Mr de Henderson-Mainor is head of the mighty Submerge distribution company, Detroit’s electronic lifeline to the world which maintains the UR ideal of giving the city’s aspiring musicians a viable alternative to prevalent social pitfalls. He himself kicked off his recording career with stark ghetto-tech as showcased on his debut album ‘Electronicfunkyshit’. For his second long-player, De’ has delved into the Motor City’s musical heritage and broadened his scope to work in anything from electro and the booty-bass to lush boogie and even strains of Motown on ‘Home’ and the Jacksons-heisting ‘Space Odyssey’. A cool, near-jazzy ambience runs through the album, the funk is ever-present with ‘The Vine’ getting into brass-splattered, ccinematicIsaac Hayes territory. Then he can drop a sublime female vocal outing like ‘Sweetest Pain’, which recalls early 90s Lil’ Louis. A lovely, groovy homage to his city, which is heightened by the bonus DVD, ‘Mr De’: A Detroit Story’.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs
