ROB SHIELDS – GREEN (YEN)

If you want an album that’s going to put a comforting arm around your shoulders, then look no further than Rob Shields’ ‘Green’. Shields makes his music with an emphasis on four to the floor rhythms and deep, reassuringly full bodied beats – supporting some cool sounds up top. Yet if that sounds like a familiar template for deep house, ‘Green’ goes that bit further with field recordings and analogue instruments that keep things living and breathing. On more than one occasion I was reminded of Matthew Herbert’s early work, especially when ‘Trust’ hit its lovely level of calm, with a balmy keyboard sound and slightly glitchy vocal. The shimmering textures of ‘Sleepness’ are another indication of how Shields hits the late night jackpot, calming his listener but giving them enough musicality to grab hold of. Highly recommended – and endorsed by none other than Soul Clap, Groove Armada and Maya Jane Coles.
Ben Hogwood
5 out of 5