After a string of releases under different pseudonyms, Shades is truly excited to announce Dan White’s first release under his own name, Simple Pleasures. Influenced by the lush melodics of early Kompakt releases, the playful grooves and all-out pop sensibility of Dusky & Booka Shades output, and the edgy, detailed electro of pioneers like the The Hacker and Alexander Robotnick, this bold four-tracker of emotive tech-disco is progressive & modern, yet packed full of feeling.
Opener Mind & Heart feat. longtime collaborator Rudi Crone sets the stage in auspicious fashion, expertly folding brooding synths and melancholic vox snatches into an atmospheric slice of twilight disco-house that wears its darkness lightly. Follower Always (co-produced by Tjorven) offers a lighter, more summery vibe, setting ripe keys, jacking beats and plump basses against more accomplished vocal sample work.On the flip, things are taken a bit deeper and more uptempo with pensive deep house roller Inquest, and late-night stormer Deluge, which jacks things up further before melting into dreamy, evocative synths dripping with longing and wanderlust. All in all it’s hard to play favourites here; each idea arrives fully-formed but never overcooked, a testament to the inimitable talent at the helm.