Review: Having released on esteemed imprints like Poker Flat and Cyclic, James Dexter now makes his debut on hedZup. Dexter's take on house is distinctive, with a focus on fluid arrangements and hypnotic rhythms. This approach is clearly audible on "She Looks", where he layers chopped up vocals and dreamy synths over a stripped back, rolling groove. "Vertigo" inhabits a similarly layered territory, with rolling drums and a murmuring bass underpinning tripped out keys and shimmering synths, while the title track is a more dubbed out affair, as Dexter draws on cavernous filters and reggae vocals to layer over his reduced drums. There's also an irresistibly deep, break beat-led version of "She Looks" from Tuccillo included.
Review: hedZup label head WLAD is pleased to present his debut album Call Lab. Developed over the course of 12 months, the Parisian producer serves up 10 tracks in collaboration with the creme de la creme of the European tech house scene at present. From the boompty swing-fuelled futurism of opener "Moulin Rouge" in collaboration with Sake Records' Oden & Fatzo, to the moody and tripped-out afterhours vibe explored on "Sparkling Water" with local hero Mancini, the dubby, emotive and looped-up style of "Lova Droppa" with British duo The Willers Brothers (nailing that Cabinet Records vibe of old) and the stripped back minimal funk of "Odyssey" with the Avotre and Toolroom affiliated Sante. It's what the label described as 'a broad and brilliant collection of tasteful and club ready house cuts' - and that's spot on!
Review: Parisian label hedZup follows up some great releases recently by British tech house heroes such as Tijn and Mehlor, with this new one by Cologne-based Djoko. The 'Ride On' EP sees this ascendant producer and DJ tick all the right boxes: from the slinky and hypnotic late night bounce of the title track, to the tough and funked-up peak time roller "Wrecked" which calls to mind the work of Djebali or iO (Mulen) and demonstrates that the guy sure has talent. On the remix we have label co-chief Mancini taking the track "Tunnel" down a deeper route (pardon the pun) and it is perfect mood music for the warm-up or the afterhours alike - so groovy!
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