Downbeat Spain レコード& CD

Review: Having shared duties with everyone's fantasy music tutor Mike Huckaby on a previous Downbeat release, Jose Rico returns to the label with a three track solo endeavour backed with an Urtzi remix. Reputedly the end result of self imposed exile with all manner of analogue equipment and MPCs, Yagoba Itzoiten impresses from the off. "September Rain" references the gentle key dynamics of Larry Heard, yet Rico's own warm chord arrangements and subtle drum placement lift the track beyond the realm of Mr Fingers pastiche. Urtzi's remix switches up the feel of the groove for a more dusty bottom heavy sensation, yet still retains the original's sense of melodic warmth. Check the flip for the restrained Hammond heavy vibes of "Stage" and the shimmering melodic brilliance that is "Cicilo".

Review: Jose Rico is part of the Madrid based Downbeat, Freebeat and Shubaka Records. In addition, he has also released on Semantica, Ambiwa and Off Minor Recordings in recent times. Deja Vu is the 11th Downbeat installment and continues to explore a similarly retro route like his recent works: calling to mind the zeitgeist of early '90s deep techno on labels like Peacefrog. Here we have four emotional and spacey tracks, made by old synths and samplers. Starting off with the soothing ambient tones of "Crei'a" and the deeply hypnotic groove of "Consciously", the B side also offers more slow motion delights in the form of the evocative "The Cave" until the EPs finest moment arrives in the form of groovy deep house closer "Analog".

Review: Madrid label Downbeat has always had a quiet artistry about the deep house it releases. It is a musical take on the genre that is richly detailed with proper chords, glistening pads and grand arrangements that makes it as suited to close home listening as it does early evening warms up in the club. Next up on the imprint is one of the label's main men, Jose Rico, who layers up those cosmic ambient pads and supple, rolling drums to great affect across five fantastic tunes here. For us the standout is the broken beat bliss of 'Our Own Organization' (feat Anthonius Future Jazz).

Review: ***B-STOCK: Record has surface marks/scratches, but otherwise in good working order***


Deep Transportation don Mike Huckaby teams up with Downbeat label gaffer Jose Rico for this EP made with a Waldorf WAVE Synthesizer. Rico's two efforts that adorn the A-Side have clearly been produced with intricate poise, making it all the more surprising that this is his debut release. Both "Restructure Again" and "About It" are lathered in subtle jazzy deep house chords and subtle yet immediate percussion. Flip over for "Mathematics From The Jazz Rebulic" from Mr Huckaby, who really gives the Waldorf what for. Killer release for the deep house purists.

Review: Deep Transportation don Mike Huckaby teams up with Downbeat label gaffer Jose Rico for this EP made with a Waldorf WAVE Synthesizer. Rico's two efforts that adorn the A-Side have clearly been produced with intricate poise, making it all the more surprising that this is his debut release. Both "Restructure Again" and "About It" are lathered in subtle jazzy deep house chords and subtle yet immediate percussion. Flip over for "Mathematics From The Jazz Rebulic" from Mr Huckaby, who really gives the Waldorf what for. Killer release for the deep house purists.

Review: After that blinding Marcellus Pittman record for Downbeat Black earlier in the year, the Madrid label come through their final transmission of the year and it features some heavily cerebral deep house founders Urtzi and Jose Rico. Urtzi impresses with his two contributions, the undulating, pad-heavy bliss of "Memories From Another Life", and "No Back Memory" - a pensive slither of rich, piano-laden beatdown. Jose Rico opts for a slightly more energetic approach on his two cuts, though both "Small Island" (built around some superb percussion and tumbling chords) and the sun-kissed "Aint" are still lovingly melodious.