Jill aka Projectojil – UP (Independent)

Portuguese electronic producer Jill aka Projectojil introduced his laidback blend of downtempo, drum and bass and house styles last year on his independently-released debut album ‘Tales From The Native’, and now this six track EP release ‘UP’, which contains reworkings of tracks taken from that aforementioned record, sees him honing and polishing his overall approach somewhat. If opening track ‘Get It Up (New York House remix)’ succumbs to some of that preceding album’s faults in that it perhaps doesn’t really reward the listener or change very much over its sprawling ten minute running length, than the ensuing tracks here more than make up for it. The aptly-titled ‘Cinematic House’ sees Jill getting spooky and spacious by sending sinister-sounding bass pads tumbling beneath a crisp backdrop of tech-y rhythms in what’s easily one of the most inspired moments I’ve heard from him yet, while ‘Under The Carpet’s offers up a sumptuous glide through soulful Detroit-tinged tech-house that even manages to slide in a few gorgeously-placed strings and horn samples. A strong follow-up EP from Jill aka Projectojil that sees this Portuguese producer taking his approach to a considerably higher level.