- Fans of Damian Zala's Lonely Happiness LP may feel it slipped somewhat unfairly under the radar. Released through his own Rowtag Records in October last year, the young Frenchman put together a considered debut of organic deep house, both grainy and groovy in equal measure. The imprint's sophomore excursion invites four of the genre's most revered producers to each interpret a Zala original.
Jus-Ed may have flirted with infamy recently, but here he proves that, on his day, he can still produce the goods. His tougher take on "Hard" is still a soothing, spacey ride, strapping a thumping 4/4 pulse beneath a patchwork of tranquil synths. Chicago's Boo Williams fattens up Zala's ambling "In Quest For Peace," laying a sprightly bassline under a framework of warm, escalating horns and progressive stabs. Tackling "Left & Right," one of the strongest cuts on the LP, prolific Detroiter Rick Wade flips the rich original on its head, turning out a groovy, if slightly flat effort. As Leipzig's Ron Deacon sees us out with his warming take on "Trinqui Under The Rain," one hopes this vibrant package will see Zala's work gain the recognition it deserves.
Tracklist A1 Hard Day (DJ Jus Ed Remix)
A2 In Quest For Peace (Boo Williams Moon Teck Mix)
B1 Left & Right (Rick Wade Dark Side Remix)
B2 Trinqui Under The Rain (Ron Deacon Remix)