Summer releases are routinely focused on the peak time, and with parties and festivals going on as far as one can scroll, it usually makes perfect sense. But part of the season is about embracing slow moments, finding solace in the Soleil. This is what makes Laurence Guy’s debut LP on Church, “Saw You For The First Time” such a refreshing listen. It’s a fully realized album that manages to make a lasting impression in a sea of singles.

From the onset, the beat-less introduction makes it clear that you are being asked to take a step outside the party. This won’t be the last soft moment on the album and, as energy levels cycle up and down, it’s worth noting we rarely move through more than a couple of tracks without some kind of drum-free interlude or break. Whether in the form of the hypnotic ‘Claudi’ or the soft anticipation at the beginning of ‘Stray.’, the tracks are carefully selected to maintain a consistently hazy mood. That’s not to say things don’t pick up pace. Standouts such as the dreamy ‘Wichita Falls‘ and the sensual title track, are strong choices for a moody opening set, or impromptu after party and although everything here makes for a satisfying home listen, there’s plenty of low-end in the more upbeat cuts that would do well on a bona fide system.

The album offers a push and pull that present day releases frequently shy away from. It takes confidence to put out music that beckons to be experienced and reflected on — as opposed to enjoyed solely during a night out. This ebb and flow makes for engaging repeat listens that, depending on the listener’s mood, often bring about new favourites. The effortless, smooth quality found in Guy’s productions serves as the glue for whatever ideas are being played with. These same ideas are regularly brought to their capacity, often through sheer repetition, but interest is always maintained while upholding the soothing simplicity that ties the album together.

Other standouts include ‘Gone (feat. The Contours)‘ with its catchy, high resonance lead and ‘Orchard Road‘, the strongest ambient piece on the album. Our singular gripe with the album (if you can really call it that, as the track is still exceptional) is ‘W.L.Y.B.‘. It feels more like a bonus track than a finale and, in our humble opinion, ‘Orchard Road‘ functions as the true closing piece. Perhaps this is because ‘W.L.Y.B.‘ was previously released as part of Laurence’s Kojak EP in 2015 or maybe it just doesn’t match the the rest of the record. Trivial critiques aside, “Saw You for the First Time” is essential listening and as proper debuts go, they don’t come much better than this.

[soundcloud url=”https://soundcloud.com/laurenceguymusic/sets/saw-you-for-the-first-time” /]

---

Adam Johan

Today, we’re treating ourselves to a funky dancefloor burner coming out from Doc Daneeka (soundcloud)’s Ten Thousand Yen. We’re reviewing the first of Doc Daneeka’s new series, entitled Walk.Man Vol 1. After the first listen of the two track release, we really don’t see why the word Walk is in there; the tracks got us running all over the place.

Ten Thousand Yen has featured some releases from bonafide producers from the likes of Earl Jeffers (aka Chesus), Rimbaudian and XXXY. This time, the label owner uses his privilege to release the first volume of his new serial.

Doc Daneeka, aka Mial Watkins, is no stranger to dropping dancefloor scorchers, with titles like “Got Me” from the 12” of the same title, and his remix of Addison Groove’s “I Go Boom”. Vol 1 is the first in a series of 12”s set to come out over the next few months, which ultimately are destined to be compiled on a mixtape (Yeah those are coming back too, take out your scissors and tape). The series will also be released digitally.

The first track of the release, “Save Me”, greets us with a thump heavy funky statement, relying on a groovy bassline and rhythmically well placed percussive bongos as its backbone, complemented by a out of this world vocal and sax sample. There’s not the slightest doubt this one is destined to make people break a sweat on dancefloors.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/334779885″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Then we realized there’s a second title to Volume 1. This one got us tying up our running shoes and putting on a headband. The track, titled “Please U”,  does exactly what it says it’s going to do. Bassline, drum kicks, the vocal and electric guitar sample with a smooth break bridge break towards the end of the track to allow you to calm the frack down, everything in this track is designed for you to get off that wall and forget that you have yet to learn how to move your hips. If this track is a sign of things to come for the other volumes, we have high expectations for the next volumes and have no doubt Doc Daneeka will bring some more heat.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/335115041″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
The first entry of Walk.Man has got us thinking about going out this weekend, busting out our best Shaft one liners and pulling off some moves like Black Dynamite. Excellent start to the series. We’re seriously looking forward to the mixtape. Time to dust off that old boom box, it’s about to become useful again.

You can get Walk.Man Vol 1 on Ten Thousand Yen’s Bandcamp.

---

Jon