Jamie Jones
feat. Art Department
Our Time In Liberty
Crosstown Rebels
What else needs to be said of Jamie Jones meteoric rise? Nothing, apart from that you need to listen to this. Powered by dark, brooding stabs this pulls no punches whatsoever combining not only a sense of urgency via Kenny Glasgow’s hot vocal: I Know It’s The time, but also by a devastating succession of deep, pulsating beats and rumbling basslines which make it feel never less than anthemic. In one word then: HUGE. Russ Yallop continues the prediction by running the classic chord progression over yet more outstanding atmospheres, which only serve to enhance the experience still further. In other words: equally HUGE. 9
Great release from Audiojacks’ Gruuv Records however I’ll try to spare you the references as the first track is called, 92. Of course it’s time related but who cares – that much – as this has a funky JB snare break sounding irresistible over fuzzy pads and timely voices. Uplifting, and yet very tastefully deep. Pol_On provides the Edit with an impressive alternative take on the bass plus thumping toms coupled with inspired cinematic strings, and with such an unhinged arrangement this can really only be described as excellent. Next is the fiery, Mia which lifts the tempo and atmosphere while hitting more 90’s notes in the course of refocusing your memory to youthful times – see jealous. Rodriguez Jr. provides exemplary remixes that only heighten the dancefloor appeal with excellent percussion fuelled by big-time keys and MK styled vocals. Perfect. 9
Alex Jones and Ste Roberts (also of Hypercolour) along with Dave Elkabas have formed the Initials imprint and the deceptive, The Art Of Doing Nothing is their second release. Jay Bliss, having previously released on Bang Bang and Dynamic, gets straight down to business with low-slung bass and old school sensibilities pitted against moody organ and an edgy vocal loop. An easy formula for sure but one that works a treat – the bassline is extremely hypnotic. Second track, X continues the text with deeper tones and evolving keys feel just that bit more poignant. Petre Inspirescu then reinterprets X over the course of fourteen minutes and astonishingly there is never a dull moment in all of its electronic sequence. Added to the digital release is bonus, Atonement which isn’t as sombre as it suggests and certainly re invigorates you with pulsating rhythms and excitable keys. 8
The labels second release from two of its talking heads’ is somewhat of a killer combining energised dancefloor sensibilities with breezy melodic appeal. It’s all about the drums, the bass and the voice here, and this cool combination of all three feels instantly infectious along with a hefty sprinkling of funky guitar – indeed, you can just picture the smiling faces on the dancefloor. The Mole then turns it all upside down with a feverish remix transforming the elements into something moodier, darker but no less intoxicating. 8
If you’d have asked twenty years ago where House Music would end up? I might not have imagined such an exquisite progression but here we are with Maceo Plex, who for good reason is all over the place at the moment. It can sometimes be hard to put into words precisely how music makes you feel. However, this combination of epic ambience, technological stabs and with yet another unfeasibly funky bassline in place, Frisky does things that are perhaps better left to the imagination. Sex Appeal continues the theme with heavily treated vocals feeling heavenly alongside rapid-fire acid bass and perfectly toned beats. The word Artist is aptly applied. 9
Released by La Fleur’s own label she undoubtedly has the courage of conviction and I have to say that this is excellent/ beautiful in equal measure. The title track eases you into a deep sense of security with gently shuffling rhythms contrasted with a heavy bass and sprinkling of emotive chords. The vocals add even more effortless charm to the production which should gain the labels third release the attention I would suggest it merits. Tjuvlyssnerskan follows by twisting the Swedish noun for feminine around a beautiful, melancholy keyboard loop and more infectious bottom-end. 8
Back with their second release for the label the Polish duo deliver more in the way of contemporary electro-funk that sits very neatly upon Freerange. Open Your Arms plays off-kilter voices against an imaginative arrangement of beats and basslines, which while they throw back to the past also veer cleverly towards the future. The Fred P Reshape then dispenses with that entire notion and delves headlong into subwoofer oblivion, which quite frankly is somewhere you’ll also want to be when you hear this. Love the uncomplicated but deeply intense combination of moody pads and drums which say it all here. Dreamin’ About You finishes you off by the harsh reality of distorted kicks complimented by jazzy stabs, and feels sort of early nineties but then f**ks with that idea completely – cool. 8
