Joe At Juno Download

Review: Fresh from the success of last year's sensation, "Grimelight", Joe drops his tightest syncopations yet with the excellent "Claptrap". Drawing heavily from Spanish Flamenco, the title track is an intensely clipped and arranged rhythm track using little more than speed claps, sub hits and field recordings that include claps (obviously), coughs and hiccups. It is ridiculously catchy and testament to Joe's neat skills as a producer. "Level Crossing" on the flip, slices up rattling hi-hats and more speedy rhythms as its kicks swing to and fro amongst this loopy jaunt.

Review: Though the enigmatic Joe may not be the most prolific of producers, having released only a handful of singles for Hessle and Apple Pips since 2009, productions like "Claptrap", "Grimelight" and "Level Crossing" remain some of the most singularly unique club tracks to come out of the UK (or anywhere) in the past few years, utilising a threadbare rhythmic precision that manages to come across as organic rather than sterile. This EP for Hemlock sees him combine this approach with that of the slower, jazz tinged approach of the 116 & Rising compilation highlight "Twice". "MB" is a mere 110BPM and a loopy trip into a collage of old funk samples, while "Studio Power On" is an uptempo "Level Crossing" style oddity with samples including what sounds like someone sawing through wood, and described by the label themselves as "the sounds of 94 Jungle smashed to bits, thrown around a studio and taped back together for 2012". Joe is one of our favourite producers here at Juno HQ, and we can safely say this is one of his best records yet.

Review: Joe emerged last year with the incredible sounds of "Grimelight/Rut" on the famed Hessle Audio label, and now is ready to bring us his second 12" on Appleblim's Apple Pips imprint. Crackling into the audible range with delicately tapping breaks, bongo-thumping beats and soothing sonorous atmospherics, "Untitled" is a touching and melodic exploration into an inner musical consciousness. It's percussive and tribal, with distinct inklings of fellow Hesslers Ramadanman and Pangaea in the rumbling bass and stripped back grooves of the piece. Deeply meditative at its core "Digest", meanwhile, immediately snaps into action, with sizzling synths, woodblock beats and abrasive chords capturing the attention and imagination from the off. Strangely, subtly captivating, it's another finely crafted piece from a highly skilled producer. One thing's for sure?he's not your average Joe.