Richie Blacker – Mess Express (Last Night on Earth)

When Sasha releases music on his formidable Last Night on Earth you can hear the creaking of a million DJ’s and music lovers sitting up to take note. Sasha is still a leader in his field and there aren’t many electronic music followers who don’t look to him for inspiration.

What makes Richie Blacker’s Nexus 21 sampling release Mess Express fantastic isn’t necessarily that it is a modern release with a nod to the glory days of yesteryear, but that it sounds like it could have been made in the halcyon days of house when sweat dripped off the ceilings of clubs and nutted punters jogged the decks trying to shake the hand of the DJ.

Sometimes the fun drops out of electronic music as we try to chase the next genre or sub-genre, but Mess Express shows no such concerns. What it brings to the table is full-on, no-holds-barred, unadulterated good times. It is not commercial, far from it, it’s sure not minimal with Mess Express’ thundering bassline, catchy riffs, soaring pads and uplifting vocal but it’s the spirit of house music that is captured and distilled into a seven minute, arm waving, butt moving, gurningly nostalgic, end of night moment.

Second track Éire, with its piano reminiscent of Nush – Nush or Moonchild’s – V.O.A.T is an absolute belter. It’s a rare beast that is both immediate and a grower but somehow Richie manages to do just that, capturing a (red and black) capsule in time but also a somewhat melancholy mood piece that romps along pointing a finger at anyone leaning on the bar and gently whispering, ‘it’s your time, come and dance’.

Hummingbird rounds off the package with a bass-led, string-laden, prog-house-of-yesteryear, tearaway. Sure, there’ll be the naysayers, but who can hear them when you’re screaming for more?

If this was a slab of vinyl from ’89 it would be £100 on Discogs. Three absolute belters on one release and an endorsement of new-old-house from the man like. Perhaps this is the start of something new (old). Whatever it is, forget your preconceptions and go get your copy. There will be a cast of thousands losing their shit to this is a field this summer.

Maybe the sound reflects whats happening over there in Richie Blacker’s Belfast club residency; Future. If so, get me there immediately, I want some of what they’re having.

Score: 9/10

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