Review: Synaptic Voyager - High Rise EP (Cyphon Recordings)

Moving from the ground floor of 'Dawn Till Dusk' to 'High Rise', this new EP by  Synaptic Voyager takes you higher all day long as the latest release on Cyphon Recordings.

It's been nearly a year since Cyphon dropped Synaptic Voyager's 'Dawn Till Dusk' EP (see review HERE), where electro, techno and deep house plus some "abstract electronica and Detroit-inspired futurism" is alive and well with this five track EP.

You'll recall Cyphon's first ever release was Yuu Udagawa's 'Forever EP' (and check her recent 'Urban Physicallity' EP - see review HERE) and since then we've had Kirk Degiogio's 'Elate' (see review HERE), Infinity Plus One's 'Reflexion' (see review HERE), label boss Jimper's Loxodrome releases and most recently, Berwick's 'Powerflip' (see review HERE).

So 'High Rise' is a return to future acid (Ed. or is that phuture acid?) of a "machine-built metropolis" which is kind of ironic as, in so many ways especially as in Motherwell they recently completed The demolition of the last 3 high rise tower blocks that ended a 25-year plan to knock down all 48 high-rise blocks across the local authority area!  Which sort of sets up the next track, 'Airbourne Avenues' which is icey as the walkways in the sky; was that the Sheffield Estate that had milk floats on the balcony walkways?

And whilst this conjures up images of old videos with Public Information/Town Planning narratives, 'Nubula' flips it to a even higher form of cinematic expression as the dark night time cityscape is based on high speed car chase dancefloor acid rave. 

The duo that is Synaptic Voyager met 30 odd years ago at a time of the Sheffield electronic dance/pop/sythns explosion.  Now Matt White and Paul Baines are taking intelligent synth dance (ISD) early Kraftwerk-in-Peech Boy NYC inspirations like 'Deep Impact' as 909 drums, analogue synths hit a trans-europe HST with alarm bells (or is that buffet car alarms?)

The EP ends with 'Robot Interlude' which is Isaac Asimov in Detroit which is the best of the set on whatever level they are aiming at - expectations for this release were high and they risen to the occasion.

 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: High Rise EP by Synaptic Voyager

Artist: Synaptic Voyager
Title: High Rise EP 
Release date: 30th January, 2025
Label: Cyphon Recordings
Catalog Number: TBC 
Format: Limited heavyweight vinyl / 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: Max Kochetov Quartet – Foolin' Myself (A.MA Records)

Still riding that Serbian Wave of jazz on A.MA Records as Max Kochetov Quintet release their new album, but who is foolin' who on 'Foolin' Myself'?

Eight tracks within an 'Intro' and 'Outro' envelope, Kochetov shows he's a master of the soprano sax as this album is a follow-up to the 2022 album, 'Altered Feelings' (also on A.MA Records) that launched the group.

Joined by Katerina Kochetova (piano - she of 'Beyond Motion' - see review HERE), Hugo Lof (double bass) and Miloš Grbatinić (drums), this combo is fantastic and excels on the track 'Terminal 3'.

All the compositions are by Max and are further fleshed out by a number of guest appearances by Samuel Blaser (trombone on 'Terminal 3' and 'Kirioki'), Fabrizio Bosso (trumpet on 'Tetra' - a nicely angular track - and 'R.Dance' - this is the one for jazz-drum-heads), Alex Sipiagin (flugelhorn) and Ivan Radiovejic (trumpet on 'Mood').

You might not immediately link the 60s Mod-Jazz/Hard Bop with the Hammond organ Serbian Wave of The DIL Organ Trio (see review HERE) but watch the jazz big heads like Peterson, Forge, Parnell, Beadle, Murphy, Peden etc get on this one. 

Buy Link / PRE-ORDER: Foolin' Myself | Max Kochetov Quartet | A.MA Records A.MA Edizioni

Artist: Max Kochetov Quartet

Title: Foolin' Myself

Release date: 30th January, 2026

Label : A.MA Records

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: CD / Digital / Bandcamp (& Pre-Order on Bandcamp)

Review: Frollen Music Library - Exponential Generator (Frollen Music Library)

Frollen Music Library return with there "signature sound while drawing fresh inspiration from vintage Mood Music and Muzak, with subtle nods to minimalist and darker hip-hop sensibilities that anchor the atmospheric exploration"!

