This week's first update is online now at Primalrecords.com, with another 60 titles added to the House, Tech-house, Progressive, Techno, and Breaks catalogs. And if you're looking to satisfy your vinyl fix for some classic Dub and Hip-Hop titles, we've added them to our Leftfield catalog this week as well. Dub and Downtempo DJs will need to check that out.

As far as House goes, we've got the exclusive on what looks set to be the album of the year. You've all been waiting for it, and we've got it. Since Justin and Solar are on vacation this week, my plate is full, so my hitlist will be brief. Check it:

BRETT JOHNSON "Selected Moments From The Nu-House" LP 2x12" Seasons [House, Tech-house] Not available in stores yet, we've got the scoop on these full release copies for Brett Johnson's long-awaited debut album--and it is well worth the wait. Having literally taken over the house music scene with his signature deep and techy sound, Brett Johnson has become one of the genre's most in-demand artists, and on Selected Moments, Johnson makes good on his studio promise with a diverse, quality affair. Whether it's the jazzy groove of "It Was You" or the fat Chicago vocal house anthem "Broken," Johnson capitalizes on his strengths and delivers an album worthy of both home and hedonism. The album highlight for me, however, goes to the absolutely blasted "Another Day In Sunnyville"--a solid jacked-up tech-houser that reminds us of why Johnson became so popular in the first place. Hands down, essential.

www.seasonsrecordings.com

UNKNOWN (EMINEM) "House Ya Self" (Dmitri's Illicit Mix) White Label [House, Tribal, Tech-house] I don't know what else to say besides the fact that this is probably my favorite illicit mix of the year. More an original track than a remix, San Francisco producer DJ Dmitri hands in a limited white label remix of Eminem's "Lose Yourself" that is focused on a sweet percussive groove and an SF-approved dirty bass line that would hold its own without the sample (and does on the dub mix!). Eminem's vocal is subtle and well-placed--it's more of an accent than a focal point--and as a result, it creates a classy mix that will fly across a variety of dancefloors. We love it.

CHRIS FORTIER "Whateveritis / Whateverisleft" Fade [Progressive, Breaks] As a businessman, Chris Fortier commands respect as one of the principle owners of Balance Promote Group, progressive house's prominent promotion and booking agency in North America. And as a DJ, Fortier commands respect for his world travel status and a nicely versatile mixed compilation for John Digweed's Bedrock mix series. Now in the solo producer's chair after a score of productions with his Fade partner Neil Kolo, Fortier is paving ground with a score of work--including this excellent 2-track EP on his own Fade imprint. "Whateveritis" is peak-time progressive fare with an effective extended breakbeat that recalls the progressive breaks era of Northern Exposure with a modern dancefloor slant, while "Whateverisleft" eschews the breakbeat for a four-on-the-floor run that is both melodic and relentless. Spot on tunes for the prog set.

www.faderecords.com

Also in this week is new remix and production work from Neon Lights, Phil Weeks, The Orb, Swain, Snell & Lucas, Cass, David Coleman & Sen-Sei, Infusion, Situation 2wo (remixed by Redanka), Medway & Sean Cusick, Flash Brothers (remixed by Piliavin & Zimbardo), Ciudad Feliz, Alan Barratt, Gabriel & Dresden, and much more.

New label output from SAW Recordings, Baroque, Brique Rouge, Kompakt, Shinichi, Choo Choo, RIP, Functional Breaks, Niche, Yoshitoshi, Distinctive Breaks, and more is also in.

And hey! If you missed the exclusive promos of Grant Dell's latest EP on Worship, this incredible EP is now in as a full release! Once again, Philly's Worship crew does no wrong. Check the Newsletter Archive for a full review.

More to come later this week. Watch this space.

(Norman Arenas)