Music Reviews
Ultrasound by Luke Solomon – Fullbarr
Fullbarr’s commitment to all things house continues apace in 2012 with the third in their vinyl series, starting the new year with the impressive momentum they finished the old one. As they approach their 18th release, they’re showing appropriately reassuring maturity and poise, facets many other labels their age would do well to pay attention to. This time round Arthur Barr’s imprint has enlisted the formidable talents of Luke Solomon, a producer that’s well into his second decade, and whose output is never short of inventiveness and colour.
Ultrasound starts busily, fizzing with energy and intertwining sonic elements that flow into one another over the bleeped-out bassline and arpeggiated notes as the percussion hits punctuate the track, and distorted, pitch-bent vocals add a sinister edge. It’s a swirling, rippling cut of classy house that’s typical of Solomon’s catalogue. Swiss artist Kalabrese provides the first of the reworks, taking the melody and inserting a rasping synth that combats its depth and expansive feel. Luke Solomon’s alternative to the original mix – Version 1.2 Horn Version – adds brass to the equation, lifting it to a higher plane and adding another level of craziness. Closing out the EP is Playhouse’s Losoul, taking Ultrasound deeper, stripping out much of the percussion and focusing on the groove, with rumbling subs, off-kilter notes and a majestic sweep of synths in the breakdown that is a sumptuous pleasure. Fantastic music from a hardworking label.
