Day: May 10, 2012
VA – Spargel Trax Volume 2 [SPARG002]
Don’t Be Afraid present Spargel Trax, a two part series of vinyl-only, colored, hand-stamped 12″s designed to celebrate the dual themes of great seasonal music and great seasonal Spargel. The second part includes tracks from James Duncan, Untitled-W, Freeman and Melvin Elephant 303.
ItaloJohnson – ItaloJohnson 5 [ITJ005]
The fifth release from the mysterious Italojohnson on the producer’s eponymous label breaks with the established mould in some respects, downsizing proceedings to a double A Side 10inch which comes replete with a hand stamped Italojohnson logo. The music however, is still resolutely focused on the signature Italojohnson sound both tracks untitled and demonstrated an uncanny mastery of solid basslines, sharp and well judged drumming, deft vocal edits and mind bending FX. The A Side adopts more of a DJ Tool poise, with its groove led by that swooping bass line whilst the flip shows Italojohnson equal ease for crafting a proper house track. There’s even an Italojohnson sticker for the real fans
Soul 223 – Almost Like It Used To Be [DSR-H002]
Second release on the new house music aligned Delsin series is coming from Soul 223 aka Steve Pickton. He has been producing melodic, Detroit inspired sounds since the mid 90s, most often as Stasis on labels like Peacefrog and Mo Wax.
A keen sense of melodic colour also characterises the four cuts that make up this EP, with the first, ‘Almost Like It Used To Be’ pairing radiant pads with a lolloping house beat and plenty of melted synth sounds. Next up, ‘Arties Mood’ slows to a Moodymann styled pace, layering percussive samples, keys and jazzy motifs onto of a lazy house beat to conjure a perfect sunny afternoon vibe. ‘Heartstrings’ is alive with the sound of the cosmos as it rolls on through organic sounding bongos, sharper claps and plenty of neon lines. Closing track ‘Essex’ has a gummy, gritty bottom end sweetened by more glistening melodies and key work, all the while chugging along at a most inviting deep house pace.
The Hipodrome Of Music 