St. Joseph Personal Dancefloor EP

Assemble Music returns with a three-track EP from Cologne’s David Joseph aka St. Joseph, exploring further the refined, tripping path forged on the label’s previous release from Daze Maxim. The pianos, vocal snatches and ambient hiss of Joseph’s releases on Platzhirsch are present and correct, but here the jazz flourishes are reduced down into something far slicker. These tracks have been prepared using a keen blade, and none sharper than ‘Personal Dancefloor’. Heavy drum programming and a rumbling bottom end bring to mind Theo Parrish in his moodier moments, but the deal is sweetened by light piano, garage-like vocal samples and a deep, Burning 4 Love bassline. ‘Indigo’ spins the Duke Ellington classic into a spiralling, shuffling chugger that will bring a 30s Harlem spirit to enterprising dancefloors. Move the needle to the B2, though, for the EP’s party hit. Written in 2009 and reflecting that year’s raw arrangements and joyous samples, ‘Wave/Table/Muscle’ finally gets a vinyl release, proving this sound endures to this day.