Review: Nebraska presents Dubl Drat - The Alter Alter Ego EP (Delusions Of Grandeur)

If I said, "In typical Delusions Of Grandeur style", regular readers will know that the only style they have is dancefloor winners with the twist, no two releases are the same - and they're at it again as this time, we're at the alter of house! 

After Gledd's 'My House Is Your Church' (see review HERE - released on the ), Delusions Of Granduer are at it again with Nebraska, he of Session Victim's 'Sidequests - Chapter Two' (see review HERE).

Ali Gibbs (aka Nevbraska) is back on DOG in his new alter ego as Dubl Drat and, of course, what a way to open up you're new 'The Alter Ego' EP than a track called 'The Alter Alter Ego'.

Very jazz, very funk and ready to low-sling its way across the dancefloor.  Much like the mutant/sample fed disco of The Teckel Track' with the heavy synth which is just fun.

The remainder of the EP gets very Dubl Drat as 'Olive (Dubl Drat Dub), Alter Alter Ego (Dubl Drat Remix)' and 'Olive (Nebraska Remix') where does Gibbs start/end and Nebraska/Dubl Drat begin; perhaps only Ali knows.  That said, there's a lot of hip-hop sample influence along with Balearic beach gong/gamelan percussion plus the jazzy keys that give the tracks an elements of cohesiveness.

Either version of 'The Alter Alter Ego' is going to be your dancefloor friend this summer so get your orders in now.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: The Alter Alter Ego EP | Nebraska Presents: Dubl Drat | Dubl Drat

Artists: Nebraska presents Dubl Drat

Release:  The Alter Ego EP

Release Date: 17th July, 2026

Label: Delusions Of Grandeur

Cat. No. DOC112

Format: Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Gledd - My House Is Your Church (Delusions Of Grandeur)

If I said, "In typical Delusions Of Grandeur style", regular readers will know that the only style they have is dancefloor winners with the twist, no two releases are the same as this time, we're at the alter of house (again)! 

All the Delusions Of Granduer releases of last year were exceptional, especially the Declan McDermott debut EP, 'Doin' It All For U' (see review HERE) and the recent 'Why Don't You Believe Me' remixes (see review HERE), so can they top it? Well, they've certaintly equalled it with Gledd's 'spiritual' Gospel influenced house 4-tracker EP ' My House Is Your Church'!

Kicking off with 'On His Way' with a lengthy Afro-Latin percussion intro before the exclamation wail of 'He's On His Way' that could have come from the deep south that gets backed up by the xylophone and shakers - it's only 5 minutes long but it's a call to arms and highly addictive.

But it's taken Italian Gledd (aka Edoardo Barbi) over ten years of DJing and producing to arrived at his house to worship gospel, afrobeat, disco to find how to praise the house.  And he knows 'It Not That Easy' (track 2) to get the mix of influences spot on.  But the B-side is even better as it opens with the track 'Habibi Gospel' - getting all Batov/Habibi Funk percussive influenced with an undercurrent of 70s OST/TV theme with mod-Farfisa organ: could it be Lalo Schifrin's 'Mission Impossible'?  This is going to move WOMAD back towards Salisbury Cathedral. 

'Can You Hear My Noise?' sticks to the percussion and weaves in the gospel blues vocals before breaking out into pan left/right/repeat synth pop - again, influenced by Moby (at the time of 'Memory Gospel')/(Early)New Order/Fela?  

I can safely say, I can hear Gledd's noise and his house is my church!

P.S. Keep an eye on Greg Belson and his Divine Chord Gospel Show, Divine Disco, 45 Live & House of Gospel Vinyl for more in this field of dreams.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: My House Is Your Church EP | Gledd

Artists: Gledd

Release: My House Is Your Church

Release Date: 5th June, 2026

Label: Delusions Of Grandeur

Cat. No. DOC113

Format: Limited Edtiton Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Declan McDermott - Why Don't You Believe Me? EP (inc. I:Cube & DJ Nature Remixes) (Delusions Of Grandeur)

I'd normally say, "In typical Delusions Of Grandeur style", but when it comes to the Jimpster team and Declan McDermott's, they excell themselves as not only do they believe in 'Why Don't You Believe Me?', they've gone and got a couple of remix big guns on the case, again! 

