UPFRONTBEATS

Ralph Lawson’s 20/20 Vision label is proud to welcome to the family one of the brightest names in the game with its next release. That name is The Mekanism, aka Damien Roussel, an essential French producer who has been turning many heads in recent months, not least with his massive last release on Seth Troxler’s Play It Say It label.

Parisian Roussel has his own show on Rinse FM France so is well known to those with their ear to the underground house scene. He has been DJing for more than a decade and puts out his choice cuts on labels like Barcelona’s Los Suruba, Berlin’s Exploited and London’s Needwant but now joins the legendary ranks of Leeds label 2020 Vision. Looking back to Chicago but forward into his own sonic realms, he is a fresh producer with lots to say for himself and is sure to be one of the most prominent stars of 2016.

No nonsense opener ‘Revolution’ feat. Kova Rea was made in response to the heartbreaking Paris attacks of November 2015 and immediately locks you into its fulsome house groove. Thumping kicks are topped with spangled synths; loose percussive lines and darkened vocals that take you right to the corner of some atmospheric club and keep you there. It is sure to do the job in any DJ set, make no mistake.

The excellently inventive ‘On The Beat’ is much more playful, loopy and loose. With sweeping filters and ditty chord stabs it really works you into a lather as it twists and turns on squelchy synths and busy bass patterns.

Closing out a super solid EP is ‘Allright’, another rugged house cut with planted kick drums. It has some brilliantly rich, warm bass down low that is full of funk, and cleverly filtered vocals and hip swinging claps really do make you want to shake your every limb in true house party style.

This well crafted EP is one that will surely win The Mekanism many new fans on UK shores, undeservedly so.

• FB: facebook.com/TheMekanism
• Twitter: twitter.com/the_mekanism
• Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/the-mekanism
• Beatport: beatport.com/artist/the-mekanism