Going through some of the other semi-relevant purchases of late, I've been really impressed with the new Cai 'Calling Out EP' on Out of the Loop, or at least the a-side anyway. The first Cai did not please me nearly as much, and the b-sides of the new one seem a bit less imaginative, but the a-side is pure class. Woke up yesterday morning with it looping through my head, making my start to Tuesday much nicer than Monday. ;) It reminds me a lot of Norma Jean Bell's 'Dreams', especially that wonderful feeling of seeing her open with it at the 2nd DEMF. Takes me right back.
<rant>A lot of people seem to be getting really lazy with their Theo Parrish/Moodymann comparisons. There is a whole lot more Detroit house out there than those two, and while I love them, the overuse of them as 'style markers' is becoming nearly epidemic! Apologies for the rant, it's just that it's almost like these two fellas have become marketing icons in the underground, and it cheeses me off a bit to see a record like the above lazilly lumped in with them when it clearly sounds a whole lot more like NJB.</rant> Sonar Lodge & Max 404 : Celsius - picked this up for the Domu mix, but was intrigued by Max 404's involvement all over it. Have to say his hand in it is not such a selling point. I love his older stuff, but this really doesn't touch it in any way. It's not to say that Max 404 hasn't occasionally been cheesy in the past, but this is certainly not a revival of his finer moments. The Domu mix, however is yet more severe funk from the man who is on an unstoppable roll. Definitely worth seeking out for the Domu devotees. Also got a copy of the forthcoming debut on 11th Hour from Shawn Rudiman. On receipt, I played the A2 track on a fairly loud system and it sounded very nice! On further listens in headphones, that track has not done quite so much for me though. Think it needs to be really loud. A1 is good, but doesn't stand out quite enough for me to listen repeatedly, and the B sides are total winners. B1 is an almost Aril Brikha-ish track, but with signature Rudiman all over it. Drenched with melody and slick beatwork, this one should be tearing up a dancefloor near you soon (or near me at least). B2 is a thick electro cut reminding me of a cross between Shawn's epic melodies and the same from UR. The beat is pretty devastating too. I think the big UR electro fans will probably go for this one most. Matt's label should be churning out some more goodies down the road, so keep your eyes peeled for more 11th Hour tastiness! Tristan ======= http://www.phonopsia.co.uk [EMAIL PROTECTED]
