- Francis Harris and DJ Aakmael link up on this emotional split EP.
- Trends in house music come and go, but DJ Aakmael keeps doing his thing. He's been releasing sumptuous deep house for 15 years, sticking to a rootsy American sound where piano and organ often take center stage. The Virginia resident has gotten a career bump thanks to renewed interest from a younger generation of DJs. Francis Harris, of the Brooklyn duo Frank & Tony, has been in the game for nearly as long, and while his house records tend to be heavier on high-tech sound design, the two share a penchant for emotional authenticity that makes them natural collaborators. Their split record for Harris's label, Scissor & Thread, comprises one original track and one remix each, plus a joint effort.
The record opens on an upbeat note with Aakmael's "Deep Muzik," which is driven by intersecting synth lines and sparse but syncopated percussion. There are whispers of Joey Anderson in the freewheeling keyboard noodles that float over the latter half, which has a refreshing color-outside-the-lines quality. Frank's "Part Song" is another highlight, especially the glassy, vibrating harmonics in the synths, the audio equivalent of sunlight refracting through a marble. With its long, beatless breakdown, it's probably an early-night option for DJs, though it'll definitely get dancers loosened up for what comes next. Aakmael's remix takes it closer to peak hour, with a tastefully funky bassline and drums that command your attention. On their collaboration, "Mercy Of Means," each producer does what they do best. Aakmael's ear for melody and Frank's textural touch give you emotional house music that's artfully rendered.
TracklistA1 Aakmael - Deep Muzik
A2 Aakmael - Deep Muzik (Frank All That Light Mix)
B1 Frank & Aakmael - Mercy Of Means
B2 Frank - Part Song
B3 Frank - Part Song (DJ Aakmael Remix)