Search results: Montana

Review: Since moving to Rotterdam a couple of years back, Chicagoan DJ/producer Jamie 3:26 has begun serving up some seriously good original music, usually in cahoots with local lad, wizard keyboard player and fellow producer Danou P. The most eyebrow-raising cut here is a more surprising collaboration with UK legend Mr Scruff: the wonky, analogue rich, Ron Hardy-goes-to-Manchester style wayward house brilliance of 'Scrubb It'. Danou P replaces the Ninja Tune stalwart on the EP's two other cuts, both of which are excellent. Check first the immersive, dreamy, synth-smothered deep house hypnotism of 'Love Not', where Danou P's keyboard skills and musicality work in perfect harmony with the Chicagoan's dancefloor instincts, before admiring the more Brazilian disco-influenced elasticity of 'Earl Montana'.

Review: Matthieu Beck commonly drifts around collaborative projects like Zooey, having previously cut his teeth in French indie rock bands such as Adam Kesher, but now he appears solo on Growing Bin with a rather sublime slice of island boogie in concept as well as sound. From the title Here Alone to the castaway artwork and beyond, Beck makes no attempt to obscure his inspiration making this record. In the Growing Bin tradition, this is the thoroughly relaxing kind of marooned Beck is depicting - a balmy isolation bedecked in fresh fruit and with ample espadrilles to see you through until a rescue party appears on the horizon. Why worry when you can kick back and enjoy the peace and quiet?

Review: This debut release from footwork crew Teklife's label sees them pay tribute to DJ Rashad, the late, great innovator who passed away in the spring of 2014. Afterlife gathers together a collection of DJ Rashad tracks co-produced by Rashad's close friends and associates, including DJ Spinn, Traxman, DJ Manny and more. As the label themselves state, this 14 track album really conveys the wealth of musical influences and knowledge Rashad possessed with soul, hip-hop, house, techno and many more all brought together at 160 BPM. "Afterlife is our tribute to our friend and our inspiration. Rest In Peace DJ Rashad," Teklife write. Enough said. A must for all fans of Rashad.

Review: We're still not quite sure why fabric rebranded their much loved mix series because the fabric present series seems to be very similar in that it is unbound by genre and chases only the best DJs in the game. Saoirse is one of those and makes a fine entry here that is on the header end of the spectrum following on from efforts from the likes of Sherelle, TSHA and MCDE. Her functional, low slung sounds are perfect for late night moment slots in the groove with cuts from the likes of Luca Lozano, Rinse FM founder Geeneus and many more all making for a storytelling mix.