Rob Mello At Juno Download

Review: It's nice to see some vintage Classic material getting a deserved digital reissue. This 1999 EP from Rob Mello is still arguably one of his greatest releases. Unlike later efforts, which tended to fuse angular electronics with bowel-bothering boompty rhythms, the four tracks here are altogether sweeter, reflecting trends in US deep house at the time. "Love Nasty" is particularly heart-warming - boompty-lite, with comfy chords and hushed vocals - while "Love Slipping" offers the perfect balance between swinging Chicago jack and eyes-wide-shut deepness. Best of all, though, is the US garage/boompty onslaught of "Bump Me All The Night", which 14 years on still sounds deliciously fresh.

Review: Remastered and reissued, Rob Mello's "Happiness" gets a very welcome outing on this single from CMC. House don Mello lets his structuring and arrangement skills shine for everyone to admire - building the groove with a phased breakbeat, adding chanking guitars, then bass, then gorgeous Detroit chords to set it up perfectly. There's even a Happy Beats bonus mix that'll give DJs and producers much to play with. With slow summer groover "Hot Poke" also included, this is a perfect time to get reacquainted with these pearls.

Review: Who said clearing samples was a nightmare? Skipson - being a the good chap he is - sent the final version of "K's Editspot pt.1", which used Rob Mello samples, to the man himself for his blessing. Rob - also being a good chap - liked the new version so much he offered up a remix! And so the Mel Skipson Project was born, and thanks to Quintessentials both versions are now available to the public. Mello's tweak is pure sweat-drenched peak time fodder with killer vocals pressed up against an acidic Chi-town bassline - big tip. Skipson's version is not as incendiary, opting instead for sampled crowd noises, deep Motor City chords and a straight up house bump. Killer release!