We know from Declan McDermott's Delusions Of Granduer debut EP, 'Doin' It All For U' (see review HERE) that not only is he a super talent in the deep house jazzy department that's got a thing for Ritchie Rome, but big names like Tom Trago and lovetempo are happy to step up to the plate on the remix.

The time you've got Versatile Records' veteran  I:Cube from France and NYC-based DJ Nature.  But once you'be heard 'Why Don't You Belive Me?' with some sexy Sparky/Rome interplay with female vocals in French and English on a Fender Rhodes bed - you may ask yourself, "Pourquoi?"

I:Cube speeds it up and has a choppy approach to the vocals and it kicks some with a tape loop switch!  

I've always liked what DJ Nature does, from his earliest Golf Channel days and Tim Sweeny Beats In Space appearances as he got the perfect blend of Theo Parrish meets jazz not jazz house.  And he hits that brief in buckets on this remix with mod/Blackpool organ undercurrents on the pourquoi to the why!  

Australian Declan McDermott is now based in Berlin but this four tracker ends on something 'global' as a tribute to his homeland.  ‘Yara-Kimba (Lindeman Island)’ is "named after Yara-Kimba, the Indigenous name for Lindeman Island in the Ngaro Nation/Whitsundays region of Australia, given by the Ngaro people, the traditional custodians of the land meaning ‘place of the snapper fish’."  As popular as snapper is down under, there's echoes of everyone's favourite Ron Trent’s spacious, spiritual deep house that permeates the arrangement, with gentle percussion, tropical tones, and a calm-breathing groove. As Declan says “This track is a tribute to Yara-Kimba, inspired by childhood memories, the island’s natural soundscape, and my vision of a distinctly Australian / Oceanic house sound.”

So if I said, this EP is essential and unbelievable, would Declan say, "Why Don't You Believe Me?"

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Why Don't You Belive? EP | Declan McDermott

Artists: Declan McDermott 

Release: Why Don't You Believe Me? EP (inc. I:Cube & DJ Nature Remixes

Release Date: 24th April, 2026

Label: Delusions Of Grandeur

Cat. No. DOC111

Format: Vinyl 12" (SOLD OUT) / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: 6th Borough Project - The Deal EP (Delusions Of Grandeur)

In contrast to the "atypical" Delusions Of Grandeur release by Declan McDermott at the end of last year, what's more typical of Jimpster's label to go back to one of their earlies break-through artists, the ever solid 6th Borough Project as they present 'The Deal' EP as they keep doin' it all for us! 

Don't get me wrong, typical or not, the Berlin based Australian born Declan McDermott's EP for Delusions Of Grandeur, 'Doin' It For U' (with two monster remixes by Lovetempo and Tom Trago - see review HERE) is still top of our office playlist; a must have for all fun DJs.

And if that's not exciting enough for you, news of 6th Borough's new release to start the new year.  Laying the Scottish duo's cards on the table, here's four more tracks that the masters of the MPC have managed into raw disco/house winners like the title track with it's sax solo, 'The Hertz' (disco bounce gold with a built-in throb and Detroit groove with the bonus of a vocal sample that may have been taken from of ancient US Hertz car rental ad; "Uncover the Hertz"), 'Let Me Know' and the affirmative old skool 'For Life' that really combine so well together (love the 'radio signal' efx on this).

