Orlando B – Beneath The Surface review

The “Beneath the Surface” EP sees yet more divine, deep house music emanating from Andy Vaz’s Yore base. Scotsman Orlando B is at the helm this time as the contemplative imprint returns with the third release from their Yore Limited series. The now London based producer, who has always swayed on the side of funky and raw sounding techno on his previous outings for the likes of Night Drive Music, Elektrax, Finest Blend and his own Eastbound Recordings, naturally focuses mainly on warm and smooth house grooves on his first outing for Yore.

Opening track, “A Feeling” is a contented, dreamy, summertime tune wrapped up in an eight minute ode to classic deep house. Wistful keys and dreamy strings glide over the top of some unassuming beats. With a light and breezy sentiment, the track drifts along infused with a Latin sense of funk as piano sprinkles and a crisp, hi-hat tinted groove and vintage female vocals add yet more style and finesse. “Esoteric” delves deeper into Orlando B’s raw yet funky, bass-led house beat. This warm and acidic bassline builds throughout until a synth solo squeals over the top in sheer delight. Thrusting with more of a subtle jack, “New York Tale” sees Orlando B soothing his raw techno backbone with warm chords and a charming and loveable house swing. On “MJ12” however, he runs away with his techno minded tendencies as he delivers the standout track of the EP. Going for out and out dubbyness he uses a surge of swelling dub chords and a spoken voice sample to create the ice cool atmosphere that makes this the best cut on the release. A release full of warmth and feeling, Orlando B’s four smooth jams sound perfectly at home amongst the classic sound of Yore.

Review by Tom Jones