House music is not particularly a genre that works that well in full length format. That said, people don’t stop trying to make it, and someone who does so with real standout skill is Acumen. He is a French live act, producer and label boss with years of experience, and it shows. He runs the Time Has Changed label and after years in the game has picked up lots of tips and tricks that all shine through in his latest album.
Entitled My Girls, the album is ten tracks strong and features a decent and healthy list of guest collaborators including Betoko, legendary prog man Dave Seamen and Phantasy. Each one lends their own sense of style to the album but overall the whole thing is very much still the notable work of Acumen.
There are many highlights along the way depending on what your favourite style is. For pumping, hard hitting jams to make you sweat there is the likes of Tatoune, or for more deep, meaningful moments of insular house joy check the lazy grooves of Quota. The guests make cuts like Guest House featuring Betoko fulsome, floor filling affairs and vocal turns from people like Lopazz on opener Phantasy add some much needed humanness to proceedings.
Elsewhere there are corrugated tech cuts like Ines with Dave Seamen, which are carefully constructed and filled with freaky machine sounds to make you jerk your booty. Already Gone is a nice one for fans of proper paint playing, littered as it is with lush chords and fret fingering. Interlude de Sophie is also one of the most tender moments on the album and makes a nice break from the beats elsewhere.
It is fair to say a lot of ground is covered here, all as well as each other. There is direct and physical stuff as well as more considered musical stuff that strikes you in the heart. It is a complete album that will provide DJs and dancers with lots to get stuck into.
Reviewed by: Ian Fleming
