Review: The new EP, "Offshore Sunsets," by the collaborative effort of Steve Cobby (of Fila Brazilia fame) and Third Attempt washes over the listener like a warm, hazy summer evening. Released on Paper Recordings, this three-track offering is a delightful exploration of Balearic house, perfect for unwinding or soundtracking a laid-back gathering. The opening track, "B Human," sets the tone with its "rolling, hypnotic, spaced-out" vibe (as described by Paper Recordings). Floating minor keys, a walking bassline, and a gorgeously chugging guitar create a sun-drenched soundscape. This is Balearic bliss at its finest. Third Attempt takes the reins for the aptly titled "Language Of The Heart." This track leans into a more downtempo, a perfect offering for those late-night sessions or creating a chilled atmosphere. The duo reunites for the closing track, "Feeling Seen." This hazy, jazzy broken beat number brings the EP to a satisfying conclusion. Deep basslines intertwine with funky elements, showcasing the collaborative magic between Cobby and Third Attempt.
Review: Here's another must-check missive of lesser-known and hard-to-find material from DJ Kaos's Jolly Jams label, curated with love by the man himself. Over the course of 12 tidy tracks, we're treated to ambient lusciousness (Superpitcher remixing Kaos's own 'World Turning'), deliciously dubbed-out proto-house (the 'Warehousin' Mix' of Split Secs' 'I'm Not Losing'), mind-mangling psychedelic electronic disco-meets-acid house (Red Axes' 'Promo Only'), dub disco (Slaves of Love and Tavish, whose 'Raw Seduction' is genuinely superb), soaring disco edit action (Spring Break Edit), Sylvester pitched-down and blissed out (Balearic Skip), Kenny Hawkes-ish disco-not-disco eccentricity (Luke Solomon remixing Richard From Milwaukee) and ragging acid tracks (Danny Russell & Timothy Alexander).
Review: Kieran Hebden, better known by his moniker Four Tet, has graced us with his first full-length album in nearly three years. "Three," released on his own Text Records imprint, is a meticulously crafted exploration of sound, weaving together elements of electronica, downtempo, and folktronica influences. The album strikes a balance between organic and electronic textures. Tracks like "Loved" showcase Hebden's signature ability to manipulate found sounds and samples, creating a shimmering sonic tapestry. "Gliding Through Everything" leans more towards the downtempo side, with its gentle piano chords and woozy atmosphere. However, Four Tet doesn't shy away from exploring the electronic realm. Tracks like "Daydream Repeat" feature driving uptempo rhythms intertwined with ethereal piano melodies, showcasing his talent for building tension and release. "Storm Crystals" injects a dose of ambient energy, while "Skater" leans into playful, almost chiptune-like melodies. The closing track, "Three Drums" (another pre-release single), brings back the energy with its pulsating bassline and infectious groove. Not to miss!
Review: Billed as a "tribute to the forgotten late '80s/early '90s era of Bhangra influenced by house, dub and hip-hop", this expansive collection boasts fresh remixes of tracks from Manjeet Kondal's 1986 album 'Holle Holle', and a fresh cut featuring vocal samples from that set. Mr Scruff steps up to provide the remixes, offering four passes on 'Ishkaan de Mamie': a deliciously jacking, proto house-meets-acid house full vocal remix that lasts for just a shade under 10 mesmerising minutes, a sleazy and percussive 'Instrumental Dub', an alternative 'Vocal Strip Down' take with added TB-303 tweaks, and a tidy 'Edit'. Turbotito and Ragz deliver 'Pyaar', a brilliant slab of late '80s style Bhangra/hip-hop fusion with added acid lines. The 'Lovey Dubby Dub' is a sensational alternative pass that's arguably better than the duo's original mix.
Review: Rayko teams up once more with Elena Hikari to deliver the pair's second joint long-player, following on the heels of 2023's 'Tu Alma Y La Mia'. But while that first album was good, this one's exceptional! Cinematic, cosmic opener 'Too Much' sets the tone but it's the second track, 'Nunca James', that really hits you in the face: it's a slow-burning monster, with Hikari's haunting vocal earning it a place in the box marked "truly sublime". 'Looking To Edge' is another BIG track that probably needs to be heard on a 4am dancefloor to be truly appreciated; after that you get four more cuts that blur the lines between cosmic/Italo disco, Balearica, coldwave, house and pop (including a new version of 'Extraordinarylove' from the first album) before the title track, another deep, slo-mo chugger, plays us out in very fine style. Excellent work!
Catching Flies & Imaginary Friend - "The Last Phone Call" - (2:23) 79 BPM
Review: Catching Flies, the moniker of George King, delivers his most emotional and cohesive project yet with this album, Tides. Collaborating closely with string arranger Thomas Lea, known for his work with Adele, Bonobo, and Rhye, Catching Flies explores the theme of 'ebbs and flows', reflecting on personal and global experiences over the past few years. The album beautifully captures the cyclical nature of life, anchored by a singular sense of purpose and intricate musicality. From the melodic mesh of harp samples and soaring strings in the lead single "Halo" to the deeply textured and soulful exploration of tracks like "Spring" and "The Last Phone Call" - Catching Flies blends live instrumentation with warm electronic beats.
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