FYI CHRIS レコード& CD

Review: Chris Watson and Chris Coupe are a duo from south east London, using music to make music. This would mark their second release for the esteemed London deep house imprint Church, in addition to tracks for other fine tastemakers such as Rhythm Section Intl and Bristol's Banoffee Pies. The Home Alone EP is an impressive and consistent effort. Starting out with the emotive title track, fuelled by dusty rhythms, soulful tones and some smooth sax for good measure. Next track "Oort Cloud picks up the pace in style with more energy and attitude particularly: that bassline and skeletal rhythm department allowing for the flute solo to really shine through. On the flip, it's all about closing track "Courtyard" which is a smokey and slowed down expression in techno, in the vein of L.I.E.S. but without the all the punk attitude, instead going for an evocative feeling: one chugging steam train of a groove!

Review: The second 12" on the Rye Wax associated West Friends label comes from shop regular and occasional Rhythm Section International sort FYI Chris. In keeping with the imprint's desire to "fill your bags with the strangest pingers", Spirit Animal is arguably the producer's most interesting and diverse release to date. While the deep and woozy vibe of his deep house productions is evident throughout, this is variously blended with tropical dub disco (low-slung opener "Captain's Patilla"), the sticky, feverish pulse of Ghanaian percussion (Afro-house shuffler "Dance Bebey") and, on standout closer "Silk", both Idjut Boys style late night dubbiness and swirling, off-kilter sample-house.

Review: The last Rhythm Section release came from Vancouver man Local Artist, but number 6 sees Peckham man Bradley Zero actually looking to local artists in the shape of FYI Chris. The production handle of Chris Watson and his namesake Coupe, this Peckham duo have already impressed with the No Hurry stealth drop on Church late last year, but it's clear they've learnt a few new tricks since then. Nestling snugly into the SE London beatdown sound Bradley has been cultivating through the label, Back In The Millenium is pleasantly hard to pin down with bits of house, hip hop and acid thrown into the mixer. We are quite impressed by "Jeru" which desiccates a famed '90s Primo sample with some dextrous MPC work, whilst MCDE fans will be all over "Need I Say More". A big 12" Nik!

Review: The Church White series returns with a second offering and it's a local affair with Rye Wax man FYI Chris bringing some contemporary UK house heat with two fully flavoured cuts. Previously known as one half of Nandos obsessed production unit Piri Piri, FYI Chris is no less potent on the buttons when he's flying solo on the evidence here with "No Hurry" hinting at a similar dusty fingered grasp of house music's inner workings to Mr Dez Andres. Flip the hand stamped 10" and "Juliete" is a more explicitly UK affair thanks to its tumbling percussive swing, percolating synths and expertly diced and layered vocals and it's entirely the kind of thing you expect on Church.

Review: Long celebrated as a hub for new producers to showcase their talents, CDR return to the releasing game in partnership with Dimensions Festival. Up and coming house heads K15 and FYI Chris reportedly invited Lismore and Ben Houghton to take part in this collaborative release, resulting in four tracks that wouldn't sound out of place soundtracking a balmy afternoon dance on the Adriatic Sea. Oozing quality and soul throughout, there's a distinctly laid back flavour to the house on offer across this release, although FYI Chris add a touch more bite with their grubby lo-fi synth lines on "Sugar".