Last year, the Moda Black Vol. I compilation took centre stage as one of the most adventurous and innovative talent reels in dance music, bringing forth the likes of Disclosure, Hot Since 82 and Shadow Child to the mainstream. Met with an unprecedented level of success, what started out as an endeavoring ‘spotlight’ of the Moda faculty became the flagship by which modern house music was defined. Ultimately, this culminated in it being awarded the iTunes Dance Album of the Year: a realistic exploit which the Moda ‘boss-men’ Jaymo and Andy George should be hopeful of achieving this time round. With a similarly impressive, and in some cases expansive, roster of artists on show, everything about this release has been scrupulously thought out; delicately mastered and crafted to fit the uncompromising ethos and vision that has defined the Moda Black label. Think of Moda Black Volume II not as an album, mix, nor compilation, but rather a daring journey through an ever burgeoning underground music scene.
Taking on a more prominent role of curators this time around, it is Jaymo & Andy George themselves who ease you delicately into the fray with their ‘Intro’ seamlessly transgressing into the dreamy wonderment of Purp & Soul’s very own Ben Pearce. ‘Pale Ale’ is an all too familiar reminder of why he has been the name on the lips of club-goers throughout the country in recent times. From here we take a nostalgic trip into the mind’s of the aforementioned curators with their bellwether hit ‘Remember’; an energetic and ‘club-ready’ blend of thuddy basslines and warm piano melodies. The sinharmonic rumblings of Eats Everything’s ‘Jazz Hands’ plop thunderously through the speakers next in a typically jagged and jittery fashion: a swift reminder of the eclectic array of sounds and producing ability on show. This section of the compilation is testament to Jaymo & Andy’s DJing skills, with every transition working effortlessly and discerningly.
As the pace picks up , we are presented with the efforts of American producer M A N I K and his eery flat-liner ‘Sold My Soul’. His work with House veteran Burnski has seen him play some of the biggest venues across the world, and this track serves as the perfect twist in the tale in a similar way that Mia Dora’s ‘Jailbait’ did on last year’s venture. The perfect ‘go-between’ link that allows the hard-hitting introduction of Hypercolour favourite Huxley and his bold new offering ‘Diesel’. After a prolific year it was unsurprisingly to see his inclusion, and this track has potential to really cement the Watford based producer as one of the frontrunners of the UK House scene.
What is noticeable about Jaymo and Andy’s song selections throughout is their capacity to fluctuate between the innovative and dynamic genre-shifters like Eats Everything, and the beeline Chicago convention of purests like Ejeca and his track ‘Alone’. That is what the Moda entity has been defined by: a reluctance to be pinned down by genre or style, allowing artists to breathe with their full creative capabilities. Out of the Belfast maestro Ejeca comes the glitchy exertions of underground powerhouse Medlar and his collaboration with the uprising Pedestrian. In the most dance-floor themed portion of the journey, ‘T. R. Wilson’ is a refreshingly upbeat and contemporary affair, providing the perfect platform for the introduction of Celsius’ jackin’ effort ‘Holdin On’.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated moments comes from Leeds-based ‘man of the moment’ Hot Since 82 and the relatively unknown new-boy ‘Habischman’. From the very introduction of the dark, industrial bass growls there is a perceivable shift in the overtone of the compilation: ‘Leave Me’ is a clouded and tenebrous account, synonymous with Hot Since 82’s flag-bearing status for forward thinking underground House music. One of the more recent additions to the Moda extended family is the forever grafting ‘Hauswerks’; a producer who has spent his recent years building up a tidy portfolio of solo and collaborative efforts. The Spaniard’s track ‘Bass & Drums’ bridges an interesting gap between ‘Leave Me’ and similar oddball ‘Bending Alberts Law’ from the indomitable Shadow Child and veteran Swedish vocalist Karin Park. Harrowing yet euphoric, the delicately poised balance between the bouncy sub-bass plucks and a breakdown almost comparable to Faithless in their finest era is something that Shadow Child nails here. Certainly an unexpected twist that makes for interesting listening.
As you progress towards the tail end of the compilation, you feel as though you are truly encapsulated in a dance-floor depiction, with the 5am tonality of Walker & Royce’s ‘A Perfect Sound’. The chilling vocal echoes of ‘I’ve Lost Myself’ drift into the impending finale that is ‘Karoline’ by Danny Daze and Maxxi Soundsystem. Certainly not one for the faint hearted, this a dark and twisted tale, marking the culminating overtone of what Moda Black Vol. II has been about: a narration of modern House music and the contrast between convention and experimentation, and how the two fall hand in hand. A true ‘must’ for club-goers worldwide, credit must be given to Jaymo and Andy George for their undeniable labours in assembling this, and they have done a fantastic job.
Words By: Charlie Burley (@Hot_Tropic)
Moda Black Vol. II is released in mixed and unmixed formats on 15th April 2013.
Also, be sure to check out www.thisismoda.com for information on the Moda Black UK Tour.