12" Phildo At Juno Download

Review: While this latest missive from Aussie label Cuckoo Music doesn't explain what exactly is Underneath The Buttons (crumbs, fluff and dead skin, we reckon), it does offer a woozy, off-kilter take on deep house that quietly sidesteps convention in pursuit of more sophisticated late night thrills. Take lead cut "It Won't Move", for example. While there are some classic deep house staples present - swooshy pads, reverb-heavy atmos etc - they play second fiddle to jazz chords, playful changes in rhythm and hissing hi-hats. The lucid but dream-like feel continues on the more alien "While You Wait", which sounds like the Radiophonic Workshop making experimental deep house. To these ears, it's a great sound.

Review: Australian imprint Cuckoo Music follow up their debut release, last years well received journey into nu disco from the infamous Adelaide duo Carter Brothers, with Starblazers Vol 1, a neat little sampler of the labels acts that dips between deep house, outer space disco and Detroit techno. The intriguingly titled 12" Phildo is first up with "Bradtoldmeto", where an off key cowbell rhythm sounds out over a thumping kick drum which mutates into a thickly filtered peak time bumper with intense changeups. Production newcomer Martinho utilises a dramatic speech about revolution on "Green Power" crafting a deep stripped back Detroit house feel around it as shuffling hats reverberate through straight pads against a backdrop of sinister synth stabs. The Carter Brothers make another appearance with "The Hook" an amazingly produced exercise in filtered house which takes all the plaudits here.