Seattle’s Innerflight Music presents the latest release from prolific Oregon-based DJ/producer Luke Mandala, the quizzically titled Cheeky Much? EP. Luke has been making serious waves with releases on the likes of Booka Shade Music, Desert Trax, and his own Activated Recordings imprint. His Infinite EP on Addictech Records is particularly renowned, having reached #1 on many charts and remaining one of the more popular releases on the label. On the Cheeky Much? EP Luke presents four diverse original tracks led by “Teradactyl Smack-Down,” a collaboration with Australian producer Kriece (20/20 Vision, Kindred Sounds). This cut certainly sets the tone with its solid low-end slink and crisp electronic percussion anchoring the sounds of swelling synthesizers on the edge of chaos. Luke follows, on his own, with “Cheeky Waggish” which expertly blends smooth tech-house rhythms with acidic synth lines and squelches. “Too Much Fun” takes things a tad deeper within the tech-zone, but Luke’s psychedelic production touches remain in pocket. And “Universal Innocents” reaches into a different sphere entirely, presenting a downtempo chill-out track with sparkling melodies and appropriately trippy moments. The EP also contains a pair of remixes, with Vancouver’s Phil Western delivering an uptempo yet darker treatment of “Cheeky Waggish,” and Evan Marc (also known as Bluetech) providing a bouncy and evocative tech-house version of “Too Much Fun.” Innerflight Music continues to bypass boundaries with this exciting package from Luke Mandala … top tunes abound.
Alexander Robotnick - “‘Cheeky Waggish’ rolls!”
[a]pendics.shuffle - “I’m digging quite a bit of this release … the originals and the remix of ‘Too Much Fun’ do it for me.”
Audiojack - “This sounds tasty … will try in the clubs.”
Malbetrieb (Klopfgeist) - “Nice remix from Evan Marc.”
Tyler Stadius - “I like the twisted sounds here.”
DJ Harri (Sub Club) - “The Evan Marc mix is great.”
Eric Davenport - “Super funky sh*t … one of the year’s best so far.”
Rootfellen (Kult Music / Spring Tube) - “Amazing release!”
Dick Diamonds (Extended Play / 530Techno) - “I love the originals on this … very impressed.”
Deepinradio - “Distorted variations … futuristic!”
Paul Sparkes (Decibel Radio) - “Clever production … tripped out!”
SimonG (Deep South Audio, New Zealand) - “I’m gigging this west coast nu skool flavored EP … been getting my ear around this sound at the festivals in New Zealand this summer.”
Jochen Saelens (Moustache Music) - “‘Too Much Fun (Evan Marc Remix)’ is an exciting tune … I like the synth melody in combination with its clean percussion. ‘Universal Innocents’ is a track I would certainly play in an downtempo DJ set; good bassline, simple but dreamy melody. The baby voice sample gives the track a sweet touch.”