Space Ranger – Star Wash EP review

Artist: Space Ranger
Title: Star Wash EP
Label: Love Monk
Genre: Disco/Nu-Disco
Format: 12″, Digital
Buy From: Juno Records, Juno Download

German trio Space Ranger blast off with a four tracker of wonderfully futuristic, yet classic sounding disco house. Out on Lovemonks, the “Star Wash” EP comes in the form of three original productions with one remix by the flying Scotsman, aka The Revenge.

Space Ranger are a Stuttgart based trio, whose careers span from the late eighties and early nineties (when they remixed for the likes of Kool & The Gang, The Sugababes and Kurtis Blow). Now they’ve embarked on a collaborative project as Space Ranger, pulling together from the depths of their own experiences and the music they love – whether it be disco, soul, funk or house. The “Star Wash” EP signals the start of the Space Ranger era of their lives with a sonic boom.

“Herbal Cake” opens the release in a contented and danceable mood. A charmingly chugging disco house track, it yo-yos without ever really losing its momentum. A grungey bassline and hooky string chops add a classic feel, making it perfect for the dance hall. The Revenge turns in a devastatingly subtle remix of the same track next up. By pumping a 4/4 over the track, he turns it into a more modern day, driving house tune that still shimmers its disco influence at every opportunity. “Galactic Spice” is a slower, sleazy, boogie-funk styled grinder that plods along in its own spacey style before “Phase Fever” finishes things off with a slice of disco funk. Slowly building its way up, the final track unleashes all measures of funk, house and disco into one all mighty, ass shaking number.

Review: Tom Jones