A New World vinyl

A New World, the second artist album in as many years from D'Marc Cantu shows that he should be viewed as being the master of his own destiny rather than an engaging sideshow to more high-profile associates Traxx and James T. Cotton. The lack of Jakbeat, the primal interpretation of Chicago house that the Nation stable of artists have developed, is notable here, When it does rear its grungy head, it does so in the most irresistibly creepy manner; "Green Bike Sea" starts with rolling snares and leads to a grainy bass and shaking percussion underpinning muffled vocals and bleeding acid lines. "Try Me" is meaner and yet more suggestive, with the scent of blood and sweat-caked bar counters rising over a red-lit, heaving bass. But the real highlights on A New World occur when the producer completely indulges his esoteric whims. "Mobile Communication" sees heavy claps supporting bleeding, bleepy bass licks, but it's merely a prelude for "The First Planet". Inspired by Detroit techno, it's Cantu's piece de resistance: atmospheric synths arc slowly upwards, their acidic undercurrent like tail lights on a jumbo jet as they reach into the upper levels of the night sky, hopefully guiding Cantu towards greater recognition.

Ben Sims, Charlton, Nick Dunton, Natan H, Joe Drive, Photic Fields