THE ANCIENT MOONS 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: British electronic music veteran Damian Lazarus recently returned with his band project The Ancient Moons for a new full length entitled Heart Of Sky - which combined cosmic world influences with his love for '80s soul and funk artists such as Loose Ends, Luther Vandross, Maze and Gwen Guthrie. The first single is the evocative and heart wrenching slow-burner "Feedback Loop". It also receives a bunch of terrific remixes, which come courtesy of New York City's Serge Devant who delivers a sleek tech-house perspective, Bedouin's remix nails that woozy and esoteric Crosstown Rebels vibe perfectly but best of all is the legendary Mad Professor who delivers his version: the Ariwa dub 1.

Review: On this second album from his Ancient Moons project, Damian Lazarus has decided to switch focus. Whereas the outfit's debut album, Message From The Other World, combined global music influences with Lazarus's usual tech-house rhythms and a touch of psychedelia, Heart of Sky is much more heavily influenced by the Crosstown Rebels' chief's rarely discussed soul boy roots. Of course, the beats and basslines still largely stick to the powder house script, it's just that this time they come accompanied by starry-eyed soul vocals, 1960s dream pop influences, bold piano flourishes, gospel choruses and, on rare occasions, smoky trip-hop aesthetics. As a result, it's undoubtedly a much more "human" album, and one with far more crossover potential than its predecessor.

Review: On this second album from his Ancient Moons project, Damian Lazarus has decided to switch focus. Whereas the outfit's debut album, Message From The Other World, combined global music influences with Lazarus's usual tech-house rhythms and a touch of psychedelia, Heart of Sky is much more heavily influenced by the Crosstown Rebels' chief's rarely discussed soul boy roots. Of course, the beats and basslines still largely stick to the powder house script, it's just that this time they come accompanied by starry-eyed soul vocals, 1960s dream pop influences, bold piano flourishes, gospel choruses and, on rare occasions, smoky trip-hop aesthetics. As a result, it's undoubtedly a much more "human" album, and one with far more crossover potential than its predecessor.

Review: Crosstown Rebels boss Damian Lazarus seems to be mellowing with age - or at least getting more artistically adventurous. This follow-up to his 2009 debut, Smoke The Monster Out, was co-produced by Simian Mobile Disco's James Ford in LA. London and Mexico, with the assistance of an impressive cast of musicians from around the world. While rooted in the kind of tactile house and techno most associated with the evergreen hipster, Message From The Other Side is impressively psychedelic, otherworldly and stargazing in outlook. The album's woozy, horizontal appeal is therefore enhanced by Lazarus and Ford's use of Indian instrumentation, African percussion and impeccable keys-work from American jazz pianist Eric Lewis.

Review: Crosstown Rebels boss Damian Lazarus seems to be mellowing with age - or at least getting more artistically adventurous. This follow-up to his 2009 debut, Smoke The Monster Out, was co-produced by Simian Mobile Disco's James Ford in LA. London and Mexico, with the assistance of an impressive cast of musicians from around the world. While rooted in the kind of tactile house and techno most associated with the evergreen hipster, Message From The Other Side is impressively psychedelic, otherworldly and stargazing in outlook. The album's woozy, horizontal appeal is therefore enhanced by Lazarus and Ford's use of Indian instrumentation, African percussion and impeccable keys-work from American jazz pianist Eric Lewis.

Review: The legendary Crosstown Rebels - a label that's undergone so many changes and mutations over the years - drops a rather tasty 12" by the one and only Damian Lazarus & The Ancient Moons. "Vermillion" is a wonky and distinctly tribal 4/4 number with seductive pop vocals and a prominent indie feel to its groove. If you were already panicking about a lack of dancefloor debauchery then you needn't worry because there's a tight remix package: Agoria, Jamie Jones and Deniz Kurtel come through to save your dancing feet. Big EP!