Music Reviews
Took My Love feat Big Bully by Sasse – My Favourite Robot
While Sasse’s name may be synonymous with his own Moodmusic label, he’s not a producer that’s aversed to leaving the familiar surroundings of his imprint, and over a close to two decade career he’s released on everywhere from Trapez and Mule to Session Deluxe and Viva. This month he teams up with Canadian collective My Favorite Robot, whose 2012 has seen them remain at the top of their game, with EPs from Tom Demac & Silverclub, Nitin and Andrew Grant, and this continues that curve, with remixes from James What and Sasse himself.
Inviting the vocal talents of Big Bully (whose tones may be recognised from work with Adultnapper and Jay Haze amongst others) into the booth, the original oozes repressed emotion and frustration, the fx-washed vox’s rawness contrasting the staccato snare hits and repeating chords that roll underneath the echoed high notes, ushering a wandering acid b-line late on. It’s top-notch late-night house music, a classic slice of Sasse’s skills in a seven-minute window. Alongside an Instrumental and an epic Detroit Mix from Sasse, which blends analogue notes and edgy pads to transform the track into an early-90s monster, is James What’s sterling effort. Taking it expectedly deeper, the low end rumbles alongside tight percs, using the vocal sparingly, in a mix that delivers brilliantly.
www.myfavoriterobotrecords.com
Breathe Easy EP – Mango – Millionhands Music
Tom Mangan’s reinvention from DJ and producer to purveyor of fine cotton garb took place in the space of a few short years, from his last release on Bedrock in 2008, to his position as overlord of Millionhands in 2009. Before summer 2012, talking to him about a new release on his label would’ve meant discussing their own distinctive ‘O Face’ design, or collaborations with Mock n’ Toof, Aus, Crosstown Rebels, Warm, Planet E, Tsuba or Transmat, but September’s registered his return to music, with an eponymous label to go alongside the clothing line, and a two-hander from the man himself to launch it that draws on his past pedigree, where he could be found on Wall Of Sound, Souvenir, and Playtime.
Breathe Easy whips up a heady open-air party vibe, replete with shuffling percs, vox samples and stabs that straddle the dividing line between disco and house. Commanding attention, the synth melody circulates the spine of the track, wobbling like an uneasy raver trying to find the exit after one indulgence too many, but it never loses its groove, providing a refreshing counterpoint to current deep house releases. Redlight Feelgood occupies more uptempo climes, its fractured drum pattern and warm chords working alongside the looped sample vox, drawing in some classic sounds and planting them beside modern garage leanings. An instant rival to the t-shirts’ success.
