Inaya Day

reviews:44

Towards Green
Last Page EP
Buzzin Fly Records

I did think of Durutti Column when I first heard Rivero Brito’s sensitively plucked guitar streaming through stereo and that’s of course a most welcoming experience. But, it’s also equally refreshing not to plant thoughts in your mind as this EP conjures up all sorts of people you could reference, despite the music having a life very much of its own. After experiencing the rather beautiful title track, the even more so, Keep Your Eyes Closed defies logic with uber-cool Double Bass and fizzy electronics blending together impressively with thought-enhancing arrangements and subtleties. The Arkist Remix adds beats, though cleverly doesn’t lose the charm, on an excellent version that can only come highly recommended. The Live Take of Last Page then finishes off with what must have put a rather large smile on Ben Watts face… 9

release: April 16

http://www.buzzinfly.com

 

Boris Dlugosch
Keep Pushing
Peppermint Jam

Fresh remixes of Boris Dlugosch’s biggie from the mid nineties sees Inaya Day’s vocals revitalised once again, and this time round over equally contemporary versions. Firstly from the excellent Joel Alter who swings delicious bass off hissing hi-hats and funky organ, while utilising snippets of appropriate voice to deliver more typically irresistible grooves. The Coyu Kitty-Push remix gives the drums much more of a tribal flavour and uses more melody, all of which eventually reaches the joyous chorus line. 8

release: April 18

http://soundcloud.com/peppermint-jam-records/sets/boris-dlugosch-keep-pushin-1/

http://www.peppermint-jam.com

 

 

Hot Since 82
Hurt You EP
Moda Black

This new instalment from Moda Music begins life with another notable Leeds artist, Hot Since 82. Hurt You, fuels the senses with an infectious bassline, tripped-out voices and insistent hi-hats which punctuate the production throughout – you couldn’t really ask for a better start from the label. Second track, Sundown compliments the picture with darker notation and funkier percussion being offset by semi- melodic vocal snippets and dark, brooding synth chords which all feel suitably lush. 8

release: April 16

http://www.thisismoda.com

https://www.facebook.com/hotsince82

 

Guy Gerber
The Mirror Game
Visionquest

Sounding enviously similar to The Cure circa 1980 with its evocative, gothic overtones and that uniquely, haunting bass-guitar sound, this even manages to transcend that very possibility via heavenly treated voices and shimmering electronic percussion. A truly excellent piece of music to refresh the soul – or at least words to that effect. One Day In May, proceeds with a stunning chord progression that deifies simplicity and is again aided by a surreal collection of voices and sounds so tempting that you can almost taste them. The Snake Pit Dub of the title track ends by tweaking the elements into yet more ethereal beauty as a special bonus for the digital package. 9

release: April 16

http://www.vquest.tv/

 

Kate Simko & Matt Tolfrey
The Same Page EP
Leftroom

Leftroom’s Matt Tolfrey teams up with Chicago’s Kate Simko to produce this devastating collection of one, two, three tracks. Opening with, Take It Easy which blurs the lines between Jazz, House and Electro – which if you ask me sounds like the perfect idea – by playing cool guitar alongside big fuzzy chords and electro-funk bass, this also boasts a clever arrangement that is never less than electrifying. Synthetic sounds continue to flow with, Lazy B coming complete with refreshingly funky percussion, leaving No Shame to develop the Chicago theme further into the ethos. 9

release: April 16

http://soundcloud.com/leftroom/sets/kate-simko-matt-tolfrey-same/

http://www.leftroom.com

 

 

Voices Of Black
Atom Bomb
Double Standard

Dropping the tempo but never easing up on the mood comes this latest from the creative hands belonging to Voices Of Black. It’s hard not to admire the audacity of their spirit as these laid back vocals tease a sense of drama from the quietly addictive, head-nodding rhythms, and it’s even harder not to nod likewise. Remixes are from the even more down-tempo Taner Ross, who furthers the tension still to highlight the vocals’ charm, and No Regualr Play feat. John Camp Remix who pick up the pace again giving the song some House pizzazz via the detuned voices and funky arpeggios. 8

release: April 23

http://soundcloud.com/voicesofblack/01-atom-bomb

http://voicesofblack.net

http://www.doublestandardrecords.com

 

