Review: Two years on from his last outing on Eskimo Recordings, Vita 'Aeroplane' De Luca returns with a pair of tracks that pay tribute to the uncomplicated, life-affirming cheeriness of early piano house. "Page One Is Love", featuring a vocal sample from Chicago pioneer Jamie Principle, sounds like an attempt to fuse together as many classic house influences and references - plus vintage US garage organs - as possible. "Dancing With Each Other" inhibits similar territory, with the addition of sparkling nu-disco synths, early Daft Punk melodies and a heavy bassline. The pick of the accompanying remixes comes from Cassara, who re-casts "Page One Is Love" as an intoxicating chunk of baggy, Balearic house.
Review: Aeroplane's Vito De Luca teams up with Chicago house legend Jamie Principle to deliver a killer chunk of electro pop that sits somewhere between classic, '80s house and noughties nu-Balearica. It's a great move calling on Principle, whose angelic voice has lost none of its heart string-pulling power some two decades after he made his name. Mysterious loop-house Tiger & Woods do their usual bang-up job on remix duties, teasing snippets of vocal and cut-up synths over a tight boogie-house groove. The package also includes a pair of deliciously touchy-feely reworks from Louis La Roche (woozy nu-disco) and Chopstick & Jolyon (Larry Heard meets Alfredo vibes). Highly recommended.
Review: Some would argue that Aeroplane's productions have not been the same since Vito De Luca and Stephen Fasano went their separate ways. While Fasano is rebuilding his career as The Magician, De Luca has been left to carry on producing and DJing as Aeroplane alone. Here he brushes aside criticism of his debut album with a debut mix set. It's actually rather good, offering a typically accessible and synth-heavy mix of groovy contemporary disco (Cosmonauts, Drop out Orchestra, Poolside), unreleased exclusives (his own, auto-tune heavy "Save Me Now") and forgotten gems (Stars On 33) that touches on curious Balearica, Italo and punk-disco. This digi version is available in its intended mixed form, but you can also buy the tracks featured individually!
Review: Inspired by Chicago house, Black Hole Bass relives the glory days of primal rhythms and kettle drums without sounding contrived or cheesy. The 606 version is based on heavy beats and a searing bass, while Alejandro Paz' version introduces a fresh take on Chicago house thanks to its funk bassline. The stand out version however, is the 909 remix; full of evil acid squelches and dramatic snare rolls, it captures the heady madness of late 80s Chicago. The acapella version features the unnamed male vocalist making the claim that 'once you black, you never go back'. You can't really argue with that.
Review: Ten years ago, Eskimo Recordings emerged from Ghent, as an outlet for mix albums from hometown heroes the Glimmers. Since then, the label has gone on to be a leading light on the nu-disco and nu Balearic scenes. Fittingly, this expansive tenth anniversary set was put together by the Glimmers, and features two solo DJ mixes featuring label highlights aplenty. For DJs, the real bonus is the huge selection of unmixed tracks on display, which adeptly showcases the depth and variety of the label's output. Highlights are plentiful, from the woozy Scandolearic vibes of Lindstrom & Prins Thomas and brilliance of early Aeroplane, to the sun-bright dream pop of Hiem, and the bouncing dancefloor groovery of LHAS Inc.
