Strictly Jazz Unit Muzic US 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: After ten years, Glenn Underground has decided to relaunch the GU Essentials series, which gathers together some of his favourite and most sought-after cuts. While all four cuts on this fourth volume (the first appeared on Cajual Records way back in 1995) are archival cuts, only two have previously been released. The Chi-town legend hits the ground running with '606', a fine acid house workout built around beefed-up TR-606 drums and psychedelic electronics, before offering us another chance to savour the chunky deep house heaviness of 1996 cut 'Parties'. Over on the flip, 'All Night Slam' is another raw and intense acid style jack-track, while 1995's 'The Wheel' is a breezy and attractive deep house roller.

Review: The honeyed, effortlessly soulful vocals of Reggie Hall have been a feature of Chicago house since the late 1980s, when he appeared on a Dance Mania release by Victor Romeo. He's released plenty of music since then, though this hook-up with Glenn Underground - who produced the music - and fellow house veteran Byron Stingily (who provided backing vocals) is still his first outing for almost 12 years. The A-side full vocal version is simply superb, with Hall's superb, impassioned, gospel-inspired vocals riding a bouncy, Osunlade style groove, jazzy guitars, sustained church organ chords and all manner of intricate musical details. Glenn Underground dons the CVO alias to deliver a slightly tougher, more groove-driven B-side "Dub" that nevertheless includes plenty of sun-bright musical warmth.