As a DJ, producer and person, Mas O Menos founder Levi Love is larger than life. As anyone who’s been swept up in the raw energy of one of his many Manchester-wide bar or club residencies knows, the South African-born, northwest-based crate digger picks and makes music that celebrates the fulness of our existence.

What happens when that beaming light is confronted by death, though? It’s a question Levi found himself forced to answer on his new cassette "A Tribute To Magriza", made in response to the passing of the primary figure in his life: his mother.

Setting about creating a deeply personal LP of afro-tinged, spiritual-leaning deep house; Levi Love utilizes all the heavy emotion and successfully forges something positive and affirming out of the darkness. Beginning with a recording of his mother's vocal choir, we're then taken in by the reflective "A Thought For My Mother...." which somehow manages to be both simultaneously uplifting and melancholy. "Commonality of being human" sees Levi exploring tension through rhythm, intricate drum programming and suspense occupying much of the track's strung out duration. "Karma & Address" is a skillfully executed blend of bruk, deep house and broken beat; fluttering on a celestial plane. "Seething" utilizes shy, plaintive synth work and more detailed drum play for a moment of soulful introspection before "Benmore Avenue" concludes the piece with a lo-fi, clickity sample jam that sounds like it's been taken straight outta Theo Parrish's MPC library! 

TRACK LISTING

Ndiyakholwa 
A Thought For My Mother At Christmas (in Her Absence Mix) 
Commonality Of Being Human (Z-Arts Mix) 
Karma & Address
Seething 
Benmore Avenue 

Herrre's Levi - MCR's #1 nicest, most enthusiastic and downright charismatic house head / flamboyant DJ extraordinaire and now, label owner and contributing artiste! - is there nothing this man can't do? (he also has a side line in stand up! - ed).

Anyway, having made waves with their debut record, "Applebush" that came in at the end of last year, the small but perfectly formed team have been spreading the good word, touring, performing and ensuring even the farthest flungs of the record buying world heard the release - resulting in a rapturous global reception

Named after one of the few remaining, truly bohemian spots in Ibiza, "The Ashram EP" sees Levi take the reins, dropping two tracks and featuring a ridiculously good guest vocal on the B-side.

"Ashram" begins, gently fluttering in like a butterfly as a relaxed percussion ushers in low droning bass and a cerebral pad sound. It's unforced and effortless, showing a poise and sophistication that belies Levi's somewhat recent entry into record production. It should bring back fond memories of listening to Henrik Schwarzand Âme as the Sun rises or falls over your favourite tropical party spot. Majestic!

Side B stems from an afterparty which took place 7 years ago, during which he contacted a very talented vocalist Daddy Molete to narrate that night, in retrospect. It has taken all these years to find an instrumental that did justice to the vocal; in the process converting the whole piece into a New York dub-infused Afro house track, like it was cherry picked from Yoruba and Sacred Rhythm Music's catalogues! Honestly, this is as an arresting a piece of house music as you're likely to hear all year - hats off Levi you've nailed it here mate!

Mas O Menos was established in 2015, with the intention to encourage cross-pollination of Manchester and South African culture and music. 'Celebrating a milestone birthday in the serene and almost hypnotic surroundings of Sunset Ashram, Ibiza, gave birth to the title of this EP. It was constructed using the melodies of a struggle song I used to sing with my father; his passing was indicative of a significant point in my life. Chandra's meaning of Ashram is exactly that: a step in the journey of life. To retain it in musical form is not only meditative but therapeutic. As a psychiatrist by day this is something that resonates with me - and it is my intention to transfer this restorative sentiment to the listener.'

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Yes you know it. Brother Levi returns with his cult imprint and it's a steaming, late night house affair that democratizes any dancefloor!

TRACK LISTING

A. Ashram
B. Matty's Room Ft. Daddy Molete

Probably the only contemporary musician in the world beloved of both Jarvis Cocker and Noel Gallagher, ex-Ladytron bassist Pop Levi was never likely to come back with the same record all over again and 'Never Never Love' doesn't disappoint. Recorded entirely in Hollywood at Quincy Jones' old studio, Westlake, where both "Thriller" and "Off The Wall" were laid down, Mr Levi has returned with an album about the madness of love - 100% autobiographical, 100% clever, 100% dumb, 100% unique. And that's giving 400% already. From transitional rockers like "Wannamama" and "Oh God", Pop spreads his wings, relying on a production flare, which makes the record feel fresh and slick as well as charmingly lo-fi. "Never Never Love" shows that while he hasn't abandoned the dynamics of the rock group he has also been steeping himself in contemporary R&B. Central track "Dita Dimone" re-tells of his break-up with the song's eponymous heroine with all the low-slung swing sass of a future-classic. From here on in the album takes off in all kinds of weird and wonderful directions – from the crazed danger pop of "Mai's Space" to the heartfelt longing of "Semi-Babe", the wonky dub of "Call The Operator" to the final comedown of "Fountain Of Lies".