Electro House Recommendations November 2011

Review: Judging by the overcrowded sweaty scenes in Dalston for the launch party of Justice's second album, the iconic French duo still retain a core number of fans - who will no doubt be eager to snap up this deluxe version of said album. Audio Video Disco comes in gatefold, silver embossed sleeve, holding both the double vinyl and CD versions of the eleven track album. Musically, this is an album that delves deeper into Gaspard and Xavier's passion for prog, marrying the jagged harshness of the 07 era when they ruled the roost with stadium sized ambition. It's probably one of this year's most divisive albums, but then Justice have always liked making a noise.

Review: Having conquered the world only to go into the deepest hibernation imaginable, Justice are finally back with us - following the release of their second album and the King Crimson-esque, time-signature switching, poodle rock of "Civilisation" with latest single "Audio Video Disco". It sees the French duo go from one extreme to the other - playing things with a soft touch by evoking Stereolab's chorus harmonies to a beat that reminds instantly of Joe Jackson's "Stepping Out" or even "Far From Over" by Frank Stallone (a track that regularly finds its way into their DJ sets). "Helix" however is instantly recognisable as a Justice beat, and a pretty damn good one at that as a sackful of guitar overdubs are piled on top of a punchy midtempo beat with a breakdown to die for.

Review: While fidget heavyweights such as Switch, Sinden and Diplo may have long since moved on, Milan-based duo Crookers continue to fly their flag for savage electro-house and twisted dancefloor cut-ups. This second album for Southern Fried - their third studio set in total - is a willy-waving, balls-out romp through the sort of in-your-face dancefloor fodder that will no doubt cause carnage in clubs that like it noisy, bassy and unflinchingly heavy. There are hook-ups aplenty - most notably with Savage Skulls, Style of Eye and His Majesty Andre - and more certified club bangers than your average Pete Tong compilation. If that's your thing, you'll love it.

Review: Finnish duo Renaissance Man prepare us for what should be a most intriguing debut album, prepped for release later this year on Tiga's all conquering Turbo imprint, with the delightfully tongue twisting "What Do You Do When You Do What You Do". Just as crafty as the title is the track, which wraps the titular refrain around all manner of slick live percussive touches, all balanced out by the chiming melodies. Armed with the Turbo cheque book, Renaissance Man enlist their favourite producers to tackle the track in the shape of Paul Woolford and Matthew Herbert. The latter is a wise choice given his own experimental leanings and his Little Liar remix sees Herbert add his own vocals along with a shuffling midnight house sensation. Woolford's effort retains the loose percussive lean adding more swing amidst a jacking electro beat and closes the B Side following a tough acid refix from Turbo's Glaswegian groover Sei A. Sick cover art too!

Review: Occasionally a remix comes along that just seems perfect. This remix of Connan Mockasin's "Faking Jazz Together" by Michael Mayer most definitely falls into this category, the Kompakt boss expertly retaining the idiosyncrasies of Mockasin's track but melding them with a truly sumptuous arrangement. At eight minutes long it still feels like it could go on forever without losing any of its enchanting warmth and impact. The Phantasy Sound label has scored some really interesting releases and remixers to date, but Mayer's remix can be considered a true highlight. Worth the price alone, Phantasy include an extended version of the original's psychedelic cocktail jazz refrain on this clear yellow twelve inch along with a remix from The Horrors' Tom Furse. Whilst not close to the heights of Mayer's remix, Furse does a fine job of retaining the rattling sensation of the original whilst rewiring the mainframe with EBM overtones.