Eskimo Recordings is a label based in Ghent, Belgium, and was founded in 2000. Eskimo has always approached the divide between electronic and indie music with a reckless abandon that suggests that there is no divide at all. A mix of Indie Dance / House / Cosmic & Balearic Disco / Nu Disco and more.
The label grew out of the eclectic parties that took place during the late nineties in the Eskimo Fabriek in Ghent. These underground parties got famous for mixing synthpop, new wave, acid house, funk and rock ‘n’ roll into a new and fresh sound, setting new standards for the Belgian club culture. International as well as local talented DJs such as Mo & Benoelie (later to be The Glimmers) and The Flying Dewale Brothers (later to become 2 Many DJs) were usual guests at the turntables. As the Eskimo Fabriek needed refurbishment at the turn of the century, the Eskimo parties moved on to the Culture Club, and the temporary Belmondo concept at the S.M.A.K museum.
However, the vibe of these parties kept going through a new label that was founded in 2000 by Stefaan Vandenberghe and Dirk De Ruyck: Eskimo Recordings. From the very start, timeless quality and originality were the key values upon which the label was based. Old and new music were carefully combined into a fancy fresh sound, with the releases bringing a wide array of mix compilations by established selectors and original music signed to Eskimo. Since 2012, the label is run by Stefaan Vandenberghe and Nadiem Shah, aka Captain E. The very same year 'Eskimonde', a luxurious 5CD box set, was released to celebrate the first decade. Over the years there have been landmark releases from Aeroplane, The Glimmers, Optimo, Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas, Freeform Five, Satin Jackets, NTEIBINT, Psychemagik, Transistorcake, Aili and many more.
In 2013, Eskimo Recordings launched a new concept: The Colour Collections. These collections contain each a set of carefully selected songs that were all produced exclusively for this concept. Recent 'diggers' compilations were curated by musical authorities such as Prins Thomas, Psychemagik, Bill Brewster and Curses. Eskimo has helped break many of the names that have gone on to become electronic music’s best regarded performers, and holds a unique stake within the indie dance world.
Review: Eskimo's long-running series of colour-coded compilations continues via "The White Collection", the label's first multi-artist extravaganza for two years. Featuring an attractive, ear-pleasing collection of cuts that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face, the compilation jogs between colourful nu-disco, hazy house, sun-drenched Balearic beats, late night Italo-disco chuggers and the kind of happy-go-lucky 21st century synth-pop that Eskimo does so well. Highlights include, but are no way limited to, the melodious bubbliness of Michoacan's "I Can See", the cowbell-laden Scandolearic space disco throb of Cavego's "Alfred (Og Venene Hans)", the low-slung new wave sleaziness of Eliezer and Rina's |San Sebastian", and the fluttering, hypnotic Balearic bliss of Middle Sky Booming's drowsy "Dreamy Route".
Through The Night (feat David Harks) - (4:17) 105 BPM
Review: Under the Satin Jackets alias, German nu-disco don Tim Bernhardt has released a swathe of synth-pop influenced singles, but only one album. "Solar Nights", his delayed follow-up to 2016 debut LP "Panorma Pacifico", has the feel of a crossover hit in the making, with Bernhardt once again showcasing his ability to graft gorgeous, sun-kissed and synth-heavy Balearic pop that's as comforting and life-affirming as a loved-up hug from your nearest and dearest. There are, of course, plenty of club-focused cuts to enjoy too, with highlights including the colourful, piano-heavy nu-disco/Balearic house fusion of "String It Again", dreamy chugger "Still Not Forgotten" and almost overwhelmingly gorgeous "All For You" standing out.
The Purple Collection (continuous DJ mix) - (1:10:56) 119 BPM
Review: Eskimo Recordings' colour-coded compilation series has been running for a while now, serving up previously unheard cuts from the Belgian label's ever-growing family of artists. Typically, there's much to admire on The Purple Collection, the seventh annual instalment in the ongoing series. Highlights include the deliciously cosmic, slo-mo pulse of Atella's "Ascension", the horizontal Balearic disco shuffle of Antenna's "Sparks", the pitched-down, early Chicago house-meets-synth-pop flex of Dan Soloand Future Feelings' "What Else Can I Do" and the Aeroplane style nu-disco positivity of Cavego's "Var I Eyer". Elsewhere, you'll find more up-tempo, nu-disco-fired dancefloor excursions from Simple Symmetry, BOKA and Horixon, while a hugely enjoyable non-stop DJ mix of the selected tracks completes a fine package.
