DJ Steaw At Juno Download

Review: Following his recent outing on Local Talk, DJ Steaw pops up on Traxx Underground with a trio of bumpin', retro-futurist jams. There's something wonderfully straightforward about "Everydayz", with its relentless kicks and hi-hats perfectly matching the bold analogue bassline and fluid chords. The "Deep Mix" of the same track takes it further towards vintage house territory, while retaining enough dancefloor chops to entertain contemporary clubbers. Even better is "Morning Light", a deep and loose exercise in vintage deep house revival that benefits from some subtle production touches. Highly recommended.

Review: It seems near impossible for us to begin a review of a Local Talk release without mentioning the label's raison d'etre, namely reinventing classic New Jersey garage and dubwise New York house. They're at it again here, with SJ Steaw offering up three tracks of typically bumpin', organ-heavy deepness. Opener "I Want" leads the way, working cut-up vocal stabs around robust drums and nagging organs. "Sky Hunt" goes for more of a classic house approach (think Morales in his underground pomp, pre radio friendly drivel), while the breezier "Think It Over" is pure instrumental UK garage pressure.