Defected’s vinyl series continues to commit the label’s biggest digital releases to wax, delivering the best house music previously unavailable on vinyl. This seventeenth edition collates four unmissable releases from the first half of 2023. Opening the compilation, Grammy nominated producer and Saved Records boss Nic Fanciulli revisits his Skylark alias remix of ‘SOS’ by A’Studio featuring Polina, maintaining the bouncy, rolling feel of the original and taking dancers late into the night. Next up, BBC Radio 1 Dance Future Star and one of DJ Mag's artists to watch for 2023, Parisian DJ and producer Chloé Caillet remixes a record box essential, bringing her busy French touch and disco-inspired sound to Tensnake's iconic 'Coma Cat'. On the B-Side is the humble House Master Harry Romero’s update of 'Revolution', a powerful, modern Jersey jam, layering a familiar vocal loop over tight percussion. Closing out this massive collection is the highly anticipated Defected debut from founder of esteemed Amsterdam label PIV; Prunk showcases his signature addictive grooves on ‘Keep It Simple’, with Poland based Rona Ray on vocal duties.

FUSE head honcho Enzo Siragusa drops his first EP of 2023 with the long-awaited release of ‘Laughing Tones’, backed by a remix from Subsequent boss Voigtmann.

It’s safe to say that every time FUSE founder Enzo Siragusa steps out on his home label with fresh music, it’s an event that carries a lot of attention and for a good reason. His last EP on the label ‘Dreamscape’ celebrated the imprint’s 50th EP release, while stand-out releases and records dating back to his very first on the imprint back in 2011 have continued to shape and evolve the label’s core identity, pushing the sound forwards while still bringing that trademark ‘FUSE aesthetic’. Returning to the label for his first release of the year, mid-July sees the renowned selector and producer unveil his latest EP ‘Laughing Tones’ as he uncovers a pair of heavily-requested productions that showcase his diverse production range backed by a driving remix from Voigtmann.

“While many people know about the influences I draw from jungle and hardcore, my sound has always been routed within house music. The inspiration behind ‘Laughing Tones’ comes from the house music from the late 90s; Mood II Swing, Inland Knights, the dubs and those deeper b-sides.. this record is a bit of a modern twist on that influential sound” - Enzo Siragusa.

A production drenched in rich melodies, title cut ‘Laughing Tones’ is a bright and lively production as the vibrant, sweeping leads and delicate chords meet a zigzagging, engrossing bassline and skippy percussion arrangements for a deep and bubbly trip through all hours of the night. Next, ‘Blossom’ enters the fray built around killer breaks and subtle low-end evolutions, all accented by jazzy tones and hazy textures, before Voigtmann’s vinyl-only remix of the title cut takes things into more off-kilter territories as eerie interludes, sharp hats, and cosmic tones take hold of things and dive deep into the early hours.

Oliver Dollar’s Industry Standard welcome Detroit’s Outr Drive featuring vocalist Steffanie Christi’an for a vinyl release on the label. This package presses up the original ‘You Don’t Know’, first released on the label in 2021, with remixes from John Arnold & KON.

The original sees Outr Drive deliver a low slung, soul drenched, deep house track with a live bass line and lush keys that set the tone of a track for a wonderful vocal from Steffanie. The song is both emotive and seductive and shows off her amazing vocal range.

Detroit’s John Arnold steps up for the first remix taking his version into a deep electronic, synth driven work out, using the vocals to blistering effect over his swirling Detroit styled synth chords.

Over on the B-side we have some disco gold from Boston’s KON. He’s crafted a vintage styled disco record around the vocal that sounds truly authentic, almost feeling like it was recorded in a live session. This mix oozes quality and will be a timeless floor pleaser for the cooler floors.

Just seven months after open-heart surgery, Lost Desert is back with the third edition of his Lost Desert & Friends EP series on All Day I Dream.

The four track EP kicks off with the help of friends Lee Burridge, Junior Akwety, Madraas, and Sofiya Nzau, before Lost Desert closes the record with its only solo composition.

Two of dance music’s most innovative minds, Special Request (aka Paul Woolford) and Mumdance join forces on a new EP for Peggy Gou’s Gudu Records.

Between them, Special Request and Mumdance have been responsible for some of dance music’s most exciting, game-changing and downright thrilling releases of the last 15 years, both driven by a restless desire for creativity and collaboration and an innate knowledge of what came before them. Running through their individual back catalogues would take all day, but ‘Vortex’, ’Offworld’, ‘Soul Music’, ‘Bedroom Tapes’? ‘Take Time’, ‘1 Sec’, ‘Twists & Turns’, ‘Proto’? At this point, these are dance music heritage.

Started initially as a Mumdance remix of Woolford’s classic ‘Erotic Discourse’ that morphed into something else entirely, the pair’s collaboration ‘Exotic Golfcourse’ opens the EP. A six and a half minute epic that’s been stunning crowds for the best part of a year in both artists’ sets (not to mention Peggy’s), it’s precision-tooled for peak-time moments — forget twists and turns, this is handbrakes, donuts and loop-the-loops.

Speaking of twists, Special Request then teams up with South London MC Novelist (who previously collaborated with Mumdance on game-changing grime collaborations in 2014 and 2015) on ‘Sliver’, finding the sweet spot between classic grime synths and booty-house-esque drums, and climaxing in a tempo change designed to turn the dancefloor inside out.

