Review: Billy Bogus debuted his Caribbean House project on Bearfunk last autumn, serving up a sumptuous single ("Gong Bong") that brilliantly joined the dots between dub disco, string-laden Balearica and picturesque nu-disco. This follow-up debut album naturally contains that superb track, plus seven more hard-to-pigeonhole cuts that variously doff a cap to '80s new wave pop dubs ("Night Drive"), distorted, techno-tempo analogue wonkiness ("Lonely Man"), Scandolearic space disco headiness ("Love By Proxy"), flash-fried dub disco ("Jesus Freaks"), Chicago jack-tracks ("Nature Nature") and blissful, delay-laden pop oddities ("Streets Like Noodles"). There's a lot going on throughout, but that's no criticism; it's simply one of those albums where you'll hear something new on each successive listen.
Review: In its' original form, "Gong Bong" - the latest missive from label-hopping producer Billy Bogus - is a sumptuous chunk of melodious nu-disco/dub disco fusion smothered in glistening guitars, swirling synthesized strings and life-affirming synthesizer flourishes. You can dance to it, of course, but it works just as well in those "can't move from the sofa" moments on a Sunday afternoon. The first of two remixes comes from Leng regulars Mushrooms Project, who emphasize the track's dub influences whilst adding warm new chords and their usual heavy dose of blazed late night textures. Arguably best of all, though, is the interpretation by label boss Stevie Kotey, who wisely pushes the duo's wonky acid lines and jazzy guitar solos to the fore.
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