Em Vee – Em Vee Edits Vol. 3

Rating: 7.5

After seeing support from Moodymann, Theo Parrish, The Black Madonna, Detroit Swindle, Doc Martin and Tom Trago, it should be of no surprise that Lumberjacks In Hell have once again delivered with their latest outing. Em Vee’s newest release provides just what fans of the label have been expecting; the finest quality of groovy music and consistency in disco edits which don’t merely provide old classics with a basic beat, but add something new and original to the artists’ old favourites.

Although the release is not flawless – the closer is a mismatched track of different influences which don’t seem to fit – the bulk of it is positive feel-good music to get you moving. This is most evident in the slow-moving opener, You Could Have Been, which eases you in with a soft bassline, upbeat piano chords and vintage disco guitars before the singer’s vocals arrive at the two minute mark.

That track continues to progress on an optimistic note with a plethora of soulful strings complementing the singer’s message that ‘music keeps us together.’ The second track clearly takes its inspiration from some 70s soul stomper reminiscent of Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes or the Detroit Emeralds, with frequent interplay between the two vocalists on the track.

Clearly produced with the bedroom or the living room in mind, this number is not as dancefloor orientated as its predecessor but nevertheless gives the listener a reason to move. The whole EP is heavily nostalgic but nevertheless succeeds in being something new and fresh, and for new generations of disco lovers it combines old soul with punchier, four-to-the floor beats. Fans of artists like Floating Points take note.

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