Something of an event here, as Detroit veteran Delano Smith returns to his Mixmode imprint for the first time since 2009. As usual, Smith is in deep mode, flexing his Motor City credentials on two near-perfect late night shufflers. A side "Direct Drive" is particularly impressive. Like the best house music from Detroit, it oozes warmth and soul, building a gently throbbing groove via beautiful, subterranean melodies, hissing hi-hats and relentless low-end hustle. On the flip "My Life" is almost as impressive, layering long, loping beatdown chords over clipped guitars, languid beats and the deftest of keys.

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