FaltyDL – All in the Place review

Artist: FaltyDL
Title: All in the Place
Label: Rush Hour Holland
Genre: Dubstep/Grime, Deep House
Format: 12″, Digital
Buy From: Juno Records, Juno Download

In 2009 after hearing NYC based FaltyDL’s full length album Love is a Liability on Planet Mu, I was pleased that a young, upcoming North American producer was making quality bass music, a scene created and dominated by UK producers.  It also gave me the spine shivering feeling of excitement that harkened back to the first time I heard Warp Records and early Planet Mu releases from the mid-nineties.  But let’s be clear, this is not a “remember when…” nostalgic review.  This is me telling you, world, that FaltyDL, aka Drew Lustman is forging fresh sounds by cross-breeding elements of house, garage, techno, dubstep, IDM, soul and hip-hop- an amalgamation best heard rather than described.

“All in the Place” is the first release on Amsterdam based Rush Hour’s new series called Direct Current.  On the title track, FaltyDL conjures up the bleeps of classic Warp, while putting a future sounding stamp on it with subtle acid squiggles and soulful keys.  “St. Mark’s” sneaks in vocal snippets in this garage-based tribute to the East Village New York neighbourhood that houses many record stores and Japanese restaurants (Falty worked as sushi chef in NY).

“Discoko” is another acid-tinged affair with a slow beat over a fat, funky bass – perfect in a DJ set to bridge things down or up depending whether it is early or late in the evening. “Groove” is a skittering garage mover with a rising and falling disco-house hip shaking bassline.

If 2009 was any indicator of great things to come for FaltyDL, then we can expect an even more prolific 2010, including a full length disco-centred album he is currently working on for Planet Mu. However, “All in the Place” just may be the early gem that shines throughout the year.

Review: Steve Phillips