VARIOUS — Meet Some Friends EP

Various – Meet Some Friends EP arrives on Abou Naïm Records as catalogue ABOUNAIM002, a 12-inch vinyl that stakes a claim in the overlapping realms of tech house and techno house. The EP celebrates the label’s launch with a line-up of collaborators, heavy bass, dubby percussion and analog synth vibrations that weave electro, house and techno together with a subtle hip-hop edge, while the cover artwork continues the label’s visual identity through an original analog collage by Diane Aka Marabou. Within the Abou Naïm Records catalogue this release follows the Niceness EP (ABOUNAIM001) by the label’s founder, offering a continuation of the same forward-looking aesthetic while expanding the roster to include a handful of close associates. The two EPs together illustrate the label’s early focus on analog-driven dancefloor music that blurs genre borders. Side A opens with “Alyhas & Menuu – 92 Visions of Funk”, a track that leans into the funk-inflected side of tech house, setting a rhythmic foundation that the subsequent cuts can build upon. “Abou Naïm – Wake up Bro” follows, maintaining the deep bass drive while shifting the mood toward a more straightforward house groove, providing a natural lift after the opening cut. The side closes with “Alyhas & Abou Naïm – L'Anglore (Dub Mix)”, a dub-styled reinterpretation that deepens the atmospheric texture and prepares the listener for the B-side’s shift in tone. Side B begins with the enigmatic “Unknown Artist – Bustaboot”, a brief interlude that introduces a darker, more stripped-back vibe, contrasting with the brighter funk of the A-side. The record concludes with “Pagenty – Memories of Love”, a track that re-introduces melodic elements while retaining the driving techno-house pulse, offering a satisfying resolution that ties the EP’s eclectic palette together. The EP occupies a distinctive position in the early output of Abou Naïm Records, showcasing the founder’s willingness to curate a collaborative snapshot of the current underground scene. By pairing his own production with contributions from Alyhas, Menuu, Pagenty and an unnamed collaborator, the release underscores a community-driven approach that aligns with the label’s analog-centric ethos. For DJs, the record supplies a range of entry points: the funk-laden opening of “92 Visions of Funk” works well as a warm-up groove, “Wake up Bro” can drive a peak-time set with its steady house thrust, while the dub mix and “Bustaboot” offer deeper, mood-setting moments for late-night transitions. “Memories of Love” caps the set with a melodic lift that can either close a set or segue into more uplifting techno. The physical format is a 12-inch vinyl, matching the EP’s analog focus and providing the tactile experience prized by collectors and crate-diggers alike. Various – Meet Some Friends EP, Abou Naïm Records, catalogue ABOUNAIM002, 12-inch vinyl, 5 tracks. Tracklist: A1. Alyhas & Menuu – 92 Visions of Funk A2. Abou Naïm – Wake up Bro A3. Alyhas & Abou Naïm – L'Anglore (Dub Mix) B1. Unknown Artist – Bustaboot B2. Pagenty – Memories of Love