Review: It's been nearly three years since lesser-celebrated Norwegian producer Kohib delivered the Itchy Kitchy People EP. Here he returns to the Manchester-based label with two more chunks of peak-time Scandolearic disco. As its title suggests, "Italovest" sees him pay tribute to the muscular throb of arpeggio-driven 1980s Italo-disco, though it's non-stop nature, foreboding feel and druggy intensity is arguably more in keeping with later Dutch interpretations of the sound (as well as the space disco works of Hans-Peter Lindstrom). He takes a slightly different approach on mid-tempo bonus cut "Parlais Vous Francais", peppering a mid-tempo electronic disco groove with ricocheting drum hits, glacial '80s synth-pop melodies and glassy-eyed chords.
Review: Sprechen is a Manchester based platform to showcase electronic music with a passion for melody, groove, soul and energy. There are no limitations of style and a diverse release policy. For their latest label compilation, the gang celebrates two years in the business - label boss Chris Massey teams up with Spain's James Rod on the funked up nu-disco of "Spanglish" featuring vocals by Danielle Moore, homegirl Gina Breeze serves up some bouncy late night tech house on "Make Me Feel" while Norway's Kohib delivers some true Italo style business on "Hot Pants And Dance Shoes" and Australia's Planet Jumper bring da funk on "Before The Diamond Turns To Dust". Sprechen was launched by former Electric Elephant booker and manager Massey as a side project, alongside his A&R role at Paper Recordings.
Review: Tromso, Norway's Kohib is back following up the great "Talk To Me" on Paper Recordings earlier in the year with "Itchy Kitchy People" on Manchester's Sprechen Music, a classic house jam with a catchy bell melody and some crazy 808 claps going off rapid fire style. Oh and that bassline is seriously bumpin'. Second offering "Yakkatakk" has an Oriental aesthetic about it in terms of melody, but the bumpy bassline and rich pads could've made it equally at home on a label like Freerange; and that's a compliment, right!