Manuel Moreno – The Right One

Label: HIVE AudioScore: 8/10 

HIVE Audio’s recent successes have, in the main, been attributable to some very fine A&R’ing and an eclectic streak that makes their tracks difficult to pigeonhole. Manuel Moreno’s return to the imprint emits a slight variation on vintage house planes, as he really finds his feet on The Right One; an EP that’s practically defined by its somewhat off-kilter and unconventional mannerisms.

Kicking off the EP is the original, a case in point that shimmies between downtrodden grounds and wonderfully soulful fare. The lyrics really grant it an extra dimension, but the sporadically placed chords, the glistening pads and the effervescent hats all combine to give it a Balearic edge that helps portray a reflective but content vibe. Gorgeous stuff.

Hot on the heels of ‘The Right One‘ is ‘Under Your Skin‘, a track that does exactly what it says on the tin. More forceful than its predecessor, it wastes no time getting down to business, with its bumping grooves letting us know we’re in for a real treat. Again, the vocals play a pertinent role, but it’s the stirred up ambiance – brought on by its stretched out sounds – that will make an impression on the dancefloor. And by the time it drops, it’s hard not to want to get on down.

Culminating matters soon after is Lee Van Dowski. The Swiss native tends to leave a mark wherever he goes production wise, and his take on ‘Under Your Skin‘ emphasises the point. A subtle re-rub that manipulates the best of what the original has to offer, it’s a potent response to a track that is fairly exceptional in its original form. This is thoroughbred fare made with the more discerning listener in mind.