Review: Black Catalogue is based in Detroit, but on their latest release, they open their doors to the free-spirited sound of San Francisco producer Sepehr. On the title track, he takes influence from minimal house as well as tweaked acid to deliver a heads-down affair that sits somewhere between house and techno. "Caught in a Funk" is deeper and features a ponderous vocal underpinned by warm synth lines, but at its core is a similar fusion of gurgling 303s and tough, steely rhythms. The label has commissioned Jakbeat producer D'Marc Cantu to remix "Step One", and he doesn't disappoint. Introducing a more fluid groove, he lets the nagging acid and warm chords flow in a heady, irresistible manner. It makes for another killer release from this open-minded label.
Review: To kick-start their 2018 release programme, the Honey Soundsystem-helmed HNYTRX label serves up a four-way celebration of sweaty dancefloor madness. Sepehr kicks things off with the muscular, fuzzy and thrillingly bass-heavy deep house bump of "I Just", while Bergqvist reaches for the jazzy keys, off-kilter machine beats and restless disco beats on the quirkier but no less throbbing "Trippin". The celebrated San Francisco crew's love of freestyle and Italo-disco is indulged via the sparkling synth lines, bustling electro beats and rising acid motifs of Morven Son's standout "Looking Back", before Lunate closes proceedings with a sublime slice of dreamy, head-in-the-clouds deep house bliss entitled "Loom". With its incessant, acid-fuelled bassline and bongo-riffic rhythmic swing, it may be the highlight of a very fine EP.
