Record Reviews: Outro Tempo II, KOKOKO!, Leoparden, The Mauskovic Dance Band, Kapote, House Of Riviera, Octo Octa, Daniel Wang

V/A - Outro Tempo II (Music From Memory)

Another deep-dive into the depths of the Brazilian underworld by veteran compiler John Gomez bringing together music made in Brazil in the late 1980s and 1990s. This time all twenty tracks revolve around the constant push and pull of opposing forces.

Rainforest nature vs. raw and ardent city live. Analog heritage vs. digital sonic invention. Classic Brazilian popular music vs. the global sounds of electronica. Outro Tempo II is a super interesting listen, a challenging one, too. One that has to be looked at from different angles to fully comprehend.

KOKOKO! - Fongola (Transgressive)

I reviewed KOKOKO!’s „Liboso“ EP in the last newsletter already, so I want to keep it brief. With Fongola, their debut LP, KOKOKO! continue their torrid, anarchic journey that started with their two previous EPs „Liboso“ and „Malembe“.

Working with french beat-maker Débruit they forged an energetic sound combining lo-fi percussive polyrhythms and electronic experimentation.

Leoparden - Stilen er svimmel (Lyskestrekk Records)

I haven't witnessed that many musicians who can instill vulnerability and despair into their music in such an intense and yet positive way like Leoparden does.

„Stilen er svimmel“ is more than a recollection of steady grooves and hypnotizing patterns. It's pure therapy for battered souls. Soul-cleansing at its best and if you’re not dancing by the end of the record you’re not listening.

The Mauskovic Dance Band - The Mauskovic Dance Band (Soundway)

With their head-turning „Down In the Basement“ EP still making us dance, Nic Mauskovic's Mauskovic Dance Band finally come through with their debut LP: 8 tracks, recorded in the storage space of Amsterdam’s Garage.

All proudly DIY, it is a plethora of bumpy, jumpy rhythmics, afro-fired guitar licks, and lofi synth-stetics.

Kapote - What It Is (Toy Tonics)

Kapote aka Munk aka Mathias Modica demonstrates what can be done when old ideas meet creative capability. He fearlessly takes from all the genres house music has seen in the last twenty years (deep, dub, disco, acid, filter, you name it) and dares to incorporate all these elements into one track. But what’s best: he easily comes away with it.

Multiple personalities not being a syndrome or disorder but a given fact. Transmutating from alter-ego to multi-ego, giving into rather than fighting against. That’s „What It Is“… a condensed overwhelming mix of funk, disco, jazz, and house music.

V/A - House Of Riviera (Mona Musique)

The sound of Italy during the 80s and 90s is becoming a focus point again as Italo Disco and Dream House are experiencing a revival of sorts. Especially the House sound of early 90s Italy is getting attention by more and more big names including Palm Trax, Young Marco and now Parisian mastermind, DJ, label owner and La Mona host Nick V.

His compilation on his label Mona Musique brings together 8 iconic tracks from this specific period. Nick V is showcasing the whole spectrum of the Riviera sound, so expect not only a colorful, breezy, and piano-laden sound, but also gnawling, dubby basslines, classic 90s house beats, and strong vocal tracks.

If you love US House and New Jersey Garage with a twist then this compilation is for you.

Octo Octa - For Lovers EP (Technicolour)

The opening incantation: 30 seconds of distant chants, a sweetly humming synth pad, a filter opening up sight towards a stunningly bright future. Remnant signals of a distant orchestra vacant somewhere in outer space transmitting a message of love: „We’re still here waiting for you“. And then that breakbeat! "I Need You“, the opener track for Octo Octa’s "For Lovers EP“, is absolute bliss masquerading as a tremendously grooving house/dance track.

For this EP Octo Octa lifts her production skills onto a new level. Full of sophisticated electronic textures it's a compelling EP that will be a feature in my collection for years to come.

Daniel Wang - Don’t Go Lose This (Degustibus Music)

Daniel Wang aka Danny the Dancer returns with a new record, delivering two edits of Hugh Masekela’s proto-house classic "Don’t Go Lose It Baby". Reducing it down to the most essential parts. Endless repetition as a means of finding new freedoms. Adding just enough new instrumentation to slightly off-set the nature of the track, flipping it into an opulent, HI-NRG disco-tech monster. Synths, dubs, and good times.