[FAT-Zig]

Since it opened its accounts in 2010, FAT-Zig, the digital arm of the long-established Freude Am Tanzen operation, has become a home for their king-sized and less specifically club-orientated projects. From the lo-fi experimentalism of Taron-Trekka to the ethereal vocal stylings of Mooryc, the sub-label has helped widen the FAT appeal, whilst still maintaining the wider imprint’s entrenched deep house philosophy. FAT-Zig007, however, jogs the wheel of tradition, arriving in conventional four-track EP format and with the dance floor firmly in mind. Snappy Bizzness is, incidentally, far and away German DJ and producer JiMMi Hendrik’s most high-profile release to date, and is a markedly mature one at that.

“Acerbic Sweetness” begins in delicate fashion, with light, delayed bells twinkling over the faintest of kicks. This demeanor was never going to last, as the drums gain strength and a sly, effervescent undercurrent of 303 fervor appears to push proceedings into choppier waters. Buoyant, heavy chords reestablish the track’s summery aesthetic, shifting the acid to more of an anchored, grounding role. A bold, vivacious vocal steers the flow of energy, instigating spirited moments of hi-hat-induced vigor alongside smooth, sensuous breakdowns. It’s hard to find a more delectable slice of modern, danceable soul: melodious yet tough; sweet, yet appropriately sour. Hendrik’s friend Bert Offset offers a more linear take on the original, bringing the 303 to the forefront and adorning it with little else besides muffled, shuffling claps and the odd vocal snippet. No doubt it could serve a purpose, but it feels decidedly one-dimensional alongside the original. “Rubber Jam Session,” on the other hand, is anything but. Hendrik re-contextualizes his penchant for twinkling synths and thick piano chords within a duskier, punchier framework. Hefty kicks and a gravelly bass line align to form a sturdy, swinging groove, providing the necessary, solid foundations to cater for moments of epic sparkle and a gloriously infectious instance of deep-house trumpet. “Something’s Up” continues in much the same vein, seeing out the release in upbeat, upfront style. More so than his previous efforts, the emphasis here lies solely on groove, with classic hype-man vocals adding zeal to a sonically rich and harmonious palette. Once again, Hendrik displays a youthful, yet more than adept understanding for the way house music and its followers love to move.