PMR/Island

reviews:102

Various Artists
Smiley Fingers 100
Smiley Fingers

smileyIf you’re not already acquainted with the joys of Smiley Fingers then here is the reason to do so. Celebrating some three years of existence and their one hundredth release the London based imprint fires through its succession of heavy-duty grooves in fine style with this compilation. Kicking off with the sassy funk of Larry Cadge & Rick Sanders – Niagara the selection includes productions from the aforementioned, Dave Seaman & Andy Chatterley and Mobius Strum, with remixes from the calibre of Pezzner and Tapesh. Typifying the labels distinctive flavour is the killer Lopazz & Casio Casino Remix of Adam Helder’s ‘Sticks and Stones’ which ticks all the necessary boxes in-between House and Techno rather handsomely.

release: October 14

http://www.smileyfingers.com

 

 

Disclosure feat. London Grammar
Help Me Lose My Mind
PMR/Island

disYet another single lifted from the album, the fifth in fact! sees Disclosure once again display their effortless cool, although that is in no small measure down to Hannah Reid’s ethereal vocal. What’s new here however is Paul Woolford’s piano driven House reworking that you just know is going to score big. But despite the vocal actually suiting the album mix best it’s his Dub version which sounds prime-time and anthemic with its juicy bassline backing up all those the rousing keys.

http://disclosureofficial.com

 

https://soundcloud.com/paulwoolford/disclosure-feat-london-grammar

 

Matt Tolfrey feat Marshall Jefferson
The Truth
Leftroom

LEFT042You could say, where would House Music be without Marshall Jefferson? And there is certainly every possibility that the shape of the music may have been different without his input in 1986. So it’s interesting to hear his own words describe how he sees it, reflecting back from 2012 when this track formed part of Tolfrey’s album, ‘Word of Mouth’. Now receiving a release in its own right the pulsating electronics sound just as vibrant and now come with a set new remixes. Firstly from Jon Charnis who drops the vocal and rebuilds the music with moodier atmosphere’s that have a spell binding edge. And from Gerd aka Geeeman who’s excellent thumping Acid drenched version instantly strikes a chord with Marshall’s spoken word.

release: October 21

https://www.facebook.com/marshall.jefferson

http://www.leftroom.com

https://soundcloud.com/leftroom/sets/matt-tolfrey-feat-marshall

 

Big Hard Excellent Fish
And The Question Remains
One Little Indian

Watch! the follow-up to 1989’s ‘Imperfect List’ poses a fresh set of questions for our age, and makes for completely compelling viewing. Credit due to Ian C’s haunting production and Josie Jones challenging words.

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reviews:83

Printa/jus/ted
A Brighter Light feat. Jeremy Glenn
Under the Shade Records

The 40th release from the label sees Justin Strauss and Teddy Stuart aka a/jus/ted show us just how it’s done by focusing the production on the use of the original drum machines and synths which created the sound of House in the first place. Consequently this has a timeless quality to it, feeling strikingly electronic but also most definitely soulful care off Jeremy Glenn’s emotionally rich vocal. Lars Vegas (one half of Detroit Swindle) again provides an excellent remix with a tougher take utilising strident stabs and fizzy keys to add additional atmosphere. The Re a/jus/ted mix finishes with more than a hint of Acid attitude that simply simmers with tension, with an additional Instrumental version of the Original available via the digital release.

release: April 22

http://undertheshade.co.uk

https://soundcloud.com/under-the-shade/sets/a-jus-ted-a-brighter-light

 

Jessie Ware
Imagine It Was Us
PMR/Island

How could you not like this song. Jesse Ware sings with typical panache shinning soulfully over Julio Bashmore’s warmly melodic production. Think sunshine but with a sting being the heavy duty kick and bass employed by the producer to give the yearning vocals that very definite edge. Only one version so far but more on the way…

release: May 13

http://jessieware.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/JulioBashmore?feature=watch

 

bernyBerny
Central Park
Little Angel

Italian DJ Berny has teamed up with the excellent Harley & Muscle to produce what is undoubtedly a gratifying journey through Deep House and to beyond. Opening with the breathy vocals and rich Rhodes chords of Everything the album is very much about depth of feeling with the breadth of sounds taking in everything from 90’s influences as on Same Things Everyday to then exploring Jazz/ funk sensibilities via the album’s title track Central Park. Furthering the alums scope are tougher moments like the impressive Chicago, although that cool sense of jazziness is what really prevails throughout.

release: March 29

Traxsource: www.traxsource.com/title/207168/central-park

http://www.bernydj.com

https://soundcloud.com/berny/10-berny-chicago-original-mix

 

ILL007Acid Mondays
Salvia Sessions EP
Illusion Recordings

Got To Get Higher is one of those tracks whose relentless attack on the senses will shake any complicity out of even the most jaded listener. Its all in the bass and this certainly packs a punch with it. That, and the repetition of pounding beats  with just the hint of a Disco sample in there somewhere – so all bases covered really. Detroit’s Delano Smith supplies a great remix which releases more of the Disco element against splashing 909 hi-hats and brooding stabs. Next up is Me! I’m Over Here which delivers thumping tribal rhythms and haunting sounds over the course of several minutes, leaving Watching Eastwood to move in a funkier direction with sassy bass and suggestive voices sounding very inviting.

release: April 26

http://illusionrecordings.com

https://soundcloud.com/acid-mondays

 

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