- Delusions of Grandeur's rich vein of form shows no sign of abating with its latest release from Berlin duo, Session Victim. The label—run by perennial deep-house zealot, Jimpster—has forged an esteemed reputation for itself in the last year following a series of sterling releases from the likes of The Revenge, Roberto Rodriguez and Tuccillo, with warmth, soul and calibre seemingly the binding threads of continuity. Picking up the baton are Hauke Freer and Matthias Reiling who belong to the same creative milieu that spawned current rising star Hunee, and, on this evidence, appear just as comfortable in the sort of disco halfway-house that has provided such a fitting abode for their contemporary.
In "The Keyboarder," the slice-and-dice approach to sampling recalls Sound Stream's best work, with spasmodic stabs and curtailed strings punctuating an engine-like chug from the drums. At once stylish and effective, it is as robust a house record as you will hear all year. It sets a high standard, and one which "Tomorrow Night" readily lives up to. A piano-roll that is merely hinted at, searing hats and intermittent periods of blissful modulation are the select tools that issue this more conspicuously disco number with its abundant funk.
With such positive impressions confirmed, it is of relative insignificance that the third track, "Even," fails to match the pace and execution of the previous two. While not a thankless exercise, it meanders rather than builds and ultimately derives little inspiration. Nonetheless, Session Victim have delivered a release of unequivocal quality for a label that manifestly demands it.
Tracklist A1 The Keyboarder
B1 Tomorrow Night
B2 Even (Dub)