(Large Records/EQ/Stomp)

Breaking out of Glasgow, Calum Walker has been traversing the house scene since for a number of years now collaborating with David Robertson as Fresh and Low. Among other releases, Fresh and Low are most famous for the Wind on Water EP, considered by many to be a deep house classic. When Calum and David became involved with Large Records in 1999 (legendary US house label), they formed Solar House.

The sound of Solar House can be described as deep house, with its roots firmly planted in funk and a stoned-out take on jazz. They blend in elements of latin house, trip hop, disco and soul creating a smooth and sensual deep lounge landscape. Solar House’s tracks features various vocalists one of which is Angie Reid who offers a dreamy soprano, reminiscent of Billie Holliday. The group tends to use vocals to add to the texture of the sound without dominating it, avoiding the cheesiness that can result from house overly dominated by vocals.

Universal, is an excellent example of Solar House’s use of funk and jazz to produce an infectious groove. The group injects chords into the mix that are extremely catchy and instantly feel familiar. This track features on Germany’s Compost Records’ Future Sounds of Jazz 7.

Power of Sound, stands out for me as a brilliant deep house track. For me good deep house takes the listener right out of their head and this track does just that. The bongos and bass line drive an infectious groove, while samples of birds are layered subtly layered over luscious chords taking the listener into a wild party going on deep inside a rainforest.

Solar House give Paradise a loungey disco feel with uplifting sustained chords played over a funky bass line. This track showcases the groups’ bottomless well of creativity as the track takes on an almost improv jazz structure with novel instrumental lines drifting in and out of the scene. I found it easy here to imagine I was way down under the sea smoking cigars with a pink octopus wearing purple tentacle socks laden with gleaming rhinestones and sitting with much confidence (maybe that was an image better kept to myself!).

Groove Me has a more up-tempo beat featuring vocals ranging from deep Barry White-esque to the flighty and loungy. The title track offers a busier acoustic jazz feel with Angie Reid providing her gorgeous, uplifting vocals. Rescue Me has a more mellow ambient funk while Don’t Pass Me By is a great example of the group’s balance between acoustic and electronic sounds.

Overall ‘Magic of The City’ is surprisingly consistent, with each track offering novelty and its own unique feel. The result is an infectious sound that will win over many hearts. I anticipate that this album will be one of the most well received deep house releases this year.

Check out the Solar House website for more information and track samples.