Various Artists - After Hours

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  • Running an Australian-based label can be tricky business. Out of the dozens currently in operation, there are only a few that have made any notable headway into the international market. Sydney-based imprint Beef Records is one of them. Like many Australian imprints, its success has been achieved primarily on the back of the recruitment of international producers—several of which (Pezzner, The Timewriter and Alland Byallo) show up on After Hours. In its five years of operation, Beef Records' output has been extensive. Its status as a largely digital-only imprint has allowed its releases to drift around freely online, which has led to a small but dedicated worldwide following. Their latest release is built around a concept: after hours clubbing. "Themed" compilations are nothing new to dance music, and, sometimes rightly so, are met with skepticism. But if you're listener with a penchant for groove-heavy tech house, there are moments of brilliance here. The deep house of Pablo Fierro sets the scene from the onset. The Spaniard gives a lesson in mid-range reverb across his maiden contribution to the Beef catalogue, letting the looping synth of "Another Perspective" plod along without too much interruption, save a steadily building vocal and climatic percussive finale. Further along, Seattle-based veteran Pezzner reworks local Australian act Trinity & Beyond's "Near and Far" into a druggy but upbeat stomper, while The Timewriter's "Silkimono," perhaps a little bland on the surface, lets a vocal snippet ride a nice conga groove to great effect. The rest of the highlights belong to the Australians (or the Australian residents, at least). Murat Kilic, whose rework of Oliver Koletzki and Fran's "I Might" struck a chord a few months ago, chips in with one of his most relaxed ventures yet. Sample-based production suits the Sydney resident's style well, and "Safety Ghetto" stands as one of the compilation's finest moments. Elsewhere, Shades of Gray's "Midnight Lover" might not initially come off as anything particularly innovative, but the duo's graceful command of vocal chops and whomping basslines has never been more nicely executed. At times the compilation's flow gets disjointed—the inclusions of the somewhat overproduced "La Musique do Bresil" from The Deadly Ones and maximalist The Deep Bros' "High on Music" are prime examples—but every so often a gem emerges. And that makes up for the patchy journey getting there.
  • Tracklist
      01. Luciano Nieto - Salamera 02. Pablo Fierro - Another Perspective 03. The Deadly Ones - La Musicue do Brasil 04. Trinity & Beyond - Near & Far (Pezzner remix) 05. Murat Kilic - Safety Ghetto 06. Karol XVII & MB Valence - Hipopotam 07. SCOPE - Feel It 08. The Timewriter - Silkimono 09. Deep Bros - High On Music 10. Alland Byallo - Sink and Swim 11. Shades Of Gray - Midnight Lover 12. David Garcet & K. Hocini - Hallow 13. Sarp Yilmaz - End of Days 14. Eric Volta - When She Was a Little Girl
RA