SoulPhiction – When Radio Was Boss [Pampa Records]
Germany-based SoulPhiction has released a great EP with two originals, and one remix by Jackmate. If I had to lump these tracks into a genre, I would have to say they lean more along the side of deep house, but with a track like “Maybachswagger” thrown into the middle, I’d much rather leave it ambiguous for the listener’s interpretation. Either way, the EP has a lot of character and I enjoyed SoulPhiction’s producing quite a lot.
The first track, the namesake of the EP, is a thumping track with a two-beat kick/bass combination that pounds through your speakers. Overtop are samples of radio DJs from the New York radio station WBAU, a station from back in the day of Public Enemy and when MTV actually played music. Layering more bass, synths, and dissonant strings overtop, the track trucks onwards with a laid-back attitude. The second track, “Maybachswagger”, is my favorite track of the EP. Gliding in at a slower 105 BPM, it grooves well combining unique percussion rhythms over vocal samples, and a sparse bass-line. I really enjoyed the use of clapping combined with snare drum rim taps. Finally, the piano chords are brought in and add another creative element to an already great track. Last but not least, Jackmate’s remix of “When Radio Was Boss” is a livelier, but not dissimilar version of the original. It has a bit more activity on the percussive end, but also includes those key radio samples from WBAU. I like the bass waveforms in this track as it really gets your subwoofer moving in unique ways. Off-beat and sometimes erratic, Jackmate’s bass-line is definitely the key element of this track. Definitely give this EP a listen.
