Artist: Jordan Peak
Title: One Of A Kind
Label: Moxy Muzik
Released: 12 January
Sounds like: Jordan Peak never went away, but rediscovered his mojo after a lengthily hiatus
Review
British DJ/Producer Jordan Peak has long solidified himself within the electronic music scene. As far back as 2010, he has demonstrated his abilities in the studio, through a stringent number of releases on some of the underground's most coveted labels. These included Subb-An's ONE Records, Eats Everything's Edible and Nic Fanculli's Saved.
To add to the back-catalogue, Jordan's latest release and first ever LP One Of A Kind has just dropped via Darius Syrossian's ascending Moxy Muzik.
Launched in 2018, Moxy Musik was born out of Syrossian's thirst for a music output that delivered timeless tracks, rather than "obvious music made to make the Beatport top ten". Now, Jordan joins the ranks of Phil Weeks, Man Power and Sidney Charles, on an imprint that will enhance his credentials further.
Darius has always been a big advocate for Jordan, firmly believing in his talent as a producer. When Jordan sent him these tracks as demos, he loved all of them so much that he decided it had to be a full album.
Throughout 2023, Darius' crazy touring schedule has meant that the album has been spun and test-run around the world, however I think the real test-run came earlier this month.
Back on home turf, Moxy Muzik took over fabriclondon to celebrate its fifth birthday. Joined by the label boss himself, Jordan was part of the line-up. Needless to say, all the album tracks that got played out from the iconic DJ booth went down well with the crowd on the night.
The eight track release is a deep dive into Peak's versatile sound, exploring the dancefloor from multiple angles. With a slick production style that joins the dots between House, Nu-Disco and Minimal, One Of A Kind is a testament to his diversity as a producer.
Full of energy intro One Of A Kind opens the LP with its sultry, yet poignant House rhythms, teasing what the rest of the album has in store. Disco Nights is the next track, bringing heartfelt vocal loops and smart filters to a revitalising House jam, dripping with modern soul.
My Mind Was Made Up is a nod to the old school Chicago days with its raw analogue drums and instantly recognisable vocal taken from The Jungle Brothers and Todd Terry's seminal I'll House You.
Dale Dale is another highlight, with its feisty percussion elements and Latin influences right up my strasse. Whilst listening to it, I'm envisioning The Martinez Brothers throwing it into one of their sets at peak time. This one is going to have to feature in my next studio mix.
The second half of the LP expands on the theme of irresistibly feel-good music that falls between the overlap of Disco and House, with the excellent Call 4 Miss Anita. The track samples loops of Anita Ward's 1978 classic Ring My Bell, as Jordan transforms it into something new and irresistible.
Euphoric is the archetype of pumping peak-time House cut, with strong synthwork and driving bass the main forces behind the track, making it perfect for those underground basements.
Meanwhile, Testing is a heads-down-in-the-rave shuffler that follows a raw Tech House path, complete with hard-hitting drums and vocal fragments that lock you in a groove.
Rounding off an excellent piece of musical artistry, Peak's Theme closes things out with an unexpected old school Garage vibe and a deviant bassline.
What I love about this release is seeing those bigger artists supporting talent that they truly believe in and bringing them forward. Or, in this instance, back into the fold.
One Of A Kind is made that bit more special, due to the fact that it welcomes Jordan back from the wilderness, marking his return after years of health complications with an ongoing battle with cystic fibrosis.
These kinds of artist stories are hugely inspirational and leave the listener feeling truly inspired. I'm beginning to believe that music really is a healer.
Highlights: Dale Dale, Call 4 Miss Anita, Peak's Theme
One Of A Kind is out now. BUY HERE
Enjoy this? Read Lissy's review of J Hus' Beautiful and Brutal Yard.
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