Monday 13 October 2014

V/A – Austerity Cuts Vol. 1 – Austere Recordings




Less is more they say. Perhaps not though in the case of the much-loved Austere Recordings which has been away for way too long. Fast-approaching a year since the label’s last outing, they are finally back in business however with an EP well worth the wait, Austerity Cuts Volume 1.

And for release number seven the imprint has plumped for its first various artists EP featuring a clutch of new names alongside a well-respected older hand.

French DJ and producer Life Recorder is now firmly established as one of the underground’s brightest talents following a series of exceptional releases for the likes of Soul Print Recordings and the grossly underrated Bokhari. Here he is on the kind of form that caught the attention of Aesthetic Audio’s Keith Worthy with a sparkling techno cut, From Above, that glistens from every chord and delights at every turn.

Young newcomer Arnheim is clearly a talent to watch out for. Remember the name because there is undoubtedly much more to come from the London-based upstart on the evidence of this über-deep diamond. A self-confessed jazz fan, his melancholic piano-driven piece Late Night In The Loft more than holds its own, exuding class and evoking images of long-lost smoke-filled dive bars. Nice.

Gradul Lashton, a moody pseudonym if ever there was, debuts on the label with the wonderfully dreamy and redolent Summer Solace, a track in no particular rush that meanders jauntily and languidly from start to finish. Superb.

Rounding off proceedings is Fat Dog’s All That I Own. It’s a blissful, bluesy and elegant contribution dripping in soul and warmth, not least because of the gorgeous Marvin Gaye undercurrent. And you can never get enough Marvin.

Check out:
Austerity Cuts Vol. 1 @ Juno
Life Recorder @ FB
Arnheim @ FB



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