- Jura Soundsystem have just dropped their debut EP Monster Skies. Jura Soundsystem is the project of UK-born, Adelaide-based DJ and producer Kevin Griffiths. He releases records through his label Isle Of Jura (and its sublabel Temples Of Jura), having released some great reissues (such as disco classics by the likes of Brian Bennett, Ozo and Q), a compilation and new productions. Productions under his own name from the past decade have been of the heavier dance variety, but under his new moniker he’s put out a wide variety of music.
I really enjoyed the dubbed-out Udaberri Blues split with Len Leise. It differs from what’s on offer here though. I dig Carafe Denim's disco dub stylings with spoken word, faint chanting, bouncing bass and auxiliary percussion (that's essential). The track floats on hypnotically, bass matched well with resonant synth buzzs. Mamma Capes is propelled along by a drum machine and rolling bass. It has a tremendous ambient outro. It evokes Software or some '80's library records but the production values are way better. The titular Monster Skies consists of sanza, faint field recordings of birds and warm washes of synth. Boogie Tune is true to its namesake – a funky uptempo track with a wiggly synth lead. Similar to the previous song, Parrot Rhythmic Space Jam is an apt title for this cosmic disco track. Built around arpeggios and various synth parts, the song swings and cycles through space. EP closer The Lantern Story is quite notable: drum machine is left in lieu of acoustic instruments, evoking some atmospheric Claude Perraudin work and (good) soundtracks in general.
Monster Skies leaves me reminiscing about the Balearic sounds of the ‘70s and ‘80s, at points touching on soundtracks, ambience and reggae. Not totally dance-floor oriented, reflecting the environments DJs have in Adelaide – bars, mostly. Consequently there’s a free flow of musical styles, and what you hear is less confined within any specific genre (while focusing on whats hard to classify or timeless). If you're going to pull me out of that pleasant universe and pressure me into making a definitive statemnent, then it's this: labels like Isles and Griffiths' own productions are testament to the quality of Australia’s dance/DJ scene, serving up leftfield hits and refined original material.
- Hillfolk.