DJs Pareja – Spanish Is Beautiful review

Since its inception in 2008, London label History Clock have always operated well beyond the confines of genre pigeon holing – quite happily releasing main room revisions of late 70s sing alongs from Ivan Smagghe & Tim Paris alongside disco nuggets from Psychemagik and throbbing techno pulsers and EBM makeovers of Frankie Goes To Hollywood from Hardway Bros.

Given that History Clock is overseen by Nathan Gregory Wilkins and Joanthan “Capracara” Burnip makes this all encompassing approach understandable. The former has a long history of playing obscure records to the fashion set and was recently invited to spin some jams at David Lynch’s new Parisian joint, whilst the latter can count labels as varied as DFA, Fine Art, Soul Jazz and Unknown To The Unknown in his discography, and both have musical tastes that can be considered in a state of musical flux.

This much is evident on their latest twelve – their first in almost a year – which features the talents of Argentinean duo DJs Pareja. Close followers of Cómeme will know the duo from their 2009 split EP with label boss Matias Aguayo and this is a mighty if belated follow-up. “Psycho Rhythm” is singularly unique mid tempo house, splaying off kilter syncopation and deep set bass with heaving melodic hits and quite unnerving lyrics, whilst “Pampa Moon” perfectly captures the tropical rhythms of South America with the gritty drum patterns of London.

On the flip “Spanish Is Beautiful” is a gloopy, astral warehouse bumper – all loose, shimmering keys and crashing drum rolls over the heady acid throb. It’s given a glistening 4am rerub by Huntleys & Palmers’ Alejandro Paz, which could feasibly have emerged during the early days of Balearic.

Tony Poland