Chart courtesy of The Economist

01. Gerd, “Freedom” [Royal Oak] (buy)
I’m so glad Clone has broadened the scope of its Royal Oak imprint from limited editions to full-fledged releases, because it’s been on point since its first record — Gerd and Alex Agore’s individual takes on the track “Freedom.” Gerd, who also produces as Amplified Orchestra, runs 4 Lux Records and is not to be confused with Running Back’s Gerd Janson, turns in my favorite take. Sounding as much like a long forgotten Chicago house side as it does a unreleased Mountain People track, “Freedom” manages to be jaunty and deliberate at the same time. Gerd hangs windswept minor progressions that flutter above Mr. Fingers-styled runs, framed by loose house rhythms whose seemingly live components give the track texture that wouldn’t be out of place in a house party. If wading through Clone’s veritable flood of releases is giving you conniptions, skip to Royal Oak 01 and thank me later.

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02. Fudge Fingas, “Mmm Hmm”
[Prime Numbers] (buy)
Fudge Fingas’ About Time is the long awaited answer to when he would put out another solo release and fulfill the promise shown on EPs from the first half of this decade. And what a captivating answer it is (which will be discussed in full later this week). Although the personality-stuffed A1 and B1 cuts readily vie for listeners’ attention, I’m most drawn to “Mmm Hmm” on B2, resplendent in many interwoven melodies while bearing a hint of sadness at its edges. A staircase of bell-like tones lead audiences upwards, yet the floor undulating below as if it were trying to buck its passengers into the arms of soaring string synth lines resonating above. Even the percussion — whisking ‘hats, jumpy snare patterns, solid kick thumps — seems to jump out and embrace the forms of the dancers it’s directing. As an aperitif to his forthcoming full-length debut, About Time and “Mmm Hmm” in particular are incredibly satisfying while leaving us still craving so much more.

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03. Sandman ft. Jeremy Ellis, “Feed Your Mind” (John Beltran & Riverside remix) [FastFWD]
When a house diva like Aaron-Carl tells you to check out a vocalist you better know they’re pointing you in the right direction. Such was the case for Detroit’s Jeremy Ellis whose pristine vocals and jazzy beats (also under the name Ayro) have attracted Ubiquity Records (among others) and landed him guest spots on Roy Davis Jr. and Recloose tracks. Details are relatively scant about his appearance on “Feed Your Mind,” a track by American producer Sandman, and to date I’ve only heard John Beltran & Riverside’s deeply inclined remix, but what I’ve heard is promising indeed. Ellis’ vocal timbre is smooth and androgynous, encouraging listeners to self discovery among stacks of gorgeous harmonies, which Beltran & Riverside have assiduously kept at the forefront and placed their Rhodes chords and upright bass plucks in supporting roles. Only the clipped cowbell, which pocks most of the tune, stands out alongside Ellis’ fantastic performance. Hopefully reality catches up with the supposed March 9th release date soon and allows us to own this solid slice of soulful house.

04. Ray Mang, “Look Into My Eyes” [DFA] (buy)
Ray Mang must have been in a classic kind of mood when he made the Bullet Proof signal, with an A-side that’s essentially a Parliament Funkadelic cover (albeit with Deee-Lite’s Lady Kier adding some panache to the tune) and a B-side which samples Tangerine Dream’s “Love On A Real Train.” Yet the overall effect is enjoyable, and “Look Into My Eyes” has a well-executed easygoing vibe that will likely position this 12″ in the warm-up section of a DJs’ crates. Flaring out the motorik steady sample to form a downy base layer, Mang fills the space with sustained synth movements and an undercarriage of syncopated piano chords (it is a DFA release). Whether this single eventually makes its way into classic bins is to be seen, but you’d be remiss to ignore it while it’s still fresh.

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05. Kuniyuki Takahashi, “Deep Love”
[Mule Electronic] (buy)
Walking In the Naked City, the latest album from Mule Musiq stalwart Kuniyuki Takahashi, is a jazzy affair that cries out to be played at dusk with a bottle of Cab close at hand. Tucked within its many piano-led tracks is “Deep Love,” a twinkling gem whose ambient-house textures make it a not too distant cousin of DJ Sprinkles’ Midtown 120 Blues. A melange of percussive textures, glittering synth arpeggios and sweeping pads give “Deep Love” a sense of wonderment, as if Kuniyuki is unveiling Tokyo at night from skyscraper heights and wants to create something comfortable and appropriate for the listener to recline into. Not quite dance floor material, but absolutely lovely and an album highlight nonetheless.

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06. Kyle Hall, “Kaychunk” [Hyperdub] (buy)
07. Jason Fine, “Many To Many” (Ben Klock remix) [Kontra Musik] (buy)
08. Tevo Howard, “The Glass Ceiling” (Full Edit)
[Hour House Is Your Rush] (buy)
09. Scuba, “Heavy Machinery”
[Hotflush Recordings] (buy)
10. James Blake, “Buzzard and Kestrel”
[Hessle Audio] (buy)

Staff Charts:

Anton Kipfel
01. Tensnake, “Need Your Lovin” [Permanent Vacation]
02. The Black Dog, “CCTV Nation” (Redshape remix) [Soma Quality Recordings]
03. Kyle Hall, “Kaychunk” [Hyperdub]
04. Elektro Guzzi, “Hexenschuss” [Macro]
05. Audision, “Beta Range” (Roman Flügel remix) [&nd]
06. Falty DL, “Groove” [Rush Hour Recordings]
07. Red Rack’em, “In Love Again” [Untracked]
08. Cobblestone Jazz, “Sun Child” [Studio !K7]
09. DJ Bone, “Sunday Morning” [Sect Records]
10. James Blake, “The Bells Sketch” [Hessle Audio]

Chris Miller
01. Oni Ayhun, “OAR004A” [Oni Ayhun Records]
02. STL, “Vintage Hunter” [Something Records]
03. Mount Kimbie, “William” (Tama Sumo & Prosumer Remix) [Hotflush]
04. Actress, “Paint, Straw and Bubbles” [Honest Jon’s]
05. Peter van Hoesen, “Closing The Distance/Toy Universe” [Time To Express]
06. Ramadanman, “I Beg You” [Hessle Audio]
07. Anton Zap, “You Are Not Alone” (Classic Dub) [Millions of Moments]
08. Marcel Dettmann, “Motive” [Ostgut Ton]
09. I:Cube, “Falling” [Versatile Records]
10. DJ Sprinkles, “Masturjakor” (Masturmix) [Mule Musiq]

Jordan Rothlein
01. Billy Love, “Can’t Keep Running Away” [Sound Signature]
02. Tevo Howard, “Laboratory” [Hour House Is Your Rush]
03. Mr. Raoul K, “No Food No Groove” [Baobob Secret]
04. Kyle Hall, “Kaychunk” [Hyperdub]
05. Virgo, “Ride” [Rush Hour Recordings]
06. James Blake, “The Bells Sketch” [Hessle Audio]
07. Oni Ayhun, “OAR004A” [Oni Ayhun Records]
08. Scuba, “Three Sided Shape” [Hotflush Recordings]
09. Zomby, “Hear Me” [3024]
10. Joy Orbison, “So Derobe” [Aus Music]