Review: To kick-start their 2018 release programme, long-serving Belgian nu-disco imprint Eskimo has turned to an old friend: George "NTEIBNT" Bakalalos. While this appears to be his first single in some time, he's previously released a wealth of material on the label, often in cahoots with this single's guest vocalist, Stella. Her distinctive vocals take pride of place on "A State Nearby", a cheery chunk of gently bouncy nu-disco goodness rich in throbbing, Italo-disco style arpeggio bass, tactile piano riffs (think St Etienne's cover of Neil Young's "Only Love With Break Your Heart") and dreamy chords. Bakalakos opts for a warmer and groovier feel on bonus cut "I Do", creating feel-good vibes via the use of crunchy disco guitars, Balearic synthesizer motifs and dreamy vocal snippets.
Review: Over recent years, former Correspondant producer Paresse has delivered a series of druggy, head-in-the-clouds EPs for Craig Bratley's impeccable Magic Feet imprint. The Sloth Machine EP is his first outing on Belgium's Eskimo Recordings and is arguably a little more Balearic-minded than some of his previous releases. Certainly, there's a sunrise-friendly freshness to melodious and breezy closer "Quiet Light" - think cascading synthesizer lines, drowsy, delay-laden guitars and unfussy beats - while 108 BPM opener "Sloth Machine" is as crystalline and shimmering as they come. We're also enjoying the locked-in shuffle of "Being Vain", where waves of late night synthesizer seemingly crash over a hypnotic groove, while "Temple" is a quietly psychedelic, left-of-centre chunk of cosmic disco goodness.
Review: While Nteibint's "Hide In" is a fine slice of cheery, melodious nu-disco/synth-pop fusion, it's the accompanying remix package that makes this an essential purchase. Ewan Pearson, in particular, is in fine form, delivering vocal and instrumental versions that drag the track kicking and screaming towards the dancefloor. Both make excellent use of particularly psychedelic acid lines, sturdy beats, sharp violins and some killer disco cowbells. Both are little less than total overhauls, and testament to Pearson's quality as a producer. Zombies In Miami do a fine job on their remix, too, which sticks a little closer to Nteibint's original while ladling on the atmospheric chords.
Review: Two years on from his last outing on Eskimo Recordings, Vita 'Aeroplane' De Luca returns with a pair of tracks that pay tribute to the uncomplicated, life-affirming cheeriness of early piano house. "Page One Is Love", featuring a vocal sample from Chicago pioneer Jamie Principle, sounds like an attempt to fuse together as many classic house influences and references - plus vintage US garage organs - as possible. "Dancing With Each Other" inhibits similar territory, with the addition of sparkling nu-disco synths, early Daft Punk melodies and a heavy bassline. The pick of the accompanying remixes comes from Cassara, who re-casts "Page One Is Love" as an intoxicating chunk of baggy, Balearic house.
Review: Few do nu-disco quite as well as Satin Jackets. The German producer has an impressive discography to prove it, with previous releases appearing on such labels as Deep & Disco, Whiskey Disco and Eskimo. Here, he returns to the latter - with British vocalist Esser in tow - with the shimmering, summery goodness of "Shine On You". The previously hyped - but recently surprisingly quiet - Mighty Mouse contributes a headline-grabbing mix, in which he turns the cheery original into a driving chunk of synth-propelled disco-house. Ben Macklin goes in the opposite direction on his two reworks, diving deeper into the world of sun-flecked Balearic electronics and soft-focus nu-disco.
Review: There's something about house legend Robert Owens' voice that makes you want to hug random strangers, often while spontaneously bursting into tears of joy. It goes without saying that his vocals on "Brighter Day" - the second single from London duo Horixon - turn the track from a solid slice of warm, Balearic deep house into a touchy-feely masterpiece. They arguably sound even better layered over rolling military percussion and long, drawn out chords on Hotflush regular Locked Groove's excellent remix (for the record, the same producer's "Marching Trumpets Dub" is also pretty darn tasty). Another vocalist, the "enigmatic" Jacques Teal (whose voice sounds eerily similar to Alexis from Hot Chip), features on the deeper, bittersweet "Great Things", which is a near perfect chunk of Balearic synth-pop.
Review: Blamma! Blamma! Have made a name for themselves by making long, linear disco belters, and here they arrive on the mighty Eskimo for more of their if-it-ain't-broke disco formula. "Zsa Zsa" is an eight-minute deep headnodder based on an extremely catchy sampled piano riff and a diva mantra. Eelke Klein Filter shake things up a bit, delivering a lively funky house rework that's sure to invoke dancing on tabletops wherever it's played.
