Harvey Sutherland - Bermuda EP

Label: MCDE

Australian synth wizard Mike Katz has been drumming up quite a reputation for his live performances recently, and alongside some promising releases on Echovolt and Voyage, it was enough to solicit the interest of house-don Motor City Drum Ensemble, who’s just released Katz’ latest – and finest – slab of wax.

Katz records as Harvey Sutherland, and his sound is not totally new for those who have been keeping an eye on the lazy house-funk hybrids of Germans Max Graef and Glenn Astro, or even certain Floating Points or Lone records. But Katz is a distinct product of Melbourne’s bubbling scene, also home to top labels like Untzz and Big Doint, and while some overseas funksters can lose the groove in a sea of soulful chill, these Australians never seem to leave the club far behind.

Bermuda is a shining gem of a tune, its intro alone a thing of beauty. Jazzy keys drift blissfully into nowhere, interrupted by a dramatic bass stab and a gentle 4/4. Then just after the one-minute-mark we drop into a funky staccato groove which would get anyone moving, regardless of taste or energy levels. Katz’ musicianship comes to the fore as he adds layer upon layer of lush melody to the arrangement, coming to a stunning climax of syrupy synths and cascading arpeggios that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.

B-side New Paradise is the twilight burner to Bermuda’s call-to-dance. Another set of gorgeous keys and subtle strings court a stripped kick-clap combo, before Katz lets rip another stunning synthline that opens out as the track progresses, deftly woven into a range of subtle harmonies. Katz may be referencing a lot of classic music with his sound, but there isn’t a touch of pastiche here. His feelgood vibes are genuine, his skill is real, and the club power of these tunes, particularly the A-side, is not to be underestimated.

8/10

Motor City Drum Ensemble – Send A Prayer

Label: Rush Hour / MCDE

He may hail from Stuttgart (birthplace of the automobile), but Danilo Plessow undoubtedly has the pulse of Detroit’s storied musical past running through his veins. It’s been more than a year since his excellent DJ Kicks mix and the gorgeous L.O.V.E, but in 2013 MCDE is back on the scene, offering a slick four-tracker that, while it may not deviate drastically from his established sound, certainly continues to prove why Plessow has achieved such a reputation – he can conjure a groove like no other.

Send A Prayer Pt. 2

Among the more exceptional producers who eschew the fetishistic element of classic house’s revival to focus on the groove and atmosphere found in those early 90s classics (along with the likes of Nicholas and Gerd), MCDE’s stellar Raw Cuts series finds a worthy successor on this gospel-referencing collection. Opener Send A Prayer Pt. 1 is a typical of his style: textured percussive layers evoke the ghosts of live music, enhanced by the reedy woodwind melody that interrupts the tune’s eyes-down groove. Part 2 steps things up a notch, indulging in gospel samples and crowd cheers to create an inimitable atmosphere which complements the tune’s more playful bounce and catchy synthwork.

Closer Sp11 keeps up the pace with warm synths and clattering beats, but it’s on excellent third cut The Stranger that Plessow steps a little bit further from his comfort zone. This percussive workout rejects formal beat patterns to explore a moodier sound, all reigned over by that supreme bassline that injects just the right amount of grit and mystery into proceedings. If there were any fans expecting a dramatic shift in Plessow’s sound they’ll go away disappointed, but for us another great selection of blissful grooves is more than enough, and it’s great just to see MCDE back on the scene.

7.5/10

February Roundup 2013

It's been a bumper month, here's White Noise's selection of Feburary's best dance singles.

Remember to follow White Noise on Facebook and Twitter to get daily doses of great tunes, old and new.

Tracklist:

Motor City Drum Ensemble - Send A Prayer Pt. 1

Leon Vynehall - Untitled 017 [EP Review]

Kyodai - The Scene [Single Review]

Garage $ale - Bump N Grind (Waze & Odyssey Mix)

Artifact - The Way It Do [EP Review]

Benjamin Damage - 010x [Album Review]

Call Super - Threshing Floor [EP Review]

Boddika & Joy Orbison - Mercy (Boddika's VIP)

Moiré - Lose It feat. Heidi Vogel [EP Review]

Powell - A Band

A Made Up Sound - Ahead [Single Review]

KH - The Track I've Been Playing...

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And here are a few other essentials we couldn't find on Youtube:

∆ ∆ - You [EP Review]

Youandewan - Disarray [EP Review]

Spare - Spare Room Offence

Jus Now - Tun Up

Enjoy!