Atjazz - Full Circle

Departing from the largely instrumental blueprint of previous full-length efforts, That Something and Labfunk, Derby-based producer Martin Iveson utilises vocalists on every track of his latest Atjazz offering, Full Circle. Embracing disco, soul, broken-beat and hip-hop influences he's avoided the edgier, more techno-influenced sound favoured by so many of today's house producers to create a deliciously sumptuous, home listening affair. Featuring collaborations with Sonar Kollektiv's Clara Hill, ex-Communards' member Sarah-Jane Morris, Dawne B, Clyde, Ernesto and the legendary Robert Owens, it's singer Amalia's breathy vocals that seduce the ears first on opening track, One. Elsewhere, brass rubs up against a stuttering break on Parallels with Dawne B; Owens emotes to his usual high standard over the steady groove of Love Someone, and Clara Hill provides some beautiful harmonies for the boogie of Before; only a few examples from a collection that sidesteps musical fashions and is all the better for it. [Colin Chapman]