Features four house cuts from In:State & Guili, everson, Ady Toledano and Alex Richards

Aaja is a new UK-based 'cultural project' encompassing an events space, a record label and parties. This V/A EP is the label's debut release, and it's rare as hens' teeth because there are only 200 numbered, hand-stamped vinyl copies in existence.

First up is In:State & Guili’s Abzent Mindz, which is dark and dubby. It starts off with a closed hi-hat and a popping sound, then builds with stabbed echoed keyboards and trippy sound effects into a minimalist track which is all about the atmosphere it creates. Then you have Ady Toledano with Rare Earth, a real chugger that begins with a kick and a rubbery sound, then adds a synth riff, claps, chimes and an arpeggiated lead line that carries the tune onwards and upwards.

Flipping to the B-side you get everson’s Dirun, a more straightforward tech-house track with galloping percussion, snare hits and a rolling kickdrum pattern that lead you to the introduction of a simple bassline and messed-up vocal samples. It's the most upbeat track on the 12-inch and also the most floor-friendly, with a simple breakdown and a solid groove to it. Alex Richards then finishes off the EP with Platform, which has bongos, eerie sounds and a rolling groove with mad percussion and a simple synth lead line. A tune for early doors or tripped-out sunrises, of which there will no doubt be many this summer!

So if you fancy something a little different from the norm that's also a rare commodity, this is well worth seeking out. My pick would be Dirun but all four cuts have their merits.

Words: Danny Slade

Release date: 8 June

Review Score: 8

Tags: Aaja Records, In:State & Guili, everson, Ady Toledano, Alex Richards, house