K ALEXI SHELBY Vinilo y CD

Review: Chicago's K' Alexi Shelby is one of the contemporary torchbearers for his city's legendary sound. It is raw, heavy, vocal laced and packed with solid grooves. Never was that more evident than on his now ten-year-old cut The Dancer. To mark its anniversary, the classic jam gets a special reissue that shines a light on standout remixes. Behind them are undeniable talents Ron Trent, who goes for a signature deep and spiritual rework, Ian Pooley who offers warm, late-night melodies, Glenn Underground who brings his signature musicality and jazzy touches, and Grand High Priest who keeps it dusty.

Review: "Yeah, as I gaze upon you, I am overwhelmed by the fact that beauty is an insufficient phrase to describe you. You are the definition of pure perfection, and though many have tried and failed to get close to you, I run that walk into the flame." Echoing the seductive vocal soliloquies heard overlaid in much deep Chicago house - the work of the late Paul Johnson springs to mind - K' Alexi Shelby marks a terrific introduction to this new V/A from Cod3 QR. The label was long the subject of much speculative chinstroking; only in recent years was it revealed to be the brainchild of Laurent Garnier and Oliver Way. Here on this latest output from the label, we hear a mix of technical and tribal moods traverse across a mostly slow-burner sensibility, pinnacling on DJ Bone's bosomy chord viber 'DD'.