- Since launching in 2008, Eglo have pulled off the tricky task of being both diverse in style and consistent in quality. There could be no better proof of this than Eglo Records Vol 1, a chronological tour through the label's best moments.
Touching on hip-hop, soul, jazz, acid house and melodic techno, the compilation highlights a close-knit crew of London artists. Unsurprisingly, many of its high points come from label co-founder Sam Shepheard, AKA Floating Points—"Vacuum Boogie," "Marylin," "Myrtle Avenue" and "Shark Chase" all sound vital. But many of the lesser-known tracks are equally charming. "Soul Glo," Fatima's ode to George Clinton space-funk, is still a joy, while Funkineven's acid workout "Heart Pound" has a relentless energy that's hard not to love. Despite Eglo's open-ended style, there's a thread of wonky jazz running through its output, which gives the compilation a certain common atmosphere, if not an easily definable sound.
The new tracks here are just strong. "Wires" is a confident step forward for Floating Points—an 11-minute suite with an ensemble of musicians weaving through soul-soaked hip-hop and cosmic jazz-fusion. Fatima's "Visit You" is strong as well. It's modern R&B in the best possible sense, where the lean production has just enough spark to balance her honeyed vocals. This bodes well for the Swedish-born singer's forthcoming album. Eglo fans won't be surprised that Eglo Records Vol.1 is great. For the uninitiated, it's an introduction to one of the UK's most exciting electronic music labels.
TracklistCD1
01. Floating Points - Radiality
02. Floating Points - Vacuum Boogie
03. Funkineven feat. Fatima - Kleer
04. Shuanise - Catch
05. Fatima - Soul Glo
06. Funkineven - She's Acid
07. Floating Points - Shark Chase
08. Arp.101 - Dead Leaf
09. Funkineven - Heart Pound
10. Arp.101 - Flush
11. Mizz Beats - Sanctuary
CD2
01. Fatima feat. Floating Points - Innervisions
02. Floating Points - Sais (Dub)
03. Floating Points - Marylin
04. Funkineven - Roland's Jam
05. Floating Points - Danger
06. Arp.101 - U
07. Mizz Beats - Scientific Brainpriest
08. Floating Points - Myrtle Avenue
09. Fatima - Visit You
10. Floating Points Ensemble - Wires
11. Shuanise - Mercy
12. GB Presents The Abstract Eye - Reflexes