John Roberts, Bodywork

[Feel Music]


Buy Vinyl
Buy MP3s

Eyebrows raised and ears perked up when the close-knit Dial label added hitherto unknown, John Roberts, as the first American on its roster. “Hesitate,” his debut single that cobbled together deep-house movers from deftly manipulated samples and live instrumentation, did not disappoint. You could argue it was the most striking platter the imprint delivered in 2008 (in part because of a brief release schedule). All that in mind, anticipation and expectations for Roberts’ next release are high, and they’re likely to be met (and possibly exceeded) by “Bodywork,” his single-sided 12″ for John Daly’s Feel Music.

Roberts’ latest delves deeper into the aesthetic which first brought him so much success, maintaining the languid tempo and intricate patchwork of samples and synths. While the irregularly-spaced patter of snares and distant hi-hats invoke familiarity, the pacing and adroit interplay between percussion and drifting organ arrangements speak of new found confidence. The organ’s dull roar grows louder as it groans and flexes across the register and is met by sharpened synth stabs and marimba droplets. “Bodywork” feels very much alive, breathing, baring a bit of bruised soul. Its detailed construction, expressive tones and melancholic mood put the tune in league with Workshop’s better cuts and speak volumes of John Roberts’ potential as a producer. This single — one of my early 2009 favorites — is not one to miss.

harpomarx42  on January 18, 2009 at 10:29 PM

Sorta reminds me of a techno-fied Low Motion Disco.

dop  on January 19, 2009 at 2:55 AM

amazing track !

Adamm  on January 19, 2009 at 11:14 AM

This is ace. I can’t wait to hear his bunker podcast.

james kartsaklis  on January 19, 2009 at 12:19 PM

diggin’ it. wouldn’t necessarily have put it the same way as ol’ harpo did, but it’s an interesting point.

hutlock  on January 20, 2009 at 2:50 PM

My only complaint: ONE-SIDED 12.

AAAAARGH!

Great track though.

struggle  on January 20, 2009 at 11:30 PM

nice to hear a clip that’s longer than a minute as this one is a real builder. impatiently waiting for this to arrive.

Will C.  on January 22, 2009 at 8:28 PM

Definitely quite a track.

Trackbacks

Little White Earbuds » Little White Earbuds February Charts  on April 4, 2009 at 5:39 PM

[…] [Diynamic Music] 02. Norman Nodge, “MDR 05″ [Marcel Dettmann Records] 03. John Roberts, “Bodywork” [Feel Music] 04. Seth Troxler, “Aphrika” [Wolf+Lamb Music] 05. Levon Vincent, […]

Little White Earbuds January Charts - Little White Earbuds  on May 31, 2009 at 1:16 AM

[…] EQD, “Equalized #002A” [Equalized] (buy) 07. John Roberts, “Bodywork” [Feel Music] (buy) 08. Matthew Styles, “Palladium” [Horizontal] (buy) 09. Chaton, […]

Popular posts in review

  • None found