Soulful House Bomb
Fifty releases in the bag, WOLF Music come correct with a second drop in their 10th year release schedule from French wizard LB aka LABAT, as hotly anticipated as anything Palace could even begin to dream up. ‘Scanner’ opens the EP with LB bringing that trademark MPC crunched, sample-heavy style he’s become known for. Dusty jazz loops, distorted percussive hits and vocal cut ups, sounding like they’re straight outta forgotten VHS movies, are laid over the top of a monstrous bassline and emotive strings for a contorted house bomb. Next up ‘Track One’ hits with some Theo Parrish inspired, full frontal synthwork as tight drums and an effect-laden melody are interjected with soulful vocal snippets and a fervent kick. A surefire dancefloor destroyer with a big bass breakdown for good measure. Flip it over for a heads down, late-night ‘Dirty Walk’ with fizzing percussion blending behind sublime Rhodes, overdriven kick drums and that acid infused bass, ready set to be a club staple this year. ‘Shut The World Down For A Moment’ rounds things off, capturing the syncopated mind of LB with a half-time drum loop in the background, slightly off kilter, that he somehow just makes work into hazy jam. Half century complete and kicking off the next with a bang from the man they call LB aka LABAT.