KYLE HALL Vinyl & CDs

Review: Kyle Hall makes another entry into the already fine discography of his Forget The Clock label with another fine four tracker. His usual raw style pervades from the off with the well swung drums and bumping kicks of the title track soon to get you in the groove. His signature diffuse synth work is what brings warmth and soul to the dusty drums of 'Track 2' while 'Sarabi' ups the pace with a more hurried groove and pent up sense of party joy. A second bonus track closes proceedings, with 'Track 4' layering up low slung drums and meandering cosmic leads to heady effect.

Review: Kyle Hall has been hailed as the new boy on the Detroit block for some time now, forgetting perhaps that he has been putting records out since he was 17 - some 15 years ago. The three tracks on the 'Baci Ballers' EP show he's capable of holding his own among the biggest of big hitters, taking house music and giving it a nicely grimy makeover that will ensure these beauties a place in many a techno set too. The title track has a triumphant, rampantly rampaging vibe to it, a throbbing, insistent bassline slapped down by meaty handclaps and brutal hi-hats. 'Big Moma Tech' adds a smattering of female vocal as bleeps and jazzy keys battle it out like Stevie Wonder and LFO having a jam. 'Ground Up Dub' completes the set, based around a panther-like bass keyboard riff that anchors the track while the rhythmic quotient surges and retreats gloriously. Three tracks that differ in everything but their playability and quality.

Review: Detroit house doesn't get more authentic than when served up by Motor City maestro Kyle Hall. The Wild Oats and Forget The Clock boss is in superb form once again here across four new cuts of Technically Deep house. 'Sit In Dat' has its head amongst the stars and it's roughed up drums firmly planted on the floor. 'Gherkin Roots' is more rickety and unconventional, with analogue clatter and synth stabs making for an unsettling mood. 'Alignment' cruises on warm machine soul and 'Pounce' cuts loose with a twisted dub sounds, spangled drums and raw as you like percussion.

Review: Kyle Hall and Steven Julien have been working together on and off for a whole decade now as Funkinevil. To mark the occasion they have pulled together their first two releases - namely 2012's 'Night / Dusk' and 2013's 'Ignorant' - on one new double album that very much sums up their raw house sound. The Detroit-London duo draw on plenty of their hometown's signature aesthetics, from well swung drums to soulful synths, and the results are still fresh sounding and captivatingly deep. Importantly, all these years later, there is still real emotional punch in these tunes as well as damn good grooves. Essential stuff from this vital pair.

Review: .Crown is the long-awaited reunion of Kyle Hall and Steven Julien (Funkineven), two soulful visionaries who bridge the gap between Detroit and London. The LP showcases their unique blend of raw and organic beats, cosmic synths, and expressive vocals. From the hypnotic opener 'Page 1' to the understated late night deepness of 'Page 4' and the evocative blunted beats of closer 'Page 5' (Reggie B SciFonk Mix), Crown is a journey through the diverse and dynamic realms of electronic music. Fans of Hall's previous work and Julien's Funkinevil project will not be disappointed by this masterful collaboration that celebrates the essence of soul.