Reviews

Various Artists – Moon Harbour Inhouse Vol.5

by Admin November 12, 2013

It’s that time again; the time when the Moon Harbour label takes stock of its close associates and asks them for some brand new and exclusive material. That material, for the fifth time in this series, has been collected and collated into Moon Harbour Inhouse Vol.5 and features label friends old and new, established and breaking through. It’s a simple premise, but one that offers many delights.

First up is Michael Melchner with his woozy, deep tech number ‘Avocadas’ which is all bendy tones and gloopy percussion, before key family member Sven Tasnadi steps up with the curious and off kilter charmer that is ‘Poker Nights.’ Scattered with steel drums and grubby basslines, it’s a contribution that’s as charming as it is cheeky.

Elsewhere, stalwarts like Luna City Express serve up the sci-fi licked, metallic whips and snaps of ‘NutTalk’ and one of the label’s newer signings, Philip Bader, drops a bobbling bassline beats in the form of ‘The Green Machine’. Fellow new recruit Sable Sheep also gets in on the action with his firing and punchy ‘Plague’ and label head Matthias Tanzmann shows he is in fine fettle with the hiccupping loops and late night synth smears of his shuffling ‘Around’.

With the likes of Dan Drastic, recent full length man Ekkohaus and the influential Italoboyz all coming good in the second half of the compilation (thanks to tracks that range from trippy and feathery to firmly rooted house via unhinged and inventive) Moon Harbour Inhouse Vol.5 proves that there is plenty of strength in depth in the labels roster.

Always sonically evolving at the same time as staying true to their original ideals, there are few labels as reliable as this when it comes to dancefloor dynamite. What’s more, to support the compilation, Matthias Tanzmann chips in with a DJ Mix for Beatport Mixes that will be available on the day of release.