Mood Hut Vinyl & CDs

Review: As Slowriffs, Ian Wyatt delivered a handful of killer ambient releases. Since taking on the Local Artist alias in 2013, he's perfected a particularly hazy, opaque, blissed-out and loved-up take on deep house. On Expanding Horizons, his first album as Local Artist, Wyatt more than delivers on the eclecticism promised by the title, variously turning his hand to Sade style 'quiet storm' (the wonderful title track), dub-flecked, soft-focus deep pop ('Without You'), atmospheric ambient ('Neo Wise'), bongo-rich early morning soundscapes ('Rif Kidbani'), vocoder-sporting nods to Tangerine Dream ('Self Healing'), sunrise-ready downtempo disco ('Distance Calling') and touchy-feely, street soul-influenced yacht rock ('Give You My Love'). Blazed, quietly colourful and brilliantly blissful: what's not to like?

Review: Canadian label Mood Hut shot to cult status in a short space of time with a slick and steady stream of off beat, lo-fi, lovable house grooves. A few years on and now up to release number 24, their quirky style remains as proven on this one by Local Artist, who has previously landed on the likes of Rhythm Section and Proibito. There is a throwback electro feel to opener "Touch Tone" that is driven by a fat bassline. "Boy's Cry" is a house cut with a difference and "Fruits" pairs bright chords with deep, rumbling kick drums. Closer "Gravity" is a real synth-pop gem to drop by the pool and closes out a varied and vital EP.

Review: Under the Local Artist alias (and later Slow Riffs), Ian Wyatt was one of the first Vancouverites to join hometown imprint Mood Hut's blazed deep house revolution. He's been rather quiet of late, with "Dancer" marking his first outing of any sort for nearly three years. Naturally, it's really rather good, with the title track delivering an exquisite blend of disco percussion, classic U.S garage musicality, proto-house synth flourishes, dub-wise bass and glassy-eyed deep house flourishes. Wyatt dives deeper on flipside "Dreamer", where impeccably rich and tuneful lead lines wrap themselves around another dub-style sub-bass line, echoing riffs and layered, tribal-influenced deep house drums.