UK producer/Dj Alex Arnout opens up Ibiza-based label Jack’s House Recordings 2024 campaign in true machine soul fashion.
Ibiza-based House Mecca Jack’s House Recordings is back in 2024 under the careful eye of label head Clara Da Costa and the first release of the year see’s the label come full circle with Sheffield-born veteran producer Alex Arnout taking centerstage. The Londoner penned the label’s beginnings back in 2016 with the impressive ‘Confirmation Bias’ EP. Label head Clara Da Costa put her belief in the EP from the get go, and she was right, the EP became the backbone and the ethos for the labels continue success in the coming eight years to date.
Alex began producing back in 1998/99 and in 2006 founded his Dogmatik Records imprint. Names like Maya Jane Coles, Dusky, Peace Division and Jovonn are just some of the labels family members and most were in their formative career years when released on Dogmatik, a testament to the power of Arnout’s A&R skills. Similar could be said for Jack’s House head Clara Da Costa. Known for her nurturing of young talent across the European borders and further, the Ibiza stalwart has guided names like Legit Trip and Mills as well as signing tracks from veteran producers like Wiggle head Terry Francis, Tucillo and Aussie/Leeds talent Carlo Gambino.
This new EP ‘Burn’ is a perfect glimpse into Arnout’s love of machine soul, by that we mean the ability to create tight, machine grooves but oiled with yearning, underpinning soul nuances. The first track ‘Burn’ is a perfect example of this, tightly-knitted drum patterns are accentuated by fiery percussive strikes, rhythmic hats and shortened claps that punch right through the mix. The droning synth chords are coupled with low-slung bass tones before being joined by bright, celestial keyboard melodies and soulful ad-libs. ‘Tribespeople’ is a more fervent sound, Arnout minimises the layers to create a deep expedition into rhythm underpinned by a feeling of loss or wanting perfectly played out by a beautiful vocal performance.
On the flip ‘Punkadelic’ was originally released in 2022 on a Jack’s House compilation. The track is a sombre groove pushed on by inexhaustible power that comes from intricate drum programming and rubbery kicks that underpin the track like a guiding light. ‘Recall’ is a chugging, mischievous sound driven by contradictory sounds that prick ears and have you fascinated or at least engaged throughout. The bass line is peppy, juxtaposed by metallic clangs and devilish synth leads, a definite ill-behaved groove that will work on more educated floors.
Overall a quality EP from Alex Arnout, as to be expected but let that take nothing from the amount of work that goes on making an EP of this quality. It’s not going to engage everyone and you know what that’s fine, Da Costa will be the first to say Jack’s House is “Music With Integrity” something we love both the label and her for.
The ‘Burn’ EP is out on Jack’s House Recordings from March 29th, 2024 with a limited vinyl press available here.
Clara a great ambassador to the music, world class DJ, singer and musician
Clara a great ambassador to the music industry.