What you're going to go straight ahead for is the full house (Ed. I see what you did there) of the title title track, 'The Deal'.  Those with long memories will recall Mr. Scruff 'discovering' Moondog's song 'Lament I, 'Bird's Lament' and re-branded it as 'Get A Move On' [1999] and those with shorter memories, the recently dusted down 'All I Have To Say' by Alexander IV's (see review HERE).   'The Deal' here is like Mr Scruff's fast re-shuffle for strip poker and is a big tune that'll will see that pot build.

Those familiar with the early album, 'One Night In The Borough' (by the way, Delusions Of Grandeur's first album in 2011) to their re-emergence in the last few years with the 'Rhythm And Truth' and 'One Way Or Another' EPs, the continued expertise of Craig Smith and Greame Clark (the latter making his name originally as DJ and edit king, The Revenge) is just pure dancefloor groove magic that's primed for 2026 party seasons in the sun (or otherwise); get your poker visors on!

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER (Vinyl): The Deal EP | 6th Borough Project 

Artists: 6th Borough Project 

Release: The Deal EP

Release Date: 30th January, 2026

Label: Delusions Of Grandeur

Cat. No. DOC106

Format: Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Declan McDermott - Doin' It All 4 U (inc Tom Trago & Lovetempo Remixes) (Delusions Of Grandeur)

I'd normally say, "In typical Delusions Of Grandeur style", but the Jimpster et al team have excelled themselves with Declan McDermott's debut by getting a couple of remix big guns on the case, after all, they're 'Doin' It All 4 U'! 

It's strange to think that there's a couple of recent releases that got us thinking of about Gilles Peterson's "St. Germain" period and along comes Declan McDermott's track 'Dani' with some deep house jazz featuring Luxonous (aka Omri Abramov) on soprano sax and EWI (that's electronic wind instrumet to you) that does echo some français about it with its waterfall of the seine wading with the sax in the wind.

Now, you'd say that was enough to get you excited about one EP, but wait, what is this all about?  Whilst there's no obvious link to Peterson with 'Doin' It All 4 U', (apart from his Level 42 obsession) I bet you can guess that where lovetempo comes in (see review HERE) you immediately fall in love(tempo) with it as it's as if Jaco does a Ritchie Rome in the house.

Not only that, there's a remix by Holland's Tom Trago, the DJ/Producer (most associated with the Rush Hour label for the best part of 20 years) and our favourite bass player/singer/band member, lovetempo (with both vocal and instrumental versions); an amazing agile twist into electro/disco/boogie of New York origins both re-works stand out like a night at Studio 54! 

Australian Declan McDermott is now based in Berlin and his energence as a musician and producer, with this debut EP for Delusions Of Grandeur, is much like the impact of lovetempo and his emergence from The Rapture a couple of years ago.  What with other soul-funk-house-boogie monsters, this is the groove for party season 2025. .

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Doin' It All For You | Declan McDermott

Artists: Declan McDermott 

Release: Doin' It All 4 U 

Release Date: 5th December, 2025

Label: Delusions Of Grandeur

Cat. No. DOC105

Format: Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Session Victim - Sidequests Chapter III (Delusions Of Grandeur)

The Delusions Of Grandeur team have elegantly seccumbed to to the final part of Session Victims' 'Side Quests' with Chapter 3! 

Don't forget to check Chapter Two (see review HERE) and 'Sidequests - Chapter One' but have they kept the best 'till last?

On the A-side, ‘Too Soft To Be Loud (Ian Pooley Remix)’ finds German house pioneer Ian Pooley reworking the original into a sleek, floor-focused roller. Shuffling drums, glowing synth pads, and that distinctive Pooley touch elevate the track into prime late-night territory, striking a balance between hypnotic subtlety and groove-driven energy. ‘Know Less with Viken Arman’ showcases the magic of Session Victim’s continued collaboration with the French producer. A heady, slow burning cut that layers dreamy strings, glitchy keys, and a syncopated bassline, the track unfolds patiently, rewarding deep listeners with moments of spacious beauty and understated intensity.

