It’s not often a mere seven inches puts such a wide smile on the face. But then it’s not every day that deep house don Ernie and his beloved Spanish label Minuendo put together a release of such rare quality on the old-school format.
Now it has and what is even more exciting is that the 24(7)26 EP brings together two of bringdownthewalls’ favourite artists; 2DeepSoul (aka Brad Peterson and Rai Scott) alongside Owen Jay and Melchior Sultana.
There is something about 2DeepSoul’s sound that fits glove-like with the aesthetic, output and philosophy of both Ernie in particular and Minuendo in general. The duo’s Earth Energy Part 1 EP for the imprint a handful of years back snuggled into the label’s catalogue with infinite ease and their contribution here, entitled Home, has the same organic warmth and comforting dream-like melodies. It may not be the thumping, easy-mix, one-dimensional house music that the kids crave these days but hallelujah for that.
Completing and complementing the petite package are Jay and Sultana, stalwarts of the Batti Batti label and erstwhile production partnership for a number of tasty imprints including Underground Quality, Contrast-Wax and Moods & Grooves. Much of their work together not only sits perfectly with Minuendo but has echoes of the 2DeepSoul sound too in that it often has a dusty, soulful and honest quality about it. Their offering here, Deserted, is one such track; jazzy, raw and, like this adorable little seven inch, instantly lovable.
Check out:
Minuendo online
Batti Batti @ Facebook
Inner Shift Music @ Facebook
24(7)26 @ Juno
It was the stunning deep house tribute to Gil Scott Heron craftily entitled Sleep Scott Heron some seven years ago that first brought the then-mysterious W & P Hgg to my attention. After some digging it transpired that the nom de guerre was in fact the alter ego of Hugo Giner, the man behind the intriguing Valencia-based label Cornuta Sound.
Yet despite essential follow-up releases on his own wonderful imprint and the ever-excellent compatriot imprint Deep Explorer, Giner fell silent and effectively dropped off the radar around five years ago..
Now he is back Lazarus-like from the deep house other side with a simply gorgeous EP, Down From Heaven, for the continually blossoming Mallorca-based label Hizou.
Devine EP opener Unique Soul is an odyssey of epic proportions. Its near 13 minutes of sun-soaked soul and warming vibes are stretched gloriously across the entirety of side A with maximum effect. Close your eyes and you could easily find yourself transported to a summertime Mediterranean beach, such is the impact of its brisk percussion, inspirational vocal sentiments and uplifting brass.
Over on the reverse side is Welcome, a more stripped down and intergalactic offering. Constantly shimmering keys, robotic vocal snippets and a beautifully cushioned bassline ease and tease the track gently and pleasingly along. It’s a fine piece of work in its own right but is nevertheless supported in style by a remix from new studio partnership Sons of Empire, aka Madrid’s very own masters of the deep, Dubbyman from the aforementioned Deep Explorer and Minuendo Recordings’ Ernie. They opt for a more perc-driven take, a touch more downbeat and funky by design with a little more beef about the bass.
As comebacks go, it’s a beauty. Don’t leave it so long next time Hugo.
Check out:
Hizou online
Cornuta Sound @ Facebook
Pre-order Down From Heaven EP @ Juno
Black Key are making a habit of head-hunting house’s hottest underground talent. BLM, Ethyl, Flori, Giovanni Damico and Milton Jackson are amongst those who have been drafted in for the cause so far and now the Brighton-based label have turned to the trusty skills of Brad Peterson for their latest vinyl adventure.
Smart move on the part of Black Key too as the Edinburgh-based producer once again produces a star turn with three tracks of undoubted quality and enjoyment.
Monsoon, a rollickingly good ride throughout it has to be said, paves the way with a thumping and thundering cosmic journey through the grey area between house and techno aided and abetted most ably by an infuriatingly infectious kick and a lovely little spaced-out groove.
