Weiss – Weiss City Volume 2

Label: ToolroomScore: 7.5/10 

If you encountered Weiss City Volume 1, you were probably left with the sort of impression, that, to be frank, wasn’t what you’d typically associate with Mark Knight’s Toolroom imprint. But then again, the electronic music scene is one that no longer has time for jaded perceptions, with Defected being an obvious example of a label (and a brand) that’s turned their hand to entirely different tropes of late.

So what was in store for Weiss‘ second installment in the Weiss City series? Well, while the aforementioned first concerned itself mostly with soul/house crossover sounds, the second leans on deep house pastures, with gorgeous vocals and bountiful melodies all vying for our attention on the thoroughly majestic ”If I Ever Dance”. Think Disclosure but with an added punch and it paints a fairly adequate picture. Stunning stuff.

Next up on the three track affair is ”Devil In The Sky”; a gregarious number that calls on vintage house sounds and another brilliant vocal. Sure, it’s a sound that’s somewhat fashionable and ‘in vogue’ right now, but this is an example of how to pay homage to, rather than detract from, the merits of house’s forefathers.

Closing matters is ”Ghetto Boy”, a sample heavy sort of number that saunters with a sure fire spring in its step and a heavy-loaded wedge of bass. It’s a marriage of cultures that seems unlikely, but is ultimately striking for its effectiveness. We didn’t think Weiss could realistically better Volume 1, but against all odds, he somehow has. A fantastic snapshot of all that’s great about contemporary house.