Cyclic Defrost

Boasting global distribution (through Word & Sound), reviews aplenty, surgically chosen international remixes, and polished graphics, Future Classic is a long way from the often parochial Sydney dance music scene. And with their consistent output you can see why. Fusing dubby disco, Italo and house music, the label has released a string of ‘world-class’ records – i.e. virtually nude as far as any sense of their geographic origin goes – that have garnered a solid response from DJs. Jamie Lloyd’s first release for the label, Adori’s Kitchen, is a pleasant groove that benefits from a record scratch that sounds like a seismically heavy door closing (could be the kitchen door). Finnish Italo junkies Putsch ’79 were an inspired choice on the remix, however, the far more nuanced b-side Night Panda is the real highlight. Organ-led, elements of the track bring to mind Carl Craig’s stripped-down disco, though without his relentless repetition. Lloyd’s second single Movin’ In starts with freaky sounds that are classic punk funk (think Liquid Liquid) teamed with mid-tempo boogie down disco house grooves. It’s a weird but not-too-weird remix from New Yorker Brennan Green that, like Atmosfear’s wonderful Dancing in Outer Space, could have any upmarket bar eating out of its hands. The original could easily be an out-take from Matthew Herbert’s 1996 series Parts 1-3, but b-sides Zoopton and All The Honey are much better – the former with cut-up deep house, the latter with reflective guitar that leans towards John Tejada’s I’m Not A Gun.

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