- Jamie Lorusso-Zyskind, the producer known as Prequel, hails from Melbourne, Australia. But judging by his first single for London label Rhythm Section International and its follow-up, Freedom Jazz Dance, his sound is firmly rooted a continent away, in Detroit deep house. Which isn't inherently a big deal, as everyone from Pépé Bradock to Motor City Drum Ensemble draws inspiration from the iconic US city. Snatches of strings and Rhodes, a lost voice from an old soul 45, dusty kick drums that thump like a party under the floorboards—Lorusso-Zyskind mixes and matches a combination of these well-worn elements here.
Strings, handclaps and tinkling piano make up "Nothing Better," with a voice pleading, "Love me…yeah," every once in awhile. A saxophone calls from a great distance on "Walken," while "Yeah y'all" echoes alongside it. "You Shall Know The Truth" takes a slinking bassline, a closed hi-hat pattern, a female coo and an electric keyboard chord that flickers in and out of view. There are smart wrinkles here, from the quickening of "Walken" to the squelches that worm through "Truth." Yet there's also a gap that isn't quite bridged. Theo, Kenny or even Pépé use loops like these for upwards of 15 minutes to heavenly effect, but using similar tools these tracks don't scale the same heights.
TracklistA1 Saints feat. Cazeaux O.S.L.O.
A2 Nothing Better
B1 You Shall Know The Truth
B2 Walken