Swedish don Johan Strandkvist aka Johan S used to be one of my heroes back in the 90s when he released bouncy underground Garage records (check his Dynamic Kutz series for proof) which I still play as many of them are timeless floorfillers. At the turn of the century the man disappeared (at least for me) to come back with a new imprint Subtractive just a few months ago. The comeback couldn’t have been more impressive and his very new cut just underlines, what this man’s productions stand for: QUALITY House Music. Fusing together those classic bumpy early 90s beats with an injection of today’s soulful ethos is a method tried by many but perfected only by a few-for instance when teaming up with scene veteran Soulfuledge aka Russ Pollitt for a true afro delight, ‘The One’
Oozing hazy summer time days, ‘The One’ quickly wraps it’s warm Rhodes & subby bass around you, whilst flickering soothing flute solos & marimba rhythms trickle through the track amongst the deeply hypnotic vocal. This may not be the most creative record ever done, but it is a perfect fusion of soulful and bumpy elements, which brings summer closer to us, which is fair enough.
4.5 out of 5
Reviewed by Mannix
