SATIN JACKETS Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Gold polygon masked producer (only the best of them wear them) Satin Jackets returns with a laid-back blend of lush grooves and breezy melodies, perfectly attuned for moments of ease and escape. Drawing from a string of singles released over recent years since 2010 for the likes of Nu Indee and Eskimo, Cruise Control has an unshakable sense of atmos and rhythm, as a drench of sun washes over each production. The German producer shapes his compositions in solitude before bringing in collaborators who elevate the mood, whether through serendipitous connections with David Bay and Small Black, or the instant spark of a friend's bassline transforming a stuck idea into a standout hook. Listeners often comment on the uplift they feel in his work, and it's clear he prioritises that sense of instant musical chemistry.

Review: Satin Jackets' Solar Nights has been given a slick anniversary reissue, reaffirming Tim Bernhardt's place as a master of nu-disco elegance. Released on Eskimo Recordings, the album's 14 tracks are a cocktail of shimmering pop, smooth disco, and glossy Balearic vibes, all impeccably produced. From the lush opener 'Welcome Back' to the punchy piano-led 'String It Again', Bernhardt effortlessly straddles the line between retro glitz and contemporary polish. Vocal contributions from Panama, David Harks, Niya Wells, and more only deepen the album's charm, lending their voices to standouts like 'Northern Lights' and 'Mirage', which have already racked up millions of streams. Five years after the album's original release, the reissue finds Bernhardt's production sounding even more refined. Tracks like 'Primordial' and 'Athena' reveal a producer still fine-tuning his sonic craft, with each song meticulously sculpted to glisten with high-end fidelity. And it's all perfectly suited for the dancefloor, whether in the bright sun or after dark. There's no scrappy authenticity here; Bernhardt instead leans into a smoother, more polished sound, setting him apart in a scene that too often favours the lo-fi. Solar Nights still sounds as crisp and inviting as ever - a masterclass in luxurious, late-night disco.

Review: When it comes to gorgeously summery blends of colourful nu-disco and sunset-ready deep house, Tim Berndhardt AKA Satin Jackets is in league of his own. That much is proved by his third album, and first for three years, Reunion. It begins with an immersive dose of sunrise deep house warmth, 'For What We Have', and ends with the piano-spotted, hands-in-the-air audio dopamine of 'Don't Worry'. In between, you'll find a sparkling, sun-bright mixture of Balearic house loveliness ('Little Aeroplanes'), head-bobbing synth-pop lusciousness ('Different Directions', with Ivy Falls), melody-rich cheeriness ('Hundred Fifty Up'), dreamy vocal nu-disco (Tailor hook-up 'Spell'), and smile-inducing, guitar-laden joyousness ('Coffee & Feels').