Pugilist
Dream State/Simian

Fine raw thumpin' atmospheric Techno cuts

Popping The Cherry of 2020’s latest modern-contemporary record label; Step Ball Chain, is Roza Terenzi with “Stylish Tantrum”. Suggestive title to set the tone; the 5 track EP insisting sharp, sassy, high-tempered bombs with full bodied bounce. Unexpected tempo and timing variations, flared-up bpms, half time drum cuts and slicked modular flourishes, Terenzi’s signature cheek ramps up to an extra twisted club climate, atmospheric and evocative in texture as always. Featuring collaborations with D. Tiffany and Saoirse, the release covers extended dancefloor territory, assertive anthems delivering femme finesse, choreographed to perfection.The A side fires up with an exuberant 4-by-4-2-the-floor routine, Cosmology. Vocal cuts from the queen Fiorella, billowing bells and dramatic synthetic sweeps to form fluidity over the tight bouncy low end. Whilst flirtatious melodic notions come and go, zip-lock percussion and commanding drumwork hold it down; squeaky steeze not-so-politely letting you know what’s to come. Deceivingly dubwise introductions soon furiously interrupted with Stylish Tantrum. Ricochet rhythms and bone breaking clap backs echo around your head, electrifying percussive fills and vocal spills snatching your attention before the everything glues together vicious harmony, baseline pulsating underneath a whiplash drum display - one for the dangerous deejays.Chosen Family Feud opens the B side, a collab with seasoned associate D. Tiffany, showing off a bossy stomping brigade. Mumbling voices, waspy sirens and spooked out synth lines haunt the beginnings of the track, stripping back to a bassline breakdown before wailing vocals and clattered percussion take over, cymbals bursting. B2 is a moment to reflect, Illusions brings the energy down, low slung metallic backbeats thrown over encompassing, effortless pads and soaring resonance. The downtempo atmosphere crept up on by a double time d’n’b re-jig, softly gliding in over the growling sub, chopped breaks reflecting and falling. Closing out the record is another joint effort, recorded in Melbourne with Saoirse; Sxc saloon dashing back to the dancefloor, hot and deep. Throbbing bass married with slick galloping drums, sensuous fleeting whispers looping to draw you into hypnosis before a climactic tempo plummet intended to turn heads.STEP01 is kicking its heels up, stomping, strutting and trailblazing for what’s to come.

Soichi Terada & Masalo team up to produce club mixes of tracks from Soichi's 'Asakusa Light' on Rush Hour. TIP!

Invisible City Editions returns with the long awaited repress of Shawn Pittman - Dreams, a fantastic double-sided private press rarity from 1989 Detroit. Featuring two legendary Inner City alumni, Art Forest (producer / keyboardist / engineer), and vocalist / background dancer, Shawn Pittman. On the A side is a lush slow modern soul slow burner Dreams features a deep, spatial throbbing bass line with glistening synths floating underneath cool angelic hypnotic vocals by Pittman. “Dreams are only dreams until you make them real.” Perfect downtempo for early mornings and the post-club world. On the B side, we have 2 peak time bangers, a Prince style electro boogie hit I’m Losing Control, alongside the insane I'm Losing Control (Extended Bass-ment Club Mix), a wild late night warehouse dub remix featuring sci-fi vocal effects, fostex tape loops and ultra-heavy bass and driving drum machines. Official Repress via Art Forest and his label Wildboy. Essential stuff! Limited pressing. Tip!

Absolute Killer!!! Madteo backfires standardized club music with his first issue on own imprint M.A.D.T.E.O. RECORDS. A teasing disco stomper cuts through the whole A-side. Flip it and the club aspect is juxtaposed with two deep atmospheric and sonically heavy pieces. All about the A-side for us though. Essential!!