For something somewhat less frenetic, the flipside double are almost trademark Peterson. Whether turning his hand to deep house, techno or a genre-bending hybrid, there is always a pronounced musicality, a hint of jazz even and a certain panache that marks out the gently-spoken American producer's output from so much of the pack. He’s at it again here.
Sit Back is a laid-back, loose-fingered and slightly melancholic take on the deep that has class running through it like the word ’Brighton’ through a stick of rock. Cloud Remedy is even more delightful, classic deep house with no more than a nod and a wink to the genre’s pioneers, notably the masterful Larry Heard. But it is distinctly Peterson and the man at his finest too, a phrase that seems to be ’on repeat’ when listening to his work these days. Long may that continue.
Check out:
Brad Peterson @ FB
Black Key Records @ FB
Frequency Resonance @ Juno
Good things come to those who wait. Apparently. It may well be true as new label DeepSystems seems to have been a long time in the making given that the man behind it, Matt Pond, is a familiar name to those of a certain musical leaning thanks to his long-standing and essential radio show of the same name.
Now Pond has finally taken the plunge and enlisted the help of collaborators, cohorts and chums for cracking debut EP, Systems 01.
Devoted entirely to side one is opening track Pieces Of A Puzzle from Tales Ov Rossi, a joint effort between Jon Gray (one third of the BitterSuite collective which includes Pond) and 1Dan, erstwhile Batti Batti artist. It’s a no-nonsense, heads-down chunky little mother, moody and broody in equal measure yet strangely enthralling and mesmerising. A slow burner for sure too but one well worth going the distance with and a suitably fine introduction to the new project.
BitterSuite’s joyous deep house sound is a familiar one round these parts thanks to outings in various forms on labels such as Finale Sessions, Swedish Brandy and the aforementioned Malta-based imprint Batti Batti.
So it is particularly satisfying to see the project - which on this occasion is actually Gray flying solo - take the reigns on the flipside with Familiar Currents Parts 1 and 2. He doesn’t disappoint. Part One is the more life-affirming, spiritually-rewarding and uplifting of the two versions, musically tight and expansive and with its groove most definitely on. Delightful.
Part Two is the more contemplative and introspective of the twins, no less accomplished mind you and ultimately just as deeply satisfying. Indeed, on rotation it delves far into the mind, body and soul to the point that when push comes to shove, it may even nick it as standout track depending on your musical persuasion. Highly recommended.
Check out:
DeepSystems @ FB
Systems 01 @ Juno
New year, new faces at Inner Shift Music [ISM]. But what isn’t new is the label’s commitment to high-quality electronic music as their latest various artists release, Collective Continents, ably demonstrates.
With the owners 2DeepSoul [aka Brad Peterson and Rai Scott] taking a back-seat on this occasion, it’s left to their handpicked line-up of four more-than-capable debutants to keep the fires burning.
Deep house poster boy Jacksonville - straight outta Glasgow via Yorkshire these days - marks his label début with the kind of glorious, infectious and sparkling groover with a soupçon of the eighties that he’s been delivering for some time now on his own label Doppler. The impressive The City Sleeps is arguably Inner Shift’s most full-throttle offering to date yet still sits comfortably within the imprint’s carefully-crafted sound and mindset. So much so that Jacksonville has also landed a forthcoming solo EP with the excellent Edinburgh-based label.
California-based José Lau [Altered Moods/Deepselect/Downbeat] serves up another début to remember although his cut I Can Yet Love is much more chilled and languid, less frenetic than our friend Jacksonville‘s number, yet still seriously catchy and promising enough to suggest Lau too will return at some stage.
Recently unmasked as Owen Jay [Batti Batti/Underground Quality] and Natan H [ManMakeMusic/Ethereal Sound], Gauss make a first appearance on Inner Shift with Denormal, the kind of superior, obtuse and devilishly-brilliant techno that has graced their own label of the same name and ear-marked that imprint too as one to watch.
