Phonica Records

For Phonica’s landmark 20th release on the main label we go back to a classic from the same year the shop opened; Stereofuse’s ‘Casino EP’, originally released on Berlin label Salo in 2003.

The ‘Casino EP’ marked the first collaboration between Martin Wörner & Thorsten Diegel as Stereofuse. They followed it up with a string of other 12”s for other labels but it’s this initial 12” that has been fetching high prices second-hand as one of the most sought after releases on Salo and for very good reason. A timeless EP sitting somewhere between house and techno (before tech-house became a disputed tag-line!) with the likes of Ricardo Villalobos & Craig Richards playing it regularly in their sets.

The EP kicks off with ‘Black Jack’, a pacey track which gets stuck in a serious groove. Skittering percussion, short looping samples and a breakbeat-feel in parts. A real tension builder and was a staple in the sets of Daniel Bell for many years. It is followed by ‘Hot Slot’, a techy dancefloor stomper led by a bouncing bassline and some intricate rhythmic patterns. The sweeping sound effects on this are bound to do some damage on a big system!

On the flip is the other killer track on the EP - ‘Royal Flash’ is an understated and hypnotic minimal gem. The percussion and synth stabs give this track a sense of continuous forward motion whilst the long, soothing pads keep it firmly planted in the ground. ‘Pokerface’ closes the EP with expansive, luscious pads and circling delay, gently underpinned by a deep bassline.

While Thorsten and Martin eventually went their separate ways to work on their own individual projects, with renewed interest in the Stereofuse project this timely reissue could well mark a starting point for future collaborations. This record is also the first in a series of EPs released to commemorate 15 years of the Phonica Records shop in Soho, London.

For Phonica’s landmark 20th release on the main label we go back to a classic from the same year the shop opened; Stereofuse’s ‘Casino EP’, originally released on Berlin label Salo in 2003.

The ‘Casino EP’ marked the first collaboration between Martin Wörner & Thorsten Diegel as Stereofuse. They followed it up with a string of other 12”s for other labels but it’s this initial 12” that has been fetching high prices second-hand as one of the most sought after releases on Salo and for very good reason. A timeless EP sitting somewhere between house and techno (before tech-house became a disputed tag-line!) with the likes of Ricardo Villalobos & Craig Richards playing it regularly in their sets.

The EP kicks off with ‘Black Jack’, a pacey track which gets stuck in a serious groove. Skittering percussion, short looping samples and a breakbeat-feel in parts. A real tension builder and was a staple in the sets of Daniel Bell for many years. It is followed by ‘Hot Slot’, a techy dancefloor stomper led by a bouncing bassline and some intricate rhythmic patterns. The sweeping sound effects on this are bound to do some damage on a big system!

On the flip is the other killer track on the EP - ‘Royal Flash’ is an understated and hypnotic minimal gem. The percussion and synth stabs give this track a sense of continuous forward motion whilst the long, soothing pads keep it firmly planted in the ground. ‘Pokerface’ closes the EP with expansive, luscious pads and circling delay, gently underpinned by a deep bassline.

While Thorsten and Martin eventually went their separate ways to work on their own individual projects, with renewed interest in the Stereofuse project this timely reissue could well mark a starting point for future collaborations. This record is also the first in a series of EPs released to commemorate 15 years of the Phonica Records shop in Soho, London.

For Phonica’s landmark 20th release on the main label we go back to a classic from the same year the shop opened; Stereofuse’s ‘Casino EP’, originally released on Berlin label Salo in 2003.

The ‘Casino EP’ marked the first collaboration between Martin Wörner & Thorsten Diegel as Stereofuse. They followed it up with a string of other 12”s for other labels but it’s this initial 12” that has been fetching high prices second-hand as one of the most sought after releases on Salo and for very good reason. A timeless EP sitting somewhere between house and techno (before tech-house became a disputed tag-line!) with the likes of Ricardo Villalobos & Craig Richards playing it regularly in their sets.

The EP kicks off with ‘Black Jack’, a pacey track which gets stuck in a serious groove. Skittering percussion, short looping samples and a breakbeat-feel in parts. A real tension builder and was a staple in the sets of Daniel Bell for many years. It is followed by ‘Hot Slot’, a techy dancefloor stomper led by a bouncing bassline and some intricate rhythmic patterns. The sweeping sound effects on this are bound to do some damage on a big system!

On the flip is the other killer track on the EP - ‘Royal Flash’ is an understated and hypnotic minimal gem. The percussion and synth stabs give this track a sense of continuous forward motion whilst the long, soothing pads keep it firmly planted in the ground. ‘Pokerface’ closes the EP with expansive, luscious pads and circling delay, gently underpinned by a deep bassline.

While Thorsten and Martin eventually went their separate ways to work on their own individual projects, with renewed interest in the Stereofuse project this timely reissue could well mark a starting point for future collaborations. This record is also the first in a series of EPs released to commemorate 15 years of the Phonica Records shop in Soho, London.

French label Hard Fist returns with a solid various artists release entitled ‘Princes Of Azbu’. The release features five Middle-Eastern flavoured cuts from five producers from five different corners of the globe. Our pick for the premiere comes from London based producer Timothy Clerkin of Eskimo Twins fame. Clerkin’s track fuses together the dispersant worlds of psychedelic guitar music and dark, eery acid, creating a hypnotising yet totally dancefloor-worthy jam. Check it below!

Pre-order your copy here: bit.ly/VAabzu

Full article on offtherecord: bit.ly/PhonicaPremiere66

Following releases on such labels as Uncanny Valley, Pets Recordings and U Know Me in recent years, Polish producer Eltron provides the latest EP on Grego After All's UNDERTHESEA imprint. The Le Volte EP features three dancefloor focused house cuts. In addition to Eltron's original tracks, Basic Soul Unit supplies our pick for the premiere on the flip - packed with booming distorted kicks, rave-inspired stabs and a wide array of atmospheric pads, perfect for those peak-time, darkroom DJ sets. Check it below!

Pre-order your copy here: bit.ly/eltronBSU

Full article on offtherecord: bit.ly/PhonicaPremiere65

Parisian producer Brawther celebrates ten years of releases with his first ever studio album 'Transient States' on his own imprint Negentropy. Our pick for the premiere is the floaty, summertime groover 'Brudan In Leeds'. Check it below!

Pre-order your copy here: bit.ly/transientbrawther

Full article on offtherecord: bit.ly/PhonicaPremiere64

For the 47th edition of the Phonica Mix Series, we welcome Swedish DJ, producer and leader of the infamous Studio Barnhus crew, Axel Boman.

Full feature and interview on Off The Record: bit.ly/PhonicaMix47

Tsuba returns with an official reissue of Westworld’s 1991 classic ‘Dreamworld' featuring a selection of Gerd Janson edits. Janson's piano-laden edit of 'Dreamworld' is our pick for the premiere. Check it below!

Pre-order your copy here: bit.ly/westworldjanson

Full article on offtherecord: bit.ly/PhonicaPremiere63

Dublin-based producer Lerosa is up next as an extra bonus edition in our Mix Series. For this chapter, he takes us back to the nineties with almost two hours of dreamy techno and ambient selections.

Check the interview on Off The Record: bit.ly/BonusLerosa

Detroit native Waajeed delivers a four-track EP dedicated to his mother on Carl Craig's iconic Planet E imprint. The title track 'Mother' is our pick for the premiere!

Pre-order your copy here: bit.ly/waajeedmother

Full article on offtherecord: bit.ly/PhonicaPremiere62