Jozef K – Shinjuku 77 EP

Label: Natural RhythmScore: 7/10 

His first solo offering since his collaborative efforts with Winter Son, Manchester based Jozef K has come up with three tracks designed straight for the dancefloor. Evoking his love for classic house – as well as Japan – it’s all big piano, nicely jacking percussion and tenderly warm basslines here. 

The title track is built on an uplifting chord progression that’s mirrored by a warm, slightly acid tinged bassline. A delicate piano harmony sits upon it, with icey open hi-hats carrying it on. 

‘Life is Love’ has a similar if a little more rumbling bassline to its predecessor. Filtered chords gradually build through the track, as does the nicely jackin percussion. The kick drum clips in way you can hear as well as feel, though not too pounding that it becomes overbearing. There’s a muted melody that sounds vaguely like pan pipes, giving it a whiff of eastern flavours.

Last up is, ‘midnight Silhouette’ which starts out rough and ready with trimmed snare hits and a densely pulsing kick. Emotive strings soon fend in, adding a real sadness about the track, a classy touch. Moody chords peel into the fore and powerfully drive the track on. His arrangement here seems the best thought out, sounds are able to breathe, as will the clubbers who enjoy it, before the strings cry their way back in.

There are remnants of old CJ Bolland presented here, in a quite timeless manner, its the style of house people first fell in love with and its a style of house that is still loved today. Out on Natural Rhythm a label with a long line of solid releases, Jozef K’s addition keeps up appearances.