Tempovision
What can you say about Parisian house guru Etienne De Crecy? As one half of Motorbass, this world-class producer introduced us to the myriad delights of French dance music then solidified his reputation by overseeing the sublimeSuper Discountcompilation--a legend in its own lifetime. His new full-length,Tempovision, is a staggering piece of work, on which lush stoner-house meets the more digestible end of electronica. The opener, "Relax," says it all--its warm, expansive chords and feel-good vibe set the tone for a decidedly unhurried affair. De Crecy's forte is the clever incorporation of supple, jazz-flecked mood pieces with languid, soulful takes on house music. "Out of My Hands" pits a Moog synth over gossamer strings to stunning effect, while the title track's mesmerizing blend of 1930s film star glamour and gritty hip-hop has to be heard to be believed. The total effect is like tarmac on a hot summer's day: awkwardly fragrant and sticky to the touch.--Paul Tierney