broken beats, lush strings and deep bass sound like it could have come from the Grand Central label. The track is then taken on a debauched weekend in Croatia by Marquis Hawkes, who turns it into a late-night jam, while new Moda Black talent Idamos retains the piano from the original on an intelligent rework that sounds like Gerd Janson working with Scuba, with metallic percussion, robotic bass and warehouse vibes.

8/10

Thatmanmonkz 'Shade Throw' EP (Dirt Crew)

Sheffield’s Thatmanmonkz has released on labels such as Classic, Kolour and Shadeleaf, and also put out a brilliant album on Delusions Of Grandeur last year. He’s now turned to Dirt Crew to release his latest EP. ‘Manna For Poppa’ comes complete with wailing sax lines, while ‘Intrinsic Divine’ features a pad line, soaring strings and piano tinkles before delving into a broken beat. ‘Space Jam 2017’, a collaboration with Clyde Phalanx, is a slice of Balearic space disco, and ‘Evolver’ is part-Idjut Boys, part-Theo Parrish with its dubbed-out disco sound and authentic r’n’b vocal loop. It’s a strong release from Dirt Crew, which can do no wrong when it comes to interesting deep grooves.

8/10

Ki Creighton 'Face To Face' EP (Lost Records)

Ki Creighton is an industry doyen who’s been on the scene for years. He seems to be on a roll right now thanks to releases such as ‘Face To Face’: the title track from his new EP is peak-time fodder, its mixture of driving bassline, huge builds and massive breakdowns proving that the producer definitely knows his way around a studio and a dancefloor. Elsewhere on the release, ‘Warehouse’ is festival house with an earthy, grumbling bassline, and Luca Donzelli and Mar T turn in solid peak-time remixes of the lead track.

7/10

Various 'Moon Harbour 100' (Moon Harbour)

Filling up the tracklist of this EP was never going to be too difficult when you consider just how many producers the Moon Harbour boys have to call upon. The label has been going for 17 years and is close to amassing 150 releases with its various EPs, albums and compilations, but this is its 100th vinyl release.Matthias Tanzmann up first with his huge ‘Mahoney Baloney’, a percussive piece of tech house with vocal cuts, elastic bass, hollow drums and more. Label manager Dan Drastic and Sven Tasnadi then give us the playful ‘Tastic’, which is one of those tracks that will move your shoulders as much as your feet. Luna City Express’ ‘Saturday’ is pure Saturday-night fodder with its dramatic synths, while Daniel Stefanik signs off by going deep on ‘Resurrection.’

8/10

Martin Solveig feat Ina Wroldsen 'Places' (Positiva/EMI Virgin)

Martin Solveig has had enough underground and chart success for us to know he’s well capable of knocking out a good track. Here, he enlists help from vocalist and songwriter Ina Wroldsen, who sang on ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ and has written on pop tracks by Clean Bandit, Jess Glynne, One Direction and more. Audion (aka Matthew Dear) takes the track to an Ibizan main room with his dramatic, Eastern-tinged remix: with orchestra hits, electronic bubbles and metallic percussion under Ina’s stunning vocal, it’s a wondrous rework.

8/10

Boys Noize 'Mayday Remixes' (Boysnoize Records)

Here we have the second batch of remixes from Boys Noize’s recently released ‘Mayday’ LP. ‘Euphoria’ gets a tech remix by Amato, Jensen Interceptor turns in a blistering mix of ‘Hardkotzen’ and Raito provides a retro breakbeat take on ‘Midnight.’ Elsewhere, Chambray doesn’t hold back when tackling Boys Noize’s collaboration with Hudson Mohawke, but Tensnake’s classy, sun-kissed arp remix of ‘Starchild’ is the stunning standout.

7/10

Sandy Turnbull 'Who Told The Tales' (Galleria)

Sandy’s a dependable pair of hands in the studio, and as someone who’s previously bagged a Tune Of The Month release in Mixmag, we’re always happy to hear new material from him. His new release ‘Who Told The Tales’ takes you back to the mid-90s with disco strings, skipping drums and waka waka guitars in all the right places. ‘From The Start’, meanwhile, is pure beach house with its 80s soul feel and sun-kissed vibe. In addition to these two strong tracks, you should keep an eye out for his forthcoming release on Guesthouse, too, which sounds like Sneak-meets-Derrick Carter at a Miami pool party.

