MAX ESSA Vinilo y CD

Review: Max Essa made his name through swathes of releases for Bear Funk, but broke through once more with his essential "Lanterns" LP for Music For Dreams back in 2018. His appearances have been scattered since, but now he makes a welcome return on Hell Yeah with some of that plush, full frequency synth disco business. "Tombolo" is defined by its rich layers of lead chords and cascading electronic percussion, but it's also made even more seductive by subtle splashes of dubby processing. "The Great Adventure" is a cooler jam for more mellow moments, but it's still no slouch in the funk department. "Fool In The Pool" finishes the record off with a truly laid back combination of tabla drums, electric piano and dreamy pads. Blissful, beautifully composed music to let the mind drift to.

Review: Barely a month has passed since the release of Max Essa's latest sumptuous long-player - the lovely "Lanterns" on Music For Dreams - but the Balearic hotshot already has more killer cuts to showcase via a second EP for Hell Yeah Recordings. The real triumph is languid A-side "Han Zoc Roc (Midori Coup)", a gently unfurling fusion of slow motion electronics, gentle beats, meandering melodies and blissful instrumental solos that changes shape several times over 13 mesmerizing minutes. Over on side B, the jazz guitar-rich wonder that is "How You Showed Me Everything" sounds like a tribute to Antenna classic "African Queen", while "Rainbird's Alfafa Jam" is a slightly more energetic workout that could arguably be described as "Balearic funk".

Review: Japan's disco don Matthew Bruce aka Max Essa is back with a three part track, namely Themes From The Hood, The Cad & The Lovely, on one side of vinyl, plus two more on the flip. Recording for a decade, this prolific producer has big hits like "Panorama Suite/Uptown Vibration" that have long been in Hell Yeah boss Marco Peedoo's record bag. The story goes that Essa first approached the label with a bunch of tracks until a good correspondence alchemy ensued and together the artist and label decided to put out the most timeless 12" possible. This is music that will calm busy minds now and forever.