Last Year City Fly Unearthed A Raw Diamond In The Form Of Russias Alexander Lay-far Aka Lay-far With His Perfect World Track Being The Choice Cut On City Flys Visions Volume 2 Ep - Its Dream-like Harmony, Yearning Female Tones And Warm Bass Culminating In A Transcendent Production.
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Since his contribution to City Fly the Moscow native and 'In-Beat-Ween Sessions' host has already built an impressive discography with releases on Dutch tastemakers 4lux, Moscow's Shanti records and JD records with Detroit marvel Terrence Parker remixing him - not to mention further releases out on distinguished house labels including Amp Art, Visky Recordings, Fifty Fathoms Deep and a forthcoming 12inch with Jonny Miller on the Atjazz Record Company imprint.
However, it was the release of his acclaimed debut album 'So Many Ways' on Chicago imprint Glenview Records Inc that saw him receive some deserved exposure and gain a wider audience - putting him firmly on the house map. Though the album has its roots in house, its melting pot of influences and genres with lashings of funk, soul and R&B elevated it above the usual house fare and found its way into the record bags of revered tastemakers such as Osunlade, Mad Mats and Inkswel.
Having monitored his progress closely since there last collaboration it was only a matter of time before City Fly brought Lay-Far back into the fold. Having planted the seeds to grow an alliance that has come to fruition with him flying over for an exclusive DJ set and now launching his debut 'It's On' EP for the label, this Kindred Spirit is definitely one to watch..
WITHOUT
Kicking off with lashings of funk and warm jazzy keys, 'Without' initially has a sunnier disposition then the title implies. However, a dusty male soul vox and moody organ then interject - taking things deeper and juxtaposing against the funk-fuelled spirit of the track ultimately adding more layers and depth giving it a more beatdown feel. A typical soul-infused Lay-Far production with it's an organic and timeless aesthetic, this is definitely one to soak up and kick back to in the summer sun..
SUMMER IS ON (DEDICATED TO GEORGE)
As the title suggests 'Summer Is On (Dedicated to George)' has summer written all over it. Beginning with warm bass, jazz licks and an infectious rhythm that slowly builds until the track takes a sudden tempo change with orchestral sweeps. There's no time to acclimatise though as the track metamorphoses again with the rolling drum and handclaps bringing the track back to the dancefloor with the introduction of a guiro adding some latin flair. A pure summer joint that'll be perfect for the roof terrace..
PENSAMENTO NOVO
The summer theme is in full flow as next up is 'Pensamento Novo' which as the Portuguese title suggests is a strictly Brazilian affair. With a heavy drum and funky guitar licks kicking off proceedings, the track takes a shift into Bossa Nova territory with its fusion of spoken word and raw percussive elements giving it an authentic Brazilian flavour culminating in a crescendo awash with sax and blissful keys.
PENSAMENTO NOVO (S3A'S WURM REMIX)
Having previously featured house heavyweights on remix duties including Andres, Fred P and DJ Nature, City Fly like to balance this with their quest in discovering and nurturing hidden house talent. Step forward S3A straight outta France who has been on City Fly's radar for quite some time now and are proud to present him for this release. The unusual 'S3A' name is an acronym for 'Sampling As An Art', and as well as holding down a spot at club du jour Concrete his productions have featured on revered house labels such as Local Talk and Slow House Records not to mention the creme de la creme of French labels such as Phonogramme, Lazare Hoche Records and City Fly's partner in crime Pablo Valentino's Faces imprint. On to the remix and S3A's interpretation is a more house-orientated affair and as ever joins the dots between the classic sounds of house with an ear open to the future - the perfect contrast to the EP's more relaxed, summery tone.
Aiden d'Araujo