Johnwaynes

Black & White EP Johnwaynes

Johnwaynes always come up with something edgy and special when releasing their music on Groovement. Like this 3 track EP inspired by the great NYC, Chicago and Detroit legacy. One side sums up the two poles that compose the purest of house music’s archetypes. Depth and Rawness are explored in the two fantastic and complementary offerings: The White Track and The Black Track. Two takes on the same harmonic and melodic idea... one is a raw jacker, the other a deep and sensual, more acoustic sounding, take on the same musical score. Imagine the same track remixed by two different, albeit complementary, artists - one from Detroit/Chicago, the other from New York, both from the early 90’s. The White Track is a hip shaker reminiscent of old jackin’ bouncers from the likes of late 80’s KMS groovyness. What holds it tight is little more than a relentless bassline that defines what house is all about: repetition in electronic funk. The Black Track takes the same idea, but transports you back to the ethereal comfort that can be found in anthological releases from the likes of Nu Groove records, but mixes it with a little bit of that Fingers Inc magic, sprinkled with the live element present in some of the more introspective MAW 12”s. On the flip side, the perfect alternative: Soho. It hits you in the face like a baseball bat... starting with a punchy, distorted and hypnotic arpeggio that hits the speaker over an imposing kick drum. The arrangement is slow on the build but reveals dreamy landscapes of delightful string pads, panning deep chords and hissy analogue drums that suggest a Detroit-esque abstract floor filler! Most definitely one to impress fans of Carl Craig’s dramatic take on techno.