MARK HAND レコード& CD

Review: Innate is a new Bristol label born from the blog of the same name. This first release features a spread of talent both established and emergent, all bound together by a love of illustrious machine soul. Gilbert leads in with the sumptuous tones of "Birds Of Paradise" before Mark Hand takes control with the uptempo cascade of "Lessons." The vintage techno vibes continue apace on the B side as Lerosa lays out one of his gorgeous square wave bass lines amidst some snagging drums and quivering synth flourishes, and then label boss Owain K finishes the picture with the laid back musings of "Pixeled Scenery."

Review: Fast-rising house producer Mark Hand makes his bow on Serbian stable Soul Print Recordings. Surprisingly, it's the Belgrade label's first release of 2018. It's rather good, too, with opener "Midnight" - an impeccable fusion of yearning Motor City electronics, Larry Heard smoothness and impeccably soulful vocals by guest singer Greg Blackman - providing the undoubted highlight. There's plenty to tickle the fancy elsewhere across the EP, too, from the ultra-deep house/jazz-house fusion of the Sio-fronted "Under The Winter", to the rubbery synth-bass, jazzy electric piano solos and delay-laden horn solos of Alex Hand hook-up "Mountains". Stellar stuff all told.

Review: The latest joint on Uzuri comes from Mark Hand, a secret weapon of the UK house underground who has been active for a long time and now seems to be finally getting the props he deserves. His mood on "All Caught Up" reflects the infectious positivity of his live sets at Freerotation, all mellifluous Rhodes keys and classic deep house signifiers that seep into your soul. "Cobwebs" is just as smooth, although it takes on a more deep-diving tone laden with transcendental chord progressions and a dash of Motor City melancholy. That makes Patrice Scott the perfect choice to remix the track, and he takes a measured approach to simmering the component parts down for a version garnished with gorgeous piano and synth tones.