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May 17th 2000


Summer is almost here and there are tons of new music to discover. I have a stack of records on my desk with releases spanning from mid April to mid May. Most noteworthy are a couple of 12"´s from the Los Angeles based Season Recordings - former Earthtones Records. These guys at Seasons Recordings sure know how to dig out the creme de la creme of deep house music.


CPEN:
Pirates Life EP
(Seasons Recordings 12")
The set opens with Pirates Life, going on a fast drumbeat and swooshing synth chords. The b- line floats in and blends nicely with the keys. Will get the floor floating. The rest of the cuts is melancholic music to be spinned early in the set - or after peak hours. Third Quarter with Phil Jordon playing long scales on trumpet is vaguely reminiscent of Summertime from Porgy and Bess, you know:

"Summertime - when the living is easy"
When the bass hits,the mood changes, like as it was written for the French movie Plain Soleil. A genuine summer record to be enjoyed on the beach at sunset, or loud at the club. It also works well in the car, for long journeys through the night. Exquisite.


NATURAL RHYTHM
Polyphonic EP
(Seasons Recordings 12")
Natural Rhythm is back in top shape with these four new jams. As usual are they exploring the dark and muted sound of dance music in the same vein as Moodyman. First out is Fundamental with heavy subsonic bass and key stabs. It is long and hard and constantly evolving round the beat. It has the typical sound of Natural Rhythm with the muted bass, like as it came from the room next door and then they slowly build the jam to a funky crescendo of percussion and bass.

In a way, the Polyphonic EP is more of the same thing as we know since before, but the pattern is that every new release from Natural Rhythm always is better then last one, or something like that. Come to think of it, I just read somewhere that the Jive EP is going to be released again with remixes by SWAG. Bearing in mind the number of excellent remix work SWAG have produced during the last six months, Something to look forward to.


NEXT EVIDENCE
Climats EP
(Bass Up Recordings 12")
God damn! This is so good! Blowin´Drums, Blowin´ Beats - congas, keys, horns, guitars and a fast irresistible bass, topped with heavy dubby echo. Spirit Of the Night on flip side is a deep soulful house cut with vocals, an after hours gem. This is my favorite French orchestra. Don´t sleep.


SNOWBOY
Casa Forte
(Ubiquity Records 12")
Distant thunder, the sound of rain and birds singing. Casa Forte is a Latin smoker with a killer remix by Joe Claussell.


JERSEY ST
Cried Me A River
(Junior 12")
This is such a sweet tune with ambient chords, a huge b-line and live percussion. The Diesel´s (Ballistic Brothers) 5a.m remix is for us soul heads.


THE JACKSOULS
Unconditional Love/Yesterday/I Got Your Soul/City Scape
(Jinxx Records 12")
Originally released 1994 and now being re-issued off Jinxx Records. Get this one before it is too late! Unconditional Love is an absolutely timeless soul song - Smokey Robinson style. Essential.


NINE YARDS
Always Find A Way
(Virgin Records 12")
Jay Dee off Slum Village fame creates a masterpiece of stripped beats in his remix. But I prefer the soft Jus Bounce Remix with vocals and the melody hook left intact. This is probably another of these summer records with a life span of three months. Nice it is, nevertheless.

2000

    BRIDGE     LAMBCHOP     CALEXICO     DAVID HOLMES


    MARLENA SHAW     ISOLÉE     MAE BAD BOY


    NOW PLAYING 1     NOW PLAYING 2     NOW PLAYING 3


    NOW PLAYING 4     NOW PLAYING 5     NOW PLAYING 6


    NOW PLAYING 7     NOW PLAYING 8     NOW PLAYING 9

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