Theo Parrish

Review: Oh yes, we love it when Theo represses some of his most sought after tracks and this one is particularly well-timed. Leron Carson is still an unknown figure, a kid who used to make viciously raw and futuristic techno tracks in the late 1980's! "China Trax", alongside the rest of his tracks on a different Sound Signature double 12", is totally ahead of its time and if it was truly made in 1987 then it is nothing short of amazing. Of course, it's not just the year it was made in that's interesting but also the fact that it's music without an age, able to be appreciated by any generation of techno freaks. Theo's own "Insane Asylum" on the flipside is also pretty monumental; rigged beats, off-kilter grooves and that familiar spontaneity so heavily associated to the label. RECOMMENDED.

Review: Sound Signature end 2013 how they started it; with a fresh slab of Theo Parrish goodness! Whilst the Dance of the Medusa EP issued back in January was Theo in marauding beat down mode, it seems the respected Detroit based producer is in a much mellower mood here. For example, the title track on the Long Walk In Sun 12" is the sort of mid-tempo production that would feature in an early doors Floating Points set at Plastic People. Complementing this, "Strawberry Dragon" features a more prominent display of Parrish's widely regarded skills at chopping percussion, but it's the resplendent instrumentation that stands out.

Review: Given that this is the first album from the great Theo Parrish since 2007, it's unsurprising interest in American Intelligence has rocketed over the course of the year as Sound Signature left a trail of hints. Happily, American Intelligence is a fine album; deep and woozy in parts, undeniably soulful, shot through with jazz influences and full to bursting with killer cuts. By now, everyone should know the brilliant "Footwork" single (arguably one of the records of 2014); soon, clubs will swing to the off-kilter dancefloor jazz of "Make No War", the 21st century broken house of the epic "Fallen Funk" and the decidedly odd - but brilliant - "Helmut Lampshade".

Review: Theo Parrish lays down a marker for a long overdue fifth album, apparently due out later this year, with the sublime Footwork 12". Named in reference to the dance as opposed to the breakneck offshoot of Ghetto House, "Footwork" is a sublime slab of Theo with many of his trademark production touches. Think lightly brushed percussion, meandering bassline that juts out with an odd funk, and subtle yet sumptuous musical touches, all topped off by a gruff "let me see your footwork baby" croon. Those Theo fans out there that like the man to get a bit rugged will be all over "Tympanic Warfare" too, where off the grid polyrhythms cannon around the channels, augmented by an ugly bassline and dexterous keys.

Review: Sound Signature present two of the classier moments from Mr Parrish's Sketches album in their rightful form - either side of a nice loud twelve inch. Lead track "Feel Free To Be Who You Need To Be" is Theo's most eminently danceable excursion for quite some time; arising from a 23rd century Funkadelic intro into a subaqueous Detroit electro meets funk swing that builds expertly. It's weirdly reminiscent of a retooled version of "Booty (La La)" from Bugz In The Attic with the afro excesses twisted inside out to lean heavily on the robot vocoder flex. On the flip long time collaborator Dumminie Deporres features on the don't even bother pronouncing "360@1:29ON696" which stretches a twelve minute jazz techno odyssey elegantly across the vinyl - vintage stuff from the Sound Signature boss.

Review: A Theo Parrish track plus Carl Craig's massive remix and a brand new version by Chateau Flight out on Syncophone! Another chance to grab the original which appeared only on a Third Ear Ltd Compilation in 2002 of which only 500 units were pressed.

Review: Parallel Dimensions was first released in 2000. Since then, this seminal LP has been reissued on numerous occasions, and it's easy to understand why. Much like the work of his Detroit compatriot, Moodymann, Parrish's early work helped to define the sound that we now refer to as 'Detroit house'. Through an intricate, soulful blend of the Motor City's infamous Motown funk sounds, Parallel Dimensions has been one of the albums to showcase a particular style of sampling, one which focusses on rhythmic concoctions and a palpable sense of the city's struggles. Don't get us wrong, this LP is very much playable on the dancefloor, but it can't possibly be reduced to being categorised as a 'dance' piece. Hip-hop, soul, funk and disco are important parts of the formula, and the house and techno nuances that do emanate from the tunes are strictly a filter for Parrish's more jazzy, musical tendencies. It's an album to get lost in, to enjoy in different scenarios, and one in which you'll find something new every time you approach it. Unmissable.

Review: Originally released on the French label Apricot Records in 1997. It now includes an extended mix of the title track, and a previously unreleased song serving as a dub on the b-side.

Review: In his usual no-nonsense fashion, Theo Parrish has not said much about the surprise release of Gentrified Love Part 2, despite it being his first fresh material since 2014. The EP features contributions from two of the Detroit's legends oldest friends: Rotating Assembly member Duminie DePorres, and original Slum Village member Waajeed. A-side "Warrior Code" is a quietly foreboding proposition, with spiraling electronics, jammed keys and cosmic chords riding a chunky, West London style broken beat groove. Flip for the altogether brighter and breezier "Leave The Funk To Us", a jaunty and jazz-wise 4/4 excursion blessed with some superb, Herbie Hancock style jazz-funk keys.

Review: Theo Parrish's Gentrified Love series seems to be a collaborative affair. Part two, available separately, contained hook-ups with fellow Detroiters Wajeed and Duminie Deporres. "Ghetto Proposal", which is available in Vocal and Instrumental versions, features sublime contributions from another Motor City legend, veteran modern soul man Amp Fiddler. It's something of a deliciously trippy affair, underpinned by a freaky, delay-heavy groove, fireside-warm Rhodes keys, meandering trumpet lines and - on the vocal version, at least, drowsy female vocals. Both artists jazz influence is clear, particularly in the crunchy percussion hits that begin to dominate as the track progresses. Interestingly, the instrumental moves a little further towards jazzy broken beat territory.

Review: Theo Parrish's "Gentrified Love" series hits its fourth instalment with two stunning extensions/takes. First up is a powerful expansion of "Leave The Funk To Us". First spotted on the second edition of the series, it's now full length with the golden touch of Amp Fiddler. "Be Like Me", meanwhile, takes Paul Randolph & Kathy Kosins' Brownswood Bubbler to a whole new cosmos with lavish twists and cleverly subverted layers. Yet another precision trip from Parrish.

Review: In the Motor City, Theo Parrish's annual Music Gallery party has become the stuff of legend. Each event features Parrish and a rotating cast of Sound Signature related DJs, with the usual raucous response sometimes causing issues with the authorities (2015's event was shut down by the police). This 80-minute live recording was captured at the 2016 event, which took place at the end of May. It features Parrish and rising star Specter going back to back in their distinctive, redlined style, joining the dots between fuzzy house and techno, grubby low-slung disco, sweaty dancefloor soul and much more besides.