Modus At Juno Download

Review: 2nd album from Cinnamon Chasers, Science is the second album from Cinnamon Chasers, the best known alias of producer Russ Davies. It's a very different beast to his most recent single, 2010's Balearic-nudisco sleeper hit "The Bomb". Whereas that was squarely aimed at the dancefloor, Science explores poppier pastures. Unashamedly melodic, heavy on FX-laden vocals (think auto tune and/or vocoder) and rippling with radio-friendly synth riffs, it sounds like a hipster-matic fusion of Aeroplane, Friendly Fires, Kris Mencace and Alan Braxe, with a dash of Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre thrown in. While those who loved "The Bomb" may struggle to connect, the bittersweet melodies and sparkling synths are hard to resist.

Review: Rising solo act Cinnamon Chasers has delivered an array of upbeat synthpop, electrofied disco house and mutant italo across no less than five releases already this year as well being specially commissioned to remix some classics from the Roxy Music vault. The Kinks offspring adds to his glowing reputation with "Future Disco" - a one off journey into Vangelis inspired soundscapes which is very much in the same vein as "You" from his recent Sunset Drive EP. A simple but effective 4 x 4 kick is soon joined in the fray by a blissful undulating synth washes and eventually a hypnotic melody which becomes the core of the track as the seven minutes play out.

Review: Available first here on Juno Download, Prisms is the third album from Abakus, aka Russell Davies (son of The Kink's Dave Davies no less). Having previously worked with Killing Joke producer Youth on more ambient and downtempo pieces, Prisms shows a lot of development from his last release, The Jaguar EP. There's a nice melting of genres at work here as opener ?Control? shows - a perfectly structured tech house tune with some super slick filter rises.

In fact the album shows off some impressive production skills all round, with the off-the- hook Electro of Glamour definitely a highlight. Rocket however has a lush sun-kissed synthpop feel to it, complete with old-school drum fills tastefully added for full effect. Slam on the other hand is minimal and seriously hypnotic, a real throwback to Techno's early roots in German motorik bands like Neu! and Kraftwerk. Album closer Voodoo is right up to date though, a smart piece of Breakbeat complete with bowel-rumbling bass and lovely reverbed percussion. All in all, Prisms is a beautifully produced album with as much range as any dance music fan could want.

Review: Russ Davies' solo project delivers another uplifting nu-disco, electro-tinged offering that comes with a hefty and impressive remix package. "Luv Deluxe" blends light disco with big melodies to create a pop friendly number with an indie dancefloor feel. Widening its appeal with seven mixes, this looks like being a crossover hit in early 2010.