The Molecule
E-Numbers 003 EP

An ever-present name in underground house, Alex Celler is back once again on Baby Ford's cult Trelik label. This is his third and maybe best outing yet with 'Twilight Firedancer' being a long and extended dub tech workout with wobbly bass and off-balance drums topped with glowing chords that bring occasional relief to the pressure of the groove. 'Mescaline' is much more busy with abstract pops and squeaks, synth modulations and an urgent, tightly programmed minimal tech groove that you would expect of this label. It's high-class music for mind and body.

Mark "Shaboom" Bell's classic Mecca Funk album is best known for its standout cut 'Woman Cry' and it is that fan-fav which gets pressed up here with three fresh reworkings. The classic cut famously opens Andrew Weatherall's iconic Heavenly Social DJ mix and is ripe and ready for these bold reinterpretations from Ricardo Villalobos, DJ Sneak, and Spatial Awareness. Villalobos transforms the 1999 original into a deep, hypnotic journey full of his signature minimal textures, while Sneak delivers a bass-heavy, dub-soaked house bomb made for peak-time floors. Rounding things out, Spatial Awareness offers a respectful yet electrified remix imbued with some fresh sonic flair.

Interweaved yields the first volume of a new series curated by Brawther and one that underlines its credentials as an outlet for fresh new underground talent. Three producers here - Frederik Anthony, Mahar, and ICTV - were finalists in the 2023 "Minimal" Producer Challenge judged by Cassy, Losoul and Daniel Paul. Anthony opens with 'Interiddim', a lithe broken beat here through with warm chords. Mahar's 'Relaxed' is a silky and minimal dub tech cut and Omar Fayyad's 'A Mutual Thing' offers trippy late-night charm. Finally, ICTV's 'Oracle Night' is also deep and dubby but a little more menacing.

James Burnham aka Burnski aka Instinct aka a UK production powerhouse is back with another sure-to-sell-out release, this time on his new label Gravitate. It comes under a new alias of the same name and is pure dance floor heat with the opener layering up silky tech beats with some nice playful synth lines and chords adding the fun. The second cut is a disco-tinged and low-slung sound and then some garage vibes influence the drums of the B1 next to freaky vocals. Things close down with deeper sounds for late night and cosy back rooms.

Picasso has been going from strength to strength in recent years and his debut on NorthSouth represents another side to his ever evolving sound. Opening up the EP is Robbie Growler, a tried and tested dancefloor ripper, drums with an infectious groove and THAT bassline, this ones destined for those big 3am moments. Next up is Superstylin’ Glidin’ - bouncier in nature, the arpeggiating bass and melodies have this one suited perfect for both earlier or later in the night when the crowd needs a little lift. On the flip side we open up with Bounce 2 It! Those familiar with Picasso’s sound of late may feel a strong affinity with this one, dubby, housey & hazy. The EP is rounded out with Sixth Sense, on a similar tip to the track before, this is one for those deeper moments, warm, lush pads and smoky groove - close your eyes and nod away!

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