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: Jean-Jez - Hooked / Deep Trent (inc. Trinidadian Deep & Mikekon Remixes) (Trusted Rhythm Records)

More 'Afro-house, Not Afro-house' as Trusted Rhythm Records add three more ambassadores to the rosta!

Somewhat different to the last release on the label, Msizee Laroja's 'Musu'Kuyenza' featuriing Biikie (with Laroye Remixes) but what with Yuu's Beats Sculpture (with Coflo Remix) (see review HERE), Trusted Rhythm are on a roll at the moment and we're definitely 'Hooked' on this house work.

Trinidadian Deep is known for his love of dubs and Hooked' weaves in and out (for nearly 10 minutes) with catchy soulful vocals, piano and vibes: but hang on! This is the 'Hooked' orignal version.

Mikekon (the Austrailian) has a remix that goes wowie space synthy whilst keeping the vocals.

You have to wait until you get to the actual Trinidadian Deep remix of the 'Deep Trent' track.  I don't think this is a tribute to the River Trent, think more, "What would Ron do"?  As in Ron Trent (see review HERE).  Well it's spacey, percussive and synthy all with a sense of urgency - think of this as a Trent tributary; from the Andes when the pan pipes come in.

The Trinidadian Deep remix you've all been waiting for is typically Afro-housed with some choral/mod-jazz organ as it dubs in the mouth of the river.

BUY LINK: Traxsource

Artist: Jean-Jez

Title: Hooked (inc. Trinidadiandeep &  Mikekon Remixes) 

Release date: 31st October, 2025

Label: Trusted Rhythm Records

Cat. No: TRR030

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Trinidadian Deep, Boo Williams, Cee ElAssaad, Doug Gomes - Freedom, Innovation, Resonance Vol 1. (Ensouled)

How many 'names' can Cee ElAssaad get on the first 12" vinyl release on his Ensouled label?  Well, quite a few as he launches 'Freedom, Innovation, Resonance' Vol 1.

We know Cee ElAssaad knows lots of folks like Beatkozina with the recent 'Beauty Is Magic' (see review HERE), Jaidene Veda (see review HERE), Gee Lane and Blurum (see review HERE), QVLN (see review HERE), Masaki Morii (see HERE) along with Doug Gomes (on the remix - see HERE) and with Trinidadian Deep (see review HERE).

So we're expecting a lot and we get it!  Trinidadian Deep's track 'Movements of Sound' with a Cee ElAssaad remix and on the flip, it's Boo Williams' 'My Place' plus Cee and Doug in dancehall groove for 'Jam It To The Riddim'.

You will immediately get why they've gone the extra 12" to get these four tracks on vinyl and with a 'Vol 1' on the label, they're free to continue this innovation as the dance community will have total resonance to this movement; of sound you might say.

I expect at least one of these tracks will be on this months' "Best Of" Colour & Pitch Sessions mixtape by Sumsuch and if it was down to me, it'd be 'My Place' as a funkin' train of a track.

BUY LINK / Pre Order: https://juno.co.uk

Artist: Trinidadian Deep, Boo Williams, Cee ElAssaad, Doug Gomes 

Title: Freedom, Innovation, Resonance Vol. 1

Release date: 15th September, 2025

Label : Ensouled

Catalog Number : ENSLDV001

Format: Digital / Bandcamp