Category Archives: Switched On

Let’s Dance – Deep Dish: George Is On (Bandcamp)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

The second Deep Dish album gets a reissue, having been unavailable on streaming services for many years. The American duo are still a going concern, though Ali ‘Dubfire’ Shirazinia and Sharam Tayebi tend to do their work in solo capacities these days, behind the decks.

By the time George Is On was released, Deep Dish had already proved their staying power in house music, but this was just the second long player from the duo in 10 years.

What’s the music like?

It’s great to see this fine house music album from 2005 back in circulation, and listening to it confirms that this is house music that has aged well. Lead single Flashdance, a no.3 hit in the UK, was one of their very best, commercial yet clubby at the same time – and with persuasive vocals from Anousheh. It is matched here with a rare guest slot for Stevie Nicks, singing Dreams – and yes, that is the Fleetwood Mac song that she was persuaded to re-record. It is a predictably fine version, those distinctive tones an ideal match for the wistful lyrics.

Also adding weight to the songs is the smoky vocal of Richard Morel, whose three contributions are led by the excellent Sacramento, the darker Everybody’s Wearing My Head and No Stopping For Nicotine.

Does it all work?

It does – and as a considerable bonus there are a host of extended mixes to enjoy.

Is it recommended?

It is. Both Deep Dish albums have aged well, and George Is On shows just how far ahead of the game they were when it came to making satisfying long players with commercial appeal.

For fans of… Danny Tenaglia, Hernan Cattaneo, Heller & Farley, Roger Sanchez

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Published post no.2,252 – Saturday 27 July 2024

Let’s Dance – Various Artists: Under One Roof (Poker Flat Recordings)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Under One Roof marks the kick off to a new series of releases dedicated to new artists from Poker Flat. Label head Steve Bug took part as a coach in the Mixmasters Retreat on Ibiza last year, alongside producers Huxley and Denney and singer-songwriter Jade PraiZe.

The retreat harvested a great crop of tracks, most of which were signed up for the Under One Roof initiative, bolstered by a remix each from the coaches themselves.

The first instalment is a bundle of the first five EPs.

What’s the music like?

There is some strong house music here, confidently delivered – and of consistently high quality.  Jade PraiZe’s smoky vocal on Thorsten Hammer’s World On Shoulders provides the ideal start, while the rolling beats of Maxima’s Get Into It – bolstered in remix form by Denney – are quick to impress.

T. Nguyen’s Prophetic Love has strong hints of Kerri Chandler – in a good way – while Al Leahy’s Shadow Rush proves the pick of the punch, a superb bassy number that delivers a wonderful, full-bodied bass line.

The remixes are an ideal complement to the main course, putting the seal on a desirable package – especially Steve Bug’s upbeat take on Prophetic Love.

Does it all work?

Pretty much! One or two tracks on the list feel a little bit formulaic – and while she generally delivers excellent vocals, PraiZe’s slot on Fast To Slow might be too nasal for some – but that’s splitting hairs in a fine collection, up to Poker Flat’s typically high standards.

Is it recommended?

It is. A collection of house music on the deeper side that connoisseurs of the genre will warm to straight away.

For fans of… Kerri Chandler, Miguel Migs, Andy Caldwell, Larry Heard

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Published post no.2,245 – Saturday 20 July 2024

Switched On – Luke Elliott: Every Somewhere (AKP Recordings)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

The theme of Every Somewhere is the relationship between humans and the natural world – a theme that has preoccupied a number of artists in recent years.

Luke Elliott, a UK-born musician and producer based in Amsterdam, used modular and analogue synthesizers to make this work, sampling and re-sampling material together with fresh ideas. Talking about the album, he says how “the crossover between artificial sound and nature became a central theme, a subject for particular consideration, whether by “leaning into the sounds of people shouting alongside bird calls and breezes” or by incorporating a friends’ recording of the sea organ of Zadar, a large-scale land art instrument which plays music via sea waves passing through its tubes.” This appears on the opening Better Start Being.

Every Somewhere is dedicated to Elliott’s late cat Agatha (below), who was by his side – and on his lap! – during much of the record’s construction.

What’s the music like?

This is ambient music, developed through rich colours. Elliott writes with a refreshing freedom, and with positive energy, his compositions unfolding with an easy and instinctive charm. The music might be mostly electronic but it does feel as though it was recorded outdoors, in the close company of the listener.

