Various Artists
House favourites Kai Alce, Sean McCabe, JKriv and Medlar debut on Universo Positivo.
This EP is the fourth to arrive on 12" vinyl from Joseph Salvador's label
After two years of agenda-setting house sounds, Universo Positivo makes its fourth foray into vinyl with this classy remix EP. In that time, founder Joseph Salvador has established the label with a mix of his own music and fresh grooves from careful A&Red pioneers and new school names. He has been doing much the same since the 90s with various projects from his cult TINK Records and the Tomorrow Is Now Kid! nights in Amsterdam, in collaborative production outfits like Black Tulip & Wendell Morrison, and releasing records by DJ Steaw, Malin Genie, Fabio Monesi and many more.
This latest release brings together some of the most respected names in the scene for four standout reworks. First up is Atlanta-based NDTAL label head Kai Alce, who has long been one of deep house's most influential architects. He flips 'Sonido Latino' into a smooth groove with jazzy, Roy Ayers-style melodies that bring a soft-focus glow and late-night intimacy.
Then comes Bristol-based producer Sean McCabe, a master of vintage synths with a 20-year back catalogue on seminal labels like Local Talk, Strictly Rhythm and Z Records. His take on 'Ipanema Jazz' maintains the original's samba shuffle but reframes it in a deep house groove with extra expressive jazz keys, dainty chords and playful trumpet motifs.
Brooklyn-based Razor-N-Tape co-founder JKriv brings his many years of experience as a guitarist, producer and songwriter to his take on 'Caparica Sunset'. It's a deep, driving sound that's playful and romantic with flirtatious horns and soft acid, dusty breakbeats and luscious grooves for loved-up sessions.
Last but not least is Medlar, the South London underground mainstay with a wide-ranging sound and album credits on the likes of Delusions Of Grandeur. He remixes 'U R The Revolution' into a warm, euphoric rush of throwback house that's warm, melodic and sure to get the 'floor going off.
