Review: The idea that music should stay away from politics is flawed, and Break The Silence is one of the most convincing counter-arguments against this notion. Featuring unreleased tracks donated by a stellar cast of underground electronic music artists, the compilation seeks to raise funds for Campaign Zero, an initiative that campaigns against police violence in the US. With artists like Rob Hood, 4 Hero and Luke Slater all contributing to Break The Silence, the listener really is spoilt for choice while also supporting a great cause. However, the standouts come from Eddie Fowlkes and Jon Dixon, who both drop superb jazz-influenced house tracks.
Review: Since re-focusing on deep house a couple of years back, former Slum Village and Platinum Pied Pipers beat-maker Waajeed has delivered a series of must-have EPs. Unsurprisingly, the Strength EP is another essential release. His original version of "Strength" is utterly sublime: a perfectly pitched chunk of soul-fired brilliance that not only boasts an impeccable neo-soul vocal from Ideeyah, but also chiming Amazonian melodies, sumptuous orchestration and killer drum machine percussion. Waajeed delivers a breezy remake of his own where jammed out piano riffs, sweeping strings and rich sub-bass come to the fore, before fellow Detroiter Jay Daniel re-invents the cut as a wonky chunk of slipped hip-hop soul bliss. As if that wasn't enough to set the pulse racing, Jon Dixon's deep tropical house rework is also superb.
