Perhaps the most surprising thing about Moodymanc's new record is simply that it's a new record at all. It could easily pass for a record from 20 years ago, seemingly marinated in a healthy dollop of heritage before being offered up to the ravenous deep house masses. At least some of that nostalgic weight comes from the claustrophobically matter-of-fact vocal that winds its weary way along the path laid out by the deeply insistent drum track. "Picture a man of nearly 30, who seems twice as old with clothes torn and dirty," advises the vocal. A post-modernist reference to the track's apparent age? Maybe. More tangible and instantly satisfying, however, is the superb brass part that seeps its way into the mix from about the two minute mark; flitting between subdued, playful and downright bullish, it again augments the classic vibe of the track.
Perhaps running against what you might expect from a man with Larry Heard's credentials, his After Dark Remix sound the more modern of the two versions, opening up the dark introspective nature of the original with soaring pads and warm keys for a more cinematic vision. Whichever version you favour though—new kid on the block successfully emulating the past or experienced quartermaster steering the ship in a distinctly modern direction—there's no escaping this is a fine piece of work.
Tracklist: Moodymanc - Black Paint
A1 Black Paint
A2 Black Paint (Dub)
B Black Paint (Larry Heard Remix)
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