Rick Wade

Review: Detroit legend Rick Wade (or Big Daddy Rick) is an artist who needs little introduction: a true house music legend! He steps up for the fourteenth release on British imprint Shall Not Fade with these four quality tracks. A side cuts "Guardian Of Forever" and "Meeting" really channel that Harmonie Park sound: a signature groove that he has worked tirelessly at for the better part of at least 20 years. On the flip is "Feels" which gets an absolutely stellar remix by "LK" and injects the track with a real tough groove that's all about that sense of shuffle and swing. Following up great releases by Steve Murphy, Adriyano and Pascal Viscardi: this label is really bringing some top game at the moment.

Review: Longstanding Detroit deep house veteran Big Daddy Rick returns with three timeless reminders of his relevancy and resonance. "Escapism" is one of those classic ebb and flow tracks that laps gently but powerfully with mournful chords and slight air of cinematica while "Stand Alone" carries all the hallmarks of Rick's hometown with its rippled detuned chords and robust stately drum arrangement. "Understand" plays the consummate finale with its shuffled broken beats and dreamy 50s movie flourishes. Understated.

Review: If Rick Wade sleeps, his machines don't. The Adjustments Of Status EP is his fifth missive for the year and comes via Landed Records. The London label clearly has affections for the Motor City, having already released material from well known Detroit alumni Norm Talley and Dwayne Jensen so the addition of Wade to their schedule makes for perfect sense. Dusty samples and weighted beats make up "Ancient Tongues", while "The Day B4 Forever" builds in pace, keeping Wade deep through his beautiful use of melodious Rhodes and pitched vocals that sound like something from Aphex Twins 'Windowlicker". "Daddy's Theme" is the most disco inspired track on the EP with flutes and strings swooning in time to Wade's trademark boom-tish house beats and shakers.