Review: VA - Thirty Years Of Freerange Vol.3 (Freerange Records)

30 years is a long-time and in Freerange Records timezone they're celebrating with 30 tracks from 30 artists on 5 EPs - and VOLUME THREE is now here!

Keeping up with a birthday party at 3 out five as we reach mid-point in this seriers of Freerange's celebration with the artists and musical values that have defined the label's journey. 

To recap, 30 Years Of Freerange brings together 30 exclusive tracks from 30 artists, released across five EPs before culminating in a beautifully curated box set; Vol. 2 HERE and Vol. 1 HERE. 

Volume 4 balances established label favourites with fresh collaborations and future classics, once again exploring the rich spectrum of house music that has become synonymous with the Freerange sound: timeless grooves, musical depth and soul in abundance.

Kicking off with long-time friend of the label, Atjazz ('Love You Day 1'), Blue Method's 'Agora', ultra busy Megatronic (also see Razor N' Tape - review HERE) with 'Questions' featuring Mona Lee and other 'old' names'  Andre Lodemann ('For Those Who Care' and Manuel Tur ('Key Race Alert') along with our favourite, James Kumo's 'Jazz Dimensions'.

This series has to be the best of the year and in 5 volumes, Freerange has captured not only what is great about Freerange Records but what's good about music! 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Music | Freerange Records

Artist: Various Artists

Release: Thirty Years Of Freerange Vol.3
Release Date: 24th July, 2026
Label: Freerange Records
Catalog Number: FR318
Format:   Vinyl / Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: Louis Baker - Keep On (Best Works Remixes w/ Andre Lodemann, Philippa and Hollis P. Monroe) (Best Works)

If you're a fan of the label Best Works, you'll know that the partnership of DJ André Lodemann and A&R manager, promoter and radio host Daniel W. Best down is only interested in Best Works, especially when it comes to the remix.

Blimey, it's been 15 years since Berlin's Eva Be's 'New Crack' EP on Best Works and even longer since New Zealand's Fat Freddy's Drop/Joe Dukie and DJ Fitchie relased 'The Room' on the forerunner label, Best Seven (Ed. founder member of Fat Freddy's Drop, Chris 'Mu' Faiumu sadly passed away on 17th July this year, RIP). 

So no surprised that the Berlin based label has teamed up with another New Zealand export, Louis Baker and provided a deep remix team of Lodemann himself, Philippa (NZ and last seen on 15 Years Of SlothBoogie - see review HERE) and Hollis P. Monroe.

In fact, the Hollis P. Monroe remix has some resonance with Joe Dukie's soulful vocals that make the track dreamy that you'll want to 'Keep On' and on [NB.Mr. Best first heard Louis Baker, a New Zealand-based soul singer, perform "Keep On" as the opening act for Fat Freddy's Drop at the Tempodrom in Berlin in 2024]

Lodemann weighs in with 3 versions himself, a vocal mix, radio mix and dub.  Regular readers will know what's coming next - where's the combined 20 minute version?  Smooth soul with Lonnie Liston Smith jazz-funk dreams and spiritual bells: it's going to be in all the best (no pun etc) DJ Chart lists this year.

Not to be outdone, Phillipa's 'Don't Lose The Fire' mix that pumps like a train ready for the club with the vocals sounding even more Marvin Gaye with a bit of echo and some crazy synths.

Not only that, we're promised a Part 2 with Delfonic (watch out for 'Roy Ayers Delfonic Reworked #1' coming soon on BBE), Larse and Gush Collective: got to keep on and stay strong with this.

Artist: Louis Baker
Title: Keep On (Best Works Remixes w/ Andre Lodemann, Philippa and Hollis P. Monroe) 
Release date: 1st August, 2024
Label :Best Works
Catalog Number  BWR032
Format: Digital / Bandcamp