Wednesday, 29 June 2011

Nicholas - No More Hits 014


There are many who are doing the disco re-edit thing at the minute. But few who are doing it with as much guile and craft as Italy's Nicholas. Now onto release number 014, his vinyl only label No More Hits continues to delve into bottomless crates of rare funk, soul or disco. And re-create hidden gems in a downbeat house style which few can match. Primarily it seems a platform to release his own music, NMH has also brought in the services of like minded producers in the form of Daniel Solar, Turbojazz, LTJ, G&D, Simoncino and Buzz Compass.

Here, Nicholas steps up with a varied 4 track EP that continues the to hit the spot.
To start things off we have 'Can You Understand'. Funky wailing guitars, chuggy beats, lovely strings and a vocal (and backing vocals) with alot of soul. I cant spot who this samples but what I can say is that the vocal reminds me somewhat of legendary soul group The Spinners, which is obviously a good thing!
'If This World' technically isnt a re-edit. But instead takes a classic vocal by Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell and places it over early 90s style house beats. Dreamy pads are layered into the mix and complimented by high strings to create a very smoothe & soulful deep house track.
Back to re-edit territory and 'I Know A Place'. Again, like the opening track, this is very funky, has a great vocal and an enegetic feel to it with some cracking horn sections. The vocalist talks of a place 'way across town' where the people know how to get down. I dont know where it is but I want to go!

All 4 tracks on this EP are every bit as good as each other. But the one Ive chosen to feature just pips the other 3 at the post for me.
'World Of Confusion' is an edit of Undisputed Truth's 70's psychedelic funk track 'Ball Of Confusion'. And at  85 BPM the track is comfortably the slowest on the record. It chuggs along with a heavyness and soulfulness that is hard to ignore. And I really love the vocals on this one. The female vocal urges you to 'Let the music sink down into your soul', and to 'let the music take your mind'. While the male vocal declares, 'Funky music sure nuff turns me on'. Well, I cant argue with that! Further into the track and muffled delayed funk/rock style guitars replace the vocals to create a funkadelic collage that will take you to another place...a seriously good edit, check it out!

NMH014 - Nicholas - Can You Understand by Nicholas

Check out all the tracks on the EP over at Nicholas' Soundcloud page. Or head over to Juno or check other good record shops and pick up the 12''.

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