Flipping over ‘Broken Coast with Viken Arman’ heads into cinematic territory, combining driving drums, delicate Rhodes fragments, and immersive atmospherics. There’s a mysterious, almost soundtrack-like quality here, capturing the ominous mood of an after dark stroll around NYC’s Central Park in the 70’s, while maintaining the unmistakable swing of Session Victim’s grooves. Closing out the trilogy in style ‘Rain Or Shine’  introduces a new collaboration with San Francisco beatsmith Eo (Moniker/ Circus Company), weaving together intricate downtempo rhythms and jazzy vocal chops. Balancing lightness and depth, the track grooves along effortlessly giving off a sun-soaked energy - an uplifting finale to the Sidequests journey.

With Chapter Three, Session Victim deliver yet another set of genre-defying pieces that honour their deep musical roots while pointing toward fresh possibilities. Their chemistry with long-time collaborators, coupled with the ever-trusted Delusions Of Grandeur platform, ensures the Sidequests trilogy will stand as a modern classic in their discography.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Sidequests Chapter Three | Session Victim

Artists: Session Victim

Release: Sidequests - Chapter Three

Release Date: 31st October, 2025

Label: Delusions Of Grandeur

Cat. No. DOG109

Format: Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Session Victim - Side Quests - Chapter Two (Delusions Of Grandeur)

In typical Delusions Of Grandeur style, Jimpster et al have elegantly succumed to Session Victims' 'Side Quests' with a new Chapter 2! 

It's been a while since Espen Horne's 'Bergen Sunrays' got the heavy synth treatment of a Session Victim remix (see review HERE) but not that long since 'Side Quests - Chapter One' took over the summer along with the label's own Medlar Remixes (see review HERE).

What can you expect of Chaper 2?  Well, it's pretty much more of the same but with collaborations (would that be a double up for chapter 2).  The 'Frits Wentink Remix' is replaced with a Jimpster Remix ('Behind The Glass'); Frits having his own 'Together' EP (see review HERE) and there's two tracks with NEBRASKA ('Hubcap Candy' and the wonderful rollin' like a train, 'Make It Happen').

I think I'll always prefer the original of 'Behind The Glass' that's also on this EP with the dubby jazz elements but Jimpster ups the pace for a latter in the night dancefloor way

And what's 'Too Soft To Be Loud' with Viken Arman all about.  It was said of Arman's debut album, 'building a bridge between the masterful beats of J Dilla, the hypnotic grooves of Ricardo Villalobos, the Free Jazz spirit of Sun Ra and the aura of French House'.  That was released in 2023 and what with the collab on Chapter One track, 'Pulse Of Memory' and Session Victim's remix of Viken's 'You With Me' early this year, this really does seem to be a stand out combo.

Being a "Berlin-Hamburg duo", Session Victim are experts in 2s and as I'm greedy, lets hope we get more or the NEBRASKA tracks too; come on DOG, lets make it happen!

BUY LINK: https://sessionvictim.bandcamp.com/album/sidequests-chapter-two-2

Artists: Session Victim

Release: Sidequests - Chapter Two

Release Date: 26th September, 2025

Label: Delusions Of Grandeur

Cat. No. DOC108

Format: Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Medlar - Islands Remixes (Delusions Of Grandeur)

I think Medlar and Delusions Of Grandeur are out to get me - perhaps they're out to get us?  Why else would they release a remix EP so soon after the brilliant album?

As we know, the 'Islands' album came out last month (see review HERE) with a great lava lamp inspired artwork.  The 4-track Remixes EP either enforces the 'no man is an island' theory or separates it - not sure about the Norwich canaries colour scheme.

What you can say is that it's brilliant as each remix is it's own island.  The previous single 'Dot The T's' (featuring Deevoenay on the spoken/rap poem) gets a typical off-disco electro NYC Peech Boys drama with heavy synths by Ron Basejam. 

