Jiaolong レコード& CD

Review: Earlier this year, Dan Snaith raised a few eyebrows by releasing a FabricLive mix that was almost entirely made up of previously unheard Daphni productions. It's some of those 19 productions, presented in extended and fully-fledged form, that make up the bulk of Joli Mai, Snaith's second Daphni full-length. It's a far more varied and evocative set than its largely dark, percussion-heavy predecessor, variously touching on dreamy, head-in-the-clouds late night house, acid-fired, off-kilter dancefloor psychedelia, bustling Afro-house fusion, stripped-back dub disco, revivalist rave thumpers and, in the case of stunning closer "Life is What You Make It", languid instrumental bliss.

Review: Much loved musical wizard Daphni aka Caribou aka Dan Snaith is back with his first new album since 2017. He is someone who joins the dots between club sounds and listening music with great synth artistry and a unique vision. That is the case here in a record that was written over a prolonged period of time without any pre- conceived plan, which makes for a free-wheeling listen rich in supple beats, inventive melodies and all manner of influences. Once again then, Smith has struck gold here.