G-Ron feat Polar - I Like EP

The latest from fledging NYC imprint Dance Through Life comes in a range of mixes that mean it could find favour with a range of DJs.

Although the EP's called I Like, the one track featured is actually called Like Like. Go figure. In its original form, Like Like is a moody, beatdown-esque slow-builder with glitchy beats, some ominous rumbling bass and insistent minor piano chords. The Mr Pepper mix maintains the slo-mo feel but livelies up the percussion a tad for dancefloor purposes, while the Gerard Mix is a considerably more driving but still dark n' moody tech-house take that could have come straight outta East London (actually, I don't know where Gerard's from, so it might well have done). The standout for me, though, is the Ivan Fernandez Mix, a more musical and funkified pass in a deep/tech vein.

But like I said, with a range of mixes to choose from there'll be something to suit lots of tastes here.

Out: This week

About: You can hit up Brooklyn label Dance Through Life via their website, Facebook or Soundcloud.

Rob Clarke - Gravity EP

Staying on a tech-house tip here, but going a little bit deeper with it, this is the latest from UK producer, coming courtesy of US label Headtunes Recordings.

The original of Gravity is a midtempo affair sitting right on that deep/tech border, with a dubby feel to the bassline and some soaring synths for that eyes-wide-shut dreamaway effect. Deepshizzol supplies a remix that beefs up the beats slightly to give the track a little more dancefloor oomph, and adds a spoken vocal – which sounds like it's been sampled from some old public information film or something – featuring a guy talking about the influence of African rhythms on music. Mike Jules' Mid-90s Basement Mix, meanwhile, is fairly accurate in its self-assessment… if you were dancing to deep house in basements in the 90s you'll know just what I mean. Unsurprisingly, I think this would be my pick of the three rubs on offer.

But that's not all, because you also get two mixes of bonus cut The Haunting. Clarke's original is a slightly more uptempo tech-houser to kick off, then settles down into something altogether groovier, jazzier and more house-ified, while the MJ Lo-Fi Beats Version (also from Mr Jones, as above) flips the script entirely and takes the track into dusty, beatdown kinda territory.

All told, more evidence that Mr Clarke is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Out: This week

About: This is what the hype sheet has to say about Headtunes (cos I'm feeling lazy):

Since 2005 Boston-based Headtunes Recordings have released music by respected underground producers including Audio Soul Project, Joshua Iz, Pete Dafeet, Dexter and Sleazy McQueen alongside up and coming talents such as Rob Clarke, Brenden Wesley, Markus Mehta, Matt Prehn and Bass Experiment. The labels diverse sound covers everything from nu disco through house and techno.

Various – Late Night Chronicles

A four-track EP from Soiree Records concentrating, as you've probably guessed, on mellower vibes on a post-club kinda tip. As it's from Detroit, I guess we should use the word 'beatdown' as well.

CloudMasterWeed gives us Sunny (remixed by Mattimo-Perine), a very deep and quite slow number with bruk-style percussion, pulsating pads, nicely understated minor-key jazz pianos and what I could swear is a sample of Presuming Ed's chanting from Withnail & I! Blackjack's Triaxial is more firmly in deep house territory but just as dreamy and drifty, while Professor Inc's Quindrant Dub is for those who like it a little techier and more experimental. And more minimal, cos it's barely even there at times!

But the star of the show here for me is Peppermint Kisses by Drivetrain, AKA Derrick Thompson, who I hadn't heard anything from I don't think since the excellent One Wish Wonder album on Little Angel in 2005. It's a simply sumptous slice of sultry, soulful and uber-deep house… with some rather filthlicious spoken vox if you listen carefully.

All told, a highly recommended purchase for sofa surfers and lounge lizards everywhere.

Out: This week

About: This comes on Soiree International. Based in the Motor City as I said, the label is run by Derrick Thomson himself and was also home to Drivetrain's OTHER 2005 album, which I've only just found out about, The Deepest Harmony Of Drivetrain. Hey, every day's a school day...

Groove Junkies - Rhythm Talks

Been a while I must say since I've reviewed anything from the Groove Junkies.... no reason, just timing of releases, n' that. But anyway, here they are again now (or rather he is again now, seeing as it's just Evan these days) with Rhythm Talks, which is actually credited (as you'll see from the sleeve) to Groove Junkies pres Louis Hale feat Peggi Blu.

As seems to be the way with the GJs there's a pretty substantial remix rolecall, with no fewer than seven rubs on offer. Gonna rattle through 'em pretty quickly but the original is straight-up trad soulful house, the two Deep Afro mixes shouldn't need much explaining, Angell Vitorre & RJ Spinher's emphasis the spoken vocal to take us into that whole 'deep house plus poetry' arena, Christopher Wilde supplies a more laidback, beatdown-style take and then finally, the brace of GJs Mo Hump passes add a little disco energy for the dancefloor.

It's between the original and the Mo Hump Instrumental for me, but Wilde's mix is interesting as well.

Out: This week

About: As ever this is on More House, the Groove Junkies' own label… find 'em online and HEAR THIS here.