In a way, Julio Bashmore is Bristol’s slickest sore thumb. Emitting music from a city that’s home to the sexy bass kisses of Joker’s “purple” aesthetic, and has long been associated with deeper, more introspective musical swings from the likes of Portishead and Tricky up to the modern-day mood-mongers like Pinch or Peverelist, the sort of house references that Bashmore ingrains in his music are somewhat of a West Country novelty. While his is a name that, due to associations rather than output, is never floating far from a conversation on dubstep and bass music, he — along with the likes of Doc Daneeka, Jam City, and his co-conspirator in Velour, Hyetal — regularly display a keener affinity towards house, with Bashmore even releasing his 2009 debut on Dirtybird rather than a UK bass label. However he’s kept things British this time on Everyone Needs A Theme Tune, a release that christens new London label PMR.
His last outing for Daneeka’s Ten Thousand Yen imprint hinted he might be sidling towards more of a garage sound, particular though the brilliant subdued warmth of “Footsteppin.” This release, however, sees Bashmore gravitate back towards his Dirtybird kin with fairly uninspiring results. The tracks on the A-side center on the theme of textbook ’90s house vocals, an ingredient that has become increasingly prevalent in the past year or so. While “Battle For Middle You” is hard to spurn, full of undulating bass and synth shuffles, neither it nor the calculated shimmering of “Ask Yourself” add much in the way of fresh fuel to the scores of sample-led house reflections that have peppered the past 12 months. The B-side is a more playful affair, with the EP’s title track providing the kind of jaunty jingle that was probably used to sell ice-creams to kids in a former life, while “The Horn That Time Forgot” channels the swagger of late ‘80s hip-hop and gives it a thorough electro rub-down, as well as adding a suspiciously kazoo-like horn riff. All in all this isn’t a poor release from Bashmore, but these tracks seem a bit too toothless and commonplace for a producer who has clearly got brighter things up his sleeve.
Personally loved this ep, perhaps because it simply introduced me to the talent of Julio Bashmore. Ramadanman’s remix of ‘battle for middle you’ is well worth checking out.
I always like your site’s critical stance towards new music, but i’m very sorry this time: “Battle for middle you” is the best clubtune i’ve heard all year so far.
It’s got an humongous bass, great shakey percussion and hooky vocal, and it’s great to play around with in a mix. There’s nothing more to it in my opinion. Simple, well-produced functional club music.
I agree with the comments above. Having followed his music since being introduced to it at the Curb Crawlers website back in 2009 I must say this is his finest work to date. Over time he has carved a unique sound all of his own that stands out from most. Really good EP.
I should probably have lavished a bit more praise on ‘Battle For Middle You’, but I still feel that it’s the only track of real note and substance on this EP. Maybe it’s just that they’re more suited to the club and could probably fit in to a mix nicely, but I think that on their own they’re just a bit flat and lifeless. I’m happy to accept that some might disagree with me on this record as he’s certainly a talented producer, but for me he’s done better, and will certainly surpass this in the future.
Battle for Middle You is total heat; the rest of the tracks are very forgettable. regardless, im quite excited to hear Bashmore’s upcoming release on 3024.
“uninspiring results”… really?? weak review
This review isn’t even close. ‘BFMY’ is probably the best club track i’ve encountered in a year, and I DJ out plenty, and have thousands of electronic tracks. It’s a refreshingly original production among lots mediocrity. Without a doubt this track will remain a banger for years to come which is hardly an easy task. And the true test is people go nuts when it’s dropped!!
Perhaps my taste is just starting to go truly perverse… but I really like ask yourself.
However Jack you’re absolutely right that Julio is a talented guy who should be pushed away from his dance singles chart tendencies!