Often the light is dappled on Elliott’s compositions, with a really appealing sense of light and shade. Go With Curiosity pulses with rhythmic invention and riffs of a semi-serial quality, while Land Soft has a similar energy but in a more tonal plain. Stellar Overflow takes a wide panoramic look, a lovely restful track.

Shelter In Western Regions, a co-write with Ryan J Raffa, has a fulsome bassline, Even The Moon Is Leaving has a lush backdrop, while Presolar Friends feels more personal in spite of its similarly wide scope.

Does it all work?

Yes. Elliott writes fluently, and each track has its own pleasing structure within the whole. The wide-open sound lends itself to headphones or a surround sound system, with stimulating audio perspectives.

Is it recommended?

It is – there is plenty to enjoy here, either on a purely ambient, background level, or through more detailed listening.

For fans of… Tim Hecker, Matthewdavid, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith

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Published post no.2,240 – Monday 15 July 2024

Switched On – QOA: SAUCO (Leaving Records)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

QOA is Argentinian producer Nina Corti, a musician and sound artist. SAUCO is her sonic journey, ‘crafted to cultivate poetic gestures amidst Fauna, Flora, Fungi, Mineral Waters, Wind and Earth’.

It is a kind of love letter to Argentinian natural history, bringing forward the natural inhabitants of the country and putting them in the spotlight.

What’s the music like?

In a word, fresh! There is an immediately appealing lightness to Corti’s touch, a weightless quality that means her music is almost always airborne through its lightness.

Natural phenomena are always close at hand, with sounds captured from the Argentinian wilderness. Each of the nine tracks are inspired by a lifeform native to the country, and so are effectively character studies.

Sauco is a kind of magical tree, reflected in its elusive light, whereas Liquen, starting close, ends up beyond the aural horizon. Muitu introduces a beat to steady the distant voices, while Lippia alba, a multi-branched shrub, is represented by music that spreads out in many different directions. By the time we get to Senna the music becomes minimal and the atmospherics take over, but the tables are turned by Anartia (a butterfly from the peacock family) whose dance is a riot of colour.

The musical language reflects QOA’s time spent as a member of a Gamelan collective, with vibrant hooks, flighty motifs and sudden, lush bursts of instrumental colour. These can all be glimpsed on the album’s most intriguing track, Cievrvo De Los Pantanos, a portrait of a marsh deer that is by turns playful, mysterious and elusive.

Does it all work?

It does. The wide sonic perspective Corti uses means the musical shapes are constantly shifting, their vibrant colours always on show.

Is it recommended?

Yes. This is very fresh and free music, elusive too – but always colourful and often joyful. QOA has made a musical celebration of nature, a charming and invigorating album

For fans of… Matthewdavid, Susumu Yokota, Terry Riley, John Cage

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Published post no.2,240 – Monday 15 July 2024

Let’s Dance – Floorplan: The Master’s Plan (Classic Music Company)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Robert and Lyric Hood release their fourth album as Floorplan, building on their reputation as purveyors of spiritually infused house and techno. The Master’s Plan is a big conception, with 18 tracks, and includes guest slots for Earthtone, Honey Dijon, Lowell Pye and Dames Brown.

What’s the music like?

Floorplan traverse an impressive variety of styles on this piece of work, moving between chest thumping gospel hitters and darker slabs of techno with effortless ease. Whenever the piano comes into play the killer riffs are brilliantly executed, the tough beats and bold bass lines delivered with pace and power.

Into the former camp go We Give Thee Honour, Feel It and The Curse Breaker, whose extended vocal monologue is so powerful the preacher fair pins you up against a wall. Flashe No Deux is a big hitter, while the prize of catchiest riff goes to the rollicking No Ones Ready.

The collaborations are all a resounding success, especially the Honey Dijon-fronted Fake & Unholy – a great look at the other side of the coin – while The Plan is a powerful pick-me-up thanks to Earthtone.

Does it all work?

Yes, impressively so. Not many house / techno long players sustain their quality as this one.

Is it recommended?

It is. Floorplan know how to raise the spirits, and do so throughout this excellent album. Their refreshingly direct lyrics and message go with the big, piano-powered riffs to make a slab of spiritual house and techno that works a treat.

For fans of… Moodymann, Charles Webster, Carl Craig, Juan Atkins

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Published post no.2,238 – Saturday 13 July 2024