Scientific Funk – After The Rain

Only the fourth release here from fledgling Portsmouth-based house/techno label Murge Recordings.

There are three mixes of After The Rain to choose from. The Original is a midtempo deep house shuffler with some cool space disco-ish synth action going on, the LHK Remix is a more chugging, heads-down and bottom-heavy house rub while Affie Yusuf's mix takes us into more techno-leaning territory, with the influence of the 'bleep' era (think Tricky Disco, LFO and other early Warp artists) writ large. Rounding out the EP is bonus cut Love Has Gone, which features busy, Loft-ish hand percussion, breathy vocal samples, a fat b-line and more of those killer synths.

The latter's probably actually my favourite, but these are very cool grooves all round.

Out: This week

About: You can find Murge Recordings on Facebook, on Soundcloud or at their own website.

Jace Syntax – Sinister Microns

Another new label here… this time one based in Portsmouth, UK, called Murge Recordings.

This is only their third release but beyond the low-digit catalogue number there's not a lot else 'newbie-ish' about it at all. Sinister Microns in its Original form is a bubbling, driving cut sitting right on the house/techno borderline, while a Mark Ambrose Remix takes us into deeper, darker acid territories and will be the one for more headstrong floors. But the standout for me is the Colin Dale Remix – a highly polished, classic-sounding production that shows just why this veteran London producer has so many friends in house and techno camps alike.

Quality house and techno grooves… a brand new UK label… you know what to do folks. And if you don't, try asking Robin S for some suggestions :-)

Out: This week

About: After I gave positive feedback on this, Kelly at Murge was kind enough to send through the label's two previous releases as well. Which means I can safely tell you that a) this isn't just a one-off on the quality front and b) if classic-style dark, driving acid house and techno is your thang then you need to be keeping an eye on these guys. Which you can do by visiting their website, Facebook or Soundcloud.