As the world and its wife tries to board the last plane out of 2020, Eclectics rolls up with a charter flight big enough to ferry all-comers to Shangri-La. The Oh! EP, from Ibiza-based Italian producer Luca Averna and legendary British veteran Chris Coco, is 35 minutes of delightful, deep-dive distraction from a world gone mad.

This isn’t simply a collection of tunes sitting cheek-by-jowl with their remixes, this is a soaring suite – a movement in five parts put together with care, confidence and consummate craft.

First up on the in-flight entertainment is “There Is No Planet B”. Despite the distress-signal sentiment of the title, it’s an audio hug of breathy synths, languorous lead lines and slow, whirling propeller percussion. A mid-paced reminder that we really are all in this together, the melodic flow coalesces midway through, giving directions to the dance.

The Veteran Delinquents (Joe’s Bakery and Passport to Paradise stalwart Craig Christon along with producer Tim Hutton) pick up the baton and increase the momentum like veteran DJs reading the room. Their remix follows on seamlessly from the original, bigging up the boogie with handclaps, piano and a beat that channels electro and new wave New York.

Next up is Jazxing (The Very Polish Cut-Outs/ Transatlantyk), who find another gear and chug straight ahead – full steam in widescreen. Increasing the bandwidth even further they throw in guitar licks and percussive punctuation, forcing the familiar melody into bold new territory.

And suddenly, there you are, in the middle of a four-to-the-floor groove for discerning dancers after a journey so smooth you couldn’t even feel the corners.

As the bass peters out, title track “Oh!” blossoms into view, building slowly, layers lapping over each other, gentle yet steady, fragile but with a firm foothold. The pace has quickened, but the pin-perfect pacing means you don’t realise until you’re halfway in and committed to the ride. Oh! indeed…

Then, the final act. Once again, Eclectics frequent flier James Bright tales the controls and banks away beautifully from the original, leading you into territory littered with broken beats, rippling synths and an afro-infused groove. This is all played out against a gentle backdrop, a watercolour wash of sound that smooths the flightpath, tempers the turbulence and joins the dots between guitar flourishes and snare snaps.   You have reached your destination. Enjoy.

SHOP

Luca Averna & Chris Coco - There is no Planet B

We’re not just a label, we’re a collective. Founded in 2015, with our first records dropping in 2017 Eclectics is about shared experiences and the music that binds us. Whether you were on the front lines of acid house or got your groove on with the Balearic beat, we're talking your language. 25 EPs and countless collaborations. We believe in the power of inclusivity and authentic creativity. Listen out for Grant Williams' "Resident Rockers" side project and his "Love Under Will" Radio Show on 1BTN. It's all connected.

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MORAN UP CHI

MORAN UP CHI

MORAN UP CHI

Thomas Etchells

m. sebastian mayans pons - E_R