alex niggemann Paranoid Funk (CD, £9.75)

Producer, remixer, audio-engineer, labelowner (Soulfooled) and DJ Alex Niggeman gained an international reputation with his releases on various labels including Tsuba, Ostwind, Supernature, 8bit, Darkroom, Poker Flat and his remixes for the likes of Gorge, Booka Shade, Phonique / Louie Austen, Spektre and many more. · Guests featured on the album include Daniel Solar, founder of Disko Records, with releases on Einmaleins and Diynamic, amongst others, the seminal Florian Schirmacher of Wareika, Hatikvah, Glowing Glisses, Chaenge, Federleicht and Here Today, newcomer Benji Adeyemo (UK singer / dancer / yoga teacher) and singer / songwriter Daniel John Riedl. · A classically trained pianist who gave up the ivory keys for a more technological dream, the young 26 year old producer joins a new wave of artists enjoying a steady resurgence in deep, groovy and indeed sexy house music. · Alex set out to “create an album which is different to typical club or listening albums... where songs fit together (even when having different styles) without being too similar”. · ‘Paranoid Funk’ is a rather eclectic 4/4 album packed with groovy, feel-good house that still offers more hypnotic and darker moments along the way. · All-round underground star Florian Schirmacher joins Niggemann on the darker, club-ready ‘Easy Love’, while the stripped ‘That Is...!?’ sails smoothly through jacking modern house, punctuated by detailed fills and instinctive arrangements. · Niggemann’s love for classic 80s and 90s beats is clearly represented with tracks like the boogie-inspired ‘Parentless Child’ freaking and tweaking around night-drive synths and Italo moments. · However, it’s clear the producer’s head is aimed straight towards the future with super-sexy cuts like ‘Street Therapy’ proving he can indeed hold it down with the big boys and rock it with subtle, hypnotic and underground precision. · As the versatile and solidly produced album draws towards its conclusion, the moving ‘Lovers’ - featuring vocalist Daniel John Rydell - not only tugs on the heart strings, but shows off Niggemann’s piano and songwriting skills in a blissful ode to dance music culture today.