Australia’s Future Classic has always been a solid label whose roster of artists maintain a respect for not only the listener’s experience of the music, but also remain true to the fundamentals of what good electronic music, both for home and on the dancefloor, should be about. Housed in smart, sexy, well designed packaging, the Future Classic sound is one of soulful melodies, space between the beats for tracks to breathe and a sense of musicality that is sometimes forgotten on certain bigger labels.
This new compilation, Exclusives Vol.1, is a showcase for the mainstays of the label, many of whom have garnered international acclaim and radio/club play in some of the most respected arenas of both the underground and the larger venues around the globe. Wicked Beats founder and DJ extrordinaire, Crucial D kicks off proceedings with the swampy samba of ‘Toruba Gold.’ A little slick perhaps, but some excellent rolling drum programming gets this track and the compilation off to a smooth start. Keyboard wizard Jimi Polar is up next with ‘Snowflakin’.’ Polar has obviously got a fine ear for a well crafted meody and again, the proceedings veer a little close to the played-out Nu Jazz sound, until Polar uncovers a winding 303 line that takes the tune into another direction altogether. Jamie Lloyd’s ‘Meow Now’ startles and pleases all at once with its rubberised funk played as if before an underwater audience with King Neptune himself. Complete with water sounds and currents of quirks and tweaks, Lloyd’s house is sharing the same yard as Lindstrom, Geist and the other Polar – Kelly, whose Love Songs of The Hanging Gardens album is also reminiscent of this particular tune.
Once a studio based duo, Angela Maison and Ant J Steep have recently added Campbell Whyte on Bass and Andy Godber on electronic drums to make live electronic music under the moniker Little Beasties. Their tune, ‘Hideout’s steps straight out of an ’80s filmclip without the sometimes cloying, overtly ironic factor which is often displayed when replicating the synth driven sound of the era. The Little Beasties seem to genuinely love that certain sound, and replicate it here in this sassy number, adding yet another dimension to the Future Classic sound.
Live favourites and electro lovers, Stick Figures, come on strongly with two tracks, starting with the moody ‘Stretch The Truth,’ bringing to mind prime era Underworld (see ‘Mmmm..Skyscraper, I Love You’ for proof). Complete with vocoder, slabs of dark key stabs and rumbling bass notes, this number really pleases. Their second showing here, ‘Slim Pickings,’ recieves a working over from Compost recording artist Ben Mono. A few of Mono’s productions have failed to impress me in the past, but here he brings on the warm pads with a “wo-wo-wo-wom-wom-wom-wow-wow-wow” building progression that gets inside your head and takes off complete with disco zooms, bending basslines and fruity handclaps all the way.
Anyone who has ever heard Rick Bull a/k/a Deepchild delivering his radio show will be aware of his passion for the sound of Vladislav Delay/Luomo, and the tune he delivers here, entitled ‘Yomama’ is not at all dissimilar to those sounds he so dearly loves made by his hero. Dubby piano counterpoints and a deep, evenly paced beat that never overrides the composition make this an excellent piece of headphone house. Following Deepchild, comes the mysterious and enigmatic Karston Zuber, whose playful excursion ‘Jubilee’ brings a smile to the face and an irresistible bum shake, it’s a cheeky unit with the solid soul that eminates throughout all of the tunes on this compilation.
Jamie Lloyd and Jimmy Polar make a late return, this time as a duo, collaborating on the mover that is ‘Warm In Here.’ Another warm groover with a genre defying feel to it, this track really lives up to the moniker of the label it’s associated with. The sounds of electro and disco are given a thouroughly ‘now’ exploration and this would sound sweet on any dancefloor, anywhere, anytime.
Rounding up the album is honourary Aussie, Steve Spacek (his track ‘Eve’ is one of the definitive soul tunes of this age), and here on ‘A Common guy,’ Spacek shows why he is so revered both here and overseas. The skittering rhythm of this tune, along with the vocal treated as a reverb drenched plea, finishes off this excellent compilation perfectly. Classy, well considered electronic music for your life today. Seek it out.
Lyndon Pike
