Review: For the latest volume in Planet E's long-running Detroit Love compilation, label boss Carl Craig has handed over to DJ Holographic (real name Ariel Corley), a rising star of the Motor City scene. It's a hugely entertaining collection told, with Corley doing her best to showcase artists on the up - from both Detroit and elsewhere - as well as established stars of the underground. Musically, it's as diverse and mixed-up as you'd expect, kicking off with revivalist Afrobeat (Underground System), slick deep house (Pontchartrain with Javontte) and revivalist '80s soul (Shri Schwartz), before taking in everything from broken house and nu-disco, to sci-fi techno, sleazy warehouse jams, sleazy acid, percussion-rich Latin house and much more besides.
Review: Expansive Brooklyn combo describe themselves as "culture clash advocates", with previous single releases fusing classic Afrobeat tropes with a variety of contemporary influences. The widescreen nature of the band's approach comes through loud and clear on this fine debut album, which sees them confidently saunter between drowsy neo-Afrobeat/pop fusion ("There's A Charm"), bustling Afro-disco anthems ("Go"), Afro-funk ("Rent Party"), dub disco ("What Are You"), Midnight Magic style NYC dancefloor fusion ("Just a Place"), liquid Balearic humidity ("Nmani") and much more besides. While they're impossible to pin down, Underground System's ideas and expert execution make them a band worth watching in the months and years to come.
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