For the first edition of 'Haven't You Heard?', let’s make a less than maverick move and acknowledge that yes, it’s officially summer, as Arab Strap once sang. The hallmarks are all there: The weeping, pollen filled eyes, the temperamental city centre fountains and the stifling urge to simply ‘vibe along’ with it, whatever that means. Here are a selection of some of the finest, admittedly rather house focused records doing the rounds over the counter and into cyberspace at the moment, all best enjoyed between 15 and 25c, at which point they will start to warp in an upsetting manner, and playing them will only give you the fear.
The Galleria - Calling Card
AKA, Jessy Lanza and Morgan Geist together for the first time and on typically fine form. While the former has found chart nudging success touring her sensual and perfectly tuned debut LP, ‘Pull My Hair Back’ alongside Caribou, the latter enjoyed massive and unexpected success under his Storm Queen alias, following MK’s ubiquitous remix of ‘Look Right Through’. But if deserved mainstream success has thus far alluded Lanza while leaving Geist in a muddy festival field where’s not quite at home, The Galleria provides the ideal showcase for the pair, her soft, vulnerable and distinctive vocals bumping up pleasingly against his bubbling, melodramatic electronics. There’s a lot in this to keep you hooked.
Matthew Herbert - Strong
In recent years, Matthew Herbert has, among other pursuits, composed a one man opera about the life and death of a pig, collected twenty pianos for London’s South Bank centre, and taken control of the BBC’s legendary Radiophonic Workshop. But, strong as he is at pushing the boundaries, he’s also a fantastic pop producer, with his first straight up dance record in ten years, The Shakes, failing to disappoint. ‘Get Strong’ might well be #1 in some alternate universe pop charts.
Fort Romeau - Saku
Arguably already vying for the title of most memorable bassline of the summer award, due to be presented in Conference Suite #2 of the Novotel Stevenage in September, this latest release on Gerd Janson’s much loved Running Back has that undefinable, balearic tint to it, while still propelling forward at a speed boat level rate of knots. Actually a concept record (stay with us…) dedicated to the famous Aussie computer software beloved by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush, the other interpretations on the flip provide mellower, sunset moments. Personally, I’ve been listening to a rip of the original since February and still can’t stop myself. Inherently listenable, massively danceable.
Soichi Terada - Do It Again
Over to the Netherlands then, via the Far East, where earlier this year, cult jock Hunee kindly put together a new compilation for Rush Hour, showcasing deep house mystery man and all round crate diggers’ inspiration Soichi Terada. Like much of the best party music, it sounds both nostalgically relatable and yet pleasingly unusual, littered with familiar vocal samples over eccentric basslines. This collaboration with Japanese composer Sinichoro is reportedly part of the music for cult Sony game, Ape Island.
Werkha - Falling Through the Wall
Based out of Manchester, Werkha trades in esoteric dance music that nods as much towards club culture as it does the benefits of a breezy live jam. His accomplished debut LP, ‘Colours Of A Red Brick Bath’, showcases this style perfectly, throwing elements of jazz, soul, funk and electro at the wall, keeping them loosely fixed together under his skipping, trippy drum work. It’s out now on TruThoughts, naturally adored by Giles Peterson and will doubtlessly make you hanker for a nice, long, confident walk to buy a Solero.
Fatima Yamaha - What’s A Girl To Do
This timeless and simply lovely afterparty anthem seems to have enjoyed a resurgence from relative obscurity over the past six months or so, culminating in festival turned label Dekmantel preparing to repress it in time for summer. Possessing one of the most affecting introspective interludes in any record, dance or otherwise (“I’m stuck…”), it’s appeal arguably lies in the melancholy at its core. Saying that, DJ Haus of the party starting UTTU label has also recently taken his scissors to it, just about maintaining the heartbreak while keeping the drums pounding in this free download.
