Fantast CD

Since the release of debut album Charmer three years ago, Claptone's profile has rocketed, despite his continued insistence of disguising his identity using a "golden-beaked mask". Fantast, the Berlin-based producer's second album, feels like a major release: a set of woozy and attractive pop-house songs with serious crossover potential. As with its predecessor, Fantast boasts a dizzying range of guest vocalists - Kele Okereke, Zola Blood, Ben Nicholson, Tender and Ben Duffy included - as well as sparkling, radio-friendly cuts that variously doff a cap to Daft Punk style disco-pop, Balearic piano house, '80s boogie, rock-tinged synth-pop and, of course, Claptone's deep house roots. Impeccably produced and full of attractive, hooky songs, this should cement Claptone's reputation as a producer on the rise.