Review: Thanks to the slowly shifting warmth, gentle breeziness and sun-kissed appeal of the twelve tracks on Coastal Soul Volume 4, we now have a strong desire to kick off our shoes and flop down on the nearest sandy beach. You'll struggle to find a more languid and life-affirming chunk of jazz-funk/deep house/soul fusion than Jimpster's "Closer To You", while Kiss Me Again's gorgeous "Garden Waves" is arguably best enjoyed while sipping something boozy, cold and fruity. Highlights continue to come thick and fast throughout, from the subtly D-Train influenced throb of Jex Opolis's remix of Jules Etienne's "Free As A Man", to the lazy sunset warmth of Andras Fox's hybrid electronic/organic Balearic house take on Ponzu Island's "Super Koto".
Review: After an extended summer break, Apersonal Music returns to action via a first EP in five years from Cisco Cisco. It opens with the comforting shuffle of "Jazzy Days", where intricate electric piano lines, woozy chords and soulful vocal samples ride a near horizontal, slow-house groove. It's accompanied by a trademark Ron Basejam remix, which retains the rich, jazzy deep house feel of the original, whilst adding a little more disco swagger. Further disco and boogie influences can be heard on "Jazzy Nights", which is a flickering, synth-heavy deep house treat. Andre Vegas' smooth, sweet and sultry interpretation of that track rounds off a fine E.P.
Review: Having previously released six quietly confident releases from the likes of Volta Cab, Trujillo and James Teej, Spanish deep house/disco fusionists Apersonal Records gather together some of their favourite remixes on one extended digital EP. It's a good collection, casually flitting between solid rubs from label stalwarts and notable big name remixes. Of these, look out for Soul Clap's excellent version of Michael J Collins' "Nothing Wrong With Holding On" - a joyous fusion of dubwise bass, drifting sax and sugary-sweet melodic builds - and Mark E's Trujillo rework. This touchy-feely slo-mo builder is reminiscent of the Black Country producer's fine early work on Jigsaw.
Review: This big disco release sees Portuguese duo Cisco Cisco return to Apersonal Music, complete with a remix from the legendary Greg Wilson. "Higher" is a slow moving number with a classic feel, but it's the jagged guitar samples that give the whole thing its jerky energy. The Greg Wilson version of "Higher" will go down well with many, taking the pushing the guitars to the back of the mix, and replacing their jumpy movement with some staccato rap samples, placed firmly in the foreground. It shouldn't work, but in Wilson's hands it does, adding an incredible new mood to the track. "Brothers in Arms" treads similarly deep ground with its cowbell led rhythm and snipped yet ecstatic vocal samples. This digital version also features a remix not on the vinyl pressing, which is perhaps the best track on the release. Kaspar & Vahagn remix "Brothers in Arms", adding a slightly techier element with a buzzing arpeggio running throughout and squelchy bassline that runs underneath layers of electrifying pads.
Review: The debut release by Portuguese producer Cisco Cisco, "If You Want Me" is a deliciously deep voyage through cosmic beats and honey-coated atmospherics. Coming in at a slowish, nu-disco tempo, it radiates Balearic goodness all the way, as does Jay Shepheard's slightly more tech-edged mix which works in some truly impressive and subtle filter breaks along with lovely bassy pads. With another CC newie, "Giro Disco", also included, this is an impressive debut all round.
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