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Artist - Diesler
Title - The Rhythm Station LP
Label - (Freestyle)
Released - 05.11.07
Posted 22.09.07
Since his first release on the Shapes compilation series, we have been big fans of the Diesler sound. His third LP takes his previous work one step further by enlisting a line up of vocal talent any producer would be proud to work with. Like his top DJ sets, all funky bases are covered here with something that will make everyone shake their shizzle. As he moves ever closer to the likes of Quantic and Mr Scruff, The Rhythm Station takes JR one step closer to global domination...
Previously signed to Tru Thoughts, the one-man bandito, aka Jonathan Radford, grew up near
Burnley, Lancashire. To date he has released 2 rather splendid albums as well as a
motherlode of remixes on labels as varied as Ninja Tune, Jugglin/Raw Fusion, Catskills, Hi Top, Schema and Record Kicks. His first release "Cotton Wool", written when he was only 20, quickly found its way onto Radio 1 and into the boxes of DJs such as Gilles Peterson, Mr Scruff, Quantic and Dr Rubberfunk amongst many others. This success was followed with the "Ladies and Gentlemen Get Your Engines Ready" EP; a mixture of smooth, laid-back vibes and up tempo beats, from jazz and funk to Afro Latin rhythms, it perfectly encapsulated Diesler's globe-trotting sound and magpie-like ear for samples.
His 3rd album "The Rhythm Station" features 11 brand new songs with the talents of previous collaborators
Laura Vane (Part Time Heroes) & Double Yellow as well as a handful of new artists. Musically the album builds on the mixing pot style of previous releases, but with a stronger emphasis on songwriting. From the sultry vocals of Laura Vane on the opener "Welcome to Hellmouth", to the
dancefloor friendly "Carla's Beat" featuring Katie Miller, you can hear a more mature structure and melody to the songwriting. To prove he's just as comfortable knocking out hip hop as he is anything else, "Restless" features Leeds very own Testament (resident MC at the Gilles Peterson WW award nominated New Bohemia night) blessing the mic with his unique style. Elsewhere you can find the enigmatic Afrika Fuentes on the laidback "Passion", wordsmith Paranormal (Altered Vibes) dropping science on the bubblin' "Some Assembly Required" and Norwegian songstress Kinny
(from Kinny & Horne) on "Lovetouch".
We know what you're thinking... a Diesler album wouldn't be complete without some some red hot, Latin-esque
dancefloor bombs. Well, look no further than final track "When She Was Bad" - surely a contender for dirtiest bassline of the year! Already making its mark on
dancefloors across the globe, this track caused a mini stampede when it was aired at the Big Chill festival this year.
Away from the studio Diesler has been putting the airmiles away, making numerous DJ appearances at festivals and clubs in the UK to tours of Europe & Japan. He also finds time to host a monthly radio show "The In Sound From Way Out" on Samurai FM, as well as his well famed pub quiz appearances (check his myspace). Currently focusing on the 'Diesler Live Experience', the full 9 piece band are currently on the road, having just played to a packed out Jazz
Cafe and the Garden Party in Zadar, Croatia.
Rating - 10/10
Reviewer - PT
