Ukraine producers Outstrip is a duo who’s been on our radar for some time now, chiefly through to their work on imprints such as Stil vor Talent, Plastic City and Paul’s Boutique. For their latest party trick, they summons up the goods on Ukranian label Artreform, with the My Time EP serving up a fitting snapshot into their wide-ranging tastes. Further proof of Russia’s love for all things house music, this one is every bit as enticing as you’d hope for too.
The first full-on sound assault comes at us courtesy of the rotund and up-tempo beast that is the title track, ”My Time”. Full of carefully woven bells, whistles and percussion, it’s a spiky but effervescent tech-house bomb, the type of which is on the right side of discerning. Firmly fixed towards the ‘floor it may be, but that’s no bad thing when it comes off with aplomb like it does here. Check out the vocal too!
”Remember My Time”, however, is my own favourite thanks to its nuanced appeal and it groaning vocals, while the popping beats only up the ambiance even further. A deep house warbler of some distinctive class. ‘Don’t forgot to sleep!’ indeed! Gwen Maze’s remix of ”My Time” is loaded with more zest, and this one packs a raw punch too. More sterling work from the Frenchman, it waves goodbye to a stunning EP with glorious ease. Ominous but enticing, it’s an effort that’s very much indicative of the EP as a whole.
4 out of 5
Reviewed by Ian Fleming
