Fina At Juno Download

Review: Following impressive outings on Under The Shade, Kolour and Sleazy Beats, Melbourne-based producer Griffin James brings his Francis Inferno Orchestra project to 2020 Vision offshoot Fina. Thankfully, he's stuck to his usual style, delivering a trio of deliciously wide-eyed cuts. "Astral Breeze" sets the tone, offering a thrillingly touchy-feely fusion of saucer-eyed chords and hands-in-the-air pianos. "Here's To Feeling Good All The Time" retains this retro-futurist feel, combining bumpin' beats and melodic touches with classic old skool samples. A fine EP closes with "Silk & Smoove", a gorgeously sunny disco-house groover built around some classic strings from an oh-so familiar record.

Review: A sub-label of Ralph Lawson's 20:20 Vision empire, Fina has already dispensed four EPs since they set up shop at the beginning of this year. For their fifth, they invite Dutch duo Morning Factory to the label. Titled "Sultans Of Swing", the EP (thankfully) bears little resemblance to Dire Straits and includes a remix from the UK's very own Cottam. The title track earmarks an instantly soothing edge; its succulent horn-like synths swelling against the percussion and making way for lengthy beds and brass melodies. Cottam's remix however drags "Sultans Of Swing" deeper still as pitches drop and synths slow to a crawl like pace to create a trippy, dream-like remix. "Lady" follows in its predecessor's simmering footsteps, before a looped vocal reminiscent of late nineties R&B lifts the entire track into a melodic heart wrencher.

Review: 2020 Vision offshoot Fina racks up its third release, with veteran house producer Roberto Rodriguez at the helm. While the title track and bonus cut "Fall Night" fit easily within Rodriguez's sophisticated, tech-tinged deep house back catalogue, it's the more disco-leaning "I Got" that really stands out. Pitching up somewhere between vintage Chicken Lips, the early Infant productions of Simon Baker and the live discofunk of Crazy P, "I Got" somehow manages to sound freaky, dubbed-out and weirdly anthemic - all whilst riding a groove that's funkier than a rugby player's jockstrap. It's a perfect late night sound, all told.

Review: There was a time, a few years back, when Simon Baker seemed to be heading right to the top. In recent years, his production outings have been less frequent, but they're rarely anything less than excellent. Here he returns to action for 2020 Vision offshoot Fina, delivering a pleasingly tactile blend of melodic deep house infused with nu-disco synths. Lead cut "Riker" is particularly good, fluctuating between Moroder-ish bottom end and cascading marimba melodies. "Geo" offers a much more fluid - and some would say traditional - take on deep house, but it's no less attractive. A strong package is completed by Eliphino's rework of "Riker", a formidable late night jam that sits somewhere between British bass music and slick deep house.

Review: Still very much emerging as a potential key player in future deep house and techno, Steffen's really found his groove on this release for 2020 off-shoot Fina. "Cold Water" wears a timeless sheen; the funky 808 bassline screams classic while the cascading, whirling synths and carefully arranged layers keep it firmly set in the now. "Ma Home" flips the switch; a beautiful ballad laced with a soft vocal refrain and a simple but poignant sounding chord hook, it's equally blissful on a dancefloor, headphones, car journey or sun-kissed beach. For added soul power head for Luca C's slower tempo, re-rub. Emotional stuff.

Review: Former Electric Press man Tom Taylor returns home, pitching up on 2020 Vision offshoot Fina for an expansive EP of slick contemporary deep house. Given his credentials, it's no surprise that there's plenty to admire, from the strings and piano stabs of the enveloping "Twilight", to the chunky grooves, flowing chords and choice vocal samples of "This World". "Don't Give Up", an eyes-wide-shut deep house chugger featuring Peter Gabriel vocal samples, also impresses. Remix-wise, there's a tasty, garage-influenced rub from hot young thing Jack Dixon, and a suitably wonky rub from late night wrong 'uns Clive Henry (Peace Division) and Rui Da Silva (remember him?).