About Release
Various – Cruise Music Vinyl Jams Vol XVI opens the 12-inch on Cruise Music (CM016), a continuation of the label’s sunny, groove-centric series. The release lands on 30 October 2026 and sits comfortably in the disco-infused, funky house niche that the imprint has cultivated. With four tracks that balance bright melodic hooks and dancefloor-ready rhythms, the EP offers a palette that feels tailor-made for late-afternoon sets when the atmosphere shifts toward a more playful vibe.
Within Cruise Music’s catalogue, Vol XVI follows the earlier Vol XIV (CM014) and Vol XV (CM015), both issued in 2026, and arrives after the 2025 entries Vol XII (CM012) and the “Best Of Cruise Music Vol 2” compilation (CMB02). This placement underscores the label’s steady output of concise, DJ-friendly collections that keep the brand’s signature feel alive while introducing fresh contributors.
Side A begins with Makito’s “Jailhouse Funk” (A1). The track immediately establishes a funky, disco-tinged groove that the label describes as “easy to slip into a ride,” setting a bright tone for the side. Its rhythmic bounce and melodic licks make it a natural opener for warm-up moments. A2, “The Vibe” by Mark Funk and Danny Cruz, pulls back the energy just enough to let “sunshine and jazzy sax warmth” shine through, according to the label’s notes. The shift creates a subtle contrast that keeps the listener engaged while maintaining the overall sunny disposition of the EP.
Flipping the record, B1 presents “Good Things (Vertigini remix)” by Bonetti, reinterpreted by Vertigini. The remix introduces a “filter-driven and dusty house goodness,” injecting a slightly more introspective texture that still fits the series’ groove-first ethos. Vertigini’s previous outings on No Fuss Records (NFRV 013, 2025) and Bordello A Parigi (THUNDER EP, 2024) hint at a penchant for atmospheric treatments, which is evident in the way the remix layers subtle movement over the original’s foundation. Closing the EP, B2 – “Going Home” by Raffaele Ciavolino and FederFunk – adds a dash of Latin heat and percussive texture, expanding the record’s rhythmic palette and offering DJs a warm, melodic finish that can bridge into deeper house or sunset-set moments.
The collection sits comfortably within the participating artists’ discographies. While Vertigini’s past releases are noted, the other contributors—Makito, Mark Funk, Danny Cruz, Bonetti, Raffaele Ciavolino and FederFunk—appear here in a context that highlights their ability to blend disco flair with modern house sensibilities, reinforcing Cruise Music’s reputation for curating tracks that are both accessible and dancefloor-ready.
From a DJ’s perspective, the EP supplies a versatile toolbox. “Jailhouse Funk” works as a bright opener or a peak-time lift, “The Vibe” offers a smoother, melodic interlude, the Vertigini remix supplies a deeper, more textured moment suitable for late-night transitions, and “Going Home” brings a rhythmic warmth that can close a set or segue into Latin-inflected selections. Collectors will appreciate the cohesive sequencing that balances energy and mood across the four cuts, making the record a practical addition to any vinyl-based arsenal.
The record is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, matching the format of previous Cruise Music Vinyl Jams entries. Its straightforward presentation aligns with the label’s focus on delivering pure groove without unnecessary embellishments.
Various – Cruise Music Vinyl Jams Vol XVI, Cruise Music, CM016, 12-inch vinyl, 4 tracks.
Tracklist:
A1. Makito – Jailhouse Funk
A2. Mark Funk, Danny Cruz – The Vibe
B1. Bonetti – Good Things (Vertigini remix)
B2. Raffaele Ciavolino, FederFunk – Going Home