- Dance music is not exactly riddled with nepotism—though as it enters its middle age perhaps it will become so. If Generation Next is a sign of things to come, then we needn't worry too much. Son of Big Strick and nephew of Omar-S, Tre Strickland has had an easy time breaking into the Detroit deep house scene. But while the chunky grooves and earworming melodies of his music often betray his dynastic ties, he's steadily showing himself to possess more than just good connections.
Nocturne is Strickland's third solo 12-inch, and probably his subtlest. He's displayed more youthful exuberance elsewhere; here we can observe him carefully refining his craft. The EP's title is a touch misleading—these tracks would be better suited to a leisurely Sunday stroll than a night on the tiles. "Idee Fixe" sets the tone, its breezy Rhodes chords and lilting congas content to skip nonchalantly along without making any bold statements. "The Tomorrow People" and "Chili Cheese Fries" follow suit, the former a touch sultrier, the latter a feather-light cascade of clipped chords and pitter-patter snares. The peach of the lot is "Vanilla Sky," whose redemptive organ chords supply some much-needed uplift. All walk a dangerous line between charmingly uneventful and plain dull, but they do so with grace.
TracklistA1 Idee Fixe
A2 Chili Cheese Fries
B1 The Tomorrow People
B2 Vanilla Sky