Fuse London Schallplatten & CDs

Review: London's FUSE is one of those labels that is so dint it has a sound of its own that is often initiated but never bettered. The latest to serve up an authentic twist on the tech house template is returning artist EB Flow whose opener 'Celestial' makes a quick impact. It's a cruising, effortlessly cool groove with cosmic synth sounds and an aloof little vocal hook. 'Boundless' has more tension in its breakdowns and muted pads but the sub-bass is to die for. This sophisticated new school EP shuts down with 'Illusion' which has a gurgling lead wobbling about the mix while the long, leggy, loopy kicks bring great swing to the party.

Review: Jhobei, an emerging artist with a growing reputation in the electronic music scene, is set to make his mark with the Age Of Virality EP on Enzo Siragusa's label. Known for his deep and expansive sound, Jhobei kicks off this EP with 'Swarming,' a dynamic track that uses a slithering bassline to lead a garage-influenced journey through punchy lows and catchy vocal snippets. Following this, 'Machine Language' blends playful, sweeping melodies with a dose of robotic funk, creating an engaging auditory experience. On Side-2, 'Defusion Solution' takes listeners on a late-night odyssey with its syncopated percussion and cosmic vibes, while 'Rising Sun' offers a refined, laid-back progression with smooth organic rhythms. Overall. a very enjoyable record with a lot of creativity.

Review: Theo Kotts taps into some irresistible garage magic here on the cult Fuse label which has long been dominating the sound of the London underground. 'Dark At 3pm' is an urban sound with subtle nobs back top the original UKG sound with dark breaks and fizzing synths. 'Forward Motion' is a nice bouncy slammer with some balmy pads softening the edges and 'Glow' brings a little more heady melody to the fore, although the drums still cruise nicely. 'In Search Of' shows yet another side with crispy breaks and pitched up vocal hooks while 'Strides' slips into darkness once more.

Review: After a standout contribution to Fuse's first V/A release in 2024, Reflex Blue returns to Enzo Siragusa's prolific minimal tech imprint with a fledgling EP on the label, 'Fragments'. Recalling urban galavants and seedy underbellies, 'Freakin In The Neighborhood' and 'Ruff City Dub' portray the gabardine coats and illicit wares of a dark metropolis through undulant Reese basses and ballooning acids; eventually, what goes underground must always come up for air. 'Tightening The Screw' adds a cagey speed garage stress to an already gaunt citywide panic; 'Love 2 Rhythm' is the only moment of respite, sampling Kathy Brown and Praxis' enduring soul squeal from 'Turn Me Out'.