Banana Hill レコード& CD

Review: Banana Hill is a London-based party helmed by Cervo, and it's built a sterling reputation for embracing all manner of global grooves. Now the party is spreading its wings by starting a record label that kicks off in fine style with the sound of multi-instrumentalist Majid Bakkas, a Moroccan musician with many strings to his bow. Both tracks on this 12" have been given a delicate shove in the direction of the dancefloor thanks to Cervo, who pitches his kicks and claps just right to make for utterly natural sounding party fodder of the highest order.

Review: Banana Hill is a genre hopping club, DJ duo (JVC & Cervo) and record label founded in Manchester, 2010. Afrocentric, global dancefloor sounds of the past, present and future by the likes of Moroccan legend Majid Bekkas, XOA & Contours and Jinku have been previously featured. This new one by local producer Clay shows a breadth of dancefloor influences spanning broken beat like on 'People Floating', classic '90s house as heard on 'Shapes' (Dreaming mix) and the neon-lit night drive of 'Up There' heading into nu-disco territory.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged, but otherwise in excellent condition***


Banana Hill is a genre hopping club, DJ duo (JVC & Cervo) and record label founded in Manchester, 2010. Afrocentric, global dancefloor sounds of the past, present and future by the likes of Moroccan legend Majid Bekkas, XOA & Contours and Jinku have been previously featured. This new one by local producer Clay shows a breadth of dancefloor influences spanning broken beat like on 'People Floating', classic '90s house as heard on 'Shapes' (Dreaming mix) and the neon-lit night drive of 'Up There' heading into nu-disco territory.

Review: The Banana Hill crew continue in their quest to represent some of the finest sounds transmitting from the African continent, this time showcasing the immersive ruminations of Kenya's Jinku. "A1" takes a seriously deep trip into stripped back house percussion and atmospheric vocal chants, while "N1" sports a more jagged rhythm section that meanders through emotive suites of sound before the mellower downtempo mood of "N2". On the flip, "A2" features moody vocal turns from Loa Myst and Nu Fvnk that suit the laconic house structure, which El Buho gently nudges into a more crooked remix without losing the heady atmosphere. Sooma then tackles "A1" and ups the bass-led house pressure with a measured touch that respectfully embellishes the original.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged, but otherwise in excellent condition***




The Banana Hill crew continue in their quest to represent some of the finest sounds transmitting from the African continent, this time showcasing the immersive ruminations of Kenya's Jinku. "A1" takes a seriously deep trip into stripped back house percussion and atmospheric vocal chants, while "N1" sports a more jagged rhythm section that meanders through emotive suites of sound before the mellower downtempo mood of "N2". On the flip, "A2" features moody vocal turns from Loa Myst and Nu Fvnk that suit the laconic house structure, which El Buho gently nudges into a more crooked remix without losing the heady atmosphere. Sooma then tackles "A1" and ups the bass-led house pressure with a measured touch that respectfully embellishes the original.

Review: XOA continues to lay out a formidable interpretation of African-infused dance music for the modern age, following on from lauded appearances on Shake, One House and Soundway. Alongside Contours, he comes to Banana Hill with some next level transcendental head-quaking business that reaches from the roots of Afrobeat right through to contemporary FX dubbing business. "Too Much Talking" is a proper eyes-closed roller for the hazy moment in the dance, and "Express" ramps things up to a strident tempo layered with a barrage of congas and djembes. The hectic pace is offset by swooning melodies, all wistful synth splashes and plucky guitar chops, stirring the soul as much as the feet.