SAAND
Madtech returns this August with the ‘Heaven’ EP, from hotly tipped British producer, Walter Ego. Sheffield based Walter Ego, aka Josh Gregory, has been a prominent name in the contemporary house movement in 2013, recent releases for Toddla T’s, Girls Music slotted Gregory in alongside the likes of DJ Q and Roska on the labels roster, elevating his career and quite rightly earning him a highly praised reputation. Here he puts another foot forward with a release for Kerri Chandler’s, Madtech, imprint, an ever-evolving label responsible for recent releases from Citizen, Voyeur and No Artificial Colours.
Title track ‘Heaven’, opens the single here, a deep Garage/House crossover cut employing warm pad lines, soulful vocal lines and a playful organ hook line. Things slowly bloom in this state for several minutes before the latter half of the track sees rounded sub tones, dark stabs and an insistent shuffle in the drums introduced, resulting in a classy, understated modern house record. Up next is ‘Grab Somebody’, Gregory stays on a similar tip keeping things deep and emotive, this time cosseting Rhodes chords and jazzy hats take the lead, while penetrating acidic bass licks and heavily manipulated vocal chops meander around them, driving the melodic movement and musicality.
Last up to close the release is ‘Jam Roll (For Love)’, a brilliantly contrasting record, which sees Gregory opt for a darker, grittier edge. Moody synth stabs and pulsating saw wave bass takes the reins, while boomy kicks and crunchy claps add additional rawness. Subtle filter work and elongated background delays throughout the track add further character and depth to the record, creating a club ready, peak-time workout.
Artist: Walter Ego
Title: Heaven
Label: MadTech Records
Catalog No.: KCMTDL015
Release Date: 5 August 2013