I know, I know, I'm a little late to the party, but then again: better late than never, right? A couple days ago, our favourite Dutch house imprint Outplay added its fourth EP to its catalogue of outstanding releases. With 'Strings Attached', label owners Daniel Leseman and Hans Peeman aka Junktion, return to the VA format, that made them famous in the first place almost 2 years ago with 'First Things First'. If you have been following this place closely, you already know that Daniel landed a solid EP in the winter of 2014 and that 2015 saw the vinyl debut of rising star Loz Goddard. If by any chance you missed them, make sure check them out using this direct link.
For 'Strings Attached' the Outplay bosses invited the London-based sleazy disco fresh new talent Laurence Guy to open and name the release with a mesmerising string-infused piece of cosmic disco madness. When you think that Laurence just debuted last summer on Church and that this is his second ever appearance on vinyl, it's no wonder that many publications are marking him as one to keep an eye on in 2016. The next half of the release is dominated by Junktion with one of his beatdown signature tracks where he showcases once again a real knack for jazzy kick drums, warm vibrato electric keys, acoustic percussions and inconspicuous sampling work.
His 'Breakfast At Midnight' piece gets a remix treatment by Splendor & Squalour partners in crime Brame & Hamo who continue their string of releases with a more dance-friendly version of the original, that adds a hefty dose of swing, plenty of groove and lots of twists and turns to keep you moving them feet around. Last but not least, Daniel Leseman concludes the EP with a sublime daydreaming piece of deep house that is tailored strictly for all the lovers out there. Just listen to that moody piano work, to those lovely chanting vocals, to his trademark brassy elements scattered around and to all the little glimmers and shimmers that add so much character and emotion, you can almost touch and feel it. If the rest of the release does not appeal to you, it's definitely worth getting for this song alone.
A big hearty welcome to Outplay in 2016 and hoping to hear a lot more from them this year.