You'll recall the release of Frollen Music Library's 'Lovely Beats To Study To - Vol. 2 (see review HERE) where Hudson Whitlock (aka Brenda of  Brenda's 'Bath Time with Brenda' -see review HERE) teams up with Darvid Thor and Henry Jenkins for showcasing the best of Melbourne’s thriving soul music community (perm from Karate Boogaloo, Surprise Chef and The Pro-Teens) as the KPM/deWolfe of today.

Another 15 tracks of funky hip-hoppy beats with "Rhodes and percussion, with the Korg Monopoly synthesiser weaving melodic narratives over chunky ARP Odyssey bass lines".  

This is so well executed, at times you might think it's too 'clean' but even then, the fat synths groove it out in Bob James meets John Cameron via 70s US cop show themes.

Keep it synth and get into FML.

BUY LINK: Frollen Music Library

Artist: Frollen Music Library

Title: Exponential Generator 

Release date: 23rd January, 2026

Label: Frollen Music Library 

Cat. No: FML 027

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: WAAN - We Want WAAN (Sonar Kollektiv)

'We Want WAAN' is the  return of WAAN that we want, a new album out on Sonar Kollektiv that's different in so many ways!

You'll recall WAAN returned at the end of last year with 'Talking Trees' / 'Lodge Texas' (see review HERE) over two years since the album 'Echo Echo' (see review HERE) and we said then, "so good, they named it twice" (Ed. always worth repeating).

So this Dutch 'Monkey 'n' Tortoise' duo clearly work at different speeds (Ed. hence the album cover?) but what is clear is the "We Want WAAN";  being Bart Wirtz (sax) and Emiel van Rijthoven (keys) tucked away house in the middle of the peaceful Dutch island of Texel working on the dozen tracks that make up this sophomore album.

And I happy to report it's full of "out-there as Portishead/Massive Attack/Weekend a 'La Varieté' melt into a Sonar Kollektiv party" from the title track, the gentle/twisted 'Trees', with contributions from Marta Arpini (vocals), René van Munster (cello), Matteo Mazzù (bass) and Mark Schilders (drums), to the bonkers 'Mirrors' which "explores a new sonic territory with harmonizer-processed sax and frenetic bass & drum workouts, its live energy boosted by the sound of a real audience vibing along — recorded at Leiden’s legendary jazz bar De Twee Spieghels, where Ben Webster once played his final concert".

I love the two extremes of 'Talking Trees' and 'Mirrors' which seem to have more in common on repeated listens that you first think.   You don't have to know where Ben Webster stands in tenor sax history (Ed. he played with every jazz great from the 50s to 70s) to know theven he would acknowledge the progression to jazz-house post-punk avant-garde of 'Why You Didn't Get Me' that boarders on James Chance's no-wave or the distorted funk-jazz-house of 'Lodge Texas'.

And it'd be hard to say 'Cecilyum' is the middle ground as it starts as a slow church organ durge before "rising from the crypt" with Bart's sax - could you imagine Simian Mobile Disco and Jan Garbarek going to a Sunday service - me neither.  But if you know this is co-produced with WAAN and Oscar de Jong (of Kraak & Smaak) trust me to dispell any preconcieved notioned of K&S, as 'We Want WAAN' is nothing like them (in a good way - not that they are bad).

So what is BAD (the good one) is the contribution of Philly based rapper/singer Ivy Sole of original and clean versions of the track 'Baby Blue' with poetic hip hop jazz focusing on Sole's non-binary activism.

Whilst all this is going on there's a number of short interludes, the quirky 'Moto No Oto' and the title track which kind of set out their stall as hard to nail down / typical Sonar Kollektiv 'Berlin' to Gilles Peterson; wonder if they could do it live at We Out Here Festival?  Either way, these guys are ahead of the game in 2026 and we'd recommend the vinyl.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://sonarkollektiv.lnk.to/WeWantWAAN

Artist: WAAN

Title: We Want WAAN

Release date: 23rd January, 2026

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK549LP

Format: Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Finest Wear - Good Vibrations EP (Minor Sounds)

UK based Italian Cenzo Scoglio finds his Minor Sounds label is starting 2016 with a 4-tracker that he's written and producer as his Finest Wear moniker as we his the waves with 'Good Vibrations'.

