The latest darlings of the Manchester underground are DJ / producer Joey T and singer-songwriter Lady Lady, whose infectious blend of house, disco, sincerity and charm seem to be winning fans and turning heads the world over.

Released on Levi Love's labour of love, Mas O Menos; this is their first EP - four tracks announcing their arrival with a heartfelt resonance. Conceived after a long lockdown, Joey got in touch with Lady Lady (real name Sally) after seeing her post some songs online and the wheels were put in motion to recording a full EP; fast garnering the attention of the MOM head honcho who just happens to be one of the most charismatic players in the northwest music biz!

Possessing melancholy, yearning and contemplation in equal measure, Sally's vocals rub up against Joey's fizzy beats and squelchy b-line beautifully on EP opener "It's Just Me" - a ode to time spent alone and desiring the company of another.

"Like You" sees thicker house beats swung nicely and wrapped around a subby, woody b-line; whilst Sal turns her lyrical direction to deeper levels of intimacy and understanding between two possible lovers with differing levels of confidence and outlook. It really highlights the depth of skill of this burgeoning songwriter and Joey's symbiotic, sympathetic alignment via some tasteful production chops. Style and class by the bucketload.

Onto side B and "Maybe" sees the songstress rap about desiring someone as yet out of reach, but she's working on changing that! Again, Joey's instrumentals leave me feeling giddy; juxtaposing naivety and sophistication with each element he introduces - for his relative inexperience, here we have a producer in an effortless, confident stride. Something I pray he takes with him into further releases.

Finally, the title track - "Love Language" - a late night, red lit fishing net of deepness and togetherness. Drawing everyone into its warm bosom with a variety of tantalizing and sensual themes; with another arresting vocal performance by Sally who, by this point of the EP, I presume you've fallen as much in love with as the rest of us.

Did I mention that the two people involved (and, infact, everyone at Mas O Menao) are some of the nicest humans I've had the privilege of coming across recently?

This is the start of something very special. Don't sleep on this.

TRACK LISTING

1. It's Just Me
2. Like You
3. Maybe 
4. Love Language

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

Bit of a special one this folks. Local provocateur, dance music Casanova and the freshest smelling South African in Manchester, the man the myth the stone cold L E G that is Levi Love kick starts his new label with a record by three of the city's most celebrated rising talents. One sees star Levelz and Wet Play producer Metrodome joined by fellow mancs Mako MCR and (MC) Sparkz for a global-unifying, upfront dance track that joins the dots between kwaito, house and Manchester's forward thinking techno prowess. "Applebush pt. 1" announces the project with a typically fast-paced and wry vocal commentary placed over a swaggering kwaito-funky hybrid, mixing up the SA rhythms with a UK sound palette and bass sensibility. Sparkz sounds relaxed and on form, while the track's production gold is revealed more towards the end, as Metrodome and Morgan open the filter up on this rattling, c64-esque mystic synth refrain. A glimpse into the studio trickery that characterizes these unique producers, it still keeps its feet proudly on the dancefloors of MCR's feverish underground. On the flip Sparkz takes a back seat as the Metrodome and Mako take the stage to display their unfathomably fresh production traits. Reversed concentric vox blending nicely into skewed and pumpin' side chained 2-step - house fusion. Rich and engrossing, Ruud's ADHD production ethos keeping us on our toes throughout and never reveling in superfluous repetition. Seriously, hot shit is this! MVITA. Don't sleep.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Sometimes you just gotta love what our fine city throws up. Expertly constructed sonic bridge from MCR >> SA here via three of our city's biggest characters. TIP!

TRACK LISTING

Applebush Pt. 1 Feat. Sparkz
Applebush Pt. 2