In the history of smart marketing there have probably been better ideas than calling your freshly minted label Cunting Records, but perhaps owner Lee Latmir knows something about trend forecasting I don’t.
review
John Roberts, Glass Eights
On his debut album, Glass Eights, John Roberts embodies the unrestrained creativity of house music progenitors while offering an aesthetic that is wholly his own.
James Blake, Klavierwerke
Unlike the blown-out R&B histrionics of his first R&S record, CMYK, Londoner James Blake takes the humble source material of his own piano and voice and stretches, chops, and dices it on follow-up EP Klavierwerke.
2AM/FM, Final Approach
Final Approach for Crème Organization’s JAK sub-label is easily one of the most personality-filled compositions to emerge from 2AM/FM (Tadd Mullinix and D’Marc Cantu).
I:Cube, Mérovingienne
As house gets deeper and deeper, it’s nice to have I:Cube issuing 12″s like Mérovingienne that bring grins to the sometimes dour faces of modern house music.
Jack Sparrow, Circadian
Conscious of the ever-changing face of dance music, Jack Sparrow strives to create something timeless and universal on his debut album, Circadian.
Nochexxx, Ritalin Love/Timepiece
Nochexxx’s debut for Ramp Recordings synthesizes a variety of elements into unceasingly fidgety arrangements that nevertheless stay deftly away from disorder.
BBH: Larry Heard, Missing You
Alleviated Records continues reissuing classic Larry Heard sides, following the seminal Mr. Fingers with 1999’s just as potent Missing You.
Seulo, Cabin Fever
Jim Rivers continues to use his Seulo moniker to peddle the deeper side of his music on Cabin Fever, his third release for Four:Twenty Recordings.
Nebraska, Four For Four EP
Returning to Rush Hour for his latest, the Four For Four EP, Nebraska absolutely makes good on the collection’s title.
Terrance McDonald, Mind Over Matter
Aroy Dee and company at M>O>S Deep have done us all a favor by bringing Terrance McDonald’s 1991 single Mind Over Matter back into circulation.
Leif, Remember
With the success of Leif’s first collaboration with vocalist Donna Lea on the Priority EP, it’s little surprise he’s kept her close for his next act, Remember.
Jichael Mackson, Just In Time
Although uneven, Jichael Mackson’s Just In Time finds him as untamed and confounding as ever.
Unknown artist, Waveshape/Atrium Munitions
1XA, anonymous in name as they come, manages to do the whole mysterious-techno-release thing one better on their third 12″, Waveshape/Atrium Munitions.
James Teej, Seven Day Mend
Seven Day Mend, the first single from James Teej’s debut album, neatly encapsulates the Canadian producer’s appeal and hints at his weaknesses.
Matthew Dear, Black City
Black City, Matthew Dear’s fourth album, often feels like a series of deeply personal vignettes conjoined by a few widescreen thrillers.