HASSAN ABOU ALAM レコード& CD

Review: Cairo based producer Hassan Abou Alam joins the revered ranks of the Banoffee Pies label here as it clocks up the 20th release. It is a punchy techno offering that opens with the roaming, brain-numbing leads of 'Kesibt' (feat SHBL-LBSH). The bass comes heavy, the percussion is raw, the refracted vocal a great hook. 'Fasla' (feat SHBL-LBSH) is hyperdrive double-time techno with wobbly bottom ends, 'Mawkif' further plays with the rules with its hopping hits and driving bass and this more original and inventive of offerings closes with 'Hanshoof', a physical bit of percussive techno funk.

Review: Rhythm Section International's bumper Shouts 2021 sampler has been split into two and spread of a pair of vital 12"s. This is the swooned half and it is just a good as the first with our favourite being from the hugely prolific and mega-on form breakout artist of the year, Kareem Ali. His 'Black Futures' is a steamy, surging house track with kicking kicks and astral synths that speak to the soul. Hassan Abou Alam's 'Hella Mega Drive' spins hi hats, drums and bass into a tightly woven groove of no fixed genre and the swing in Pookie's 'Beast Mode' is simply irresistible. Big ups one and all.