Names You Can Trust At Juno Download

Review: The third in a series of releases from the Names You Can Trust label that seeks to update cumbia for modern listeners - this time helmed by Argentinean producer Doctor Stereo. Keeping things rootsy and live-sounding, the good Doctor puts a Latin piano out front over an itchy modern take on that distinctive cumbia rhythm, done this time in a more sequenced, electroid way. Tahira's Afro-Cumbia mix makes greater use of that infectious rhythm, almost resembling a slowed-down techno beat with added funk guitars and bass floating through the mix. A great idea that's nicely rendered over these two tracks.

Review: Having recently collaborated with Brit producer Quantic, and before that Mad Professor, Colombian cumbia and roots troupe Frente Cumbiero merge raw, funky psychedelia with Balkan riffage on the excellently madcap "Unconvention". Add to that the even more out-there Moog vs alto sax drama of the riotous "Ika" and you have an extremely unusual yet adorable pair of tunes indeed.

Review: Comprising Monk One and E's E, GRC are back with their second excursion into Latin breaks with these two new tracks. "Puerto Rico" adds some sublime beats to a brass-filled Merengue heater, with some really sophisticated reverb touches on the sampled drums, while "Colombia" repeats the pattern, adding thumping kicks to a cha-cha 'n' accordion backing. Fun South American beats for any occasion.

Review: Not to be confused with the bobble hat wearing Rinse FM DJ of the same name, Brooklyn based DJ Oneman returns to the ever excellent Names You Can Trust label for more sonic meanders with E's E as Midnight Lab Band. "Lasertag" proves their versatility too, dropping a vintage 80s disco funk strut that wouldn't look out of place on Peoples Potential Unltd! Heavy on the synth wiggles and big drum machine sounds, there's also a hint of balearica via the intermittent guitar action. Check "Don's Demo (2)" for some slo mo synth freak out action - apparently this one is a reworking of an obscure recording from Don Stark. Regardless it has a definite off kilter charm!

Review: Brooklyn producers E?s E and Oneman have joined forces to enjoy the chilled side of beats on their Midnight Lab Band project. Taking their cues from classic 90?s Ninja Tune, Kruder and Dorfmeister and Nightmares on Wax, they?ve created six stunning tunes for your laidback appreciation.

Opener ?Into Dimensions? carries a jazzy swagger as the steady beats are built on until they disappear in a torrent of dub-style delay, replaced by a sole wailing electric guitar. It?s strange but it works so well, demonstrating the pleasing range of sounds that are scattered over Mission Control. ?Moonwalking? starts off as a slightly downbeat and moody Latin funk jam before it reduces to just a beat. Suddenly the bass switches and starts to play the riff from Billie Jean and the tune is transformed.

?Heliocenter? concentrates on trippy soundscapes over a dubby beat, while ?Traveller?s Lament? mixes up funky drums with eerie string stabs that balances the mood nicely. ?Decompression? also does a delicate dance between upbeat and downbeat, putting some plaintive Rhodes piano on top of some Holy Ghost-style beats. Anyone with an affinity for the golden days of trip-hop will instantly appreciate where MLB are coming from, but there?s so much more to this release that fans of a wide variety of genres will definitely be rewarded, such is their winning eclecticism and skill.

Review: Hailing from New York's hippest district, the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra are an eleven piece band serving up distinctive, salsafied covers of all manner of indie, rock and underground dance hits. Their sassy, unfussy and surprisingly effective repertoire includes tracks by Arcade Fire, Animal Collective and LCD Soundsystem - all given dancefloor-baiting salsa makeovers that neatly sidestep novelty territory. Here, they turn TV On The Radio's maudlin "Wolf Like Me" into an urgent blast of horn-heavy salsa funk, before turning their attention to Peter, Bjorn & John's singalong classic "Young Folks". Both impress, with the latter's near-anthemic status winning out.