[Freerange Records]

Between running Freerange Records, a boatload of remixes for Justin Martin, Miguel Migs, Joey Negro and Bob Marley(!) among others, and a toddling Jimpster Jr. to raise, Jamie Odell has had his hands full. So it comes as little surprise that Jimpster/Audiomontage’s name hasn’t appeared on the spine of a record since 2006. But at some point in 2007 he holed away in the studio long enough to craft his latest single, “Dangly Panther.” Sure, the name conjures up a slacker’s yoga pose (“dude, who says you can’t do yoga on the couch… lying down?”), but the tune itself is greatly inspired and ranks among his best work this decade. Dutch wunderkind Joris Voorn turns up for a remix, as does as Odell’s Audiomontage personality.

The relaxed dub groove greeting listeners befits such a visually distinct title, gently bumping along to clave flecks and odd cowbell clatter. But as Jimpster doubles up the progression to a soft ostinato, a warm, brassy tone swells from the tune’s belly, fluttering its notes to reveal itself as a stretched trumpet drone. “Dangly Panther” never leaps from its perch into a breakdown, instead menacing from afar with a room-filling, tropical atmosphere which will have dancers howling in delight. Joris Voorn’s Black Panther remix is decidedly more deep house oriented, pulling notes from the loping progression to fire off singularly and wielding the horn drones more nimbly to build short climaxes. DJs who wished they could insert “Dangly Panther” into the middle of their sets will feel much more comfortable with Voorn’s revision. Looking at the tune from the other end of the tunnel, Odell’s Audiomontage remix taunts the horns into attacking without restraint, which is unfortunately more disruptive than it is beneficial. “Dangly Panther” finds Jimpster’s original productions sharp regardless of his workload; if anything he’s more likely to spring when you least expect it.