Review: Detroit's own house legend Terrence Parker drops his eighth studio album in a production career that dates all the way back to the early 90s. Opener 'Glorious' (feat Damaged Goods) sets the tone: replete with Parker's trademark piano and a top-drawer female vocal, it's clear from the outset that we're in pretty traditional house territory. But few do this kind of tackle better than Mr P (especially in this day and age), and from the sultry, sax-tastic 'So Beautiful' and 'Naturally' (both feat Giani Bellio) to the stomping tech of closer 'Bad Company' with its preacher vocal, via the laidback 'Bestie' and the gospel-inspired, Seven Grand Housing Authority vibes of 'Shine On', the house lover's only complaint is likely to be that there are just eight tracks. Absolutely masterful.
Review: It's quite a coup for any producer to release their first record on Rekids: the fact that Necessary also features remixes from Detroit legends Scan 7, Terrence Parker and DJ Bone makes this release all the more impressive. In its original format, "Necessary" is a deep, swirling groove, featuring plaintive vocals and a bumping low end. Bone's version retains the vocal but beefs up the rhythm, while Terrence Parker's take sees him deliver a organ-led house groove with a truly celebratory feeling. Rounding off this exemplary release is Scan 7's remix: led by a snaking bass and clanking, metallic percussion, it progresses to reveal mesmerising synths.
Review: Local Talk has pulled off something of a coup here, somehow persuading legendary Detroit house producer Terrence Parker to contribute a predictably hot two-tracker. "Gratiot Avenue Piano" is a thrillingly celebratory workout, all told, with Parker layering bold, hammered-out piano riffs and rich gospel organs atop a punchy, cymbal-heavy drum machine groove. It feels like the kind of track that will inspire spontaneous acts of clothes removal - tops off, boys - when dropped at the right time. Parker continues the stab-heavy approach on slightly deeper, groovier B-side "Unconditional", which wouldn't have sounded out of place on a Strictly Rhythm 12" from 1993.
Love's Got Me High (Marc Romboy Systematic Soul mix) - (6:41) 118 BPM
Love's Got Me High (Jimpster remix) - (6:34) 123 BPM
Review: The prevailing wisdom in music is 'if it ain't broke don't fix it', and we had some trepidation when we learned that there were reworks planned of Terrence Parker's "Love's Got Me High". Despite these reservations, it's clear that Romboy and Jimpster have delivered versions that are respectful of the original and certainly meet its high standards. Romboy's take centres on loose, organic drums and soulful keys, filtered subtly. These elements provide the basis for a sensuous male vocal to intone the track's title. Jimpster's take is trackier and more suited to DJ usage, its hissing, rasping percussion combined expertly with an insistent rhythm, but here too rhodsey keys and crowd screams and yells ensure it has a high soul quota. Check it!
Review: Originally released in 2011, but even more relevant today, Systematic revisit Detroit legend Parker as he dusts off the organs for a swinging homage to Seven Grand Housing Authority. With a timeless, strutting funk and perfect vocal pilfered from Jamie Foxx, if you look up 'classic house music' in the dictionary this tune will be listed. For a deeper, more contemporary (but still utterly soulful) remix then head for Romboy's take. Both are amazing. Let's get high...
Review: As the title suggests, Terrence's Parker's first album since 2014 was inspired by the two constants in the experienced producer's life: his Christian faith, and the ongoing struggles of Detroit. Musically, it's an unashamedly retro-futurist affair, with Parker largely delivering a range of feel good tunes that draw heavily on techno, gospel, New Jersey garage and Chicago house. Highlights are plentiful, from the warm sci-fi ambience of "The Sabbath" and rich, late '80s soulfulness of "Transition", to the bubbly techno shuffle of "Let's Go" and the rush-inducing piano house stomp that is "Don't Waste Another Minute". "Latter Rain", which is served up in two distinctive versions - the beat-less, string-drenched soul of the "Hearing The Rain Mix" and the classic US garage skip of the "After The Storm Mix" - is also superb.
TechElectro - "Stars That Never Die" - (4:13) 127 BPM
D-Knox - "Summer Beach Time" - (8:06) 125 BPM
Terrence Parker - "So Beautiful" - (7:18) 124 BPM
Review: A second edition of the Various Artists Backpack EP, from French house label D3 Elements pulls together some key producers; Detroit soulful house star Terrence Parker is back once again, and joined by D-Knox, Dan Curtin and TechElectro. Curtin gets the ball rolling with "House Spirits," a summery, feel good house roller with trilling keys and organic chords all making for a jazzy vibe. Then comes a more synthetic and abstract cut, "Stars That Never Die", from TechElectro aka the fearsome American techno duo of Solid Gold Playaz, who also release as Dark Matrix. On the flip side, D-Knox aka Groove Man offers "Summer Beach Time," a cool as you like track with breezy chords, radiant pads and wooden sounding percussion flapping along next to the drums. Then it is down to Terrence Parker to close with the laid back, deep and soothing "So Beautiful," a sweet as you like house jam with magic chords and plenty of heart warming grooves.
