Locked Groove At Juno Download

Review: It sounds like Tiga's label is in reinvention mode, as Locked Groove's latest missive has little to do with the electro and synth pop that Turbo has long been associated with. The title track is a dense techno affair, its rough drum patterns and shuffling rhythm unfolding to reveal a series of resonating bleeps. "Structure" is a deeper affair as repetitive chord stabs populate the tightly meshed, wiry rhythm, but Locked Groove maintains a higher tempo. "Back To 91" reveals a different side to Locked Groove's approach; a slower, deeper techno jam, its dreamy chords are supported by rasping, sharp percussive licks, like shards of glass on velvet.

Review: Locked Groove adds bulk to his Hotflush Recordings discography with the Heritage EP for Scuba's dance music major. The Belgian opts for a basic blend of bass lead, looped vocal breathes and warm to cool synth flushes on the opening track "Do It Anyway", "Wear It Well" pairs Delano Smith house production with UR sounding jazz flaunts, while the stomping of "Firefall" adds to the EP's dancefloor strength. Heritage retreats from hands up to heads down in "Lost"; a linear and melodic production, while "Night Time At The Garage" verges on a kind of nu-disco meets nu-jackin italo vibe. Finishing off is the undoubtedly trance-inspired "Dream With A Dream", a real Tiesto stadium closer.

Review: Since his Hotflush backed emergence via a spot on Scuba's DJ Kicks and subsequent EP, Belgian producer Tim Van de Meutter aka Locked Groove has been widely embraced for his obvious floor fusing talent. Subsequently welcomed into the Turbo fold as part of Tiga and co's latest zeitgeist acknowledgement, Locked Groove returns to Hotflush in triumphant form with the Keep It Simple EP. You might presume Van De Meutter is doing just that on the opening track "Keep Running", which seemingly focuses on a core progression of rattling percussion and acidic bass stabs before a mid point swerve sees an increase in euphoric builds for a more propulsive finish. On the flip, "Aller Simple" adds some more swing to the percussive equation while playfully toying with the stabbing melodic qualities, and "Even" winds down the relentlessness with a nice spot of introspective beatdown caked in crackly atmosphere.

Review: The news of a new album from label boss Scuba is just the tip of the iceberg on what promises to be another watershed year for the Hotflush imprint. And they get off to an excellent start with this label debut from Belgian producer Locked Groove, displaying an obvious talent for the sort of floor fusing music Hotflush are becoming increasing renowned for. Lead track "Rooted" is notable for the effortless way in which it builds from the gliding textures of the early moments and morphs into a bumping rhythm lead brilliantly by the analogue bass and skittering syncopation before switching back again. Having premiered on Scuba's DJ-Kicks contribution, "Drowning" appears here, mercifully allowing us a chance to fully immerse in the plunging rhythms and foundation worrying kick drums. "Change" closes the EP, showing a talent for subtle mood filled arrangements too - all skittering rhythms, deft vocal samples and deep pad infractions.