Finest Wear ain't nothing but prolific; from 'The Obsidian EP' on Closer To Truth (see review HERE), a series of great deep house tracks including 'The Night Tales EP (see review HERE) and 'Distant Memories EP (see review HERE) along with numerous remixes on all your favourite deep labels like Nordic Trax, Large Music, Plastic City, Delve Deeper, Colour & Pitch. 

Cleverly mixing "journeys for the early raves to the midnight bopper through to the morning shakers" with 'If Only You Knew', 'Rejoice', 'Equinox' and the most deep house main room title track.

Perhaps his move from London to the Oxfordshire countryside has mellowed him out a bit ('Rejoice' has some spritiual dub going on) which is part Detroit, part beach and dreamy house but wait for the 'Equinox' to hit wthe heavy hip-hop beats that's going to rock any party.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER:  https://minorsoundsmusic.bandcamp.com  

Artist: Finest Wear 

Title: Good Vibrations EP 

Release date: 27th February, 2026

Label : Minor Sounds

Catalog Number : MS004

Format: Download / Beatport / Traxsource / Juno / Bandcamp

Review: Butter Funk Family - Facts (Beets & Produce)

When the family automobile is covered in butter you know there's a going to be a FUNK - and that's a FACT! 

You'll remember hot buttered soul in the 70s, so be prepared to be blown away with the Butter Funk Family and their new EP, 'Facts' as a modern day cross between George Clinton-esque funk royalty/Mark Ronson and a big band Cookin' on 3 Burners with guest vocalists!

In fact the heavy organ groove of 'Kootsy Mootsy' is one of the stand out tracks on the EP which is cool 'cos 'Love Power' could have been done by War or Tower of Power; free your mind and feel the funk.

Hard to image what these guys would be like, I'm guessing a massive soul & funk review but their on a European Tour next month so here's a rare chance to catch them live.  Not sure tracks like, 'Touch This' and  'Pussy Pit' would make them wholesome family entertainment as it verges on Miss Millie Jackson meets Black Eyed Peas/Fergie.

We are told that "the tour features special guest Alana Hil, marking her first European appearances with the project. A rising voice in contemporary soul, Alana brings a deeply personal and globally influenced sound, adding a powerful narrative layer to the tour. She also appears on various tracks on 'Facts', further connecting the EP to the live experience".

So, if you like funk/soul with a tight horn section (as in 'Six Shooter' and 'Somethin' Crazy') you'll be wanting Butter Funk Family, will have you on toast for breakfast. 

Butter Funk Family · Somethin Crazy

EUROPEAN TOUR DATES:

Friday 6 February 2026 – Alcazar – Rome, ITALY

Saturday 7 February 2026 – Sghetto – Bologna, ITALY
Sunday 8 February 2026 – Biko – Milan, ITALY
Monday 9 February 2026 – Rust – Copenhagen, DENMARK
Tuesday 10 February 2026 – Nica Jazz Club – Hamburg, GERMANY
Friday 13 February 2026 – Treibhaus – Innsbruck, AUSTRIA
Saturday 14 February 2026 – Raindogs – Savona, ITALY
Tuesday 17 February 2026 – Hootananny – London, UK
Thursday 19 February 2026 – New Morning – Paris, FRANCE
Friday 20 February 2026 – Treibsand – Lübeck, GERMANY
Saturday 21 February 2026 – Pferdestall – Bremerhaven, GERMANY
Monday 23 February 2026 – Schlachthof – Bremen, GERMANY
Tuesday 24 February 2026 – Live Evil – München, GERMANY
Wednesday 25 February 2026 – Zig Zag Club – Berlin, GERMANY
Thursday 26 February 2026 – Bühne Blechwerk – Stralsund, GERMANY
Friday 27 February 2026 – Life House – Stemwede, GERMANY
Saturday 28 February 2026 – Altes Spital – Viechtach, GERMANY
Sunday 1 March 2026 – Nidaba – Milan, ITALY

Artist:  Butter Funk Family 

Title: Facts

Release date: 24th January, 2026

Label: Beets & Produce

Catalog Number: RAM003

Format:  Digital

Review: Soul Clap - Drowning In Your Love (ft. Shaun J. Wright) (Freerange Records)

Time to celebrate on 2 fronts, Freerange are 30 this year and Soul Clap have their first release on the label that's so boyant, 'Drowning In Your Love with Shaun J. Wright is setting the high water mark for bangers this year!

