October: 16 house releases you need to hear this month

Sinden 'Sweat USA' (Sweat It Out)

Sinden has long been an exponent of the best bass-heavy house. Here, he brings us 23 unreleased tracks from Australian label Sweat It Out, which recently branched out to an office in LA. The first US invasion from this label is this blistering compilation of club ready jams. Sinden (who, just like the label, has also made his own move to LA, relocating from London) ably mixes up tracks from label regulars such as Yolanda Be Cool, Cassian and Vanilla Ace, while also reworking his own track ‘Love Me’ and a new version by YBC of ‘Din Da Da’ that he worked on with Solid Groove (it sounds like ‘French Kiss’ being re-imagined by Justin Martin.) Elsewhere, energetic club cuts come from newcomers Bruno, Furlan, Eyes Everywhere and Sluggers.

9/10

Infinity Ink 'Full Capacity' (Different)

Infinity Ink release another wee gem, here, with an instantly catchy call-and-response chorus that’s littered with lame reasons that clubbers use to try and get in a ‘Full Capacity’ club. But this isn’t a novelty record: it’s a classy slice of house that borrows from disco and acid, and has a totally unique feel with the refrain hitting quirky high notes. Expect to hear that chorus soon being sung to door staff all over the world.

9/10

Voicedrone 'Emotional Disorder EP' (Imperfect)

Hailing from Georgia before moving to London has provided Voicedrone with a variety of influences. It shows, too, on this debut EP of thought-provoking house that has already found favour with KiNK, DJ Tennis, Dixon and more. Utilising vintage synths and retro drum machines while adding depth from his Space Echo delay, ‘Emotional Disorder’ is filled with stirring house sounds. ‘Momentum’ sounds like Maya Jane Coles in a bad mood, ‘More’ comes on like Pink Floyd re-imagined by Booka Shade and ‘Nomina’ has a repeated vocal hook and a driving groove.

8/10

Alan Fitzpatrick 'We Do What We Want' (We Are The Brave)

This could be described as techno but will get many plays from house heads playing peak-time sets, too. Here, Fitzpatrick makes tripped-out and sedate house a thing of the past with full-on squelches, stabs, rave breaks and some gargantuan breakdowns. This is the sound of the producer moving into top gear, with what could be a huge release for him.

7/10

Kalyde & Youth 'Tied' (Sense Traxx)

There must be something in the water in Bristol, judging by the rude health of its house scene. ‘Tied’ is a prog-tinged house cut that drives you into peak-time. Warp signing Youth is on vocals, and at times their collaboration sounds like Kate Bush in the studio with Hot Since 82. Rich Wakley turns in a 4x4 remix that sounds like Zinc doing house with its bouncing bass line and energetic drums, while Vangelis Kostoxenakis adds breaks snips, staccato vocals and familiar early 90s vocal samples.

7/10

Trevor Jackson’s Playgroup 'Move My Body' (Yes Wave)

Trevor Jackson’s Playgroup released their amazing self-titled debut album through Virgin-affiliated Source back in 2001, before it was later re-released on Jackson’s own Output label in 2003. We can’t help but feel that bands like LCD Soundsystem owe a lot to Jackson. He was instrumental in launching their career and his musical influence is easy to hear. Jackson is an in-demand DJ, producer and an accomplished graphic designer with impeccable artwork. Now, he’s releasing nine limited edition 12” versions of unreleased Playgroup tracks. First up is ‘Move My Body’, which has dusty analogue drums and would be right at home in a New York loft in 1986. ‘I Want To Believe’, meanwhile, features EDMX and has a diva vocal, Simmons drums and an authentic retro feel.

8/10

KiNK 'Chorus' (Midnight Shift)

Coming from Midnight Shift, the house and techno label from Singapore, we have this collaboration between KiNK and Kei. ‘Chorus’ is a dramatic track complete with cinematic stabs and a walking bassline, while ‘Madame X’ is an acid gurgler that never goes too wild and holds poise and class with its light pads throughout. Finally, ‘Emotional Breakdown’ sounds like Bicep scrapping with Keith Tenniswood.

7/10

Sean Miller 'Tiger Spirit' (Play It Say It)

For its 11th release, Seth Troxler’s Play It Say It imprint presents Sean Miller, who has previously released on Mobilee, Area Remote and Ovum. Opener ‘Tiger Spirit’ is a dramatic 10-minute workout that shows Miller’s production talents with clever percussion, poised stabs and vocal cuts. ‘Together’ is a more sun-kissed affair with filtered pads, hypnotic vocals and an almost Latin-sounding bassline. ‘Got It Going On’ has an organic feel with its sprightly percussion and aloof spoken vocal. Closing track ‘Life’, meanwhile, sounds like a lost Kerri Chandler B-side.

