The Lumberjacks are back with another essential slice of House and Disco to celebrate 5 years of the label. The first pressing of the From Hell With Love LP sold out in a matter of days. But fear not, the label appears to have duly repressed one of the year's most anticipated albums for the snoozers that missed it a few weeks ago - little known factoid, the first press printed "upside" down, which was rectified on the 2nd pressing.
Featuring a new cast of producers alongside regular jackers Marcel Vogel and Boogie Nite, the 8 tracks will no doubt keep the groovers out there happy for a long time to come. We say Future Classic!
Italy's Giovanni Damico gets things under way with 'The Break Down'. Making good use of the Trouble In The Streets vocal sample that we have heard used by the likes of Neko Neko, Vermelho and Cottam, Damico's track is all about warm basslines, synths and the funk.
Label head Marcel Vogel continues the funk with the slap bass led 'Come On'. Mixed by Bobby Van Putten and with Tim Jules on keys, you can really hear Marcel's experience coming through on the production front as the track twists, turns and drops in all the right places.
Next up Borrowed Identity's 'Queens Bridge' lifts a few samples from 'The Night the Lights Went Out' by The Trammps to deliver an almost Motor City Drum Ensemble styled House bumper. I'm a big fan of the German born producer, and fans of the mid 90's House sound should definitely check this track out.
I was lucky enough to hear a promo of Boogie Nite's 'Funk Dr Boogie' last year when he sent over a file of teasers of his new work. So it's great to be able to finally get this played out and about. Crunchy drums, speaker throbbing bass and a sprinkling of keyboard action is the order of the day. It's space-moog-funk Disco for the early hours from the loveable Chicago based digger.
Amsterdam's Tim Jules gets the 2nd vinyl underway with a track of his own that really shows off his keyboard skills. Slap bass and deep funk licks draw you into the groove and I can see this sounding ace on a loud PA.
Every track is a winner for me, but it's Hoshina Anniversary's 'Duke' that really took me aback when I first heard the sound clips. A lovely piano line, slamming drums and a proper low end give this a nice Chicago feel. That said, the keys sound like they could have been lifted straight from a Soil and Pimp Sessions track, so it comes as no surprise to learn that Hoshina is actually based in Tokyo.
The last two tracks come from producers in the UK. Mahogani Music's Dan Shake drops a proper loopy little gem in the guise of 'To The Love'. I might be wrong on this but to me the bassline sounds very similar to the one on Halloween's 'Come See What It's All About'. Uninformed speculation aside, the track is the kind of Disco flavoured House music that is massively popular again at the moment - but for me it never really went away.
Last but by no means least comes 'Banna Bread' by FYI Chris. It's a super sweet vocal cut, with keys that feel like you're getting into a warm bath whilst his trademark scattered drums and percussion bubble underneath. I'd say this is The one for the Deep House crew that likes to keep it fresh.
So there we go, a modern piece of dancefloor soul without a filler in sight. Grab it now for £15.99 or be prepared to pay a lot more for it on Discogs if you sleep on it (again)...
What the label says:
"Marcel Vogel has decided to celebrate the first five years of his edit-heavy Lumberjacks In Hell imprint in the only way he knows how: by putting together a sumptuous double-pack stuffed with fresh new material. In keeping with the way the label has developed in recent times, the eight tracks blend the boundaries between original productions, illicit remixes and straight re-edits.
There's a celebratory, life-affirming feel throughout, from the rubbery bass, D-Train synths and rolling house grooves of Giovanni Damico's 'The Break Down', to the bluesy deep house brilliance of Borrowed Identity's 'Queens Bridge'. Highlights are plentiful elsewhere, too, from the hustlin' electrofunk-meets-disco of Vogel's own 'Come On', to the killer synth solos and fuzzy bits of Tim Jules' thrilling 'Slap Beat'."
Check the full tracks on the Dig Deep Youtube Channel.
