MARTINEZ Vinilo y CD

Review: The SlapFunk crew have another new recruit for their mission to match minimal dance aesthetics with tough old-skool punch. Danish producer Martinez has plenty of experience having released everywhere from Guidance to Moon Harbour and Minibar, and he sounds right at home freaking the funk for the Dutch contingent. There's a straight up strut to the jacking drums on opener "Inter Species Relations", while "Aspired Commotion" slips into the kind of wriggling shuffle you'd expect from a SlapFunk release. "No Data" adopts a skippy 2-step stance with some eerie textures on top, and then "Shanty Town" finishes the record off with more swinging business peppered with delightful keys.

Review: Danish minimalist Martinez is already an integral part of Leipzig's Moon Harbour imprint. Having already released three EPs for the label, including his 2008 debut and recent jam, Cheesecake," the talented producer has become an important label ambassador at live dates across the world. Now, he delivers his first LP for the imprint, and his third album overall.The aptly titled Paradigm Shift sees Martinez assimilate an abundance of deep house references into his usual palette of minimal and techno. Alongside lush moments of deepness such as the inimitable "Lavender Mist" and polished "Maresias," Martinez treats us to the warm and contented sounds of "Gourmet". Intertwining the record with bursts of funk laden electronics, such as "Solaris," "Kamino" and "Mr Decocco," Martinez is also explosive at all the right times: "Damaged Color's" slinky low bass and the driving beat of "Williamsburg" both point to a more club focused angle, giving the record yet more amiable balance.