Kumasi Music's first release comes from Ashley Burgoyne, the Leeds-based newcomer producing as Kreature. But with a raft of remixes, the You Can EP feels like more of a general statement of intent. As a management group, Kumasi represents a diverse set of labels and promoters. Judging by Kreature's originals and the producers who have taken on his tunes, though, their new label arm has an ear turned to disco.
Not retro or even nü, mind: the sounds on You Can embody disco's spirit in a spotlessly digital package. There's plenty of contagious energy on here, but its lines can be a little straight. Kreature's two originals, the intricate "What You Want" and smoothly Balearic "You Can," betray a thorough knowledge of form and technique. He still sounds like he's finding a unique spin on both however. Kolombo installs a catchy bassline in "You Can," but his remix still feels like it's searching for the hook that will tie everything together. S.K.A.M.'s remix suffers from the same problem at first, but if you can get through the plodding first half, the Moscow producer's stumbles into some ear candy. The equally aggressive and sensitive Markas & Mindaugelis remix, while not quite game-changing, feels the most whole of the bunch.
