UK don James Johnston and German champ Alex Agore once again come together on their hot-to-trot No Matter What imprint to lay down the law on their righteous tributes to vintage house music. Johnston delivers some dreamy garage swing on "Think About U Everyday", and takes things deeper on "Do U Understand?" by drawing you in with an alluring chord line that purrs at the heart of the track. Agore is in equally feisty mood with some textbook vocal turns over his "In My Soul" workout, and then switches up for a breezy, carefree wriggler in the form of "In Your Arms".
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Following the success of the Consumer EP by fellow label owner James Johnston comes the Praise EP by Alex Agore, and it's a true return to form for him on No Matter What. The record opens with the title track "Praise" - an inspired tribute to gospel music, keeping all the soul but reimagining it into something more infectious. Uplifting keys combine with vocals that will have you trying your best to sing-a-long, over a bass groove that holds it all together. "Falling" is a slower affair, with its dream-like chords, airy synthwork, cowbell hits and seamless hats. A perfect track to start a night or to end one. The B-side completes the package with two undeniable house jams. You will soon realise how much you like "There's No Love" when its skippy vocal is stuck in your head, hours after hearing it for the first time. "I Can Feel You" closes out the EP on a deeper note which will have you thinking of moments when the sun is about to rise, yet the night is far from over.
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Currently two of the busiest men in contemporary deep house, Alex Agore and James Johnston have still found the time to establish their joint No Matter What Recordings as a potent outlet. This sixth release sees Johnston at the buttons for sole control after a couple of split releases and the Consumer EP demonstrates a further refinement of his own distinct brand of house music. Arriving on transparent vinyl, lead track "Give Him Prozac" sets the tone with a thick four note synth lead that accrues all manner of dreamlike analogue qualities as it progresses backed by those crisp rolling rhythms Johnston is known for. "Columbo Likes The Nightlife" takes things on a notably deeper path, all dubby chords and intricate skipping percussive touches augmented by epic sweeping textures, whilst face down "And They Had Cocktails" maintains the same feel if upping the pace somewhat. Johnston ends strongly with the sublime analogue build of "The Sleepwalker".
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UK don James Johnston and German champ Alex Agore once again come together on their hot-to-trot No Matter What imprint to lay down the law on their righteous tributes to vintage house music. Johnston delivers some dreamy garage swing on "Think About U Everyday", and takes things deeper on "Do U Understand?" by drawing you in with an alluring chord line that purrs at the heart of the track. Agore is in equally feisty mood with some textbook vocal turns over his "In My Soul" workout, and then switches up for a breezy, carefree wriggler in the form of "In Your Arms".
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After a smash debut release that had house heads from around the globe taking notice, No Matter What Records is back with a vengeance for their second release. This time around label co-founder Alex Agore takes the lead with 4 tracks of raw underground house deepness that channels the energy and spirit from dance floors of long ago. Alex kicks things off on side A with the beautiful "Stay Together". A sizzling cymbal slices its way through the twisting game between the warm bassline, brooding deep chords and soulful vocals creating a perfect harmony. Alex continues this momentum right into the inside cut of the A side with "It's Not Important". A bright heart felt piece that keeps it simple and focuses on what really matters: a warm bassline, cracking kick and deep shining chords that will force you let go of all your troubles. On the flip side, the outside cut's title says it all…"Feel It;" and if you don't, you may need to seek some type of medical attention. As velvety smooth bassline bounces along, generous key splashes rain down causing your head to uncontrollably nod in agreement. As Alex rides off into the sunset he leaves us with the anthem "Do You Believe?" that will convert even the most skeptical ear. As the unflinching bassline powers on, the infectious swinging kicks, claps and high hats will transport your mind, body and soul all the way back to Zanzibar.

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