A kinda of warm up for the big room acid of Paranoid London that's busy and buzzin' on 'Luv Interlude' (featuring Kim Anh) just to proove yesterday's gone (but not really as those acid 

trax still sound as exciting as they ever did.

And you recall the Sun Shone's 'Patience' album (see review HERE) that was edge-worldy, Medlar's gone an done a Mad Professor dub of world dance that's harks back to Transglobal Underground: dubby with the violin of Rebekah Reid's getting fully space-out. 

And don't miss out on the heavily percussive poolside remix of 'Atlantean' (featuring Wah Wah 45s Alfa Sacke of Raz & Afla (see review HERE) by MAD Josh Ludlow (as in Make-A-Dance) who's deep into the Tribal dub as we loved on Tigerbalms' 'Profunda Alma' (see review HERE).

Like I say, each track is a stand-alone companion to each other making it an essential EP for the summer and possibly a template for more 'Islands' get-a-way remixes .

Also featuring original 'Dot The Ts' on the Colour & Pitch March Mix by Will Sumsuch.

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Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - March 2025

Artist: Medlar

Title: Islands Remixes
Release date: 16th May, 2025
Label: Delusions Of Grandeur
Catalog Number: TBC
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Medlar - Islands (Delusions Of Grandeur)

I remember Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s, Jazz FM etc) telling me years ago that, "Medlar is brilliant" so a follow-up to the debut album is well overdue, but is it the difficult second album?

Well 'Sleep' came out in 2013 on Wolf Recordings so in terms of time you might say it was difficult, even the Medlar collaboration Dele Sosimi on Mr Servini's label Wah Wah 45s was 5 years ago and inbetween times he's released his South London influenced tracks on labels including Full Pupp, West End and Peckham Cuts along with Delusions Of Grandeur.

And with that back ground he's been album to call up some mates to help in out on the 11 track album including Dele, Rebekah Reid, Deevoenay, Finn Peters (one of our all time favs from back in the day & checking my notes, see review HERE) Sam Virdie, Afla Sackey (as in Raz & Afla, see review HERE) and Arnau Obiols.

The opener with Dele is 'Take A Trip' Tropical Afro-post-psych-dub that'll you'll hear everywhere at some stage of the set this summer.   Dele also appears on 'Jungle Ridge' with Arnau Obiols that takes Lonnie Liston Smith (on organ) to the rave (in similar style to some of Charles Petersohn's 'Children Of Zu Zu' EP (see review HERE).

Still in the jungle or Rio Carnival, 'Yeah' is a Finn Peter's special jazz flute gang Peech Boy jazz-disco: NYC!  Talking of NYC, if you're a lovetempo kinda person, 'Luv Interlude' (featuring Kim Anh) takes the 303 Acid up a notch and then in a flash, your in Ibiza (with Andy 'In Plain Sight' Blake).

More trippy jazz is the horn of Sam Virdie on 'Sun Spots' and you can't rule out the appearance of Alfa Sacke of Raz & Afla (see review HERE) on 'Atlantean' as track of the album (and we're not talking about the Leyland double-decker bus chassis - 1958-86 of the same name).

In fact, the album is full of great tracks including the single, 'Dot The T's' is a little bit different for the clever rap by Deevoenay and in terms of 'out there', 'Cicada Dance' is exactly what it says on the tin but a violin solo!  Is that taking the Jean-Luc Ponty?  Rebekah Reid's solo is perfect Transglobal Underground: violin and loop pedal is the new jazz harp.

One of the reasons Dom is so excited about Medlar is that he know how good the Dele Sosimi Meets Medlar featuring Tamar Osborn 'State Of Play' (and the remix EP) is from a couple of years ago.  'Islands' sounds more like a love letter to various places he's visited on holiday with some of his best mates and he was clearly saving it for the BIG album release.

There's a Remix EP on it's way so stay tuned - wonder if he's got Charles Petersohn's number? 

