Review: Apparently the work of a big-name producer who wants to keep his real identity a secret, "Circle" does a fine job of merging classic sounds with contemporary flavours. The title track is populated by spine-tingling acidic licks and powerful bass surges, but the underlying rhythm is stripped back as stuttering minimal beats take hold. "Telepathic Heights" offers a similar approach, with stripped back beats underpinning a soaring bass and Chicago-style doubled up claps. The release is also notable because it sees Berlin techno producer Mike Dehnert in more reflective mood than usual; his 'mellow remix' of circle as MD2 is all swirling rhodes keys and plinky-plonk bass, but he returns to typical form with the Basic Channel-style chords and distorted beats of the MD2 "hard" version.
Review: Issued on Running Back's Incantations offshoot, A Sagittariun's latest album is a diverse affair. While it features the kind of tripped out techno that this producer has become synonymous with over the years - check "Watch The Skies!" and "Life Is The Illusion, Love Is The Dream" - it also boasts off-centre tracks such as scuffled industrial funk of "Once Upon A Time" and "Last Of The Crazy Baldheads". Heights is also notable in that it features tripped out jams like the cosmic-disco of "Lazer Battle At The OK Coral" and "Dream Stealers" as well as the broken beats of "Version Excursion". It shows that A Sagittariun is a more rounded artists that some of his club releases may have suggested.
Review: Danish chill out legend Kenneth Bager turns in a ninth Sunset Session on his most esteemed Music For Dreams imprint. In the game for some 20 years now, Bager's compilations are something to be trusted and highlights this time come from Lucci Capri's down and dirty "Boom Boom Clap" and the syncopated rhythms of SIRS remix to Bongo Entp. Soulful touches of jazz make it into the deep house affairs of Pepe Link's "Gypsy Love Affair" and amid the bassline mechanics of "Man With The Red Face". But let's not forget the man Kenneth Bager himself, who chips on with an ambient edit to Laudness' "Atlantish" - think 80s soundtrack music - next to the handpan drumming, balearic vocals, electronic drum programming and spanish guitar of "Avisa A (feat DJ DIVO & OliO)". Ole!
Review: Over the last few years, Martin 'Atjazz' Iveson has spent a fair amount of time mentoring Peacey, a young producer with oodles of talent. That much is proved by the rising star's expansive debut album, a superb 16-track set that combines sizzling colo cuts with a string of inspired collaborations. The Edinburgh-based artist sets his stall out via the luscious horn arrangements and immersive ambient electronics of 'Play It By Ear', before drifting between head-nodding R&B loveliness (Oveous hook-up 'Love In The Forest'), sensual and seductive, soul-flecked deep house ('Hold Me Back' with Clyde and Atjazz), mid-tempo boogie-soul ('Playground' with Rona Ray), dubby and dreamy downtempo grooves ('Last Night's Dream'), deep and techy, spoken word-sporting dancefloor workouts ('Culture Bandit' with Vanessa Hidary) and jazz-funk influenced excellence (LaRoye collab 'In The Distance').
Review: Contemporary jazz label outta the UK, First Word, brings us a compilation highlighting a select group of artists, groups and collaborations the label has works with and supports, taking in broken beat, hip hop, jazz and R&B to spoken word and soul. Highlights from its UK roster include tracks by Darkhouse Family, Kaidi Tatham and Sarah Williams White to a streak of US artists in 14KT (and that Tall Black Guy remix) to Muhsinah, Stro Elliot & James Poyser. Special mentions go to Melbourne songstress Allysha Joy, New Zealand jazz drummer Myele Manzanza and Japanese trumpeter Takuya Kuroda! French act Souleance turn out some playful latin breaks in "Mont Maudit" with some classy disco coming outta Don Leisure's "Egg Yolk Bun". Full flavoured First Word selections.
Review: So, this is one well packed present to say the least as The Dreamers Recordings gather up their full strength for another exceptional compilation, featuring the likes of Sentierum, Krispy, Frame, HLZ, Lizard and more, who all combine for a stripped back jungle shelldown. The full project is packed with quality from start to finish, with immediate standouts being Lyndon Jarr's emotional roller in 'Lightweight' and the sharpened drum processing of 'Who's Falling' from Lao Wai. A special shout out also has to go to Yoofee on 'Glume', which is stuffed with cool harmonies and spicy electronic pads.
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