[Untracked]

I read a review recently that took issue with a release not treading new ground, of sticking to familiar pathways within its genre. Like rock music with all of the best chords already used up, there will always be a certain amount of familiarity within electronic music. The 808 and 909 drum sounds are an instantly recognizable feature within the medium, while there are a plethora of production tricks and sounds that are aped, rehashed and re-molded by the bulk of producers. Red Rack’em may not be breaking new soil with his latest twelve for the coveted Untracked label, but through employing some of the classic deep house sounds and themes on the release he also touches on that vital quality of creating a classic vibe.

This is nowhere more evident than on the incredible “In Love Again,” which has already won its place in the hearts and crates of DJs far and wide. Sneaking in a clever sample of Andre 3000 from the track “Prototype” on The Love Below album, the track centers on swelling pads and strings with various layers of the vocal giving a dreamlike, ethereal quality. Realizing that a good thing need not be overdone, Red Rack’em keeps the rest of the track very simple with subtle turns of percussion doing only what it should, accentuating the groove that is already there. The title track likewise makes use of a borrowed sample, which again is achingly familiar though I can’t quite place it. Super slow house is the order of the day with orchestral hits firing off like symphonic cannons amid the warm, easy pads and honeyed vocal samples. “Beginning End” channels the same effusive spirit, but aims at a more bass heavy version of the similar threads that tie these three tracks together. Fans of KDJ and Theo Parrish will be right at home here with this latest EP in an increasingly good run for both Red Rack’em and the Untracked label.