LAY FAR 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: It would be fair to say that Stee Downes, a vocalist, beat-maker and producer whose soul-flecked productions have appeared on such labels as Sonar Kollektiv and Lazy Days Recordings, is a perfect foil for talented Russian house head Alexander Lay-Far. In its original form, "Never Good Enough For You" is a jaunty, rolling treat - a hip-hop influenced soulful house throw-down propelled forwards by a deliciously loose, broken house groove. It's accompanied by a tidy instrumental and the bass-heavy house "Remix", which features "straighter" deep house beats and a wicked analogue bassline. The bustling hip-house influences can also be heard on Lay-Far solo cut "Blow My Mind", a throwback to the Halcyon days of rolling West London broken beat that makes use of some killer P-funk synths.

Review: In the third (and last) part of "So Many Ways Remixed" series we have yet another special set of heavyweights, delivering their own reinterpretations of Lay-Far original album tracks. Please welcome Kaytronik, D-Malice, Phil Asher and Red Rack'Em!

Kaytronik aka Karizma opens the EP with his Rub of "Yes You Can". Frankly speaking, from the very beginning of the project we were expecting something special from the Baltimore-based house guru, but the final result surpassed it all for us - what you're about to hear is a very soulful and deep dance number but with power and grit to shake large festival dance floors! Get ready!

On A2 the pro-active afro-house aficionado D-Malice (Defected, Soul Candi, DM.Recordings) delivers a percussion-heavy banger that will make you swing in no time. You know where it all began, don't you?!

The UK house legend Phil Asher kicks off the Side B with a remix of "Can't Deny", featuring Yannah Valdevit and Souled. Strong dance grooves is what Phlash has always been notorious for - this remix is another vivid example of the principle! Ain't no need to question the authority.

Last but not least we have the old pirate Red Rack'Em, delivering his trademark deep & dirty house sound with hints of Detroit and dub techno influences. A perfect soundtrack for a midnight voyage on a ghost ship or a basement party, maybe. Aye!

Review: In-Beat-Ween Music continue their programme of remixes from Lay Far's much loved debut album So Many Ways with a second 12" featuring the high profile talents of Ashley Beedle, Peter Oakden & Craig Smith, Tommy Rawson and Aroop Roy. It's Ashley Beedle who calls shotgun, rewiring the vocal hook from "Yes You Can" with infectious drum breaks, mellow organic chords, piano solos and synthetic bass lines. Typical Beedle funk this one! Fifty Fathoms Deep Label bosses Craig Smith & Peter Oakden focus on "We Are The Drum" teasing out a truly irresistible afro-influenced house groove, whilst Tommy Rawson adds some classic house flavour to "Let Me Fly Away". London-based master of reworks and a true nomadic soul, Aroop Roy instils some notable Latin spice to the Sarah Winton featuring "So Many Years" for a superb finale to this round of remixes.

Review: Lay-Far's critically acclaimed debut album "So Many Ways" which took him worldwide gets a friendly treatment from the global music family! In the first installment of the remix series we have artistic versions from Atjazz, Inkswel, Jonny Miller and Thatmanmonkz! Martin Iveson kicks off the EP with a masterpiece of a remix for one of the highlights of the album - electronic ballad "Stand Up" featuring Pete Simpson. When the strings come in you realize - it's Atjazz at his best - conscious boogie for the soul! We believe it may easily become future classics! Inkswel's version of "When I'm Seeing You" is soaked in the warm sound of distorted drum machines and tape delays. Be warned - this heavy-hitter can actually damage your speakers! The B-side opens with the deep and sophisticated afro house of Jonny Miller whose remix of "Summer Vacation" immediately teleports you to the open air party in the Adriatic Sea coast. Last but not the least we have Sheffield's own Thatmanmonkz revisiting "That Dream". Inspired heavily by classic blaxploitation movies, Shadeleaf Music label boss comes up with a dynamic soundtrack for the imaginary chase scene. Badass!