Theo Parrish - Parallel Dimensions (Sound Signature) This has been out for a while now, but definitely deserves a mention. One of Theo's strongest releases yet IMHO, the five tracks on this doublepack cover a range of moods while keeping that deep and hypnotic vibe that characterises most of his records. Favourite for me has to be 'Dreamers Blues', with its delicate synths (reminiscent of 'At Les'), heavily syncopated percussion and deep chords.
Neworldaquarium EP (Delsin) Second Neworldaquarium release on the ever-fantastic Dutch electronic label. The first one turned heads with its dark, moody, lo-fi approach and this picks up where it left off. Fitting nicely in the Moodymann/Theo Parrish school of stripped-down house, it works its magic with filtered loops and snatches of vocal - sublime, hypnotic, late-night deepness. Joshua - Watch The Bass (Tweekin) This excellent San Francisco house label seems to be getting back into the swing of things, and hits hard this time with a killer three-tracker from Joshua. 'Watch The Bass' is the obvious standout, a warm analogue journey with beautiful strings, powerful driving subs and sparing use of reggae vocal samples to drive it along. Deep house is not dead! Ian O'Brien - Eden (Peacefrog) Brand new four-tracker which sees the techno-jazz master taking his work to new heights. The amazing percussion and flute jam of 'Yemura' sounds like the kind of music Herbie Hancock should be making today, and 'Agua' is an energetic electro-tinged workout. A very accomplished and masterful release which bodes extremely well for the forthcoming album. P'Taah - No One, No How, Ever [Nubian Mindz/Offworld Ensemble mixes] (Ubiquity) Ubiquity seem to have a knack of snapping up the finest up and coming leftfield producers for remix work, and it's good to see them enlisting Nubian Mindz for the remix action on this Chris 'Wamdue' Brann production. The remix utilises the now-familiar Nubian arsenal of intense drum action, swirling atmospheres and mood-lifting Rhodes. Kirk Degiorgio's Offworld Ensemble also have a go, with a typically moody and edgy take. Great stuff all round. Domu - Quantum Blues (Skindeep) After a handful of jaw-dropping releases on 2000 Black and Archive, the Sonar Circle man contributes a three-tracker to Total Science's brilliant new Skindeep label. Not as mind-blowingly fresh as the 2000 Black release last year, the three tracks here are nevertheless superb examples of the new school of post-drum & bass experimental jazz breakbeat. Definitely a talent to watch. Cheers, Tom
