It’s been four long years since Steve Bug’s sublime deep house imprint blessed us with Classics Volume 01 – but when it comes Dessous Recordings – it’s worth the wait. Always ahead of the curve, the German label started as an outlet for the tastemaker and uber producer / DJ Steve Bug’s deeper urges – releasing a seemingly endless supply of fresh, smart sounds from some of house’s most renowned artists. No wonder this retrospective comes across as a celebration of a job well done – within its 20 tracks are some of the mostly finely constructed, emotional and downright dancefloor destroying grooves of this or any decade. Nestled into its prized running order are indeed many classics, whether they be of the new, old or obscure type.

Familiar faces make a welcome return – check out the contributions by long time collaborators Phonique, Solomun, Ryo Murakami, Vincenzo, Tanzmann and Stefanik – all dropping the genre defining slices of rich, hedonistic, elegant house music that have made their names in Europe and across the globe. As if proof was required that Dessous hasn’t rested on its laurels, several tracks from the last couple of years feature prominently – witness Moodymanc’s motor-funk detonations, Andrade’s twisted disco and Burnski’s deep pressure vibes. What’s more, Giles Smiths’ Two Armadillos project takes its rightful place in the canon of classic Dessous releases, alongside vocal contributions by straight-up house legend Robert Owens via Dan Berkson and James What’s ‘Keep On’.

In its 14 years history, Dessous has ridden a fair few sea changes in the choppy waters of house, yet has always retained its unique identity. Dessous Classics Volume 2 is a timely reminder of how quality wins through. Always relevant, always pushing things forward – here’s to many more years on the cutting edge.