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Beginner's Guide to Drum'n'Bass Vol. II

Albums
John Luther Adams
Monty Adkins
Celer
Eric Chenaux
Sarah Davachi
A. Die & Lorenzo Montana
Dikeman / Serries
DinahBird
Ricardo Donoso
Elian
Emika
Terence Fixmer
Hotel Neon
Islands Of Light
Fernando Lagreca
Lake People
K. Leimer
Daniel Lentz
Rudresh Mahanthappa
Tesla Manaf
Metcalf, Roach & Thomas
David Michael / Slavek Kwi
James Murray
Áine O'Dwyer
Fabio Orsi
Matana Roberts
Nadia Shpachenko
simakDialog
Subtle Lip Can
Robert Scott Thompson
Christian Wallumrød
Woven Entity
Yagull
Yodok III

Compilations / Mixes
Joseph Capriati
Nina Kraviz

EPs / Cassettes / DVDs / Mini-Albums / Singles
Anduin
CTRLS
Dexta
Digital, D. Phiz., Response
Igorrr & Ruby My Dear
Rima Kato
Kez YM
Klute
Mako, Villem & Mcleod
Seba
Second Moon Of Winter
Manfred Waffender

Kez YM: Moving Vision EP
Yore

The cliche holds true: absence does make the heart grow fonder, at least insofar as Kez YM (real name Kazuki Yamaguchi) is concerned. Though Moving Vision is the fourth EP the Japanese producer-and-DJ has released on Yore, it arrives more than four years after the appearance of Tokyo Connection and five after City Soul and Butterfly.

A powerful, seven-minute argument on behalf of Kez YM's sound, “Extended Sunset” bolts from the gate with a steamy house pulse that oozes soul and splendour in equal measure, and luscious synth chords and funky bass lines add significantly to the music's allure. Much as he's done in the past, Yamaguchi threads crowd noises into “Moon Light Leaves,” a move that bolsters its party spirit and “live” club feel. In a cut that's even more resplendent than “Extended Sunset,” the producer works vocal accents and acid-techno boogie into the tune's charging house pulse. Unbelievably, the roaring throb of the third Kez YM original, “Weekend,” pushes the EP's hard-charging vibe to an even higher level.

Rounding out the twenty-five-minute release, Yore head Andy Vaz contributes a remix of “Fixer” that's a tad less frenetic than Kez YM's originals though no less steamy. In a surprising move, Vaz re-imagines the track as a feverish dancefloor monster powered by South American rhythms, percussion, and horns. As good as it is, the EP's main selling point is the Kez YM material, which clearly shows Yamaguchi hasn't lost his touch.

February 2015