A VISION OF PANORAMA レコード& CD

Review: He may be based in St Petersburg, a city not known for being a sun trap, but Mikhail Khvasko AKA A Vision of Panorama is incredibly good at making warming, summer-ready Balearic beats. Further proof, should it be needed, arrives via his latest EP for Cala Tarida Musica. In its original form, 'Unconditional' is a terrific slab of Balearic nu-disco/Balearic house fusion - all rubbery bass guitar, smooth bits, gorgeous chords and twinkling melodies. It comes backed with a breezier, breakbeat-sporting 'dub vinyl edit' (an even sunnier and more attractive affair) and an 'instrumental' pass of the more house-centric take. Rounding off another fine EP is 'Shall We', a colourful fusion of jangling house pianos, attractive keyboard sounds and squelchy synth-bass underpinned by a box-fresh, post-electro boogie beat.

Review: A Vision Of Panorama have the kind of quintessentially inviting sound that by rights should find him soundtracking every sojourn from the swanky lounge bar to the sunkissed terrace, no matter the crowd. After the blissful sounds of the Sentimental Coast EP and Follow The Melody last year, Mikhail Khvasko returns with his third full-length, this time on Mellophonia. If you already dig the Panorama sound, you know what to expect. Plush, symphonic synth tapestries dripping with good vibes and accomplished musicality. You might get the odd dash of sultry sax, as on album highlight 'The Light', but primarily this is a place to revel in Khvasko's illustrious, feel-good keys.