BUY LINK: https://medlar.bandcamp.com/album/islands

Also featured in the Colour & Pitch March Mix by Will Sumsuch.

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Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - March 2025

Artist: Medlar

Title: Islands
Release date: 18th April, 2025
Label :Delusions Of Grandeur
Catalog Number: TBC
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Alma Negra ft. Pat Kalla - La Plage EP (Delusions Of Grandeur)

This is the first of many times this year you'll be hearing Alma Negra 'La Plage' featuring Pat Kalla at beach party or anywhere else ready to have a party.

Pat Kalla (aka Patrice Kalla N'Galle) is French poet, muscian, singer who is so 'Heavenly Sweetness, Pura Vida Sounds' he could even surpass Mssr. Guts, Anthony Joseph, David Walters and K.O.G!  

Delusions Of Grandeur are not known for a nu-Afrobeat house (as in Soul Of Hex's 'Constellation EP' last year - see review HERE) but this is soulful and percussively busy and you are as likely to here it on European radio stations as you are at many a beach party.

And whilst you're thinking of what swimwear to pack, get down with the synths on 'Sexta Feira' (with Bodo Maier) and sunshine disco boogie for seven minutes. 

And you're wondering so what would Delusins Of Greandeur's head honcho (Jamie Odell aka Jimpster) play out?  I'm thinking he'll go for the synths rolling up and down the beach with 'The Vibe' before going totally dancefloor mental with 'The Freak' with Afro-chant and down low dirty synths.

So whilst there's some echoes of Jamies' Dads' past (with Shakatak) this is very now and it's another 4 track all-win non-deluded release.

BUY LINK: La Plage EP | Alma Negra

Artist: Alma Negra ft. Pat Kalla
Title: La Plage EP
Release date: 14th February, 2025
Label :Delusions Of Grandeur
Catalog Number  TBC
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Soul Of Hex - Constellation EP (Delusions Of Grandeur)

Who doesn't have the occasional delusion of grandeur these days?  Well, Jamie Odell (aka Jimpster) has more than reasons than most as his label, Delusions Of Grandeur repeatedly find the best in house music for the dancefloor big heads - this time with Mexican duo, Soul Of Hex.

Formed in 2014 in Tijuana, Soul Of Hex are now on their fourth release on Delusions Of Grandeur (although you would have found them on loads of trendy charts over the past 10 years including Tim 'Beats In Space' Swteeney) and have managed their contacts lists to get top guest for this 4-track EP.

Fans of Javonntte (aka Brian Garrett) will have lost count of how many house tracks he's graced and with Mariana Phelts they've gone old skool heavy piano on the lead track, 'Constellation' with the bonus of a bit of space dub too!

Soul Of Hex contributed to a 12" a couple of years ago sharing with Motion Parallax who returns the favour and features on a track called 'Face Down' that again borrows a heavy bassline and repeated vocal, similar to the big keys on 'All Night' and spoken rant that always works well in the clubs.

As you're no doubt aware, Odell's Dad was in the drummer in original 70s jazz-funkers Shakatak and that heritage no doubt helped him fall for More Lotion's guitar action with the funky keyboards on 'Dimension' - currently my favourite as it's another that reminds me of a juiced-up Sun Palace's classic 'Rude Movements' that had been obscure 70s Brit-funk before David Mancuso 'found it' for his New York Loft Parties.

Can't think anything other than all four tracks will be big (in the constellations) this year as we dance 'All Night' our way into 2025.

PS. If you're on Apple, try "Freerange Records In The Mix 026, Soul Of Hex" DJ Mix HERE!

BUY LINK: https://soulofhex.bandcamp.com/album/constellation-ep

Artist: Soul Of Hex
Title: Constellation EP
Release date: 15th November, 2024
Label :Delusions Of Grandeur
Catalog Number: TBC
Format: Digital / Bandcamp