Review: Once a bi-annual feature, in recent times Permanent Vacation's bumper Selected Label Works retrospectives have become a yearly affair. Their latest - the Munich-based imprint's eighth in total - is another packed, highlight-filled treat that features all manner of atmospheric, ear-pleasing and melodies treats. Our picks of a very strong bunch include the acid-flecked deep house dreaminess of 'Holding You' by Daniel Bortz, the clattering, synth-heavy retro-futurism of Paula Tape's 'Cuz Cuz', the post Italo-disco cheeriness of Lauer's 'Know You', the freestyle-influenced shuffle of 'Genex' by Sascha Funke, the dark and feverish tribal house chug of Yor Kultura's 'Today' and the giddy piano house rush of Rhode & Brown's 'Not My Mind, Not My Planet'.
Review: If the name Invisible Temple means nothing to you, there's a good reason for that: it's a brand-new project from Permanent Vacation co-founder Benjamin Frohlich and label regular Bostro Pesopeo. Self Hypnosis, the pair's debut collaborative outing, successful sets the tone for the project by showcasing mostly slow-motion workouts that variously mix and match elements of deep electro, wayward synth-pop, early '80s horror soundtracks, creepy ambient, electronic dub and trippy, bass-heavy chuggers. It's an undeniably atmospheric and sofa-friendly affair, with Pesopeo and Frohlich often making intriguing and off-kilter musical choices whilst retaining an element of hazy melodiousness. The project certainly has legs and, if this fine first outing is anything to go by, should be one to watch in 2021 and beyond.
Review: Permanent Vacation label staple Florian Peter aka Bostro Pesopeo is back. He returned after a long hiatus late last year to remix label boss TB aka Tom Bioly's "This Is Just A Modern Love Song" on his RMXD EP, but the 'Meti' EP is Peter's first release proper since the 'Cheer Up' EP - back in 2013. From the evocative and bittersweet deep house of the title track, to the moody and hypnotic nu-disco journey "Baal" or the downright doom and gloom of "Orias" which is sure to cause some late night dancefloor drama wherever it's played - our favourite label from Munich is really kicking off 2020 in an interesting way!
Review: Permanent Vacation's Safari series has previously done a great job in mixing overlooked gems and forgotten highlights from the label's expansive back catalogue, with previously unreleased material. Two years on from the release of the second volume, the Munich-based imprint revives the (successful) formula for a third selection. With a rather grandiose 29 tracks to choose from, there's plenty to enjoy, with Permanent Vacation's usual dancefloor-minded eclecticism providing all manner of stylistic shifts throughout. Standout tracks include Kool DJ Dust's brilliant 808-electro workout, "Platonic Lover", the Balearic wooziness of Candyblasta's "The Ocean", a suitably big and bouncy rework of House of Wallenburg by Marcos Cabral, and a stunning chunk of vintage Chicago house revivalism from Beautiful Swimmers (the excellent "Excited").
Review: Munich label Permanent Vacation continue their fine run of form, pairing a label stalwart with a relative newcomer with excellent results. Bostro Pesopeo has featured on many a Permanent Vacation release since his debut back in 2008, whilst Pional may have only recently joined the PV canon, though his work presents a further strengthening in the bond between the label and Hivern Discs. Yes is notable for two things; the multi-faceted approach to the music and Pional's hitherto unrecorded singing voice (soon to be heard on John Talabot's album for Permanent Vacation). Along with the swinging, twilight 2-step future boogie of the title track, the duo veer through 80s tinged new wave and more familiar kraut indebted house music (the excellent "Baby Blue"), and what really impresses is the attention to detail and organic feel across each track.
Review: Munich label Permanent Vacation's annual Selected Label Works collections are rarely less than essential, and this third volume is no different. As usual, there's an enjoyable mix of dancefloor hits, leftfield disco curiosities, rabble-rousing remixes and atmospheric, occasionally Balearic moments. With such a vast tracklist and the quality threshold high throughout, it's hard picking highlights. Worth particular attention, though, are Todd Terje's quaint dub reggae rework of Europop hit "All That She Wants" (covered under his occasional Chuck Norris guise), the quirky Germanic pop of new signings Candyblasta and Argy's thrilling, Hacienda-style Balearic breaks mix of his own Zodiac Free Arts Club track "NAOE".
