Review: Andre Bonsor - Elements Of Nature (Adaptation Music)

As some very welcome spring sunshine flooded through the windows of our Brighton HQ, we found this rather special EP lurking in our inbox, which provides the perfect soundtrack to our Sunday.

If you're not familiar with Andre Bonsor by name, you may well know his music from his sterling work with Nottingham production outfit Schmoov! throughout the late nineties. Believe it or not, this is his first solo effort using his real name, and a rather lovely offering it is too.

The release contains all the musicality and positive vibes we have come to expect from Schmoov!, but with a real sense of individuality. Disco influenced, feel good deep house we call it, and it really makes us long for those summer beach parties. The release is dropping just in time for Miami, and we can certainly see this record working well by the pool.

Release Date: 6th March 2012 (Traxsource) / 9th April 2012 (Full Release)

BUY ON TRAXSOURCE

Review: Peluca - Modo (Apollo)

Already a firm favourite with lovers of atmospheric underground music everywhere, the excellent Apollo label continues its prolific assault on the year 2012 with a full length LP from Polish producer Peluca. This dropped into our inbox in late January, and hasn't been off the office stereo since. For once, the often rather flowery description supplied by the label is entirely matched by the brilliance of the music. Here's what they have to say about the record:

"Intricate, analog percussion & lush, melodic soundscapes arc through "Modo" with the complexity & grace of a full blown symphony. The 60 minute debut album from Peluca is a genre-defying, label defining journey told in 9 tales-- each carefully engineered pinions of an overarching, interlocking world.."

Not much for us to add then, it would seem. This is truly a tour de force of electronic music production. Atmospheric, bleak and beautiful in equal measure, the LP contains a few dancefloor moments, but somehow manages to keep a sense of balance and composure from start to finish. This is only aided by the fact that included in the album package is a continuous DJ mix of the LP, which really helps to map the journey contained within the record; a must for any ipod (especially if travelling on a train at night). A special piece of work indeed- if only all producers took such care when putting together an album.

'Modo' is available now, exclusively at Beatport 

Review: Da Funk - Clavia Aurea (Dutchie Music)

One of the most underrated producers in house music and a personal favourite of ours, Da Funk hails from Zurich, Switzerland. His own imprint Acryl Music has been firing out some fantastic releases since 2004, and his own productions and remixes have become mainstays in many discerning DJ's boxes over the years. His latest release on Dutchie Music 'Clavia Aurea' however, really is something special. Often it's one great track that defines a producer; sometimes it's a debut release, and sometimes it takes several years to happen. In our opinion, 'Clavia Aurea' might just be Da Funk's moment in the sunshine. Uplifting, beautiful, bordering on euphoric, but with a real elegance and sense of cool throughout, this track could easily stand comparisons to vintage Milton Jackson or Scope productions. But I would argue there is even more personality, warmth, soul and to this record- it really makes you tingle in all the right places. If dropped at the right moment to an open-minded dancefloor, this track has the potential to create one of those life-changing clubbing moments.

'Clavia Aurea' is out now on Dutchie Music, with remixes to follow.

Da Funk-Clavia Aurea by Da Funk

http://www.beatport.com/release/clavia-aurea/858891