- Detroit and Chicago rule Midwestern dance music, but there's plenty happening on the peripheries. There are lively scenes in Indianapolis, Minneapolis and Wisconsin, plus further east into Ohio, with underrated artists like Titonton Duvanté. The Cleveland-based Warren Harris, AKA Hanna, is another veteran Ohioan, plugging away at a soulful blend of jazz, house, drum & bass and R&B since the turn of the century. After an extended break from making music, Harris appeared on Sound Signature last year with Bless, an album that applied bright flourishes to deep house. Bounce arrives in the midst of a string of new EPs.
When "Worship"'s exhaling pads come into earshot, they immediately bring Detroit to mind. It's the EP's humblest but most memorable track, with a gentle skip, mild melancholy and a simple elegance. "Stranger" has a similar magic, weaving samples together like silken tapestry, while a vocalist, Alyson Faith, hypnotically belts out phrases. It emphasises Harris's knack for live instrumentation.
If the A-side is Harris pulling back the elements of his sound to make straightforward dance music, then the B-side is where he flexes his jamming muscles. The low-key downtempo of "Wayfaring Man" is a moment of contemplation, though its crisp drums and overcooked vocals might veer too close to acid house for some. "No Fear" is jacking and gentle, with a refreshing mix of sweet strings, musclebound drums and a thick bassline. It shows how a little musicality can go a long way.
TracklistA1 Stranger
A2 Worship
B1 No Fear
B2 Wayfaring Man