8/10

Amtrac 'Running After' (Birds That Fly)

Coming out on Kidnap Kid’s label Birds That Fly is the latest release from Caleb Cornett, aka Amtrac, who has previously dropped on Toolroom and the Super Music Group. This is a lot more nuanced and emotional than his usual releases, showing a new side to his aesthetic. ‘Running After’ is full of nice tones, subtle pads, filtered strings and vocal lines but still offers a vigorous vibe.

8/10

Leftwing & Kody 'Metron EP' (VIVa LIMITED)

We’ve long been fans of Leftwing & Kody’s dancefloor rollers. The duo have had a busy year with releases on Knee Deep In Sound, Leena, their own Lost Records and now on Steve Lawler’s Viva Limited. ‘Metron’ has an infectious bell, frenetic drums, a liquid bass lick and a 90s vocal cut. ‘Retract’ has dark overtones coupled with a diva sample and on-point breakdowns. ‘Trippin’ features Canadian producer Forrest and blends a cinematic robotic voice with blistering drums and eerie synths. ‘Eterna’ finishes off the EP with bass wobbles and erratic clunking synths.

7/10

Hammer 'Once EP' (Optimo Disco Plates)

Hammer is one of the originators of the Feel My Bicep blog and has released various tracks with the Bicep guys, including the stunning ‘Dahlia’ and ‘Go’. Here, his first solo EP comes out on the Optimo offshoot. With its pulsing synth, cheeky vocal and dark tones, the original version of ‘Stripes’ will appeal to fans of Waze and Odyssey with its tinges of disco, techno and house (and he’s also given us a disco version, too). On the flip, ‘At Once’ has grounded bass, fizzing percussion, vocal stylings and a joyous breakdown.

8/10

DJ Deep Cuts Vol 3 'New Horizons' (Deeply Rooted House Records)

Hitting the third release of his Cuts series, DJ Deep draws on his extensive knowledge of all things deep. With influence unintentionally coming from Call Super Jam, this sounds like a warehouse at 4am with its syncopated groove and synth stabs; there’s also a minimal dub version, too, that’s more DJ-friendly. But the pick of the bunch has to be ‘Main’, which sounds like Vince Watson doing an afterparty thanks to its swelling synth workout.

7/10

M.A.N.D.Y. 'Friends Kiss' (Get Physical Music)

Yes, the rumours are true: there is a M.A.N.D.Y. album on the way. Philipp Jung and Patrick Bodmer have been slaving away deep in the heart of Berlin and in the hills of Heidelberg to bring us their debut LP ‘Double Fanstasy’. Until that drops, we have this two-track release to whet our appetites. Working with Lopazz on the title track, they produce a self-assured house cut that’s full of layers of arps, synths and panning atmospherics bringing just the right amount of energy when required. ‘Jupiter’ has a bigger sound and chugs away until the striking space synth takes you by surprise.

7/10

Tiptoes 'Right Now/Diss You' (Guest House)

Mes and his Guest House label have previously brought us sterling releases from Demarkus Lewis, Sonny Fodera, Gramphondzie and more. ‘Right Now’, from Tiptoes, has muted keys, skipping drums, soaring pads and a diva vocal all working in harmony to offer us a smooth, deep-house groove. ‘Diss You’ takes things a notch higher with its swelling, clunk-filtered groove coupled with the expert use of a sampled rhythmic vocal that repeats “I’m gonna diss you right now”. Sneak fans, this one is right up your street.

7/10

Various 'Home Is Where The Pool Is 2' (Pets Recordings)

Catz and Dogz’ seminal Pets Recordings aims to rinse the last out of the hot weather with this collection of sleazy, slinky summer sounds. First up is Eats Everything with the sought-after dub version of ‘Chitter Chatter’, which he’s recently been dropping in his sets. The detuned key stabs in the breaks will stop you in your tracks alongside its shuffling peak-time groove. Gemini’s 1997 cut ‘On This Planet’ also gets a re-rub by Walker and Royce, who bring the original up-to-date with their jacking swing version. Stefano Ritteri then soundtracks a late-night beach bar with his lovely ‘In Thin Air.’ Finally, Hercules And Love Affair comrades Kim Ann Foxman and Shaun J Wright re-unite with a peak-time New York jam.

8/10

AD/D 'Motor City Sunrise EP' (No 19)

‘Motorcity Sunrise’ comes from Canadian producer Mario J. The title track is a building deep-house roller that breaks into joyous classical strings to maximise drama. ‘High Harmonix’ has skipping drums with a hypnotic groove, while the title track also gets remixed by Art Department, marking Jonny White’s first release as a solo entity. His version turns the original into to a festival house track. There’s also a Renaissance version, too, appearing on the forthcoming Art Department compilation.

7/10