Moon B – ‘III’

The Washington DC based label Peoples Potential Unlimited specialises in licensing and releasing music that was initially swept under the rug. Be it disco, or funk, the labels eclectic catalogue is admirable thanks to boss Andrew Morgan’s eye for a tune.

It isn’t all about the hidden gems though, PPU also put out music from newer artists, and one who’s made a name for himself after two successful LPs and one EP on the imprint is Moon B. The States-based producer releases ‘III’ this week; a record that feels split with an A side dedicated to the dance floor and a B that is best suited for a warm, cosy living room.

‘III’ opens with ‘Realms’, a bright sunrise track with smooth Italo-esk keys bursting through smoky pads. The bassline is smooth, collected and cool, not taking the limelight but still providing a lovely movement for those lucky enough to hear it on a sound system. The A2 ‘Neither Here Nor There’ similarly takes an Italo edge. The hats jack amongst dazzling keys and a plucky, groovy bassline. Caressing glass blowing pads drift the track away to a soothing place and before you know it, it’s time to flip over.

‘Art Direction’ opens the B with broken beats and a snare that reverberates on impact, drifting upwards to an evolving organ sound. It’s reasonably mysterious and almost haunting, especially when the keys enter with a sharp icicle edge to them. Bright bleeps assist broken down sections that keep the track from feeling too droney. Things are becoming very introspective now.

The soft atmospheric ambience in ