Prime party season is in effect as mid-summer is a key time for new singles and 12” releases. The racks at online outlets like Forced Exposure, Bookmat, Juno, Dancetracks, and Groove are bursting with new releases. Stores like Stompy and Beatport specialize in certain genres and labels, but offer new titles in many categories almost daily. So it’s time to dig what DJs will be playing at the more tasteful warehouse gigs, beach jams, and afterhours events through the warmer months. Here’s The Week In Singles.

Nu-Jazz/Broken

The Politik “Moonlight featuring Blu” Antipodean
Produced by Mark de Clive-Lowe, this single track is not included on the Politik’s forthcoming US debut for Milan Recordings, but absolutely essential! This sassy hip-hop track features emcee Blu alongside The Politik’s Bembe Segue. P-Funk-style synths rumble as Blu spits a Dee-troit flow and Bembe whips hips into shape with her spirited singing. Out July 13.

Lady Alma “The Pressure EP” Antipodean
Philly’s first lady of soul–heard recently on “Sink Or Swim” from 4hero’s Play With The Changes album–is back with her best material yet. Alma’s voice is as elastic as ever, and she’s matured lyrically on broken tracks like “Running for Nothing,” an emotional ode that oozes with passion. “Pressure” comes as an original and Universal Sun remix version–the latter is sure to be heard in Spinna, Marques Wyatt, and other top house DJs’ sets. Out July 13.

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 “Think Africa” Still Music
Afrobeat fans rejoice as one of the music’s most famous sons finally gets a domestic release–and it’s stunning! Seun Kuti is the last son of Afrobeat ambassador Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Nigeria’s most beloved popular musician, and most acerbic social critic until his death in 1997. Seun carries on his father’s tradition expertly, and “Na Oil” is a mid-tempo shaker that sounds hauntingly like his father. “Think Africa” is a brilliant, 121 bpm afro-dance track with punchy horns and Seun’s insistent vocals. Don’t miss it! Out now.

West-Rock-Woods “Love Cats” Mukatsuku
You might not think a cover of The Cure’s “Love Cats” could translate to a modern jazz context–but guess what? It does! The West-Rock-Woods trio, consisting of upright bass, drums, and piano, brings a lively bossa-style (think Gerardo Frisina or Nicola Conte) to the pop-goth classic, and the results will definitely turn heads. A super-fun track that’s not to be overlooked as a gimmick! Out July 6.

Microstar “The Nightlife EP” Playloop
Philadelphia’s Playloop Records has discovered its first major International talent, Germany’s Microstar. Already making waves with DJs King Britt and Timewriter, Microstar now plans on bringing the next wave of deep house hits to a dance floor near you. The four-song EP is at times proggy, at times dreamy, but always dope. If your house tastes lean towards deep, spacey, Rhodesy music, check this. Out now.

Rocco “Stormy EP” Freerange
Rocco is a Lyon, France-based DJ/producer, and better known as one quarter of Rodamaal, of Insomnia fame; responsible for inspiring Ame’s best remix to date. But he’s also notched up releases on Buzzin’ Fly, Shack, and Citydeep labels. His latest for Freerange features three hypnotic and soulful numbers that are all proper house tracks to drop in the afterhours, when things get warm and intimate. “The Revolution” is a lush house track that unfolds over seven minutes. Understated but heavy as f**k! Out July 6.

Danuel Tate “Pushcard EP” Wagon Repair
Extraordinary jazz pianist Danuel Tate is commonly known as the keyboardist in Canada’s Cobblestone Jazz, a project that exemplifies a free and improvised approach to the creative process. This EP is a dizzy, melodic mix of jazz solos and crunchy samples over techhouse rhythms. “Pushcard” features wild flutes and keys that soar over a racing house beat and stumbling trumpet loop. ”Give it Back” features a tight cymbal roll resonating like rain above scatted vocoder and keys. Unbelievably original. Out August 15.

Breaks/Dubstep

Darqwan “Maximum Reespek” Planet Mu
Oris Jay’s latest is a murky dub and rave inspired number with half-step tempos. “Maximum” features creepy synths and sly Lee “Scratch” Perry “moaning cow” samples, while “Ghost Not Memory” has sick, reggae-style delay and reverb elements. This single definitely puts the dub in dubstep. Out now.

RSD “Kingfisher” Earwax
Skream, Youngsta, and others have caned this one on RinseFM for months. “Kingfisher” features all manner of high and low subs, with a excellent skanking synths and old-school deejay toasting samples. “Love of Jah Light” is less dubstep and more UK electronic dub, but still dope! Out now.

Tes La Rok “Roll Out” Contagious
Although the hard and synthy “Roll Out” is technically the lead cut on the single, DJs seem to prefer the flip “Lickshot,” which, despite the ragga-referencing name, is a steppy, squelchy cut with great energy and a dynamic sound field. This one’s rough–not for the faint of heart! Out now.

DJ Mutiny “Soul Runner” Botchit
For the breaks heads who love their rare groove funk, or maybe a little of the jazzy, broken-beat sound, this one’s for you. Mutiny is an extremely successful producer, and this release bolsters his rep as one who delivers solid productions. Laced with hip-hop vocal snippets, funky stabs, and a hefty bass line, “Soul Runner” is a refreshingly cliché-free. Check both the original and Superstyle Deluxe remix. Out July 7.