Back in stock: Deep House

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


In the seven years that have passed since the release of his last solo album, DJ Koze has become one of electronic music's most celebrated and sought-after producers. For that reason, the release of Music Can Hear Us is a genuinely big deal - as the impressive roll call of guest vocalists and collaborators (Damon Albarn, Sophia Kennedy, Ada, Notwist and Marley Waters included) attests. Typically, alongside a handful of genuine dancefloor workouts in his skewed deep house style ('Buschcutter', 'Bush Taxi'), Koze serves up far more fine material that is less easy to categorize - think Indian-influenced downtempo exotica ('The Universe In a Nutshell'), off-kilter outsider electronica ('The Talented Mr Tripley'), jangly psych-Balearic excursions ('Arunda') and heady ambient soundscapes ('A Donde Vas?'). Spots in end of year 'best of' lists await.

Review: A couple of years ago, on the back of putting out a fine compilation of his 1990s work, Rush Hour asked Soichi Terada if he fancied recording and releasing a new album. There was one catch though: the label wanted the legendary Japanese deep house producer to replicate the sound and spirit of his vintage work. Terada agreed and took their instructions seriously, dusting down his old equipment and MIDI set-ups. The results, showcased on Asakusa Light, are spellbinding, emotive, musically expansive, atmospheric, melodious and undeniably deep, with Terada's once trademark sound once again coming to the fore. The multitude of highlights includes the sunrise-ready tingle of 'Double Spire', the percussive and off-kilter 'Marimbau' and the luscious dancefloor soundscape that is 'Blinker'.