REVIEWS – Mel Donnellan – Dance – Issue 050 –
REVIEWS – Mel Donnellan – Dance – Issue 050 –
Mel Donnellan aka Nitetales selects cuts blurring the lines between techno function and electronica emotion; a reflection of music he plays on his Deep Discoteca Radio Show (RTE Pulse) and the dance floors he works.
Submissions: nitetalesmusic@gmail.com
10/10 – Top Release –
Benjamin Damage, Bicep & B.D.B. – CHROMA 011 A.L.O.E II [Chroma]
Benjamin Damage, Bicep & B.D.B. – CHROMA 011 A.L.O.E II arrives as part of a larger release on Bicep’s Chroma imprint. It’s a fast-paced electronic weapon, one I’d happily pitch down to let the groove breathe. There’s a beautiful melancholy running through the track, balancing power with emotion and it works perfectly as a closing moment; hands in the air, eyes slightly misty, but without tipping into excess.
9/10 Recommended –
Skatman – Temples (Deetron Remix) [Cognitive Prophecy]
Skatman – Temples (Deetron Remix) on Cognitive Prophecy brings together two producers who are both interesting in their own right. Deetron turns the original into a driving, groove-heavy house track, pushing it forward with wonky keys and relentlessly busy hi-hats that give it real momentum. It’s playful without being loose and built for moments when the floor needs energy without tipping into chaos.
7/10 – Ness – Sector A98 [The Gods Planet]
Italian deep-techno artist Ness releases Sector A98 as part of a new EP on The Gods Planet. It’s a moody, break-led cut that builds tension without rushing the moment, relying on restraint rather than drama. I’d reach for this early or mid-set, when you want to quietly unsettle the room and signal that things are about to get serious.
8/10 – DJ Hell – W.T.F. [International DeeJay Gigolos]
DJ Hell drops W.T.F as part of his Neloclash EP on his own International DeeJay Gigolos imprint. A long-time favourite of mine, Hell has always blurred the lines between electro and techno and this cut leans firmly into the latter while keeping his trademark weirdness intact. The track is driven by a looped, mantra-like “WTF” vocal that becomes hypnotic rather than gimmicky, surrounded by restless, off-kilter sounds that reward repeat listens. It’s one for moments when you want to lock a groove and let the room simmer.
7/10 – Ede – Thuthuca [Exit Strategy]
Ede – Thuthuca lands on Exit Strategy, the label run by Innervisions co-founder Kristian Beyer (Âme). It’s a cool, bass-driven house cut that sits comfortably between restraint and momentum, with a low-slung groove that does the heavy lifting. I first heard it at the Innervisions ADE event, where it worked perfectly as a rolling, head-nodding moment in the set; functional, confident and built for the floor rather than the hype.
7/10 – Tal Fussman – Walking on Mars [Rekids]
A friend of the Deep Discoteca show, Tal Fussman returns to Rekids with Walking on Mars, a piano-led, tribal-tinged house track released on Matt Edwards (Radio Slave)’s label. It’s not the first time Fussman has appeared on Rekids and this release underlines what he does best: warm, rhythmic house music built for real dancefloors. The production is confident and unflashy, with a rolling groove that feels instantly familiar without slipping into predictability.
7/10 – Long Island Sound – Stung [Signs of Space]
Irish duo Long Island Sound return with Stung on their own Signs of Space imprint. Having been around for some time, the pair have steadily moved away from their earlier disco-leaning house sound toward something broader and more expansive. Stung is a synth-heavy breaks track anchored by a genuinely monstrous bassline, balancing punch with atmosphere and showing how comfortably they now operate outside their original lane.
8/10 – Gabriel & Dresden [Coil-Tronic]
Gabriel & Dresden return with Coil on Christian Smith’s Tronic label, and it’s great to hear them back in action after ruling the progressive scene in the 00s. Coil is a melodic progressive chugger, with a rolling groove that subtly builds momentum without ever rushing. It’s the kind of track that rewards patience, offering a deep, hypnotic vibe that could easily sit comfortably in the peak of a set or as it winds down.
7/10 – Extrawelt & Jimi Jules – Clapland [Cocoon Recordings]
Extrawelt & Jimi Jules team up for Clapland on Cocoon, an eagerly awaited release that Jimi Jules has been teasing in his sets for a while. The track has all the hallmark JJ features: moody atmosphere, rolling groove and a bass guitar riff that carries it through. The collaboration brings in that signature Extrawelt weirdness, layering textures and subtle complexity to elevate the track beyond a simple dancefloor tool.
8/10 – Man Power – Iteration (Iñigo Vontier Remix) [Riotvan]
Man Power – Iteration (Iñigo Vontier Remix) lands on Riotvan, a label better known for its Italo-leaning output. The remix is an electronic monster, twisting the original into something darker and more disorienting. Man Power, another friend of the Deep Discoteca show, hands the reins to South American producer Iñigo Vontier, who delivers a head-twisting, late-night workout that feels designed for moments when you want to unbalance the room rather than lift it.