We know Soul Clap from many releases and remixes, most recently on the spllit EP with MoFunk (see review HERE), and this track gives us even more Funk with Shaun J. Wright (Hercules & Love Affair etc) on vocals; and together with a dub version that can plunders High Speed Trains on the black tidal sands plus a bit of trademark Lonnie Liston Smith and 80s synth drop classic (plus a whistle and ping-pong table) and you've got unbeatable party madness: forever!

And if that wasn't enough, Charles Levine and Eli Goldstein (aka Soul Clap) have work on their EFUNK alternative with 'EFUNK Anthem' as a stripped mix (more rounded as a track) and a funk mix (so heavy!)

This is the House, Funk and more (Ed. EFUNK?) and it'll drive you're feet (and head to a degree) you'll be instantly mad about.  Your first 'Must Have' of the year!

 

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER (Vinyl): Drowning In Your Love EP | Soul Clap 

Artist: Soul Clap

Title: Drowning In Your Love 

Release date: 23rd January, 2026

Label: Freerange Records

Cat. No: FRD313S

Format: 12" Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Wearing Shoes - In The Mist EP (Morris Audio)

New year! Time to wear some new dancing shoes with Morris Audio's 'In The Mist' EP.

With the ride that is the Chicago Loop on 'This Is Citi Beat' EP (see review HERE) (via Citi Beat) and gone Böhm with 'Country' (see review HERE), Wearing Shoes (aka Alfonso Boltone) who has appeared on Closer To Truth, Hustler Trax, Apparel and recently Yore Records (the most recent home of ReKab who passed last year, RIP) starts this year with a 3-tracker EP.

Whilst the inspiration might be in the mists, it's definitely quite a bit dreamy/elsewhere, like the piano focused 'Love Is Real' before the jazz organ and soulful vocals make it a winner.  An you might guess where 'Under The Strobes' is going from the title and with its vocal hook and loop, it just gets bigger like an accelerating train.

If 'Love Is Real' is the addictive one, the title track is the one that's more likely to hit the dancefloor/radio waves first in what will be another big year for Alfronso and Morris Audio.

BUY LINK: https://morrisaudio.bandcamp.com/

Artist: Wearing Shoes

Title: In The Mist EP
Release date: 16th January, 2026
Label :Morris Audio 
Catalog Number: MA135
Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Alexander IV - Touch of Gold / All I Have to Say (Sonar Kollektiv)

Alexander IV returns!  No, not that one, the pseudonym of eclectic Dutch producer, multi-instrumentalist, and beat-maker Joris Feiertag. 

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].  Feiertag's 'All I Have To Say' gives in another dusting down as "a smoky, late-night instrumental that fuses dusty jazz textures with Dilla-inspired swing. Sitting somewhere between Roy Hargrove and J Dilla in a seedy Soho basement, it’s a raw, reflective track that continues the album’s jazz and hip-hop conversation". 

Those for a taste of this sort of thing; old Scruff, Kruder & Dorfmeister, SAULT and perhaps to a lesser degree, upstarts leike Emile & The Education - Lamad (see review HERE) or indeed as Joris' other alter-ego Feiertag (Ed. isn't that just himself? - See reviw HERE) you can see why the new album is called 'Alchemist' (out early 2026).

The album includes the soulful debut single, 'This Won’t Do' featuring Cézanne and the track 'Touch of Gold' that sets the tone for the album.  With it's "cinematic jazz sample, a head-fake of an intro, and a signature beat flip that balances elegance with grit" Joris says, “I absolutely loved making this track and it came together quickly and naturally”,

So expect lots more alchemy with the album as this is going to be so "Hoxton to Berlin to We Jazz" as more Mr.Scruff, more Gilles Peterson, more Will Sumsuch and even more Gerry Hectic!

BUY LINK: https://sonarkollektiv.lnk.to/Alchemist

Artist: Alexander IV

Title: Touch of Gold / All I Have to Say 

Release date: 15th January, 2026

Label : Sonar Kollektiv

Catalog Number : SK452/3 D

Format: Digital / Bandcamp