Lyon-based beatsmith Ethyène has been making quite some noise over the last year or two thanks to releases on the likes of Kyoku Records, Roots For Bloom, and Moonrise Hill Material (which he co-runs with his brethren Folamour, Kaffe Creme and Okwa). Up next in his discography is an EP with tenured American house imprint and Sleazy Beats kin Kolour LTD, titled "Clubs, Dubs & Rubs". The effort is jam-packed with E's signature midtempo French touch style; clever filtering, boom-bap influences on the kicks and claps and big ass basslines.
Which brings us to the next entry in our Sleazy Peak series. Our Montrealer homies Bolting Bits already set up the reveal for A1 on the record - "Truth About The Unseen" - a vintage feeling, chunky disco dub built on familiar strings and filtered vocals. The track in focus today will instead be the second cut, "Riding In Daddy's Car". A big kick clap combo helps chaperone the filtered, rolling bassline gradually into the track, and, man is it tasty. Snips of lovely, soulful brass, keys and funky rhythm guitar help further decorate the arrangement, while a certain Brooklyn MC gets sprinkled on top in timely fashion for extra flavor. It's a real groover; perfect for a sunny strut downtown on a deliciously breezy spring or summer day.
The flip side of the wax definitely plays host to the moodier side of the record. "Time Won't Change" is a mean deep disco slice with a bouncy bassline, lush keys and filtered vocals. Meanwhile, "Stranger's Must Be" explores r&b rerub territory, beefing up some soulful vocals with the Frenchman's percussion. Closing out the EP is "Awake (To The Ways Of The World)", a smooth, soul-sampling hip-hop beat that will surely make for some headnodding.
All in all, its a groovy effort and an interesting combination between one of our longstanding favorite labels and one of the more intriguing rising talents in our corner of the disco / house realm.
"Clubs, Rubs & Dubs" is available for purchase next week (February 24th to be precise). Set that Juno email reminder here!
Absolutely wicked record!! Many thanks for highlighting this and for all the other great reviews - very much appreciated. :-)
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