Constant Sound Vinyl & CDs

Review: Three nicely varied offerings from the Constant Sound label's co-owner James 'Burnski' Burnham, headed by the ridiculously catchy and unashamedly party-stoking 'Where Are You?', where hyperactive, clipped vocals add a new dimension to the sturdy, garage influenced house grooves that have become one of his trademarks. 'Stop' is cooler and calmer, jazzy vibraphone tinkling making way for nudging keyboard stabs, and delay-heavy reggae vocals and brass flavouring the irresistible shuffle of closer 'The Way''.

Review: When not knocking it out of the park with his garage alias Instinct, James Burnham is somehow also managing to find time to revert to his original Burnski moniker and the minimal and tech sounds with which he first made his name. On this latest 12" via his own Constant Sound label, 'Boom' is a rude boy jam for sure - the filthy bass and low-end wobble are accompanied by ragga vocals up top. 'Toxic' is a more straight-up tech pumper with slinky hi-hat designs, smart filters and bass-driven drums. As always with this powerhouse, the subtle production details really elevate this one into a standout cut.

Review: Although James Burnham aka Burnski has been producing house by the truckload since the mid 00s, DNA is his first LP to date, and it lands courtesy of his own Constant Sound imprint. Across labels like Trapez, 20:20 Vision, and even Poker Flat Recordings, this dude has always stuck to what he does best regardless of passing trends or styles, and that is making quality, tech-driven dance music. Now, make no mistake, this album is still a collection of dance floor scorchers, but the nine tunes make sense next to each other, and they go way beyond the four-to-the-floor remit. There's some swinging garage blazers like "Another Source", hard and progressive house such as "Advanced Knowledge", and even a bit of dirty electro on bangers like "Cosmic Warfare". This is pure quality throughout, and makes for a big step up in Burnski's career. Dope.

Review: Is there anyone in the game that has been turning out such essential club sounds in so many different styles for such a long and consistent run as Burnski? Whatever he has on his cornflakes, we want some, because he's done it again here, this time with pal Kelper. 'What I Want' takes up the whole of the a-side and is mix of everything from deep house to minimal to Chicago jack. It's a busy, restless tune with a hooky vocal that keeps you locked. 'This' is a more tripped-out 5AM groove with warped deep space sound designs and airy drums that float. 'Lucid State' taps into a dreamy 90s tech house vibe that is utterly compelling.

Review: Burnski and Kelper are two of the hottest artists in the game right now - their output is relentless, and their quality is always high. It is now on the former's Constant Sound that they appear with three fresh new collaborative cuts aimed squarely at the floor. 'Follow Me' has nice hooky drum loops and subtle synth stabs under a seductive vocal. It's fun and functional in equal measure and on the flip things get more naughty with hints of a dirty speed garage bassline under 'Frequency'. The vibe flips again on closer 'Frequency' which has disco-tinged loops and more laidback groves that bring a little warmth and sunshine.

Review: The ever reliable Constant Sound is back this week, with Burnski's imprint serving up a full LP release by the ascendant Leeds DJ/producer Matthew Farrow aka Kepler. A solid selection of retro techno cuts are featured on Freedom Mills, and all for maximum dance floor impact. From the bleep techno euphoria of 'Fold', or the classic '90s house motifs of "Contact" to the dusty rolling beats of 'Professor Pace' and the sunset breaks of "Era" - they are all sure to bang the party. Tip!

Review: REPRESS ALERT!: Burnski's Constant Sound is very nearly at 50 releases and not one of them has ever dipped below essential levels of quality. Kepler has been a regular contributor to this fine catalogue and returns with more of his shuffling, playful and charming garage cuts. 'Recall' manages to be both deep and driving, with cute chord stabs and a smart vocal sample that adds the r&b gloss. 'Flavour' has those old school stabs and filthy basslines and 'Loft Groove' is a bouncy, low-slung number with organic percussion. Closing out another high-grade offering is 'Don't Stop' which brings some dubby chords to a slick, punchy house rhythm. Pure class.

Review: Big up to northern powerhouse Burnski for steering his Constant Sound label to the not-so-insignificant feat of release number 50. More importantly, the sounds remain as vital as ever and always evolve into subtle new sound worlds. The mantle for this one is taken by Locklead who brings some fine drum patterns to 'Backup' and pairs them with sliding hi-hats and bubbly synth motifs. It's garage-infused but utterly fresh. 'Wizzord' is a darker tech house with searching lead synths and plenty of pent-up energy, and 'Motherland' brings nice jazzy chord work and atmospheric samples. 'Pink Skies' is a bright closer with contrasting synths - some farting, some smooth - and more high-speed, catchy drums that span house and tech.

Review: Burnski's Constant Sound is back with more badman garage madness and this time it is Dennis Quinn in charge. 'Good Stuff' opens up with mad raw beats and menacing low ends, then 'Damage' picks up the pace with a mix of sleazy vocal samples and metallic hits. 'Sweatshop is a bumpy house cut with long-legged drums and swirling pads that bring the feel good vibes and 'Major Minority' shuts down with a more late-night sound, intriguing melodies and thudding kicks that you will not be able to ignore.

Review: Constant Sound is back with more of its constantly good sonics, this time from Dennis Quin who offers up a potent blend of raw minimal, tech and house. 'My Belief' is the sort of cut to get clubs marching as one to the jacked-up drums and whirring synth motifs. 'Hear Dis' has plenty of infectious garage skip to it and 'Eighty Four' layers up slick percussion with bumping drum funk and some nice exotic vocal samples. There will be an all-out party whenever 'Call For House' gets dropped with its wild synth lines and yelling vocals perfect for amping up the crowd.

Review: Constant Sound is one of the very many labels that is headed up by Burnski and one that he reserves for club-ready tech house and minimal. Wodda steps up for the latest outing and brings some future garage energy to the opener, 'Reggae Fusion' (Deep mix) which is lit up with lithe synths and smart vocal samples. 'On My Way' has more infectious garage vibes to it with the squelchy drums and hits and some nice heady melodies up top. 'Changing Faces' gets more twisted and brings intergalactic drama to the ass-wiggling cyborg tech beats and last of all, a Tuff Mudda mix of 'Reggae Fusion' shuts down with a silky thump and throwback UKG bass.