Chris Reed and Paul Radley (AKA Reed & Radley) have been playing and making records for more than 20 years. Their earliest adventures were in their native north of England - Chris releasing on R&S and Paul a resident at the seminal Orbit club near Leeds. They didn’t meet until moving to New Zealand around the turn of the millennium. After well-received EPs for DIY Discs and Kiwi label Reliable they got married and grew up (a bit). Now, with their passion for music undimmed, they’re back with the debut release on Grass Green Recordings. The Mum’s The Word EP takes its name from the deep house night at which Chris and Paul were founding residents. It’s still going strong and celebrates its tenth birthday in September. This EP showcases the sound Reed & Radley have championed at their club night over the years, as well as their commitment to high-quality, enduring production.
The EP is lead by “Crying In The Dark,” featuring rolling afro-style percussion, a minimal acid motif, and a deep, subby bass line. A bittersweet vocal takes the track in another direction over velvety pads and resonant strings … deep house bliss, for sure. “Listen Up” follows with an understated Ibiza-house vibe. Inspired by classic US garage and deep French house alike, the cut uses a hypnotic rhodes riff, crisp rhythms, and warm, building synths to maximum effect. “Night Chills” is next, deep and dark like the Kermadec Trench (look it up!). This cut is a nod to the kind of small, basement clubs where true house-heads hang. Razor sharp bongos and skippy hats bring the swing, while ripples of mutating pads and judicious use of delay and reverb spread the deepness. “Analog Rain” then comes off as a bit woozy, the sound of a late night and an early morning rolled into one. African-style drums and the sizzle of a tambourine set the scene for an ascending Detroit-esque chord sequence and gated, shimmering pads. Lastly, “Crying In The Dark” gets revisited by New Zealand DJ Anthony Muirhead (Serialism, Cesare vs Disorder) who offers a stripped back revision for cellar-dwelling househeads. Rattling drums and a hypnotic two-note bass line serve to reel in the dance floor as snatches of synth and drifting washes of organ bring things home. Superb all around.
Brett Johnson (Bang The Box) - “Nice tracks, great vibe.”
Moodymanc - “Nice vibes and elements. I like ‘Night Chills’ here.”
Demarkus Lewis - “Proper deepness all around and clean production. I’ll be playing a few of these for sure.”
Q-Burns Abstract Message - “Wonderfully full-rounded EP with lush sounds over tough rhythms throughout. I’m going with Anthony Muirhead’s remix at the end …. swirly stuff.”
Marques Wyatt - “This is tight!”
Daz-I-Kue (Bugz In The Attic) - “I love ‘Analog Rain’ … some late night pressure here.”
Robert Owens - “I love it.”
CJ Mackintosh - “‘Crying In The Dark’ for me.”
Da Sunlounge - “Cracking EP. Deep, yet still has a good thump to it.”
Natural Rhythm - “Great synthesis in the deep storm of ‘Analog Rain’ but the Muirheads remix is the deep jam for me.”
Jota Wagner (Lunatic Jazz) - “This is really good. ‘Crying in the Dark’ is the kind of track you have to play in the best moments of the night. Super.”
Craig Stewart (Universe Media) - “‘Night Chills’ is super hot, very tasty deepness - great work.”
DJ Harri (Sub Club) - “I’m liking all of these. Great EP … full support!”
DJ Phil T (DJ Times) - “Love all the tracks. Gorgeous keys and deep proper bass lines bang it out from top to bottom.”
Deepshizzol - “Honestly, all five tracks are amazing! What a great EP … full support.”
Additional support from Inland Knights, Abicah Soul, Alexi Delano, DJ Schwa (Shades Of Gray), Nick Holder, Dave Mothersole, Benji Candelario, EMan, Alexander East, Vincent Kwok, Alex Dimitri South Soul, Manuel Sahagun, and Spettro.
Available now from Juno Download and Stompy.