LIFE RECORDER Vinyl & CDs

Review: Marseille's Life Recorder continues to develop a beauteous sound rooted in the underground European deep house approach. It's no wonder to see him releasing on Bokhari, Soul Print, Hizou Deep Rooted and others, as well as getting a co-sign for Keith Worthy's Aesthetic Audio. He's also been developing his Life Notes label with a project called Motion Process, and now he brings Life Recorder back into the frame with this elegant four-tracker of mellow house immersion. From the swirling pads and crisp beats of 'Sliding Away' to the mystical synth passages of 'That Mantra', this is pristinely executed head-tripping business for those who can't get it deep enough.

Review: There's something particularly fitting about the title of Life Recorder's latest 12, his follow-up to the well-received Hope In The Soul EP on Soul Print. As the title suggests, "90 State" sounds like it was heavily influenced by vintage 808 State, and "Pacific State" in particular. The analogue-sounding beats, spine tingling electronics, melodies and wide-eyed chords all recall the rave-era classic, making "90 State" a thoroughly enjoyable, Balearic house gem. The remix package is pretty tasty too. Stojche provides a tougher, kick-heavy techno take - complete with relentless drum machine handclaps and drawn-out cymbals - while Vidinovski opts for a woozier, dreamier deep house feel. Lovely stuff.