Why Sheep? - Earthborn (Third Ear)
The rest of this EP is pretty shit to be honest, but Recloose pulls off yet another supremely funky remix for this Japanese label. Quirky funk synths, Detroit strings, fantastically syncopated 4/4 beat action all add up to a killer cut that sits somewhere between house, broken beat and hip hop in spirit. Dope.
Nutmeg feat Face - State Of Mind (Neroli)
Excellent broken house from this offshoot of Archive, one of my favourite labels. The production is top-notch and 'State Of Mind' is a dancefloor boogie delight in both full vocal and dub forms. 'Bicycle Kick' on the flip takes it tougher, a hard jazz head-nodder clearly built with Co-Op in mind. Killer stuff.
Reunion - Strange Attention (Sonar Kollektiv)
Seiji's on remix duties here and comes through with a typically strong re-rub - though the original isn't too shabby either. A male vocal and mellow Rhodes are saved from lounge hell by Seiji's clinical broken beat mechanics and deep bass modulations - and the track is stripped down and rebuilt in fine style.
Skooby Laposky - Timpani Waves (Oratai)
Mysterious five-tracker with great full-colour sleeve art, this nautically-themed EP is a superb voyage through abstract, jazz-influenced electronica - a subtle home-listening experience for late smoky nights. And as if that wasn't enough, it includes an excellent downbeat Theo Parrish remix that's as gorgeously hypnotic and bottom-heavy as any of his best work. Check out http://www.oratai.com/ for more information...
Claro Intelecto - Peace Of Mind (Ai Records)
In the running for EP of the year so far in my book, this is an absolutely stunning piece of work from this newcomer, who sounds like he's been producing for years. The title track kicks off and sets the mood with a melancholy electro outing, timeless and soulful to the max with Drexciyan analogues and chiming melodies bouncing off 808 beats. 'Tone' follows and ups the intensity somewhat with distorted electro beats, growling bass tones and Photek-style minor key string washes - a heavy and meancing cut. Flip it an 'Contact' is the instant dancefloor weapon for me - a relentless heavy bassline (think LFO-era Sheffield bleeps), tight 4/4 beats and moody strings. 'Signifier' closes with a nod to early Carl Craig and vintage UK techno, with shuffling 909s, Detroit-esque strings and another moody bassline to die for. The production throughout is impeccable, and I can't wait to hear more from this guy.