The White Lamp
It’s You
Futureboogie Recordings

Proving once again the strength of contemporary music, The White Lamp show the way the way forward with their combination of irresistibly cool grooves and knowing vocals. I guess the clue is in the labels’ name: Futureboogie. The drive of It’s You lies within the pulsating basslines and a vocal delivery which places tension against melody, and is nothing but completely enticing. Ron Basejam aka Jim Baron from Crazy P supplies the remix with typical panache and comes up funky as ever with a selection of deliciously soulful chords, leaving the Eats Everything and Christophe Acid Ouse remix to do that very thing in equal style. 8

release: April 16

http://www.futureboogie.com

http://www.myspace.com/ronbasejam

http://soundcloud.com/christophe1

 

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Reviews:15

 

Tyson
‘After You’re Gone’
Back Yard Recordings

Let’s not be lazy and mention the similarity with the goddess that was Sylvester simply because the vocal is likewise falsetto, after all so was Jimmy Somerville. But then perhaps the music encourages the comparison all by itself: Hi-NRG eighties syncopation and uplifting middle eight that combines with devastating chorus etc etc. But then you either like this sound, or you don’t. Moving on with Joe Goddard’s deliciously moody rework which only adds to the impact of the vocals, you then have Legowelt’s electro stunner rekindling the retro-contemporary image flawlessly. Solo give it a more House feel with pulsating bass and familiar drum sounds providing yet another exotic angle to the vocalist. 8

http://www.piccadillyrecords.com/products/Tyson-AfterYoureGoneInc.JoeGoddardLegoweltRemixes-Backyard-79027.html

www.facebook.com/tysonofficial

 

 

The Jam Files
‘06′
Peppermint Jam Records

Number six in the series opens with the stunning Langenberg Mood Remix of Triad’s Vice which could be quite easily be described as melancholy but just as equally euphoric – albeit deeply. Like the sound of that dichotomy? Then read on as the arrangement gently adds layers of echoed drum hits, cinematic pads and Techno overtones neatly complimented by a yearning, synthetic voice.  Mousse T follows that with Inaya Day’s inescapably smoky vocals on By Myself which has been pitched down by Paskal & Urban Absolutes whose fashionably slo-mo remix injects some seriously funky bass into the equation. Last but not least is the Nico remix of B.M.R’s version of Level 42’s perennial Starchild that surprisingly doesn’t begin to give the game away until a third of the way through, although its two thirds before those familiar chords hit on this impressive interpretation. 9

release: 12/10/11

http://www.peppermint-jam.com/

 

 

Nigel Hayes
‘Tales from The Shed’ (Part 3 & 4)
Intelligent Audio

For your information it has taken just over a year for parts three and four to emerge from this Intelligent Audio sequence. And sounding as it does, you know it’s worth the time passing. Part Three features journeys into House/ Techno and doesn’t come much better than the opening salvo, Solar Flare. Fuzzy basslines, shuffling percussion with an intensely funky tilt, and shimmering keys see this shine brightly. Catch The Train rushes full steam ahead with squelching bass tones and undulating chords, aided again by sparkling percussion, as Something For The weekend eases down into something more comfortable though no less striking, leaving Deep Cover to explore yet more cinematic territory. It would be a crime not to be tempted by Part Four which plays the flipside with a funky intensity typically as on Bunny Chow, while Fandango feels like a contemporary Lalo Schifrin i.e. Steve McQueen cool. Lisa’s Flat gets classically soulful with Rhodes and clipped beats, and the finishing Breakin’ Doors joins the dots in-between with thoughtfully crafted notes and scat vocals concealing the Mojo Rising reference cleverly. 9

http://www.junodownload.com/products/tales-from-the-shed-part-3-ep/1827033-02/

 

http://intelligentaudio.net/intelligentaudio/

http://www.myspace.com/nigelhayesmusic

         

 

 

 

 

 

Anja Schneider
‘Hello Boy!’
Mobilee Records

This handsomely titled production from Mobilee co-founder Anja Schneider and Lee Jones sets sassy syncopated bass rhythms against unsettling synths, and to say this proves infectious may well be a slight understatement. Next is Rio Bravo which provides some melodic relief with its sensitive eighties styled keys while the funkier edged drums/ percussion feel perfect for the dancefloor. The self explanatory Let Me Out follows with yet more gorgeous bass lines although watch out for the sinister sounding voices, they’re enticing.  8

http://www.beatport.com/#es-ES/html/content/release/detail/687661/hello+boy!

http://www.mobilee-records.de/


                                                                                         

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