Review: Vienna-born Lee Stevens is back on Luv Shack Records with his latest EP, marking his first solo release since 2012's 'LUV001'. For this release, he's taken on the Rising Seed alias and is exploring a more laid-back sound. 'Right On', the opening track, merges Ennio Morricone's and John Carpenter's signature styles to create a synth-heavy dance music universe. 'Maskaron' pays tribute to new wave and obscure Italo disco with chanting that will transport you back to 1970s western movies. 'Trippin' On Your Love' takes us on a journey through proto-house and synth-dance, complete with arp bass and occasional breakbeats. 'Ju Know', the fourth track, features Stevens and longtime collaborator Simonlebon in a moody jam, complete with heavy low-end synths, bittersweet vocal samples, and 80s pop-style piano chords. Finally, 'Destruction', the closing track, combines tight 808 drums with a dark bassline and eerie vocals, while uplifting synth chords remind us that there is still hope.
Review: Many happy returns to Luv Shack Records, which has now been in the game for 10 long years. To celebrate, they've asked a bunch of hugely talented producers to deliver fresh interpretations of classic cuts from the catalogue. Predictably, it's Norwegian heavyweight Prins Thomas who steals the show, turning Space Echo's 'Come Back Home' into a subtly Afro-tinged slab of Scandolearic dub disco that stretches out for 11 alluring minutes. There's plenty to set the pulse racing elsewhere across the EP, too, including a chugging, dark Italo-influenced rub of Rising Seed's 'Train To Kishmarton' by ROCTIV, a loose and languid, sun-kissed vocal disco rework of Space Echo's 'Soul Power' by Golden Boogie Connection, and an atmospheric, slow motion and decidedly horizontal Rising Seed dub of Lee Stevens' 'Ridin' High'.
Review: Given the success of their other releases, it's hard to believe that the 2 Hearts EP is only the fifth release from Austria's Luv Shack label. It features four collaborations between Lee Stevens and various other Luv Shack luminaries, all of which fit into the label's sweet, touchy-feely deep house template. Proceedings commence with "Luv Sick", a hook-up between Stevens and LeSale that is positively Balearic in its feel good outlook, while "Find A Girl" (co-produced by Jakobin) takes a woozier, fuller approach, all drowsy chords and filter-heavy grooves. Then "Deep Inside"- done in cahoots with the brilliantly named Simonlebon - recalls classic US deep house of old - all analogue percussion and booming 909 boss - while "Be Yourself" casually drifts between the speakers on a warming wave of nu-disco synths and Balearic chords.
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