From deep digs into Pinchy & Friends’ back catalogue to bring you sounds in the style of the ever popular Afternoon Dubs, through to disco and Italo house edits from one of the shop's favourite house producers Manuel Darquart, this week's picks feel like close to the heart of Sticky Black Tarmac's dance and electronic community.
For fans of Moodyman, be sure to check the Tech Mex EP on pre order for that hit of sleezy, gloopy, streetwise house.
Manuel Darquart - Edits #1
Some of you Sticky Black Tarmac devotees may recognise the name Manuel Darquart from his fantastic Dream House Vol 1 EP, which was a popular pick at the shop. Whilst his previous outing on WOLF Music was a slick, house odyssey, his latest record here on Adventures in Paradise sees Darquart take on the role of editor as he splices and chops everything from electronic disco-pop to raucous, sleazy rock and Italian piano house.
This one’s going straight in my record bag, and I recommend that you do the same. Eclectic DJs, disco DJs, house DJs, Balearic DJs - this one’s got a flavour to suit all of the above.
A must have!
Ocean Moon - Shimmering States
After thoroughly enjoying Exotic Gardens’ Afternoon Dubs, we had to take a deeper dive into label Pinchy & Friends’ back catalogue to get a fix of their dubbed-out, soundscape, ambient bliss.
We found ourselves faced with Shimmering States, a 12 inch EP by Ocean Moon. Ocean Moon is Jon Tye, a man with a 30+ year career including running LO RECORDINGS, and being a part of MLO, Seahawks, Cherry Garcia, and Brain Machine.
Shimmering States’ title track boasts a 16+ minute run time, throwing you deep into eternal infinity as lush electronic synth pads wash over you and breakbeats lightly scatter around in full stereo.
The b-side features two more wondrous journeys through sound baths, with Hidden Treasures taking on a more downtempo tip whist final track Reflecting Light heads into deconstructed territory. Really special stuff.
Alex Kassian - Leave Your Life
We’re huge fans of label Pinchy & Friends here at Sticky Black Tarmac, and after championing Afternoon Dubs’ Exotic Gardens, we’re deep diving into their back catalogue. Next stop, 2021.
Alex Kassian (One half of Opal Sunn) will be a known name to fans of sublime, cerebral, delicate dance music. They’ll already know that Kassian’s deft ability to create whimsical moments in electronic dance music are one of a kind. For those who missed the boat, here’s a special offering: ‘Leave Your Life’.
First up on the A side is the Lonely Hearts Mix - a tribute to Alex’s unrequited dreams of playing in a rock band, sounding like Talk Talk put through a Vapourware blender. The Dance Mix ups the energy for movin’ feet, whilst keeping a smooth groove delivered via a flute riff. Spirit of Eden, with a title reminiscent of an actual Talk Talk album, is a more abstract, electronica journey through serenity, with a Bill Laswell dub taking it deeper.
Incredible.
Pre orders:
Larry Latenight - LR002
We love it when a new name pops up on the scene, and Larry Latenight is exactly that. Out of nowhere, equipped with support from Make a Dance, Denis Cruz, and Rossi, Larry Latenight delivers a four tracker built for underground dance floors.
‘The Bug’ is the standout track, it’s got that warbling plastic bass that’s reminiscent of Mr Fingers’ blend of Chicago House, but ramped up for the modern age with minimal, glitchy percussion and bleepy top lines. The result is a jackin’, freakin’, killer cut - oh and there’s a nice Reese bass thrown in for a subtle nod to speed garage bass methodology.
Animal Attraction is a chuggy, groovy affair, keeping the tension high with arpeggiated synths until the vocal drop. Tellafren is a more carnivalesque sound, utilising Jamaican patois vocals over the top of a driving, dance floor beat. Closing track Felicity’s Groove keeps the rolling vibes going with a low key track to finish.
D’Swing - Early Tapes EP
Razor n Tape and all associated sub labels are much loved here at SBT, and so it makes sense that we expand our selection and buy in this lovely 7 inch from their appropriately named Razor n Tape 45 sub label.
London producer Danny Kane revives two tracks from his '90s D'Swing project, reworking them into warm, disco-inspired club cuts while keeping their original soul and character. Featuring live instrumentation, soulful vocals and crisp grooves, both tracks are well suited to summer dancefloors.
A feel-good release that can’t be missed - everything sounds good at 45 rpm.
Inigo Vontier - Tech Mex
Iñigo Vontier, hailing from Jalisco, Mexico’s Pacific jewel, has been hailed as the Mexican Moodyman. While any such claim that Moodyman has a localised successor or counterpart might seem hard to believe, once you hear these bangin’, squelchin’, oily slabs of machine funk, you’ll know exactly what the bold claims mean.
From ‘Desperado’s’ sleezy, funk-driven, basement gloop, to 'Calvin Klein’s’ streetwise jackin’ bravado, the whole EP sounds like riding a 1970’s muscle car through downtown in a Fear and Loathing deleted scene.
Absolute dopeness.
Until next time,
Tom.