Search results: Reflex

Review: The ever-playful and seriously skilled mash-up and edit maestro The Reflex has been out in a class of one for many years. Few in his field managed to cook up the sort of delicious disco brilliance that he manages and this new 12" on the fledgling Discolidays isn't going to change that perception. 'Overture' (The Reflex Revision) is a glorious fusion of instrumental disco and withering sci-fi designs next to a catchy as hell vocal. On the flip, things head south with Latin melodies and percussion and glorious flute lines bring the joy to 'O Ba Ba' (The Reflex Revision).

Review: Armed with a hard drive full of multi-track parts to a wide array of disco, rock, boogie and pop classics, the Reflex has spent the last decade offering up unique "Revisions" that often differ greatly to their source material despite using the same basic instrumental and vocal tracks. He's at it again here, offering up sneaky revisions of two dancefloor soul classics. On the A-side he handles "Dance To The Music", frequently stripping the track back to little more than a stomping groove, delay-laden vocals and wild organ lines. On the flip he turns his attention to "Pusherman", gently beefing up the groove while showcasing the attractive sweetness of the original track's fluid horn parts and bulging bassline.

Review: While his source material tends towards the well known, there's no denying the quality of The Reflex's "revisions". Their genius likes in his ability to source and utilize stems and master tapes, allowing him to remix and re-edit killer disco jams in the same manner as original masters such as Tom Moulton. It means that he can craft new instrumental breakdowns, stretch out portions that were originally overlooked, and generally breathe new life into otherwise all-too-familiar anthems. The two revisions featured here are typically impressing, with the impassioned, driving, heavily rearranged Philadelphia Soul flipside ("BD LCK") just nudging out anthem like A-side "Ansun" (a brilliantly teased-out version of one of the most familiar disco records of all time).

Review: For his latest trick, cheeky scamp The Reflex has turned his attention to the Herbie Hancock tune that inspired countless 1980s kids to don a tracksuit, grab a pair of Adidas Shelltoes and hurl themselves around like the Crazy Legs crew. Naturally, his version of 'Rockit' is a body-popping treat that subtly extends and rearranges sections - especially those containing Hancock's jammed-out synth parts - and adds a few tasty breakdowns before unleashing the now familiar melody. Over on the flip the French producer takes his scalpel to the Isley Brothers, providing a fine multi-track edit and extension of the group's much-loved, guitar-solo sporting proto-disco soul number 'That Lady'.

Review: The Reflex never fails to serve up dazzling edits and now he is back on Revision with another super tidy two tracker. Up first is 'Hpyflng,' a gloriously feel good tune with big soul vocals, hints of 60s funk in the grooves and muffled crowd noises to add extra atmosphere, and that's all before some mad xylophone work comes in to really take things to the next level. On the flipside, 'Strtgy' slows down and sinks into a more deep cut and fat bottomed gooey propped up by some rich funk bass. The hip swinging claps and breezy guitars really flesh out this stylish and seductive sound.

Review: Mighty Swedish loop-techno and dub maestro Skudge takes care of one side of this new 12", while Dutch artist and Lazy Reflex Complex founder 543FF takes care of the flip. The first trio of tunes are all expertly reduced mixes of rolling and dubby drums, subtle synth motifs and generally dusty, li-fi aesthetics that are perfect for deployment in a basement or warehouse. The flipside is more heady and Millsian in approach with tightly woven layers of synth and drums all locking you into a state of deep meditation. The pulsating 'Zoning' is our favourite.

Review: Discolidays kicks off its third release with this spicy little joint from The Reflex, the remixer par excellence who is given two juicy tracks to get busy with. On the A-side it's Bruise's 2022 track 'When Pianos Attack' which is being tweaked and pumped for maximum impact, while on the flip Lou Hayter gets the executive treatment via some seriously sophisticated disco house flexing from an expert in the field. With dub and full-fat versions to sink your teeth into, there's plenty of potency in this record to keep your party primed.

Review: Joey Beltram would likely feel you it is as much a blessing as it is a curse to have made a tune as monstrously successful and widely known as 'Energy Flash' so early in your career. Along the way, he made plenty of others that are just as effective in their mix of techno, breaks and rave. This second volume of them on the Belgian label R&S proves that. 'My Sound' is all throwback rave horns and textured metal drum sounds, while 'The Melody' has a more stripped-back but no less effective sound. 'Sub-Bass Experience' is just that - a bowel-bothering low end is the main feature with sharp hi-hats and blistering synths up top. 'The Reflex' shuts things down in marching late-night fashion.

Review: Portuguese electronic artist Pedro Goya lends his latest and best efforts to French label YoY - a sublabel of the Yoyaku family - for a textured sway through dreamy minimal house and elegant acid progressions. Much like picking flowers, the EP puts across the feeling of being 'in the zone', with the tracks seeming to flow seamlessly through similar keys and timbres, all while nailing a raw, real, even ancient feel.