- "Skogsdance" is Norwegian for "dance in the woods," but the music on the new release from Troll Records head honcho Nils Noa doesn't exactly conjure images of forest pixies cavorting around a bonfire. Instead, what the Oslo-based DJ/producer has come up with is a nice slice of rubbery deep house, something that comes off as a slightly goofy, partially inebriated cousin to Josh Wink's "Stay Out All Night." A none-too-fussy rhythmic pattern, a chirpy two-note pizzicato synth line, a bit of minimalist organ tremolo, a "la la la la" here, a few squelchy sounds there…and that's about it, really, with everything arranged in a comfortably linear fashion. It's far from world-changing, but it's charming and eager to please, and should find plenty of air time as a rock-solid warmup or late night cut.
Most DJs will probably be heading straight to the Simon Baker mix, with the 20:20Vision mainstay transforming the original mix into something fuller, warmer and almost epic. With its soothing and soaring synth pads, ebb-and-flow arrangement, inviting melody and sensuous vibe, it's not so far removed from those brilliant Love From San Francisco versions of Hot Lizard tunes from back in the mid-'90s, only somewhat less ornate and with a thoroughly modern sound design (not to mention a thoroughly heavier kick and snare). Noa's fellow Norwegian-bred producer Alex Jangle, meanwhile, completes the EP with a minimalist approach, stripping away the original's wiggle and replacing it with a rolling bassline, percolating percussion and a touch of playful wonk.
Tracklist01. Skogsdans
02. Skogsdans (Simon Baker's Traces Mix)
03. Skogsdans (Alex Jangle Remix)