Leon At Juno Download

Review: Superb funky breaks from Timewarp's Leon, who combines disco brass samples with uptempo drums as well as some genius guitar playing - both electric and acoustic, in a Django Reinhart style no less - on "Da Gypsy Groovy". The Timewarp crew jump on board for a subtle, filter-fuelled remix which makes great use of those guitar skills, while Trotter's mix strips things down nicely for the floor and makes Leon's original a perfect tool for nu-funk DJs everywhere.

Review: Having impressed a wide variety of DJs since first emerging back in 2009, 27 year-old Italian LEON has been snapped up by Steve Lawler's ViVa Music imprint. Here, he delivers his debut album, a well-produced journey that contrasts the Italian's traditional soundscape tech house/deep house style with pop vocals, inventive use of instruments (check out the clarinet on "Cause I'm Lost") and quirky downtempo beats. It's a largely enjoyable set that works as an album, thanks largely to the producer's passion for producing radio-friendly house and electronic pop that's nevertheless rooted in deeper underground styles.

Review: Following on from Leon's 2011 album The Man With The Ball Head, Timewarp now deliver a new collection featuring remixes of each song on the original LP. Dave Allison ups the title track's slickness for a cocktail-house workout, replete with shimmering keys and wavering flute. Elsewhere "Nice To Meet You" gets extra wah-wah and xylophones courtesy of Afternoons In Stereo, "It's Not A Dream" becomes a dreamy disco-funker via Trotter's remix and finally Leon himself remixes "A Jazz End" for a vintage Euro-jazz guitar-led hoedown!

Review: Verneuil sur Seine native Stephane "Leon" Voituret has been part of the extended Timewarp family for some time. As a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, keys, bass), he's in a good position to fill his floor-friendly instrumental funk sketches with enough "organic" sounds to warrant further listening. This latest full-length for the funk-minded Greek label is full of warm and sunny sounds, and boasts tracks that fuse gritty guitars with warm Rhodes, snappy breaks and all manner of horns (saxophone and flute feature prominently). There are forays into Prince style purple funk, but for the most part Voituret sticks to the tried and tested funk-plus-breaks formula.

Review: Back with his second album for the funk heads at Timewarp, Leon impresses hugely with the elegant and smooth "The Man With The Ball Head". Taking in a real mix of styles and sounds, from the '70s flute-rocking funk of "The Date" to the garage rock-influenced title tune or even the sitar-aided trip hop of "Back To Bombay", Leon confidently lays down a cool, chilled set of beats in style.