Patrice Scott returns to home base with a fresh trio of sonic delicacies for the Sistrum faithful. Bringing his signature depth of sound yet infusing a sense of funk, Patrice lays it out proper, as always.
detroit house
Leonid & Laak – Yesterday For Tomorrow [SLPVNL006]
The sixth vinyl missive from Soul Print Recordings is a double-header featuring two tracks apiece from Leonid and Laak. The former handles the A-side, laying down two deliciously intergalactic chunks of spacey deep house. On “Urania 1”, he wraps psychedelic acid lines, supernova chords and Motor City melodies around a snappy drum machine groove, before working the acid lines further on the deep and hypnotic “Urania 2”. Laak takes over on the flip, peppering a bouncy, off-kilter drum machine groove with cyclical melody loops and undulating acid lines on “Sp”. “Waiting For Tomorrow” is arguably even better, with the fast-rising producer wrapping a tactile, synth-bass heavy backing track with fluttering electronics and sunrise melodies.
Mike Huckaby – Too Many Classics To Be Left With Little Or No Protection [DT004]
When the TSA agent left a little note in Mike Huckaby’s DJ case at the airport instructing him to protect the records that he dj’s with, little did he know that Mike Huckaby would be compiling his first LP. Given his length of service, it’s rather surprising to find that this is officially his debut album. This is a collection of previously released tracks that have been in demand ever since. It’s naturally packed with highlights, from the luscious minor key chords, jazz-funk bass and sneaky vocal samples of “The Jazz Republic” and thrilling peak-time stomp of “Dance”, to the jazzy piano flourishes, loose-limbed beats and starry electronics of “Groove Box”. Also worth checking is the fireside heat of bongo-laden beatdown shuffler “Mathematics From The Jazz Republic” and the sax-laden disco-house bump of closer “Flashback ’78”. A collection of too many classics, produced by Mike Huckaby.
Aybee – The Syntax EP [DMK004]
The London based DMK label returns with the Deepblak Recordings label head honcho Aybee, with four tracks of deep house on the ‘Syntax EP’.
Theo Parrish – Gentrified Love Part 3 [SS066]
The third release in Theo’s Gentrified Love series on Sound Signature. Side A, ‘Trust’, features Amp Fiddler and Ideeyah. Flip the disc over for another excellent collaboration between Theo and Amp on ‘My Soul’!
Reggie Dokes – Black Lives Matter EP [RMCE005]
Inspired and positivie vibrations from the DJ, producer and label head, Reggie Dokes from Detroit City.
VA – Nightfall & Other Stories [RS025]
London/Lisbon label Release/Sustain start the year as they mean to go on. Presenting a 4 track various artists 12” titled “Nightfall & Other Stories”. Opening proceedings on A1 is Vakula, a regular at the Release/Sustain ‘Conclave’ parties and part of the RS family. His offering, “809”, is a percussive drum tool trip of a track, with sporadic raw percussion shooting shining across a positively minimalist backing. For A2, we see Italian stalwart of underground dance music Simoncino. Obscure sample work, and a repeating line ‘I can use a friend’, twist and turn over rugged, thumping, functional drums and bass. Furthering the quality of this standout 12” is Chicago house music pioneer Vincent Floyd. Rich in melody and familiar classic house sounds, Reggie’s soft jacking house sound bring a silky smooth, North American touch to a previously rugged, European 12 slab of wax.
Rick Wade – People Of Earth 006 [POEM006]
Rick Wade delivers 3 excellent tracks for People of Earth’s sixth release. Escapism is warm, distorted & moody. Dark strings, chords & a thick kick with low end that gives subwoofers a work out.
Jay Daniel – Broken Knowz [TCLR018]
It’s amazing to think that Jay Daniel is still only 25. Since making his debut five years ago, the producer has been responsible for some of the finest house music to emerge from Detroit in recent times. Interestingly, he’s slightly modified his woozy and gently soul-flecked blueprint on this hotly anticipated debut album. For starters, many of the tracks – standouts “Paradise Valley” and “Knowledge of Selfie” included – feature live drums, played and recorded in his mother’s basement. This rhythmic adjustment gives Broken Knowz a far looser and warmer feel than his previous work, in the process elevating his deliciously rich and musical deep house to a whole new level. In other words, it’s an impressively assured and entertaining debut album.
DJ Nature & Damon Lamar – Shubaka 03 [SHBK003]
Shubaka 03 comes pushing hard. Dj Nature, the legendary Milo Johnson from 90´s NYC scene, is here at his best, with a magical downtempo house track with a crispy bass line, and mystery keys. Damon Lamar well-known for his contribution to the dance music with his fantastic releases on his own label, tetrode, (and his first works as ‘Baby Pop’), is bringing to B-Side an emotive, atmospheric and deeply rooted slow house track.
Dam-Funk – Architecture [SAFT014]
SAFT announces a release by the one and only funketeer and Pasadena based connoisseur of the true underground funk-music ”DaM Funk”. The trans atlantic collaboration between the Canary Islands based label and DaM FunK resulted in ”Architecture”. A 3 track limited slice of otherworldly synths, drum machines and percussive grooves that showcase the true west coast sound of modern funk.
