Floorplan

Review: Somewhat surprisingly, Floorplan's third album is not coming out on the M-Plant label established by founder Robert Hood, but rather Will Saul's Aus Music imprint. Either way, it's Hood and daughter Lyric's first Floorplan LP for three years and is full of spot-on techno treats. Those familiar with their style should know what to expect: big room ready loop jams that make extensive use of short, soulful samples, cheery electronics and lots of gospel influences. Highlights include the rubbery deep house/disco/techno fusion of "Oasis", the Terrence Parker style piano rush of "Brothers & Sisters", the stomping gospel techno insanity of "Song Like This!" (the album's standout moment) and the deeper, bluesy techno hypnotism of "I Try".

Review: Somewhat surprisingly, Floorplan's third album is not coming out on the M-Plant label established by founder Robert Hood, but rather Will Saul's Aus Music imprint. Either way, it's Hood and daughter Lyric's first Floorplan LP for three years and is full of spot-on techno treats. Those familiar with their style should know what to expect: big room ready loop jams that make extensive use of short, soulful samples, cheery electronics and lots of gospel influences. Highlights include the rubbery deep house/disco/techno fusion of "Oasis", the Terrence Parker style piano rush of "Brothers & Sisters", the stomping gospel techno insanity of "Song Like This!" (the album's standout moment) and the deeper, bluesy techno hypnotism of "I Try".

Review: Some tip-top Transatlantic business here, as EPM Music brings together Motor City legend Robert Hood AKA Floorplan, and veteran UK techno producer Mark Broom. There's a treat on side A as Broom finally allows us access to one of his secret weapons: a previously dubplate-only remix he did of the Floorplan gospel-techno throbber "Never Grow Old". Broom's version is tough and percussive, but also makes great use of rumbling bass, restless organ stabs and glassy-eyed late night rave riffs. Broom's own techno jack-track "Jungle" - a blizzard of distorted percussion and wild electronic noises - opens side B, before Hood offers up a chunky "Re-Plant" of classic Floorplan roller "He Can Save You". It not only features spoken word preacher-man vocals, but also a mind-altering riff reminiscent of Lil' Louis classic "French Kiss".