New Jersey house don Kerri Chandler is rightfully lauded as a hero of the scene. He continues to pour his heart and soul into every record and imbue his music with real-world emotions that elevate his tunes. He is of course a master of a deep but driving sound that borrows from soul, funk and jazz in ignitible ways. The third volume of his Lost & Found EP series on his own label Kaoz Theory is packed with more gold, from the slinky depths of 'Let It (Give Me Back My Love)' to the soul staring vocal work of 'Another Dawn' via more paired back sounds on 'The Bassline' (Kerri Dark mix) and the percussive energy of 'The Breeze.' Yet another essential Kerri 12" for your collection.

Swiss producer and DJ Lea Lisa gathers together some of her favorite tracks to play out with in a double pack compilation for Favorite Recordings. As you might be able to tell from some of the artists and tracks on here, Lea likes her house music deep, tracky, sometimes soulful and verging on proper techno. Featured here are key tracks like 'Ekeyz' from Pure Science, the club mix of 'Be There' by Kerri Chandler and 'Blax Thanxs' by Abacus. One very desirable addition is the early 90s gem 'Emotional' by Think. This very strong gathering of deep house tracks may be one of the best this year. Act quick and grab a copy.

Apathy's Connecticut Casual: Chapter 2 delivers a potent sequel to his original project with a refined production and matured subject matter. With Playa Haze's influence evident, the album's soundtrack blends modern and nostalgic elements, complementing Ap's witty wordplay and enthusiastic delivery. Tracks like 'Connecticut Formal' and 'Hammond Court Kids' paint vivid pictures of life in CT, while 'No One Can Hear You Scream In Space' and 'Vacation' delve into introspection with compelling hooks. Ap's versatility shines on 'Jackie O' and 'Fenwick,' evoking different eras seamlessly. Collaborations like 'Never Change' with Little Vic and 'Todd McFarland' featuring Celph Titled add depth and diversity. The production, ranging from smooth samples to gritty beats, perfectly complements Ap's sonic missiles of bars. Connecticut Casual: Chapter 2 is a standout release in 2024, showing Apathy's growth and artistry while offering an an exciting audio adventure.

Around the mid-nineties, pioneering gothic punks The Damned would see a resurgence in interest thanks to both Guns N Roses covering 'New Rose' for their The Spaghetti Incident? covers LP, as well as The Offspring's rendition of 'Smash It Up' being included on the Batman Forever soundtrack. These simultaneous introductions to a younger audience (whilst possibly also a reminder to forgetful fans), coincided with the band's second reformation, where they boasted the short-lived line up of Dave Vanian and Rat Scabies joined by Kris Dollimore (The Godfathers), Moose (New Model Army), and Alan Lee Shaw (Maniacs). Shadowed Tales From Mulhouse captures this iteration of the band during a 1994 live show in Mulhouse, France, where they would road-test cuts from the following year's Not Of This Earth, including 'Testify', 'Shut It', and the gloomy title-track, while also dusting off plenty of essentials from their back catalogue from 'Neat Neat Neat' to 'Noise Noise Noise' to a cover of their Sex Pistols peers' 'Pretty Vacant'.

Contemporary D.C. punk gets another run for its money with this seven-year anniversary of No Man's 'Glitter And Spit' EP. Emerging from the city's punk scene with the collective voracity of a starved vat of piranhas, the four-piece band came together amid the fallout of prior project Majority Rule, albeit with a similar set of musical-political aims. The EP evidences No Man's sound as huge and clunking, thanks to the nearly slowcore-esque drums and guitars of Pat Broderick and Kevin Lamiell (in its slower moments, at least), yet coming fronted by a toothy, harpish snarl by vocalist Matt Michel, backed up by guest vocalist Maha Shami on one track. The faster moments are monumentally cathartic and powerful; this is by far one of the most intense punk records we've heard all year so far, carrying enough home-headbang potential to evince many a rageful family moshpit from the sound alone, let alone the commentary over the Israeli-Palestine conflict it also bears.

Gerry Mulligan's album Night Lights exemplifies his mastery of the baritone saxophone within the West Coast jazz scene. Recorded at The Nola Penthouse Studios in New York, Mulligan's quintet delivers a captivating performance. The title track sets the tone with Mulligan's crystalline piano work, while Art Farmer and Bob Brookmeyer showcase their finesse in solos. Louis Bonfa's 'Carnival' and 'Wee Small Hours' evoke emotion, with standout solos by Jim Hall. Mulligan's arrangement of Chopin's 'Prelude In E Minor' adds depth, leading into the upbeat 'Festive Minor' and the tender 'Tell Me When.' Despite being overlooked upon its release, Night Lights remains a gem, cherished by enthusiasts for its timeless elegance and still growing with recognition,

Wiremu popped up back in 2018 on Pathway Traxx, and now the wriggly minimal upstart is back with another crafty workout for those who like their stripped-down club gear a bit on the wonky side. 'The Subtle Hustle' has a springy, playful funkiness which calls to mind the mid-00s era of labels like Trimsound and Minibar, where there was space for a little jazziness in the miniscule samples darting around the drums. It's a quality which follows through the whole of this standout EP, which is teeming with detail and soul in equal measure.

The '90s Groovez Vol 1: Back The Funk' EP from Planet Rhythm is a nostalgic journey back to the golden era of techno. With its retro-sounding basslines, house elements, and early rave influences, this EP captures the essence of a time when dance music was pushing boundaries. The title track, 'Back The Funk,' is a perfect example of this, with its infectious chord progressions and powerful bassline that demands attention. 'Beginners' transports listeners to the early days of rave culture in Belgium, while 'The Funk' will battle for deck privileges on any main floor. For those who have experienced the 1990s dance music scene, this EP offers a chance to relive those glory days. And for newcomers to the genre, it provides a taste of the era that shaped contemporary electronic music. We can't wait for Volume 2.