John Shima

Review: The revered Halal Prepared series on boe extends to its fourth volume with four new acts fresh to the label. Hotly tipped duo, Invisible Menders, made up of outstanding DJ Jane Fitz and thus far underrated producer Dom Ahtuam contribute a stunning Balearic bass-heavy house cut "Fifth Time Lucky". Fresh from his solo EP, John Shima slots in a deep techno workout "Thought Wave". Toby Tobias of Rekids fame pumps out some raw basement lofi vibes with his jacker "Sword Art Arcade" and rounding off the EP on a delicate note is Tim Smith's soft and melodic 707 jam "Graphene".

Review: Rising star and all round nice guy John Shima has gone on record as saying it was a dream to work with B12 man Steven Rutter, whose work from the early 1990s onwards has been a constant source of inspiration. Predictably, the duo's first collaborative EP is something of a far-sighted, intergalactic treat. Opener "Skywards" sets the tone, wrapping melancholic chords, poignant melodies, rumbling bass and deep space electronics around a soft-focus IDM beat. There's a classic "Artificial Intelligence"-era deep electro feel about the similarly beautiful and melodious "Broken Spell", while "A New Day" pulses and throbs impressively via the use of a stabbing but spacey bassline and shimmering chords. Closer "Disjointed Route", a slow motion but intensely picturesque affair, is also sublime.

Review: John Shima's recent rise has been built on an uncanny ability to produce futurist electronic club music that's almost overpoweringly melodious. Or, to put it another way, the Sheffield producer makes high-grade tracks that simultaneously move the head, heart and feet. Shima's latest outing - his first for DMK - is another superb collection of cuts. Such is the quality, it's hard picking favourites, though we'd direct you towards the glistening, sun-bright melodies and snappy machine drums of "Din Sync", the contemporary clonk (look it up, kids) meets Detroit flex of "Rotary" and the technological sweetness of opener "Stealth". Recommended.