Maya Jane Coles / Shenoda // Dazed / Moments [1trax]
Fewer have championed the cause of underground house in the past couple of years than Maya Jane Coles. The sound was always there, but she has captivated crowds with her fresh, open-minded approach that remains rootsy but truly modern. Her mixes always include an underdog or two as well as other genres that add colour to our much loved but often maligned and clichéd genre.
On this sampler, we have the excellent Huxley driving new versions especially for his debut mix compilation. A mouthwatering prospect as he is a producer who seems to marry an almost post-UK garage sound with 90s New York and an essential eye to the future. Both tracks on display here work the sound system to devastating effect. They appear to do little but the drops, frequency changes and groove are all enough to ensure body movement .
“Dazed” has all the elements previously described, taking a leaf out of Kerri Chandler’s book of synth riffs, a sub bass aspect and all knitted together by an almost blaxpliotation funk loop. Stormingly good.
“Moments” is a darker kind of experience, focusing in on the dubbier side of his sound…one can imagine the sound systems of Notting Hill LOVING this. If Lee Scratch Perry made house…and the way these current producers can effect a hi-hat is, along with the riveting sub plots of River City, surely going to be the main subject of my attention this coming autumn and winter. Very strong and the bassline variations toward the tracks conclusion is nothing other than fierce and neighbour-bothering.
Huxley, your time has come and I look forward to checking the finished album.
Release Date: Out Now (Full ‘Three’ Release)
Words: Colin Cook
