Summer Selections Six [12"]

Various Artists - Summer Selections Six [12"]

Now into its sixth year, NuNorthern Soul’s “Summer Selections” series has become a popular annual fixture. Like its predecessors, 2026’s edition showcases a variety of Balearic dancefloor workouts, sensual soundscapes and tracks tailor-made for poolside sun-down sets. As usual, “Summer Selections Six” is a vinyl-first affair, offering wax enthusiasts a chance to cop killer cuts set to feature on a swathe of forthcoming NuNorthern soul releases – including some that would otherwise be unavailable on physical formats. To begin, Is It Balearic? label regulars and Rotation Sound System crew members Wrekin’ Havoc turn their attention to NuNorthern Soul favorite B.J Smith’s 2014 cover of Outkast’s ‘Prototype’. Their take, which will be featured on a forthcoming collection of reworks of Smith’s NNS material, places the long-serving producer’s beautiful, beguiling vocals atop lo-fi 80s electro beats, moody pads, squelchy synth sounds and far-sighted electronics. Up next is label newcomer Sasha Foam, a fast-rising Lisbon-based DJ/producer whose ‘Memoria’ EP is set to land digitally soon. ‘Curios’, his contribution to “Summer Selections Six”, is a propulsive and ear-catching affair, with joyful synth melodies, rushing piano riffs, and cheerful TB-202 style acid tweaks rising above a crunchy, drum-machine driven mid-tempo groove. Rounding off side A is ‘Call to Wind’, a rootsy, warming and sun-baked slab of Balearic dub gorgeousness from Strictly Dub Records founder Saimon aka Roots Artefact. The track, which marks his first new material since last year’s NuNorthern Soul debut ‘Different Perspective’, is one of the many highlights set to be featured on the Estonian’s forthcoming ‘Rocking Boat’ EP. Turn to the flipside and you’ll find three more inspired, immersive treats. Dan Dub Lounge, Muzka, and Simon Sheldon being their Visions of Light project back to NuNorthern Soul with the borderline genius ‘[Re]Born Slippy’, an exotic, intoxicating, and sitar-laden slow-motion instrumental cover of the Underworld favorite taken from their soon-come collection of ‘mild pitch’ takes of dance and electronic classics. To complete another stellar ‘Summer Selections’ 12-inch label founder Phil Cooper platforms two recent additions to the roster. First is Potteries-based producer Andrew Wright aka Lonely Deckchair. Wright offers up ‘Adaflo’ from his forthcoming debut album. Atmospheric and magical, ‘Adaflo’ is a simmering, slowly unfurling fusion of poignant pianos, minimalist beats, shuffling bass and tumble-down chords. Then there’s Aussie artist Perth Lewis, whose first two self-released albums (‘Moments In Time’ and ‘Distance Between’) were recently reissued by NuNorthern Soul. The Sydney-based producer is set to release a new EP, ‘Cherry Moon’, soon, and ‘Monolith’ is taken from that collection. Deep, dubby and beguiling, it sees Lewis pepper a head-nodding, effects-laden beat with spacey sonics, cascading piano motifs and some seriously sparkling synths. A1. B.J. Smith - Prototype (Wrekin Havok Remix) A2. Sasha Foam - Curious A3. Roots Artefact - Call To Wind B1. Visions of Light - [Re]Born Slippy B2. Lonely Deckchair - Adaflo B3. Perth Lewis - Monolith