International People’s Gang – PS

Label: Hi-Phi MusicScore: 8/10 

Martyn Watson and Ric Peet first appeared as International People’s Gang nearly 20 years ago, releasing ambient landmark 3395 with Nottingham’s Time operation. They dish out that blissed up space disco flavour like few others and follow 2010’s Up album with with this magnificent three tracker led by the haunting ‘PS’.

The title track’s soul-soothing piano riffs, haunting female whisperings and innate weightless feeling conjure a unique strain of timeless chillout dub-funk, recalling the mythical Hardkiss in its bottomless depth and spangled resonance.

‘Saffron’ whips up a bongo pebble-dashed dub vamp, which also comes with remix from the mighty Coyote, who stretch, space and revisit another 90s staple with Transglobal Underground’s “Tell this to everybody wherever they are” bite.

Music this exquisitely crafted can only come with years of dedicated immersion in the art of removing any barriers and massaging the melon. Balearic or anywhere, it’s gonna be a summer classic for years to come.

Words: Kris Needs