Keyboard wizard and producer Claudio Passavanti continues his partnership with London DJ and producer Kay Suzuki on the second release of his eponymous label Sunlightsquare. Aside from helping run the imprint, Kay also contributed two remixes to inaugural release Oyelo, a percussive and marine take on a Latin Cuban production.
For the follow-up, Above The Sun, Sunlightsquare heads south across the Atlantic, picking up influences of South Africa’s distinctive house sound, working with young Pretorian producer Blaqtone. Clocking in even longer than the eight minute original, Kay’s ‘Moon Mix’ is one for the nighttime dancers. Additions of the claps and mischievous Mini-Moog bass line give the beat a bit more weight on the floor, while those bold, sombre piano chords are given just as much primacy.
If you’ve heard the original, the only piece left of the puzzle is that jazzy synth melody, fluttering nimbly like birdsong. The temptation must’ve been there to chop it up and form into something new, but Kay acknowledges its elegance by keeping it in tact, dancing between angelic vocals snippets above and bedrock beneath that continues for most of the track’s duration. Beautiful work from both producers.
Above The Sun EP is out 18th August – buy from the Sunlightsquare website.
