- The Toronto producer shows off a smooth new sound.
- You might not recognise his name, but Toronto's Jesse Futerman is one of Toronto's top producers of forlorn dance music, often touched with soulful and jazzy instrumentation. He first appeared years ago with Brainfeeder-style downtempo, before disappearing and re-emerging with a new taste for house music. His first release for Project Pablo's SOBO label is his boldest yet, applying his melodic gifts and knack for arrangement to music that works on a dance floor.
The too-brief "Eyes Open," with its misty chords and noodling instrumentation, is a welcome introduction to Futerman's world. This world vibrantly comes to life on "Vista." A mirage-like piano riff with just the right amount of reverb makes it Futerman's strongest effort yet. It saunters along for six minutes, introducing, among other things, jazzy electric guitar, funky disco basslines, bits of vibraphone and hand percussion, but it always comes back to that piano. It's dazzling autumnal funk with a dextrous musician's touch. "Waterzone" is the track best suited for club play, but its filtered disco samples and bobbing hand percussion are a little on-the-nose compared to the grandeur of "Vista." But it's still great to have Futerman back, with all the potential he showed in 2012 still intact.
TracklistA1 Eyes Open
A2 Vista
B1 Waterzone