Review: With a title like "Lust For Wrong", you'd expect this comeback single from one-time Afro Art producer Vinny Villbass to be a little on the wonky side. Instead, it's a rather sensuous and tactile affair, with OST's half whispered, half-sung vocals riding a warm, hazy, tech-tinged deep house groove. Think of it is a Scandolearic take on the Visionquest sound, and you're close. Fellow Norwegian producer Finnebassen (House of Disco, Sleazy Deep, Electronique Digital) provides the obligatory remix, accentuating the techier elements whilst adding some deliciously woozy electronic melodies and glassy-eyed synth refrains.
Review: Belgium's Eskimo Recordings has always been unpredictable, though much of their output tends to straddle the fine line between nu-disco and deep house. That's certainly the case here, as Rotterdam-based Eelke Kleijn delivers two solid chunks of house/disco fusion. "Lovely Sweet Divine", with its swirling strings, bouncy bassline, addictive cowbells and sublime deep house chords, is particularly good. In fact, with its brilliant, string-laden breakdown, it sounds like a summer Balearic anthem in waiting. "A Tale of Two Lovers" is deeper, more melodic and almost melancholic. It comes backed with a pleasing Dub that injects a little deep house shuffle beneath its mournful violins and playful melodies.
Review: Last year's Pink Collection, the first in Eskimo's Colour Series of compilations, delivered a sumptuous blend of baggy Balearica, synth-heavy nu-disco, electronic deep house and wide-eyed indie-dance. Here, the long-running Belgian label repeats the formula, serving up 12 new and recent cuts from a wide-range of artists. Highlights come thick and fast, from the touchy-feely goodness of Freeform Five's Roisin Murphy hook-up "Levinthian" and the atmospheric nu-disco-goes-acid of Volta Cab's subdued "Smoke Some Kill", to the guitar-laden Balearic house of Peak Oak and company's "Nova", and Elke Kleijn's sensual, string-laden deep house epic "A Tale of Two Lovers".
The Fool (feat feat Cherry - Pete Oak remix) - (7:05) 122 BPM
Colibri - (6:13) 120 BPM
Review: Former Mustang man Renaud Deru makes his solo debut under the Attar alias, for respected Belgian imprint Eskimo Recordings. Given that Mustang were famed for their stylish, occasionally Balearic approach to nu-disco, it's little surprise to find that "The Fool" is built around thickset new wave synths, chunky deep house grooves and a dominant vocal from chanteuse Cherry. It sits somewhere between deep house and nu-disco, with the attractive vocal suggesting big things await. Newcomer Pete Oak delivers the obligatory remix, delivering big builds and even bigger drops. Orbital-ish bonus cut "Colibri" completes a solid package.
Review: Male/female production duo Him Self Her impressed with their ubiquitous 2012 single "Gone To Long". Here they return to Belgium's always-eclectic Eskimo Recordings imprint with two more sumptuous slices of eyes-closed, floor-friendly deepness. "Together", with its delay-laden vocal sample, shaker-driven shuffle and fluid chords, sounds like a deeper take on the often flat Visionquest sound. "Aftermath", on the other hand, is decidedly darker and wonkier, updating the New York tribal sound for contemporary clubs. That means a similar aesthetic, but more fluid synths and less overblown, layered drums. If you enjoy the likes of Maceo Plex and Jamie Jones, this should be in your cart.
Review: German duo Satin Jackets excel at making the kind of glossy, feelgood fodder that sits somewhere between groovy nu-disco and beach-friendly deep house. Having already impressed, they're now ready to drop arguably their biggest production yet, "You Make Me Feel Good". It's a decidedly Balearic jam, offering spine-tingling vocal samples over a smooth, tactile groove that should sound good at outdoor parties and musical festivals this summer. The package also includes the Deep Mix, a shuffling deep house mix that sounds like a nu-disco era take on the luscious Naked Music sound of the early 2000s. As it's already appearing on big compilations, you can expect it to be massive.
Review: Following his hit remix of Isolee's Beau Mot Plage, Anu Pillai (aka Freeform Five), rode the crest of the noughties electro-house boom. Then he vanished, or rather switched to co-writing pop for the likes of Cheryl Cole and Ladyhawke. Now he's back on Belgium's arty dance label Eskimo and well, it sounds...different. Hooking up with Gambian musician Juldeh Camara, "Weltareh" is a slice of sleek world music with beats (the plucked intro also sounds like Dolly Parton's Jolene!). Pillai adds some snappy house beats for his own reform, while Prins Thomas provides one of his trademark organic electro-disco interpretations.
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