Review: Leeds-born Daley Padey, aka Hot Since 82, is known for many things but humility isn't one of them (just read his bio!). Currently standing at the top of the commercial house food chain, Padey reaffirms this anointed position with a sample of the sounds his Knee Deep In Sound label will be treating the White Isle to this summer with a fine sampler. Highlights include Lewis Boardman's sinister and deep "Lose Control", the sunnier uplifting vibes of Dee Montero's "Vedra" and Landmark's sleek and catchy "Lost In The Club".
Blank & Jones with Zoe Dee - "Pure Shores" - (4:21) 88 BPM
Pelican Bay - (4:30) 86 BPM
Blank & Jones with Coralie Clement - "Jardin D'hiver" - (3:16) 60 BPM
Barefoot On The Beach - (5:44) 86 BPM
Blank & Jones with Zoe Dee - "10.000 Emerald Pools" - (5:00) 78 BPM
Good - (5:22) 90 BPM
My Island - (4:20) 71 BPM
Snappiness - (5:20) 96 BPM
Wishing - (4:15) 58 BPM
Blank & Jones with Emma Brammer - "Give It To Me" - (5:30) 108 BPM
Caliente - (6:01) 105 BPM
Blank & Jones with Jason Caesar - "Sun Starts Smiling" - (5:01) 106 BPM
Flamingo - (4:10) 110 BPM
Optimistic - (4:59) 102 BPM
Spiritual - (5:50) 100 BPM
Island Trip - (5:25) 87 BPM
Everybody - (4:40) 112 BPM
Helios - (5:53) 98 BPM
El Bajo - (6:18) 112 BPM
Review: It's been 14 years since production duo Blank & Jones eschewed the dancefloor in favour of crafting sun-kissed Balearic mood pieces. In that time, they've released nine volumes in their Relax album series, each one packed with gentle downtempo workouts, lazy afternoon soundscapes and eyes-closed horizontal fare. This tenth edition is every bit as strong as its predecessors, with the German pair seemingly floating between seductive vocal numbers, flamenco guitar-laden ambient soundscapes, Zero 7 style sweetness and the kind of slowly unfurling, piano laden beauties that were once a cornerstone of the '90s chill out scene. None of it is particularly challenging, but that's entirely the point: this is music for unwinding to, not intellectualizing.
