Jehan & Donnie Moustaki Cool Man Nazz EP

After winning over the disco scene in the last five years, Masterworks Music has branched and launched sister label Deep Cutz. And the first release, a five-track EP from Jehan and Donnie, lives up to the name brilliantly. After an atmospheric intro that hints at the deep, jazz-laced house masterclass to come, it's straight into business with Donnie Moustaki's 'Saturnian Beer' and 'Lady 2000' by Jehan on the A-Side. Donnie's lead track is full of fluttering arps, dusty kicks and claps and a hazy sunset glow brought on by piano solos and soaring brass. We're not sure what a Saturnian Beer is, but we'll have a four-pack on this evidence, please. 'Lady 2000' meanwhile is a filter-disco groove monster, all live bass action, tippy-tappy percussion and deep house chords. The B-Side keeps up the momentum on the Deep Cutz EP as Donnie Moustaki and Jehan collaborate on 'Cool Man Nazz.' With a funkier, slower tempo and chunky, driving drums, it's perfect warm-up material to get the toes tapping and the heads nodding. The EP closes out with Donnie Moustaki's 'Rock Bottom' which goes full-on jazz, all Art Blakey drum rolls, headsnapping bass and righteous piano swirls.