HedZup records label head WLAD presents us his new album KISS which finds him collaborating on eight fresh cuts with some of the scene's top names. They are Oden & Fatzo, iO (Mulen), Luca Donzelli, De La Swing, DJ Steaw, Mancini, MADVILLA, Project89, Theos and KONG and it all makes for vital listening.

WLAD, Oden & Fatzo, Theos and KONG kick off with Korean BBQ, a vibey cut with silky pads and nice deep house beats that come alive with great samples and boogie bass. WLAD & Luca Donzelli – Señor Espresso is more physical, with smart filters used and tripped out designs making it a cosmic joy, before WLAD & iO (Mulen) - Blackout gets more tense. As always it is spaced out house but with a menacing bassline. WLAD & De La Swing close out the first 12" with Let's Dance, a percussive, slinky number that dances about with looseness and electronic funk.

Disc2 opens with WLAD & DJ Steaw's Culture Club, a speedy and stripped back cut with molten bass and neon pads, then WLAD & Mancini – Early Bird is a clipped tech groove with rich, rubbery bass and drums making the tune really pop. WLAD & MADVILLA's Nu Phase is all about the percolating bass, sci-fi sound designs and heady groove. WLAD & Project89 – Won't Let You Down round out this most stylish album with another futuristic take on electronic house funk.

This is a superb statement from WLAD who is now firmly entrenched at the cutting edge of underground house.[info sheet from distr.]