James Silk – ‘Grind’ EP

Liverpudlian DJ/producer James Silk is about to push the boat out with latest EP ‘Grind’ showing a slightly different side than what we’ve seen previously.

His appreciation of the music of yesteryear is obvious when you delve into his previous charters. Tracks like ‘I Can’t Wait’ – released on Exploited – and ‘These Sheets’ – dropped on OFF Recordings – are clear examples of his Quantum Leap sampling technique (‘I Can’t Wait’ – Nu Shooz/’Between the Sheets’ – Isley Bros, respectively).

Having first taken to the 1s and 2s with his mum’s old disco vinyls, a penchant for groove, rhythm, funk and bass blossomed. However, refusing to get caught in a time warp Silk has stepped up with this two-track EP courtesy of Erase Records. The collaboration between a self-confessed disco head and Erase records is not surprising with the imprint responsible for a string of highly authentic (i.e. they sound like ‘proper’ disco) nu disco hits like Sugar Hill’s ‘Feeling For You’, but these tracks are certainly more of the deeper, 4×4 side of haus.

Title track ‘Grind’ is familiar yet distinctive. The familiarity is that it bears a striking resemblance to (deep breath) Eats Everything’s ‘Doldrums’, which in turn features the similar synth hits that drive Brett Johnson’s remix of Jason Jinx’s ‘The First Time’. Where it is distinct is basically every other aspect. The production is very tight, the mix-down much more defined than The First Time. The bassline is a moody, stomping, no holds barred assault with skipping hi’s, some vocal cuts for good measure and gallons of groove.

In the old days of vinyl B-side tracks were often quantitative rather than qualitative offerings, barring a weighty remix here and there. They were usually tracks more suited to a warm-up set or when you wanted to drop something a little less known for all those much-coveted hipster points. Nowadays though, in the digital era, it’s far easier to dismiss tracks that won’t garner many Facebook likes. A filler of an mp3 on a release will get deleted quicker than the browse history on an ‘incognito window’ unlike a vinyl purchase which would see regular groove-to-groove play regardless.

‘Talk Dirty’ is one such example of a benefit of the digital release age. Insomuch as it’s an absolute jaw-swinger. More of a ‘head high’ than the sativa flavour of Grind, it’s no less a rolling 4×4 corker albeit with a more garage vibe. Okay, groove and rhythm may be slightly absent and a it’s far cry from any recognisable disco sound but this track has its own certified charms in abundance. In fact, the quality of both is so strong it’s nigh-on impossible to pick between them. Thankfully you won’t have to when the EP finally drops on the 3^rd of March.

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