Theo Parrish, Duminie Deporres & Waajeed – Gentrified Love Part 2 [SS064]
Theo Parrish has teamed up with Rotating Assembly member Duminie DePorres and Dirt Tech Reck head Waajeed. The EP, Gentrified Love Part 2, is the first new work Parrish has released since his 2014 album American Intelligence.
VA – 5 Years Of Finale Sessions Vol.1 [FSL003]
Finale Sessions celebrates it’s 5 year aniversery with Luke Hess, Patrice Scott. Basic Soul Unit and label boss Michael Zucker .
Aybee – Man Over Machine [DBRV029]
Armon ‘Aybee’ Bazile is undoubtedly one of electronic music’s most consistent performers. He’s barely put a foot wrong since making his debut in 2004, and continues to deliver high-grade material on a regular basis. Predictably, there’s plenty to get excited about on this 12″, too. “Man Over Machine” is a winding, constantly building gem, with rising and falling, spaced out melody loops riding an off-kilter techno rhythm. On the flip, you’ll find the deep space chord progressions, delay-laden electronics and deep tech-house grooves of “Build Them (Solstice Mix)”, the intricate pianos solos and Soichi Terada style deep house vibes of “Legacy”, and the off-kilter deep house/IDM fusion of “Melted Chains”.
The Order – Underground Rythmic Project [ML003LP]
The third release of Male Records features “The Order” a studio and live group that shares with “The True Underground Sound Of Rome” the same city and sound. A powerful mix of electronic detroit sounds together with melodic and balearic ambient atmospheres. Still comes as collector’s Album edition of 475 copies only containing the original songs from the rare “The Order EP” from 92 plus two unreleased strong songs: “Quasar” and “Way Back” recorded in the same year and performed only live during the big house event “Night Of Male 92” back in the days. This LP features also Stefano Di Carlo for additional percussions on Long Waves and Leo Young on the mix.
Scott Grooves – Parts Manager 2 [NM009]
The second and final release of Scott Grooves’ Parts Manager series on Natural Midi- representing another four parts of the Scott Grooves sound.
Orson Wells – Missin U EP [SM005]
Orson Wells returns to his own Sound Mirror imprint with another superb 3-tracker. A slightly electro tinged dreamy and melodic beauty called G.I.T.S.’ is followed by the distorted, heavy breakbeat enhanced pounding title track Missn’ U’ on side A, while the futuristic deep journey Red Planet’ on the flip makes this EP another versatile and quality packed release you shouldn’t miss.
VA – Genesis Tracks Vol.2 [SIS027]
Sistrum welcomes the second installment in the Genesis Tracks series, bringing together four special cuts from Patrice Scott, Reggie Dokes, Eric Cloutier and Kai Alce. Label head, Patrice Scott opens the EP right – setting the tone with a smooth excursion into lush chord stabs and deep, low end vibrations. Vintage strings ride high, while tinkling jazz keys dance amongst the waveforms, making for yet another future classic in the Sistrum lineage. Mr. Reggie Dokes offers up nothing less than a baptism by sound for his contribution, going deep with reverberant rhythms and crisp synth work, crafting an interstellar afro journey of the highest order. Keeping the quality at its highest, Eric Cloutier’s entry is a deep, techy mover – designed to lock the dancefloor into a hypnotic state. Drifting strings provide the foundation for highly modulated, gritty chord stabs to lead the way through the darkest of dancefloors. Kai Alce rounds out the EP in fine form – stripping things back to the essentials. ‘Jelly’ is raw, bouncy goodness, simply put. The filtered down acid-esque bassline is nothing short of a call to movement for all believers in the authentic sounds of house music.
Brian Harden – Chicago To Detroit (Remixes Part 1) [D3E002X]
This EP features 3 remixes, one By Brian himself and the others by Detroit’s Patrice Scott and Atlanta’s Byron The Aquarius. First up is man of the moment, Byron The Aquarius with his ethereal take on the original. With it’s cosmic sounds weaving in and out, Byron manages to infuse his soulful sound on the track to take it to a otherworldly territory. Brian is up next with his “Chicago Sur Seine Mix”, introducing a steel drum and some beautiful pads that are reminiscent of 808 State’s, Pacific 202. While still keeping with the original’s pace, this remix has more of a down tempo feel, and would fit perfectly in those late night/early morning sets. Finally Patrice Scott delivers a more beat driven Detroit take on the original, with an emphasis on the hi hats and clap that really gives the track that driven feel. While still paying respect to the original, half way through Patrice takes it to another level with his atmospheric keys that round off a great remix EP.
Omar-S – Desert Eagle [AOS902]
New Omar-S 12″ on his own FXHE Records. Side A, “Desert Eagle” is the type of melodic track that just makes you feel good, with floaty keys over a consistent bass line to keep the feet moving. On the flip is, “Cry Me A River” – a simple yet effective house track that relies on 909 drums, a dusty vocal sample, and strings to put you over the edge.
The Hipodrome Of Music 