Island Time vinyl

The Lovefingers helmed ESP Institute had a frankly killer year in 2012, and if this opening salvo for 2013 is anything to go by we're in for many more treats from the label this year. Pharoahs have already graced 100% Silk with their brand of disco-inspired synth jams, but these three tracks are infinitely more accomplished. "Ahumbo" combines subtle Afrobeat influences with thick, lustrous bass and the kind of spacious guitar licks that would make Talking Heads jealous, while the dubby feel and atonal percussion of "Island Time" recall Ital's brilliant track "Queens". Finally, the "If It Ever Feels Right" goes in as hard as you could imagine an ESP release going, with thick analogue bass tumbling out of control at 132bpm driven relentlessly forward by a conga-led rhythm, which segues effortlessly into a blissful saxophone breakdown. Unsurprisingly, this is excellent stuff which comes highly recommended.

Jane Fitz, Alexis Le-Tan, Lexx, Felix Dickinson, Tornado Wallace, Lawrence Le Doux, Tr One, Mimi, Telephones, Piers Harrison, Discomendments, Bantam Lions, Spice Route, Andrew Allsgood (Free Association), Permanent Vacation, Ben Monk, Eddie C, Aihki, I Love Disco!, Richard Zepezauer (RZ-1), Fernando, Leri Ahel, DJ PayAndrewBurgerDotCom, Joe Montana, Goldsmith (Rebel Disco/Push Push), Suzanne Kraft, Lovefingers, Fools & Fables