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For their eighth release City Fly are proud to present Red Rack'em aka Danny Berman. Originally hailing from Scotland, relocating to Robin Hood's stronghold of Nottingham proved to be a productive move where he met kindred spirits in the form of music lovers and vinyl heads. This planted the seeds to grow an alliance which inspired him creatively, with many of his initial projects coming to fruition including the inception of his weekly 'Smugglers Inn' radio show on Myhouse Yourhouse plus promo releases of soul and disco edits on his Red Rack'em imprint that drew support from revered selectors such as the Nordic wizards Todd Terje and Prins Thomas.
Fast forward nearly a decade later and Danny's career has continued to take an upward trajectory. His 'Hot Coins' disco pseudonym was heavily supported by influential tastemaker Gilles Peterson who also unveiled Danny's Detroit two-step inspired 'Marlinspike' alias showcasing his versatility and nous as a producer. He followed this up by founding his fledgling 'Bergerac' label on which he released his debut album 'The Early Years' with its concocted alchemy of house, disco, beatdown and electro-boogie - gaining critical acclaim from both his peers and the press alike. However, it was his move to Berlin three years ago that gave him a new lease of life. With the hive of creativity in his new environs serving as a source of inspiration and motivation to hone his craft, he revisited his Hot Coins project and released 'The Damage Is Done' LP last year on Jazzanova's legendary Sonar Kollektiv imprint - following this up with by forming a live band set up and taking Hot Coins on the road.
Still, it's his original piratical Red Rack'em moniker that most heads identify him with - his genre-defying productions on choice labels such as Ramp, Philomena and Wolf Music are always in the bag of purveyors such as Mike Huckaby, Move D, MCDE and Kyle Hall. Having known Danny for some time since his days in Notts, it was only a matter of time before City Fly made the M1 connection and got their fellow kindred spirit signed up and released on some platter...
ZONED
Kicking off the EP is the title track 'Zoned' which as the name implies is an ode to being 'too far gone'. With a pitched down vocal, disorientating chords, heavy kick-drum and yearning male larynx hollering 'music is the place to be, want it right to hold me free', the track definitely takes you to a deeper place. Just before it gets any darker a dose of sax licks come in to inject some groove and light to proceedings. Sounding like a long lost 8-mile beatdown track that wouldn't be amiss on an old KDJ B-side or LP a la Silentintroduction or Forevernevermore, this is definitely one for the real heads with the lights down low...
BRAZILIAN NUTS
Next up is 'Brazilian Nuts' though to give a pre-warning this is not a samba-fuelled production as the title would suggest. With a warped, ocean-deep bass plunging the depths, heavy handclaps and an eerie vox, the track starts off with a deep and atmospheric aura. However, an element of surprise is thrown in when a Brazilian voice interjects adding a glimmer of light, which is further enhanced when crystal synths glide in contrasting against the deeper undertones - building to an ethereal breakdown where the bottomless bass, haunting vox and crystalline synth interpolate effortlessly. A deeper excursion to submerge yourself in...
ZONED (DJ NATURE REMIX)
Having previously featured house heavyweights such as Fred P, Andres and Danny's partner in crime Medlar on remix duties, this time City Fly are proud to bring DJ Nature into the mix. The New York based producer has had a slew of killer EP's on Japan's Jazzy Sport and NY's Golf Channel followed up by his acclaimed 'Return Of The Savage' LP which made him catch the ear of City Fly. On to the remix and Nature's interpretation as ever has an organic, timeless aesthetic that juxtaposes the deep, disorientating mood of the original with its warm bass and jazzy keys giving a laissez-faire vibe drenched with funk and soul - definitely one for springtime this is one to soak up and kick back to...
Words: Aiden d'Araujo