Review: VA - Thirty Years Of Freerange Vol.4 (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 FOUR is now here!

Quatro already and this is one for the drive home as we head to the conclusion of thirty years of Freerange and their 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; also check out Vol. 3 HERE, 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.

Longtime friends of the label Dam Swindle (last seen on their 'House Of House' compilation, see review HERE) open the collection with ‘I Met Her Last Summer’, a beautifully understated slice of sun-drenched house that radiates warmth and effortless musicality. Euphoric chords, classic disco groove and tension-building arrangement combine to create one of those deceptively simple records that feels instantly familiar whilst revealing new details with every listen. 

Next up French house stalwart Rocco Rodamaal who teams up with the unmistakable voice of Oliver Night (not to be confused with Oliver Knight) for ‘Body & Soul’. Rooted in deep and soulful house traditions, the track blends Rocco’s trademark musicality with an irresistible vocal performance that celebrates the healing power of dance music. Timeless, heartfelt and impossible not to move to. Andy Ash steps up next with ‘Bailey’ delivering a masterclass in rolling, deep house. Built around a looping filtered vocal hook, souring synths and crunchy drums, it's the kind of track that quietly works its magic on the dancefloor, balancing emotional depth with subtle groove.

Flipping over, Black Loops brings the raw, stripped-back funk he's become renowned for on ‘Body Frequencies’. Swinging drums, creative sampling and rolling low-end pressure make this an irresistible club workout, perfectly capturing his distinctive blend of classic house influences and modern production finesse. 

Next comes a meeting of minds as Italian producer L.D.F. joins forces with Ron Trent protege Trinidadian Deep for ‘African Dream’. Combining percussion-heavy rhythms, rich synth textures and deep spiritual energy, the pair craft a mesmerizing journey that draws equally from Afro-house traditions and classic deep house sensibilities, unfolding patiently with a sense of purpose and emotion.

Closing the EP is something special. Trumpeter, producer and Jimpster collaborator Greg Paulus teams up with Parisian DJ and producer Krol on ‘Waitin’.  Impossible to pigeonhole and all the better for it, ‘Waitin’ transcends genres by melding raw house beats, live trumpet, Greg’s own vocals and a hooky piano part to form something totally fresh and unique.  A freaky, late-night meditation where live instrumentation, subtle electronics and rolling groove exist in perfect harmony, bringing Vol. 4 to a suitably maverick and satisfying close.

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!  One Vol. to go so stay tuned.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Music | Freerange Records

Artist: Various Artists

Release: Thirty Years Of Freerange Vol.4
Release Date: 25th September, 2026
Label: Freerange Records
Catalog Number: FR319
Format:   Vinyl / Digital / BANDCAMP

Review: VA - Dam Swindle present 'House Of House' (Heist Recordings)

For Heist Recordings' 100th release, Dam Swindle has put together a fantastic 19 track compilation that's picked on some big names like Kerri Chandler, Louie Vega, Folamour, Cinthie & more!

Seem to be making a bit of a habit of celebrating label's reaching their first class century like The Disco Express 100 (see HERE) which, if you missed it had a Dam Swindle remix of Bustin' Loose's 'Soulbound'; so what has he found for this Heist 100?  Well, the opening track seems to be appropriate in more ways than one and it's Dam Swindle's own 'Back To The Old School' featuring DJ Minx with no phone, underground raves and positive house vibes.

And talking of looking back, anyone remember Faith (Vol. 3, #3, Spring 2021), Sharon Andrews interviewed Lars Dales and Maarten Smeets (aka Dam Swindle) who run Heist Recordings and she asked, what track will they best remembered for?  And it was 'Call Of The Wild', represented on the album as a Makez Remix featuring Jungle By Night and it also finishes the album with a dub version which is a perfect YATM jazz house dub track.

Not content with that, their 'Not Enough' featuring the sweet soul vocals of Haile Supreme' gets a bouncy remix by Two Soul Fusion (aka Louie Vega and Josh Milan Remix).  And taking big name and bouncy, you  don't get much bigger than Kerri Chandler with 'Kerriousity' (Ed. gettit).

Other highlights include our favourite Dutch duo Fouk (check their recent 'Sundays EP' - see review HERE) with a saturated 'Head Spin' that you can't resist. And somebody else that won't let you down in LYMA, as featured on Folamour's 'Wont let U Down'.

So it's a bright idea as the 'Swindle and Heist look to the next ton up of releases to feature old and new skool artists on a comp and did you know, Supershy is the (appropriate named) alias of Tom Misch?  You do now!

BUY LINK / Vinyl Pre-Order: Music | Heist Recordings

Artist: Various Artists (Kerri Chandler, Louie Vega, Folamour, Cinthie & more)

Title: Dam Swindle present 'House Of House' 

Release date: 8th May, 2026

Label : Heist Recordings

Catalog Number : TBC

Format:  Vinyl / Digital / Streaming / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - XPRESS Singles Vol. 1 (The Disco Express)

After the excitment of The Disco Express - TDE100 - we're still on a Special Service as the XPRESS Singles Vol. 1 service is "packed with fresh originals and hand-picked gems, the compilation blends funk, soul, nu-disco, house, and electronica".

If you missed The Disco Express 100 (see HERE), the exhibition (see HERE) and our interview with Bustin' Loose Tom of last year (see HERE), you'll want to catch up with the timetable for post-100 TDE starting with this Singles Vol. 1 release.

Bustin' Loose kicks off from the South London terminal with 'Soulbound' which also gets a Dam Swindle remix - stunning stuff that's not going to stop at the end of the line.  These guys have totally refurbished the engine of 70s disco into an modern rapid transit.

Backed by the equally impressive 'Abracadabra' by Magnolia & Sam Karlson featuring Relaye as an original version plus a 'stripped back' Phil Weeks Ghetto Mix and a housey La Felix remix.

All seal TDE as a must have fun party release; need I say more?

BUY LINK / Vinyl Pre-Order: Soulbound: https://go.protonrad.io/rlF3tLpn4furY

                                                Abracadabra  https://go.protonrad.io/rlkj2h-kyjdFU

e & Felmann,Funky Love EPThe Disco Express,7

Artist: Various Artists (Bustin’ Loose, Magnolia, Sam Karlson, Dam Swindle, Phil Weeks, Relaye, La Felix)

Title: XPRESS Singles Vol. 1

Release date: 27th March, 2026
Label : The Disco Express
Catalog Number : XPRESS107
Format:  Vinyl / Digital / Streaming / Bandcamp