Broadwalk At Juno Download

Review: Broadwalk Records, the new label from Bristol house producer Julio Bashmore launches in fine style with the eminently classy Au Seve. Young Bashmore has an obvious talent for productions dripping in hooky qualities (see his still slay em jam "Battle For Middle You" as well as production credits for "Youth Soul" icon Jessie Ware) and "Au Seve" totally belongs in this canon, slipping carnival ready melodic touches and simple vocal loops over a dusted house mainframe dominated by rasping kicks and a killer rising bass line.

Review: Despite now mixing it with house music's global cognoscenti, Julio Bashmore has enjoyed a rather quiet year, production wise. Just as well, then, that "Husk" is arguably his most interesting release for some time. Built around the twin attractions of a twittering melody that sounds like it was taken from a record by long-forgotten early 90s ambient act Paradise X and some hissing jazz cymbals, "Husk" is more melodic, adventurous and touchy-feely than anything else he's done of late. "Pelican", meanwhile, is more typical of his previous work and should excite all those who bristle with excitement at his classic 2011 productions.

Review: Zed Bias brings his ever-morphing Maddslinky alias back into focus with a concise new single after a two-year hiatus. It's apparent from the outset that he too has been seduced by the allure of house music on "Compuphonic", letting the intro ease into a smooth and deep groove before the drop brings in a perfect synth with matching bassline in that inimitable Bias style. It's still a restrained little number, but undeniably hooky with it. "Part 2" continues on the exact same theme, albeit with a few more scattered melodic elements jigging into the mix at appropriate junctures for a more psychedelic end result.

Review: Julio Bashmore and Hyetal return to their Velour project for a much anticipated new release on the former's Broadwalk label. Much has happened in the period since Velour made their velveteen debut on Night Slugs back in 2010 under a cloak of mystery and intrigue, most notably to Bashmore whose solo career has gone skywards off the back of the ubiquitous "Battle For Middle You". Crossing swords once more, there's a laid back sensation to this two track release that betrays how comfortable Bashmore and Hyetal are working together. Lead cut "Speedway" sounds strangely like the beat from "Goodbye Horses" glazed with the glistening, flirtatious bass snares that characterised their debut transmission. Complementing this, "Dial" is rhythmically more in line with The Velvet Collection, deftly pairing booming arrangements with spiralling synths, crisp yet off kilter claps and thick bass leads.