The Walk On Fritishine Butt Naked - (9:45) 128 BPM
The Walk On Fritishine Mix - (9:30) 128 BPM
Review: The industrious Jus-Ed has had a relatively quiet 2015, but he goes out on a bang with this release. "Techno Delay 2014" is a raw affair, with spaced out organ riffs unfolding over crashing snares and drums, combining tracky and musical approaches. "Techno House Delay 2014" is deeper and more hypnotic, as a haunting vocal unfolds over shuffling, robust drums and Ed conjures up the spirit of Chez Damier. A similar feeling runs through the heart of the brilliantly named "The Walk on Fritishine Butt Naked"; there, a snaking bass supports panning filters and rolling drums for an atmospheric deep house jam. As an addendum there is "The Walk on Fritishine Mix", led by a similarly atmospheric, snaking groove.
Review: While he may recently have passed the big 5-0, Jus' Ed is in no hurry to hang up his headphones. In fact, he's arguably getting more prolific - as this celebratory seventh solo album proves. In truth, 50ty & Looking Good holds few real surprises for regular followers, but that's not to say that it's not worth a listen. His particular brand of deep house is never less than beguiling (see the smoky vibes of "The Favor"), and there are enough forays into other areas to keep it interesting. Check, for example, the sax-laden "Man With The Red Face" style wig-out "Becky's Jam", or the raw, analogue acid of "OHMY"; clearly, there's life in the old dog yet!
Review: In recent times, Jus-Ed has been on fine form, delivering countless high quality deep house cuts with a formidable, floor-friendly edge. Predictably, "Blaze" is another belter. The headline attraction is the "Doe Do Dab Digi Mix", which first surfaced recently on Levon Vincent's Fabric 63 mix. Scuttling along at 128 BPM thanks to bustling analogue percussion, it effortlessly flits between deep pads, rubbery acid stabs and wonky chords. It's dark, moody and relentlessly driving. The "Squeeze Me Mix" opts for a more positive, melody-laden approach, while the "Transition Mix" goes even deeper, layering cascading synths over a subtle, broken house rhythm.
Review: Is Jus-Ed the hardest-working man in house? Certainly, he seems to be making a strong case. Following numerous mix CDs, singles and doublepack vinyl EPs in 2011, he begins 2012 with a typically impressive collection of soft-focus deep house with a rugged, floor-friendly edge. As ever, there's a high musical content (see the haunting acid bass and twinkling pianos of "Confused Passion"), alongside rougher cuts that explore the darker recesses of early morning deep house. Take, for example, the dreamy synths and ice-cold acid of "Trip To Hamburg" or liquid atmospherics of "Mr Pete's Cribby". Like the rest of Endurance, they're inspirationally melodic without losing dancefloor focus.
Review: The third and final part in Dial's compilation series brings together some well-known names and emerging producers. Tracey opens up the release with the dreamy, downtempo "Chapter 1", while on "Cuba", Lerosa delivers a fine, stripped back percussive track, underpinned by a throbbing bass. Anton Kubikov's "Night Road Blue" delivers the kind of mysterious, expansive techno that the label is best known for - with the added bonus of a rubbery double bass - and in contrast, Siamak Amidi brings the compilation down a weirder route with the woozy soundscapes and ticking percussion of "Kandoo", while DJ Jus-Ed impresses as always with the lithe claps and murky bass of "Synth Sex".
