- Bell Boys, AKA Adam Rowe and Garrett David, started out as workmates in the backroom of Chicago's Dust Traxx several years ago, before eventually taking up positions at the city's seminal outlet Gramaphone Records. Deciding to turn their hands to production, the duo debut with Hotel Garma, a four-track EP on Brooklyn's Discovery Recordings.
The release strongly takes its cues from classic-era Chicago house. As if making a statement of intent, "The One" kick-starts the EP with big, reverberating piano chords, cutting kicks and a sprightly bassline. Limber and groovy, it's an above-average throwback. "B Free," featuring the vocals of Bell Boy's friend Shaun J Wright, is more forced, the lyrics "I just want to be free" feeling a touch clichéd. Warm pads and piano licks give the track a sensuous edge, only for loud, overplayed stabs to push it into the realm of faux-euphoria. "Room Service" is better, laying '90s stabs over a sinewy bassline and metronomic percussion, while "Prayer Furnace" wraps up proceedings with an endearing deep house cut. Despite some nice touches, one still can't help but feel that the EP that will end up lost among the sea of similar-sounding releases.
TracklistA1 The One
A2 B Free feat. Shaun J Wright
B1 Room Service
B2 Prayer Furnace