Finally, Mumdance closes things solo on ‘Four Years’, working a Bangalter-esque loop for all it’s worth on the EP’s most outright emotional moment. By the time those chopped vocals, drum rushes and guitar solo (!) have played their part, and the track comes back in for that almighty second drop, it’s an outpouring of capital F Feelings that few can match.

Exotic Golfcourse is two of dance music’s brightest minds and most impassioned souls on their absolute A-game — expect to hear these tracks all Summer and beyond.

After going AWOL, the elusive DJ Boneyard checks back in with 'Bonestyle' – a six track ruckus of raw techno jaunts.

Irish DJ and producer, Ben Prophet, has caught the attention of some of the electronic scene’s most influential names in recent years. Currently residing in the underground music hub of Newcastle, his dark and exhilarating tracks have proven to captivate dancefloors. Now the artist is set to embark on his most monumental release to date, with the four track EP ‘From Dusk’. Staying distinctly true to himself, the EP channels Prophet’s love for bassline, electronica, and techno, whilst placing a key focus on mechanical vocals that add a mind-bending element that listeners can get lost in. ‘From Dusk’ will be released to the world via HAAi and Alice Pelly’s Radical New Theory label, a proven base for projecting emerging talent.

‘From Dusk’ is an EP that serves as a bold declaration. Prophet was determined to take listeners on a journey across the four tracks. Never resting on his laurels, the artist ventured into many corners of the dance world, whilst maintaining a core signature sound. Opener ‘Telepathy’ Sees Prophet build an emphatic, heavy hitting techno track, centring around a manipulated spoken-word vocal. It’s a sound that holds nothing back and is showcased again on ‘Down The Rabbit Hole’. Equally dark in its design, Prophet once more places distorted vocals at the forefront, this time displaying an industrial take on breakbeat. On the flip side, we see ‘Ocarina’ and title track ‘From Dusk’ turn the dark energy on its head with a distinctly melodic approach which adds a touch of psychedelia and high emotion to the EP. What’s clear is there’s something on ‘From Dusk’ for anyone that loves club music.

Speaking on the release, Prophet states:“HAAi has been one of the biggest inspirations for my sound, so to have become friends and to release my music on her label Radical New Theory is a massive moment for me. I’ve taken a different approach on each track, but each has my signature sound and is ready for the dance floor.”

HAAi also offers an insight into why she wanted to release ‘From Dusk’ on Radical New Theory: “Ben Prophet’s tracks have such a driving force and a dark energy to them, which is so powerful in the club. I’m extremely excited to get this record out in the world.”

Prophet’s previous releases ‘Hyper Funk EP’ and ‘King Of Rock’ on Chapeau music and Happy Wax Records respectively reached dancefloors across the world with regular plays from the likes of Mall Grab, Skream and VTSS. His gritty and energetic productions are born for the peak-time dance floor where its power creates intoxicating effects. No longer a hidden gem of the North East, the artist's music has gathered serious momentum and ‘From Dusk’ might well be the record that makes Ben Prophet a household name.

‘From Dusk’ is the third release on Radical New Theory, a label created in 2020 by HAAi and Alice Pelly which aims to shine a light on unique emerging talent, and the inevitable stars of tomorrow. Last year the label released LUXE’s debut ‘Belonging EP’ which was championed by MaryAnn Hobbs on BBC 6Music, and the artist has since gone on to tour across Europe. Whilst Ozzy, who released the labels first record ‘Een’, has since released on Barnt’s Schalen imprint. Radical New Theory was born out of a love for the craft of dance music and the careful consideration of what they release ensures the highest standards. A safe space for emerging talent, be sure to keep your eyes out for what comes next from the label

London's vibrant music scene in the 1990s marked a transformative period for UK dance and electronic music. It was a time of unparalleled innovation, giving birth to groundbreaking genres like drum & bass, jungle, trip-hop, IDM, and UK garage. Within this dynamic landscape, "The Beginning Or The End" takes listeners on an enthralling journey - Curated by the acclaimed UK producer, remixer, and DJ Matthew 'Bushwacka!' Benjamin - into what would later become known as the 'Tech-House' sound.

"The Beginning Or The End" spotlights tracks that reverberated through London's dance floors, originating from legendary parties such as Heart & Soul, Release, The Drop, Vapour Space, and iconic venues like Heaven and The End. Visionary DJs like Bushwacka!, Mr C, Femi B, and Terry Francis skillfully blended elements from various house and techno sub-genres, placing particular emphasis on the skippy garage dubs and raw drum-tools that defined the New York house sound.

Drawing inspiration from the lessons of Detroit techno and the inventive approaches of New York garage and Chicago house, this compilation embraces deep emotion and funk without resorting to cheap tricks. It seamlessly merges these influences, incorporating techno's futuristic aesthetic with the abstract sound palette and rebellious attitude of acid house and rave. The result is a collection of tracks that defied conventions and left an indelible impact on the emerging underground scene, a legacy that continues to resonate today.

"The Beginning Or The End" transcends the boundaries of a traditional compilation; it stands as a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of UK dance and electronic music. Each meticulously selected track embodies the spirit of an era while paving the way for new genres and trends. Embark on this extraordinary sonic journey into the heart of London's underground scene and witness the power of music to shape and inspire.