a propos:
After recently launching the D3 recordings label to a great reception, the man behind Vibes And Pepper is ready to launch his second new label, D3 Elements. The artist behind the three track EP is Raymond Funnye aka Strong Souls, who back in the mid-nineties released on still much mythologised Chicago label Dance Mania as well as the UK's Black Market, which also saw him work with the legendary Larry Heard. The music he offers here is of a high pedigree from start to finish. "The Beast" opens the EP with a stripped out percussive hook running right up its core as widescreen pads extended out around it in all directions. When the humming bassline and pronounced kick drums drop into the mix result is pure and propulsive house heaven. Following this, "Remember When" goes a little deeper and less direct, with well swung drums stretched beneath golden chords and delightfully rough percussion. Simple yet effective, it's both classic and relevant at the same time. Finally, "Don't You Know" is the most intimate and romantic, with delicate and subtle keys, far off percussion jacking ever so slightly and spiralling pads adding a sense that you are constantly in free fall. It's gimmick free deep house of the highest order and closes out a classy EP.