7/10

KiNK 'Dynamo And Neutrino' (DGTL Records)

The mighty KiNK has been given the honour of kicking off DGTL’s new imprint. He’s worked with the Dutch crew many times before, including on an audiovisual installation last year that birthed ‘Neutrino’, one of the tracks included here. With tinkering keys, shimmering pads and driving drums, it’s an accomplished track that should ensure the label hits the ground running. KiNK uses those same elements on ‘Dynamo’, but rattles them around to take them to a different, darker place.

7/10

DJ Octopus 'The House Of Pain' EP (Metal Position Records)

Steve Murphy and DJ Octopus have claimed that the primary focus of their Metal Position label is “kick drums and basslines”, but new EP ‘The House Of Pain’ goes far beyond that. The mix of relentless pings, scary shrieks and phasing drums used on ‘Club Damage’ makes for something that sounds like Tiga setting up a studio in a haunted house. The title track, though, is a deeper affair with soft pads, vocal chops and subtle keys. Elsewhere on the package, ‘Praha’ has jumbled drums, a submarine snare and an off-kilter wail, while ‘Daada #3’ has clicking drums, metallic tones, chopped vocals and gravelly bass.

6/10

Martinet 'Reversed' EP (No Idea’s Original)

Martinet (a new alias from Huxley, aka Michael Dodman) veers towards synth-led house and techno on this new release. We’ve been fans of his work on Aus, 2020 Vision and Hypercolour, but the tracks on ‘Reversed’ lead to darker dancefloors. The title track is dark and evil with spooky drums, driving bass and off-beat clangs. ‘Tubes’ mixes a thundering beat with arpeggiated synths and woodblock percussion. ‘No Need To Make A Fuss About It’ sounds like Sasha in top gear, while the haunted breakbeat of ‘Undercrowded’ comes on like Bicep working with Massive Attack. 8/10

Fluida 'Ivory Spiral' (Southern Fried Records)

‘Lost Moments’ reminds us that summer is on the way: it’s fine, warm house with ethereal tinkles, whispering vocals, organic percussion and distant guitars. There’s also a dub mix, too, but the full vocal version is lovely and sounds like Jamie xx on vacation. ‘Ritual’ has a unique, clanging drum pattern and while ‘Barriers’ never quite gets into fifth gear, it’s still a lush and emotional piece that leaves us longing for Fluida to release an album.

8/10

Lizards 'Separate Ways' EP (Futureboogie Recordings)

Newcastle’s Lizards, aka Lee Forster and James Hadfield have various releases under their belts, with their latest effort feeling comfortably at home on Bristol’s FutureBoogie. ‘Tzatziki’ has elements of Chicago house mixed with Balearic beats, as well as 80s arp synths, warm pads, evil bass and much more. ‘Aloof’ is a plodding soundscape of warping synths, vocal whispers, trance stabs and deep bass tones. Lord of The Isles then reworks those same elements for his cool, chugging remix.

7/10

Trooko 'Don’t Work' (Reptile Dysfunction)

Trooko’s new ‘Don’t Work’ EP is being released on Doorly’s brilliantly named Reptile Dysfunction label. The title track sounds like Moodymann on too much Red Bull with its organic percussion, sincere chords, jazz breaks and distant guitar licks, while ‘True To Myself’ touches on disco, boompty, rap vocal snips, dark synths and syncopated drum fills. It’s then picked up by Doorly himself, who injects it with vintage cinema snips on his fun remix.

6/10

Wolf + Lamb 'After We’re Gone' (Classic Music Company)

Wolf + Lamb have seemingly found a home on the Classic Music Company. ‘After We’re Gone’ sounds like it’s going in a darker direction until the walking bassline kicks in, as well as growing pads, clanging synths and vocals providing some social commentary on today’s house scene. There’s a Higher Power dub and a Lowheds remix, too, but it’s the delightfully quirky original version, with that smooth bassline, which comes out on top.

8/10

Mash is Mixmag's House Editor, follow him on Twitter