In-form Marco Nega, fresh from an ear-catching slot on the latest Batti Batti EP, shines here too with the gorgeous Night Hiker (Boost ‘N Time edit), a beautifully restrained and emotionally-charged synth-driven production that floats effortlessly from start to finish and brings the EP to a close with the gentlest of landings. Hit ‘buy’ immediately.
Check out:
Inner Shift @ FB
Inner Shift @ Juno
It is pretty cold round these parts this time of year, not to say a little cheerless following the festive overload, but if there is one thing guaranteed to warm the cockles then that is a new release from the beauteous Batti Batti.
And Tribal Roots, the eighth EP from the ever-consistent deep house label, is a particularly heart-warming treat.
Indeed, featuring old favourites, stalwarts and newcomers too, tracks inspired from across the house and techno spectrum plus more deepness than a Jacques Cousteau expedition, Tribal Roots once again showcases the Malta-based imprint at its very finest.
Take the title cut from label boss Owen Jay and regular partner Melchior Sultana. Just when I thought I had the measure of the pair, that I understood their dark twisted tendencies versus their moody Mediterranean-influenced leanings, they go and flip the script and knock out a track so outrageously funky and infectious that all you can really say is ‘wow’. Teaming up with drummer and percussionist Antoine from Malta’s leading live act, Tribali, the track is a lengthy bongo workout par excellence, underpinned carefully by Jay and Sultana’s restrained kick, that suddenly bursts brilliantly and warmly into deep house heaven with the sound of summer stamped all over it. Simply stunning.
It is a tough act to follow for sure but fortunately the other artists on board are more than up to the job. 1Dan, a returnee to Batti Batti, is one of those producers who seems to have slipped below the radar for many but really shouldn’t have. He’s obviously not escaped Jay’s attention and here on the rather splendid Recovery Process serves up some tough beats balanced by a melancholic undulating synth and an erotic-temptress vocal sample.
Marco Nega, another member of the Batti Batti family, is also back with Inside Out, yet another slab of soulful and infectious deep house featuring the vocal talents of Leen Vivid. On another occasion this excellent cut may have grabbed top billing but hasn’t such is the strength in depth on Tribal Roots.
Proving this point ably is closing track Depth Of The Ocean from the underground’s First Lady, Rai Scott. It’s trademark Scott; ambient, atmospheric and delivered with aplomb. This time with more of a techno-bent, Depth Of The Ocean is the kind of quality deepness that has elevated Scott to sought-after status on the circuit. It’s her first appearance on Batti Batti. I doubt it will be her last.
Check out:
Batti Batti Records online
Batti Batti @ FB
Tribal Roots @ Juno
As debuts go, it is impressive. Very impressive. But then Ben Micklewright, the talent behind new project The Bush, is an impressive chap.
Not content with his work as much-rated producer BLM and co-owner of the ever-impressive Fear Of Flying label, Micklewright has also recently gone halves on another excellent project, The White Man and The Arab. Now comes a new venture inspired by his West London neighbourhood and a new moniker drawing on his wide-ranging musical knowledge and multifarious influences.
Under the pseudonym Skew, Micklewright gets the project off to a flyer with an unapologetically deep four-tracker named after his local record shop, the legendary Peckings.
The eponymous opening cut is about as airy, spacious and downright desirable as deep house gets. Less is more may be the mantra, but it nevertheless takes real ability, dexterity and skill to make it work this beautifully. Og18 is similarly cerebral and gorgeous, full of atmosphere, emotion and meaning for those up for buying into its musical spirituality.
Though a little more chunky - and there’s nothing at all wrong with that - Legome is equally effortlessly cool, unashamedly laidback and, put simply, ace. Lockdown barely breaks sweat either, sub-aqueous layering, muted kick et al draped in a dreamy cloak being the order of the day here.
Like a fine wine, the still-young Micklewright continues to mature well with age and this delightful collection is right up there with his best work. More Skew, more Bush, more please.
Check out:
Skew @ FB
Skew @ Juno
