The modern soul of Detroit. The latest release on Theo Parrish's Sound Signature, Byron The Aquarius' High Life EP is what is missing in dance music today... While the Deep House world lost its soul in the early 00s (give or take a few releases). It was later rekindled by kids that never knew House existed until the year before they started making music and of course quickly became something it never was. HOWEVER, let me pull the shade back and let some sunshine in. Starting with the A-side, 'Aquarian Voyage' is a blissful journey that takes one of our favorite Jazz pieces, 'Maiden Voyage' from Herbie Hancock, and reinterprets it giving new life to the standard. The depth of the track is tremendous that needs to be listened to in whole to truly appreciate it. Flip the 12" over and we are treated to another masterful Jazz workshop only this time much more of a live experience with drummer Dmitri Walker keeping major time. Deep House? Sure. But the bottom line is this is Soul music, straight up and down. Produced by Kai Alcé, this is a must for the year.

• music label: Sound Signature 2016

reviewed by Smitty 3/2016