BLAIR FRENCH Vinilo y CD

Review: Blair French is the next quality artist to make their debut on the increasingly vital MotorCity Wine imprint out of Detroit. He brings hints of Balearic as well as signature smoky deep house from the 313 to his work here. 'Ancestarians' (Physical Mix) also has pan-African influences, jazzy melodies and rich organic percussion while the Spiritual Mix is all about going deep into ambient bliss. 'Champagne Kiddie Pool' then looks even deeper into the musical niches of South America with dembow rhythms overlaid with lively claps and cosmic chords. Last of all is 'Sandbox Fossils with driving bass from James Simonson and guitar from Ryan Gimpert.

Review: Dial 81 and tell them it's an emergency... Blair French has dropped his second single this year and there are only 300 copies in existence! Following "Standing Still Is An Illusion" on Rocksteady Disco come two more sublime Balearic affairs that fit Claremont 56 like a snug pair of speedos; "Sandbar Caviar" wafts and sways with island waves as gentle arpeggios ebb and flow creating harmonies and cosmic textures while "Inland Island" adjusts our seats to a horizontal position with its snaking bassline and spacious percussion gradually opening into a heavenly vocal and guitar lead that's tantamount to transcendental.

Review: Blair French is a brilliant groove-smith who has turned out plenty of classics on the likes of Claremont 65, Rocksteady Disco and Razor-N-Tape. After a recent new limited 12" in April he makes a quick return with this a-side gem, 'The Bird Watcher.' It's a loose and worldwide disco sound with organic perc and languid bass next to wild bird calls and hypnotic flute leads.
Eddie Logix's 'Sunshine, Sunblock' then brings a dubbed out vibe with more jungle sound effects and naturalistic atmospheres.