Lord Echo steps out on Soundway with ten slabs of vintage dancefloor goodness. This is the *DJ Friendly* edition, which sees the full album spread out over 4 sides of wax (an earlier pressing of the album was constricted to a single LP); fitting as Lord Echo himself states he made the record with DJs and record nerds in mind: "They are generally people who really love music and are often obsessed with various aspects of it. And they still buy records! I respect that. I'm not making music for people for whom it's just some background noise in their lives, I'm making music for people for whom it IS their lives. And for better or worse, I guess I am one of those people.” If you loved Melodies and Curiosities, you’ll love this, as Echo pretty much sticks the same script, delivering a set of songs of the same pedigree (and sleeve design) as his last two albums. The rich arrangements, inspired by reggae, classic Motown, West African disco and Caribbean funk, sound right at home on Soundway: “Part of my approach has always been to try and take elements of a style of music that maybe somewhat distasteful to my ears - say disco or techno - and try to remake it using my preferred sonic palette of 1960's production techniques and the influences of my favorite styles of music.” Includes contributions from Mara TK, Leila Adu, Tony Laing of Fat Freddy’s Drop, and Lisa Tomlins.

• double vinyl pressing
• music label: Soundway 2018

reviewed by spooning good singing gum 07/2018