More sizzling hot Bass action for you, which in this case emanates from Hot Waves and Favourite Robot recording artist Sean Roman. Bocuse, kicks things off with acid tinged deepness and feels very much of the moment, as its centered around the Bass, while the remainder of production is adorned with all sorts of intriguing electronic sound: some funky – some weird. Moan, follows via the same approach although this feels just that bit funkier. Remixes come from the excellent MANIK, who take the fuzzy tones one step further, plus Waifs and Strays who factor in a 90’s sensibility into their equally fiery interpretation. 7
There’s nothing like the sound of a real bass guitar (or even its digital approximation) to get the juices flowing and Jozif’s latest for Culprit is set to do just that. It would be hard not to love this and the way it pulls all sorts of reference points together: from 80’s synths and Disco styled Strings, to that Funk bass line and 2012 arrangement. Tea, is a spoonful of excellence. The Cure inspired version of Lullaby will appeal to those of a Balearic persuasion and makes ‘just for old time’s sake’ feel like a very good proposition indeed. Which leaves the tasteful, swirling atmospheres of Serenade and the bold electronic textures of down-tempo, Boesen to complete the picture. 8
Jesse Siminski, or better known as, Heartthrob crosses the lines between Techno and electronic House music to feel uniquely spaced-aged. Odyssey’s journey begins with tense beats, supplemented by scratchy keys, and proceeds into darker territory generated by an array of odd-ball electricity that’s nothing but tempting. You would be surprised to hear that, The Liar follows in a lighter note but it doesn’t. It does however offer you funkier cow-bell driven percussion, although even this turns out to be deliciously sinister with the introduction of sleazy sythns and suspect voices. 7
Cielo Sunrise (mixed by Nicolas Matar) Nervous Records
NYC’s Cielo co-owner and resident DJ Nicolas Matar delivers what’s best described a beautiful journey through the sights and sounds of AM:PM. Titled, Sunrise for good reason this perfect blend of soulfully infused rhythms gives you the very best in sassy songs to more vigorous workouts. As you continue listening, Matar proves to be a classic DJ in every sense of the word with the mix tripping through light and shade while touching upon a selection of styles, Cielo is destined to always get the better of your curiosity. Beginning with Guy Gerber’s excellent remix of Deniz Kurtel’s ‘The L Word’ you pass through DJ T’s ‘City Life’ and end up at Jimpster’s beautiful Summer Of Love Remix of ‘1988′ – which is almost right back we all started from. 8
“To celebrate Baker Street Recordings 5th birthday we are giving away an hour long mix featuring some of the labels best tracks from the last 5 years and new remixes of some of the classic Baker Street releases. Mixed by our very own Paul Hardy & McKai. All the tracks in this mix and more are available on the 5th anniversary release out on the 23rd of April at all digital retailers.”
Album review to follow plus interview with Paul Hardy….
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Cheryl Lynn In The Night bbr (Big Break Records)
Some three years after the release of her perennial party favourite Got To Be Real, Cheryl Lynn teamed up with producer Ray Parker Jr to produce her third album, In The night in 1981. Opening with her second classic single Shake It Up Tonight the song sees the songstress deliver a pantheon to the cult of Nightlife, encapsulating both its joy and energy and feeling every bit as exciting as …To Be Real, but just that bit more sophisticated. The vocal does that distinctly American thing of sounding soulful, while reaching the extremities of emotion which only singers of a certain calibre can truly do. Also worth noting – if you do such things – are the Gene Page arranged Strings which soar, then hover, with pure Disco class. The album devolps with a selection of hit and miss ballads, mid-tempo popish grooves, and then reaches the rather tasty What’s On Your Mind. 8
Jamie Jones
Dog Days
Jay Bliss
Dan Ghenacia & Shonky
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