Mendo At Juno Download

Review: One of the most popular post-minimal house producers impresses again with this Latin-fuelled release. Mendo sets himself apart from typical tool house on "Cuate". Boasting the languid Spanish vocals of Yvan Genkins, its dark drums are also laced with trippy squiggles and out there riffs. The title track, which features Andre Butano on vocals, is deeper and more cerebral, with the rolling groove lent a sense of funk by the organic bongo samples. Finally, Miguel Lobo and Andre Butano's take on "Gringo" is less dense than the original, with lighter beats but an equally rolling groove guaranteeing serious mileage on the dance floor.

Review: David Ortega doesn't sound like he comes from Switzerland, but maybe the loose tribal groove and organic drums of "Innocencia" is exactly the kind of distraction that the land-locked statelet needs. It certainly follows the same approach as previous Mendo outings for Luciano's label and on a more general level, the track's use of children's vocals takes its cues from Villalobos's "Enfants". However, the way that the seductive sax line floats languidly over the arrangement is uniquely Mendo's. On the flip, "Old School" offers another fresh perspective, with a siren riff and a Public Enemy-style hip-hop sample layered over a drummy groove.