The first of this weeks two updates is now up and online, and we've got some heavyweight plates that I know you're going to want to check out. Here are the top contenders:

NATURAL RHYTHM "Set Me Free" EP (Life) [House] Natural Rhythm might as well change their name to Force Of Nature because these two are seemingly unstoppable. Thus the saga continues with the Set Me Free EP, and fans of the Natural Rhythm sound will not be disappointed. Subterranean grooves intermixed with tight beats, lush pads, and perfectly placed vocals. This is house music at its best.

www.lifemusic.net

DJ2 "Another/Contunuum" (New Style Sound) [House, Tech-house] When local producers George Cochrane and Delaney Parker walked into our store last week with the follow up to their first DJ2 release, we knew that we were going to have trouble keeping this one in stock. "Another" will undoubtedly be a massive summertime jam, but for the time being, this one will lift you out of whatever winter gloom you may be surrounded by. Tough, driving beats are complimented by smooth atmospherics, a nice Rhodes lick, and one of the best male vocals I've heard in quite some time. One for the dancefloor as well as the after-party. Recommended!

www.newstylesound.com

FUNKY TRANSPORT "The Bedford Files EP" (Playhouse) [House, Tech-house] After releases on 20/20 Vision, Wally’s Groove World, Alluv, and Freude am Tanzen, Funky Transport touches down somewhat unexpectedly on the respected German label Playhouse. Generally known for a deeper, more laidback approach, this cool four-tracker has had the heads in the shop bumping since Friday afternoon, with its quirky aesthetics, playful grooves, and undeniable dancefloor direction. Wicked business.

www.mad-net.de

In on the new release front are the latest by PFN, Heads Of State, Mr. Velcro Fastener, Stereofuse, Flow, Gotan Project, Sunday Brunch, Rubber Souls, Sound Of The Suburbs, Miguel Migs, and more.

On the restock front, we've just finished digging ourselves out of a virtual avalanche of titles from the Seasons and Earthtones back catalog, including hard-to-find Natural Rhythm, Pete Moss, Lance Desardi (under his Lance Nuance guise), ADNY, Swirl People, Dino & Terry, SUMO, Untitled Orchestra, 2nd Shift, Freaks, Joshua, and Curb Feelers. All titles are now back in full!

As for all you tek-heads and minimal house lovers out there, we've got a limited restock of titles in the Perlon back catalog, including the acclaimed Superlongevity compilations, the oft-asked about Herbert mix of Dimbiman, and numerous titles from Ricardo Villalobos, as well as a plethora of moniker releases from label bods Sammy Dee and Zip. So as I said before, the quantities are limited, so act fast to insure your fill.

Also restocked this week: Natural Rhythm on Dufflebag, Patrick Turner and Jay Tripwire on Movim, and a classic, Underworld's "Born Slippy."

More new releases on the House and Progressive fronts coming in on Thursday, so until then, be good.

(Justin Corbett)