[Connaisseur Recordings]

Name recognition is a big deal. The deluge of releases landing on stores’ shelves and into my inbox, often from unknown labels and artists, grows ever larger each month. So while I take plenty of chances when deciding what to audition, occasionally the comforts of a familiar name help narrow the playlist quicker than my ears can. Connaisseur is one name which always catches my eye even if the producer they’re releasing is an enigma. Art Bleek (born Arthur Pochon) is one of those unknowns, despite having released for Front Room sub-label Loungin’ Recordings and Resopal Red (is it just me, or are they akin to a tech-house farm league?). “Euphorized,” his three track Connaisseur debut, seems likely to lend familiarity to the Paris-based producer.

The title cut indeed lives up to its namesake as a potent sugar rush liable to get dancers smiling, while pursuing the intersection of tech-house, acid and modern deep house. Its goopy, neon-lit 303 vamp darts playfully through thick, thrumming pads and stereo-panned hand claps, leaving light trails in their wake to stick in listeners’ brains. Expect this one to pop up a handful of times this summer. The B side, however, is a bit less potent. “Night Station” is so spindly and steady even minimal house DJs might shy away from its static structure. Bleek returns to a “Euphorized” style for the closing “Snow Landscape”; consider it the winterly remix. Twinkling bells, loose hand percussion and a wiry 303 romp decorate a jovial bass rhythm, later paring down to cascading bell runs and pumping bass in a decidedly 2008 homage to vintage acid house arrangements. While Art Bleek’s “Euphorized” would have sounded as sweet on any other label, credit is due to Connaisseur for bringing it to my attention. Next time Bleek’s name alone will do the trick.