Tony H’s new EP on Lots of Practice may be entitled Slow Burner, but a more accurate term to embody the career and artistry of the Panamanian-born producer, DJ, and label owner would be that of an unstoppable wildfire, incinerating any and all obstacles in its path.
Throughout the last few years, Tony has shared hundreds of original releases, remixes, and compilation entries on a massive series of super hot imprints. Sifting through his catalog reveals titles like Space Yacht, Desert Hearts, HE.SHE.THEY, WyldCard Records, and Birdfeed, the sublabel from Dirtybird.
With so much heat in his repertoire, it's only natural Tony has the ability to seamlessly meld and mold his style to fit into any sonic scenario. Across those hundreds of releases, tech house, deep house, melodic techno, and disco are just a few of the sounds he’s employed with an overarching sense of adept minimalism.
But the sound of Slow Burner is purely and unequivocally acid, and this is where the title becomes apparent and relevant. Rather than conflagrating listeners into ash, the two cuts on the EP work intently, gradually ripping into the soul with their raw, bitter grooves.
The 303 sound on the title track serves as a squelchy jingle, inducing sudden and uncontrollable limb movement, while the air-tight beat keeps things going at that same gradual burning pace. “Werkin This Body” trades in the smoother 303 of the previous track for something more frenetic and erratic. It’s the type of acid line that melts faces from an exothermic reaction of percussive friction.
Things only cool down a bit when Michael Fam, the master of silky and smooth, tempers “Slow Burner” with a splash of cresting breakbeats, a wash of subtle pads, and an honest vocal sample proclaiming: “This may be different…”
credits
released April 8, 2022
Mastering (Slow Burner, Werkin This Body): Tony H
Mastering (Slow Burner - Michael Fam Remix): OFTK
Cover Art: Nissa
Writeup: Harry Levin
House & Techno Dj, Producer and Record Label owner (Late Night Munchies & Munchies After Dark) who is also the curator of The Drive-Thru podcast and live stream.
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