Love Monk Spain At Juno Download

Review: Spanish group Pajaro Sunrise are best known for their gentle acoustica and pastoral song craft, but on this latest release from their label Lovemonk, they've been transformed by a quartet of remixers. Highlights include Damian Schwartz' remake of "Ribbon" , with a crisp 808 beat put right at the heart of the delicate guitar textures, while the flamenco of "Old Goodbyes" is put through an echo chamber and turned into a tear-inducing beauty by Charles Trees. Unusually varied stuff but a real delight that definitely demands listening from nu-soul and broken beat fans.

Review: German trio Space Ranger blast off with a four tracker of wonderfully futuristic, yet classic sounding disco house. Out on Love Monk, the "Star Wash" EP comes in the form of three original productions with one remix by the Revenge.

Space Ranger are a Stuttgart based trio who are all individually very experienced. Amongst them, in careers spanning from the late eighties and early nineties they have remixed for the likes of Kool & The Gang, The Sugababes and Kurtis Blow. However, now the three embark on a collaborative project as Space Ranger, pulling together from the depths of their own experiences and the music they love - whether it be disco, soul, funk or house. The "Star Wash" EP signals the start of the Space Ranger era of their lives with a sonic boom.

"Herbal Cake" opens the release in a contented and danceable mood. A charmingly chugging disco house track, it yo-yos up and down throughout without ever really losing its momentum. A grungey bassline and hooky string chops add a classic feel, making it perfect for the dance hall. The Revenge turns in a devastatingly subtle remix of the same track next up. By simply pumping a 4/4 over the track, he turns it into a more modern day, driving house tune that still shimmers its disco influence at every opportunity. "Galactic Spice" is a slower, sleazy, boogie-funk styled grinder that plods along in its own spacey style before "Phase Fever" finishes things off with a slice of disco funk. Slowly building its way up, the final track unleashes all measures of funk, house and disco into one all mighty, ass shaking number.

An accomplished debut from a newly formed trio who bring their wealth of previous experience to their collective table. Space Ranger look back to the music of the past to help propel themselves into their vision of a funky future.

Review: Following a trio of fine singles for Spain's Lovemonk imprint, German trio Space Ranger drop their first full length - a pleasing hotch potch of 21st century disco-funk, thick-set disco-leaning house and high quality nu-disco. Alongside a slew of previously released cuts and remixes ("Nightmoves", the wobbly funk of "Galactic Spice" and "Phase Fever", superior rubs from the Revenge, Rayko and Ajello), there's enough new material to interest even the most dedicated of fan boys. The midtempo lovelorn nu-Balearica of "Plastic Romance", featuring a tired and emotional vocal from Captain K, stands out, but the hypnotic galactic house of "Music" isn't far behind. Interstellar stuff!

Review: First emissions of 2012 from the ever excellent Lovemonk troupe Space Ranger, presenting the final round of remixes from their well received debut album What About The Magnetic Fields? The Aromabar & Pollard Berrier vocally embellished "Nothing's Wrong" is the object of remix affection here, with Russian's Lipelis & Simple Symmetry first up and delivering a chunky electro funk revision that will please fans of Ford and Lopatin. In contrast, Spanish producer Barbena opts to open with the vocal and build a bouncy, deep house refrain which gives the track a more expansive context. Space Ranger continue proceedings with the gloriously bumping sounds of "Music" - and the original of "Nothing's Wrong" is also included for good measure.

Review: For his latest intergalactic adventure, Space Ranger joins forces with vocalist Capt K. In its original form, "Nightmoves" is a faithfully groovesome chunk of live disco-boogie - all delicious walking basslines, chunky clavinet chords, supersonic synth washes and hooky vocals. As good as it is, it's the remixes that really stand out - particularly Pional's two weighty versions. He strips back the track to its bare elements, wisely allowing the percussion, echo-laden synths and squeezable ARP bass room to breathe. His vocal version is excellent, but the dub's even better. Look out, too, for a solid nu-disco take from Blacklodge (AKA Alphabet City).

Review: A side-project from some of the members of excellent Spanish funk band Speak Low, the Gigoletto Brass Band have come together to release two vibrant and lush songs on this excellent single. "Boogalow" is a delight, a live and organic sway through some classic mamba and boogaloo rhythms with a healthy helping of brass on top. "Africa Con Bajo" has a more 70s funk feel, with some riveting key changes and a quirky rhythm to really make it stand out.