Due to the nature of Christmas pressing and releases schedules, a lot of labels end up having a lot of their great projects bleed into January. This is a blessing and a curse, there’s a steady stream of strong releases, but they often spend most of the month mocking you from the back wall. As a result of this there has been a lot to choose from.

However, before rushing into that I thought it would only be right and proper to pick up the Art Vandelay release. For those of you who don’t know this was a secret project of the late, great Marcus Intalex.  For me, this cut demonstrated not only his versatility but acts as a constant reminder that he had so much more to give.

Art Vandelay – Ballin

The title track Ballin’ is the one for me, a track that hits all notes across my deep house palette

This is closely followed by Dirty Thirty, a track that typically I’d overlook but I can see myself reaching for it later or having one of those “I can’t believe this is on the b-side” moments.

Finally, the last track is ‘Olde Rotary’, which reminded me of my first time using a rotary mixer at a house night in Manchester, confused as I couldn’t understand how I would weave in my cuts.

Great 12 from a great artist.

Soul Capsule – Overcome

Originally released in 1999, this is a track that I had heard constantly, and then when you finally get a track id, you realise it’s been sold out years and years ago, with copies on discogs going well over the £30 mark, it’s a hard decision.

So naturally when I heard it was getting a repress, I had it on my list of things to get. You’ve got two tracks here which go the distance and really develop. Once again, I think the Juno review says it best:

“Written and produced by Thomas Melchior and Baby Ford aka Soul Capsule, these tracks came from one of the many sessions recorded at the West London Ifach Studio in 1999. On the A Side “Overcome” is stripped back and energetic, driven by rolling and shuffling garage style beats, tight bubbling bass and atmospheric synth pads. The intermittent vocal samples and the release’s signature organ set you up for the flip, “Lady Science (NYC Sunrise)”. Possibly one of house music’s most emotive pieces, the track builds slowly with the introduction of each part building a story of soulful optimism based around a sparse palette of deep synths, uplifting keys and warm analogue bass. The understated beauty of the main vocal riff never seems to grow old or tired with the track lending itself perfectly to either main room, peak-time play or after-hours sessions alike. Remastered by Rashad at D & M.”

Jeff Mills – Str Mrkd

Not content with legendary techno status Jeff Mills has launched his Str Markd label. Though the focus and ethos behind the label is unclear at this point, the music does the talking here – 4 slabs of dancefloor goodness. What else could you ask for?