Ellum Audio At Juno Download

Review: With remixes from Crosstown Rebels man Maceo Flex and Hot Creations type Danny Daze, Ellum Audio are clearly aiming high with their second release. Bazar's original version of "Hard To Find" is pretty tasty, though, sounding like a delightful high-octane fusion of touchy-feely E-house, off-kilter electronic disco and 80s synth frippery (check the "Blue Monday" syn-voice chords). Plex delivers an even more wide-eyed version, dipping the tempo slightly and contrasting rubbery funk basslines with typically blissful builds. Danny Daze, meanwhile, works a spooky, low-slung groove before throwing in some twinkling pianos and washes of sleazy synths.

Review: Few house producers have enjoyed quite as rapid a rise in 2011 than Maceo Plex. Here he jumps ship from Crosstown Rebels to launch his own label, offering two typically emotional chunks of Visionquest-ish synth-house. While the epic "Aint No Love" opts for a sci-fi tinged approach, it's A-side builder "Stay High Baby" that really impresses. Working with many of his usual elements - those touchy-feely vocals, a snatch of disco guitar, emotion-rich chords, snappy beats, big breakdowns, echo-laden pianos and a dash of acid tweakery - he carefully builds a naggingly hooky concoction that bueatifully ebbs and flows throughout.