Founded by Alex Agore and James Johnston last year, No Matter What Recordings has proved to be a potent outlet for the duo's inimitable take on crisp rolling house sounds in the label's short life to date and this fourth release maintains those standards. After two solo EPs from the respective label heads, the deftly titled A2J2 EP mimics the label debut with a pair of productions from both, with Berlin resident Alex Agore calling shotgun. Muddy vocals and old school piano lines soar through the shamelessly vibing pump of "Come On" while "Take Me" has Agore in a deeper frame of mind, unfurling the various melodic textures with aplomb over a crashing beat. Not to be outdone, JJ opts for a rawer swinging approach with "Stand Up & Jump" utilising a similar cut up vocal sound which gets increasingly submerged amidst the thick, twisting groove. "Not So Easy" might just be the pick of the bunch however, swamping the intricate drum programming in a rich melange of Motor City Soul that sucks you right in. More

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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Founded by Alex Agore and James Johnston last year, No Matter What Recordings has proved to be a potent outlet for the duo's inimitable take on crisp rolling house sounds in the label's short life to date and this fourth release maintains those standards. After two solo EPs from the respective label heads, the deftly titled A2J2 EP mimics the label debut with a pair of productions from both, with Berlin resident Alex Agore calling shotgun. Muddy vocals and old school piano lines soar through the shamelessly vibing pump of "Come On" while "Take Me" has Agore in a deeper frame of mind, unfurling the various melodic textures with aplomb over a crashing beat. Not to be outdone, JJ opts for a rawer swinging approach with "Stand Up & Jump" utilising a similar cut up vocal sound which gets increasingly submerged amidst the thick, twisting groove. "Not So Easy" might just be the pick of the bunch however, swamping the intricate drum programming in a rich melange of Motor City Soul that sucks you right in. More

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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