The cosmopolitan vinyl-only label Slow Town Records has roots in Spain, France and the US but is keeping rather mysterious on the masterminds behind it. With this upcoming EP they are heading for their eighth release and second time with the Dutch, Nijmegen based artist Hans Peeman aka Junktion. As it should, sound-wise, this four tracker is perfectly in line with the imprints’ earlier releases.
The label was set up unpretentiously to print 180gram wax for each release with an old school fat & sweet and deep & warm house sound, giving an answer to the current mainstream sound. And indeed, when browsing through their earlier releases catalogue makes you find a set of tracks that will take you on a journey to what connoisseurs would call true house music.
The same is true for Junktion and his signature live instruments, sample based and funky deep house sound. His releases have been critically acclaimed by heavyweights like Session Victim, Detroit Swindle and Homework to name a few and keeps on getting more plays and views each record. Next to this, together with Daniel Leseman, Mr. Peeman is co-founder of Dutch record label Outplay Records, known for their much-supported First Things First EP which was presided by artist duo Fouk, a side project Peeman runs with that same partner label owner and producer Daniel Leseman.
This four-headed EP “Monologue” blindly connects with Junktion’s key sound. The first cut, Prologue tunes in into a funk, soul and 116 BPM jazzy house track. The combination of piano keys, old school synth riffs, subtle background noises and a simple right side guitar lick fit this jam into an unstoppable groove.
Second and title track Monologue opens with a warm four bar riff and constructively brings in new samples and synths. After the first break of 32 beats a catchy lick of trumpets is introduced, adding up to the summer and warm atmosphere of the track. Midway the jam, he eases in a monologue with some movie quotes on the love for music and consequently the break is set to a highlight by bringing the baseline and trumpets back to the forefront altogether. The combination of warm live instruments, the catchy drum loops and subtle baseline show a true craftsmanship in Junktion’s production of house music.
Epilogue once again exhibits Peeman’s love to combine jazz elements with house drums and vocal bits. The level of feel good vibes in this track is utterly high and speaking for the richness of musicality of the producer. The high amount of subtle components and background noises during the track combined with the continuously hitting vocal bits give this cut an irresistible drive, swing and funkiness that will stomp your feat and bump your head uncontrollably.
Remix duties for Monologue have been given to Southern Frenchman Jean-Pierre Baroni aka Mr KS. This upcoming producer speeds up the tempo of the track and gives it a good, club viable twist just a couple of steps away from the original.
1. Junktion – Prologue
2. Junktion – Monologue
3. Junktion – Epilogue
4. Junktion – Monologue (MR KS remix)
