LEFTFIELDREVIEWS King Midas Sound
Aroo Ninja Tune 7.5
A somewhat different sound for King Midas, who seem to have diverted from the dub sonics that they have become known for. At least for the meantime anyway. Two plates to feast on here — firstly, the ethereal ambience of ‘Funny Love’, with its distant vocal refrain, and the still bass-driven ‘Aroo’, that almost re-directs into Goldfrapp-meets-My Bloody Valentine territory. Not a bad switch.
Matthew E White
Steady Pace Domino 9.5
Bonobo
First Fires Ninja Tune
8.0
He’s always had an ear for melody, a knack for arrangement and a deftness of touch in terms of his production, but it’s perhaps not until now that it’s all combined in such an understated, subtle and distinct way. Granted, ‘First Fires’ may not be as hooky or immediate as much of his previous output, but that doesn’t make it any less accomplished, rewarding or brilliant.
Sinkane
Warm Spell DFA Records 8.0 Apart from being the best sleeve design we’ve seen in a while, it’s also one of the best remixes, as Larry Gus (Panagiotis Melidis to his friends) goes to work on Sinkane’s tropical sunset-inspired original. Playing with the original samples in a totally different manner, he turns ‘Warm Spell’ into an edit of an original, and then remixes it. Make sense? Sure does, if you check the whole seven-and-a-half tribal minutes.
Gold Panda
Brazil Ghostly International 7.0
This is a little more rowdy than the previous ‘Trust’ EP that introduced us back into the world of Gold Panda after his debut ‘Lucky Shiner’ LP. Produced as an ode to the streets of Sao Paulo, it has very defined Balearic synth
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overtones, yet still carries that trademark hint of electronica, with a skittish beat pattern and deft touches of studio jiggery pokery. Quirky, yet still sunny- side up.
Haraket
Taint/Attgo Melodica Records 7.5 A proper oddity from Melodica who unearth this gem of a group from “on the rise” Peckham. ‘Attgo’ is the crowd-pleaser here, a curiously spooky, soft-synth loop that envelops rattling percussion, before building into a more formulaic beat pattern. It’s an original and unusual piece, though, that leaves the more, dare we say, “pop” tones for the lead track ‘Taint’.
Hot 8 Brass Band
Milwaukee Fat Tru Thoughts 6.0 It was only a matter of time before Hot 8 realised there was only a limited amount of creative satisfaction and/or money to be had from covering other people’s music. The only surprise here is that time hasn’t come sooner. Don’t expect a drastic change from the established Hot 8 formula, though, ‘Milwaukee Fat’ provides more of the same raucous, brass-driven funk and soul, it’s just perhaps not as instantly recognisable.
Follow-up to the majestic Americana soul of ‘Big Love’, Matthew E White rolls out more Beta Band-esque brilliance. Like nectar for the soul, ‘Steady Pace’ is just about as perfect as pop gets. From the hook and the verse to the bridge and the chorus, it’s all about White’s unmistakable, seemingly effortless knack for putting everything together in a warm, melodic, uplifting, charming and joyous way. Hard to ignore and difficult not to love, this is yet another triumph for the US songsmith.
Sanctums
Modern Math 001 Modern Math Recordings 8.0 A great opener from the Modern Math ensemble that harks back to the days of solid Satamile and Force Inc releases. Moody keys, echoes of dub, a knowledge of Chicago and Detroit both 4/4 and offbeat, and a tight production ethic all collide on this minimalistic six-track EP. ‘Thirst Or Land’ makes the most obvious impact, but check out the back end of the EP for more cerebral offerings.
Sonic Aesthetic
New Districts EP Sonic Aesthetic 7.5
By citing the influence of Steve Reich, Ghost Box Recordings and Pye Corner Audio in the making of this record, you certainly know that what will follow will be - if nothing else - engaging, interesting and well-thought-out. Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, this new EP from Sonic Aesthetic (aka International Feel head honcho Mark Barrott) is just that. From warm, glowing electronica to emotive, slo-mo 4/4 acid- haus, this is a solid start for the International Feel offshoot.
www.djmag.ca
Chrome Canyon Elemental Themes
(Remixes) Stones Throw 7.5
With remixes from Peaking Lights, Tomas Barfod and Mike Simonetti, this sampler is the first peek into the remix project of Chrome Canyon’s 2012 synth opus ‘Elemental Themes’.
Lady
Lady Truth & Soul 8.0 Another super soul selection from Terri Walker and Nicole Wray, who, under the direction of Truth & Soul, keep the faith burning.
The Child Of Lov Fly
Domino 8.0
Enigmatic and elusive producer Child Of Lov returns with another cut — this
FOUND SOUNDS, PO Box 20437, London, SW16 2YJ QUICKIES
latest offering lifted from his eponymous, forthcoming debut album. Be sure to check the album too.
The Dandelion Set The Dandelion Set
EP 1 Fine Tune Recordings 8.0
Drawing on library music, prog folk, Krautrock and electronica, this latest project from Julius Vanderbilt and Sinjin Makepeace (via Glen ‘Biggabush’ Bush) is certainly a quintessentially British experience.
V/A
Eglo Records Vol 1 Eglo Records 8.0 Just a teaser from the forthcoming lovingly prepared double-CD collection on Eglo. It’s one track, but when it’s Fatima, that’s all you need.
SCRIMSHIRE WAH WAH
01. CHICO MANN ‘Same Old Clown’ Soundway “Everything I love in one record! 10/10 Soundway.”
02. DARK SKY ‘Shades’ 50 Weapons “Massively long breakdowns, but totally delivers. Love it. Next EP please!”
03. LAPALUX ‘Flower’ Brainfeedeer “Been dying to get this track on repeat since hearing his Factmag mix.”
04. BONOBO ‘Know You’ Ninja Tune “I know I need one track off the new album in here... it might be this one.”
05. CODEK ‘Tam Tam’ West African Music “Tribal chants, hand claps, weird wobbling synths. Magic.”
06. SCRIMSHIRE ‘Stevie’s Lady (Golden Edit)’ Wah Dubplate “I do the odd edit from time to time. ‘Golden Lady’ got chopped this time.”
07. ATOM TM ‘I Love U’ Raster-Noton “Glorious, razor-sharp electro soul featuring Jamie Lidell.”
08. THE GENE DUDLEY GROUP ‘Various’ Wah Wah “Brand-new artist on Wah Wah. Seven inches of classic-sounding soul.”
09. LAURYN HILL ‘Doo Wop (Pedestrian & Maribou State Remix)’ Dub “Classy DJ, quality producer, this remix surprise is too, too good!”
10. HIATUS FEAT SHURA ‘We Can Be Ghosts Now’ White “Beautiful, pulsing, melancholy. Emotional songwriting from two of my
favourites.”
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