FRED P Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Berlin-based but American-born producer Fred P is as deep as they come. Private Society has been his latest label concern for a while now and this State of Bliss series kicked off in November last year in fine fashion. Part 2 is another of his smooth signature blends of jazz, ambient and house. 'NY' has shimmering chords and a percussive clatter that eventually clears to reveal a skittish broken beat that is live and lush. 'Awakening Desire' then cuts loose on expansive ambient pads, with worlds vocals smeared across a wide open night sky in suggestive jazz drumming drifts way down low. It's an experimental piece before the funky jazz dancer 'High Fusion' gets you on your toes with a killer bass guitar line.

Review: Some Trans-Atlantic collaborative action here, as New York deep house and techno don Fred P joins forces with London-based French producer Smbd (formerly known as Simbad) for the very first time. Given both producers' undoubted abilities and musical approaches, you'll be unsurprised to discover that 'When The Mantras Return' blends deep, jazzy and intergalactic sounds with beats that variously reference jacking house, broken beat and intergalactic techno. Highlights include the jazzy, deep space house of 'Be Your Self', the acid-fired heaviness of 'Conscious Feedback (Part 1 & 2)', the dubby, spaced-out house excellence of 'Rawness', and the ambient techno meets broken beat wonder that is 'Innerspace'.