Emanuele Barilli / Scott Andrews
Dialogues Vol.1 EP

The Italian duo of Fabio della Torre & Ennio Colaci, founders of Bosconi Records, are in sprightly mood on their latest EP for Jorge Caiado’s Inner Balance label, one of the catalogues under Chez Damier’s legendary Balance imprint. Funky, snappy, playful — these four whipsmart house tracks skip along like Gemini records of old, trading sinuous leads and walking basslines with cheeky abandon. Minimono have been doing this for a while now yet their signature sound hits as fresh as ever.

Ed Nine returns to Chez Damier’s Inner Balance label with the third part in his The Journey series, as ever foregrounding the most classic of house sounds. Chicago from his head to his toes, Ed’s signature nods to the Windy City greats while pushing things forwards with fresh sound design and his innate musicality. From the bright and sunny melodies on ‘Nostalgia’ and ‘Time Will Tell’ to the driving bump and groove of ‘Not On The Radio’ and ‘There’s Always A Chance’, Ed establishes his credentials alongside the best of them.

Belgian producer Gratts, an active dj for more than 20 years, teams up with pioneering Chicago vocalist Robert Owens on this new house anthem for our times. Hope is built into the very fibre of ‘Brighter Future’, from its optimistic synths to the sprightly Roland drum patterns, with Owens’ lilting affirmations soaring above. On the flip, Jorge Caiado’s remix and the New Vision Dub bring the track to the late night dancefloor, recalling the 90s heyday of Murk, Cajmere and Mood II Swing.

A reference work, a body of knowledge, a record of human endeavour: this archival release of works from Arcarsenal's fertile collaboration in the period 2011–2016 is all of those things. Pressed on its two discs you will find, in the duo's own words, the 'broken flowers that needed just a little care and attention to bloom'. And exquisite flowers they are, rooted in the reduced formality of minimalism, yet prone to frequent and unabashed florescence. Ranging from their very earliest productions, made with limited gear, through to later recordings from a fully-equipped studio, the tracks move from techno to dub and house and into blissful after-hours and ambient, all with the rich and spacious imprint that is their own. Most of these tracks have been firm favourites on the dancefloor, whether played by other DJs or Arcarsenal themselves, yet this is the first time any of them have seen an official release. This 'Compendium' is a record of Arcarsenal's past achievements; only time will tell what new endeavours the two may pursue

French-Singaporean duo Dixia Sirong return for their third EP on Inner Balance, the sub-label of Chez Damier’s legendary Balance imprint. Breezy harmonies float over the tightest of grooves in a classy combination that has become the label’s hallmark. ‘Eight’O’Eight’ is a surefire hit while ‘Kashmere’ and ‘Yggdrasil’ will slot in with the best of today’s Berlin-London tech house sound. Closer ‘HK Side’ transcends subcategorisation, its piano and pads reaching for something bittersweet and timeless.