FAR (Faze Action)

Review: Brothers Simon and Robin Lee have long excelled at the album format, delivering occasional sets that ripple with impressive musicality, sinewy strings, cozy downtempo moods and upbeat dancefloor moments. Body of One, their fourth full length (their first dropped on Nuphonic back in 1997), continues this trend, offering a compelling trip through the pair's myriad influences. After opening with a sweaty post-punk thumper ("Prisoner of Your Love"), we're variously treated to Italo-influenced vintage house ("Magic Touch"), rubbery disco-funk ("Freak For Your Love"), Arthur Russell-influenced tropical downtempo pop ("Caruso's Monkey House"), dreamy Balearica ("Floating World") and string-laden gorgeousness. As for the title track, it sounds like So-era Peter Gabriel.

Review: Faze Action teams up with Nina Miranda for the jazzy disco tones of "Vamos Pintar", and the results are magic. This is unabashedly joyous, flamboyant dance music rich with vibraphone licks, synth stabs and a catchy vocal hook about painting, which Max Essa then slows down to a Balearic strut on his "Slo Mo Bubble Dub" mix before offering up a more energetic "Extended Club Mix". The real gem on the record comes on the B2 "Paradise 90 Dub", which faithfully champions the Larry Levan school of party music, and everyone knows that means guaranteed club heat.

Review: Rudy (aka Robin Lee from Faze Action) makes a welcome return on FAR, taking in the atmosphere of sunnier climes.

The title tracks opening cascades and swirling synths fall into an easy Balearic groove, with singing melodies, exotic marimbas, a chugging synth bass and production echoing a mix of Compass Point, Grace Jones et all on holiday in Europe, whilst setting the scene for the EP. The 2nd track is introduced by hypnotic tones against analog synth arpeggios and haunting synth solos, invoking the "Sky Goddess". Back down to earth on the flip side is an invitation to sail down the "Shimmering Coast", with its relaxed guitar groove and keyboard flourishes all underpinned by a stunning 80s sounding bass line. Dropping anchor at "Fortune Lagoon", we are treated to some of Rudy's personally designed analog keyboard sounds, which mange to challenge yet retain tropical warmth.

Finally live chorus bass introduces us to "Body Wave" which manages to fuse easy French Disco with jazzy Fender Rhodes hooks. By Nature is a reflection of white washed houses, palm trees, refreshing coastal beaches and yacht parties. Don't forget your sunglasses and tanning oil!

Review: Rudy returns to Faze Action Records with an all-new collection of atmospheric and evocative tropical sounds. Last August saw the release of the By Nature EP that encapsulated the steamy and exotic textures of the Balearic sound.
This time, Midnight Safari takes up where on the beaches of Formentera, where the last EP left us. This time setting sail on a Midnight Safari with Marimba's and chugging rhythms underpinning sophisticated Piano' melodies. Following this we drop anchor and appreciate the evening breeze of In The Air with its haunting 'Cello, endless drifting arpeggio's and tropical percussion with a hint of North Africa. Reach Backless points the way squarely to the dance floor with chunky drums and synth bass, synth hooks galore and that piano solo that launches into starry evening skies. It's back down to earth with the settled quiet bass guitar harmonics of Windchimes before heading into the more soulful and synth melodic territory of Solar Plex.