Joe Ashworth was originally signed to NeedWant to deliver an EP, but it soon became clear to the label that he was capable of bigger, more ambitious projects. That leads us to ‘Grain’, a first album that proves rich in its variety of dance music, and has confidence and ambition in equal measure. Not many producers can criss-cross through different speeds and styles to such good effect, but Ashworth manages it – from the Balearic flavoured deep house of ‘Cork’ right through to the classy, slightly slower ‘Ventricle’, whose instrumental techno turns over hypnotically. On the way we also hear a title track that does the basics of filtered twisted disco house very well indeed and an intriguing shorter track called ‘Descent’, which uses bells and field recordings. Consistently interesting and rewarding, ‘Grain’ is a hot weather album that delivers whether it’s experienced up close or at a distance. Definitely a name to watch.
5 out of 5
Reviewed by Ben Hogwood
{http://soundcloud.com/seanneedwant/sets/ashworth-grain}
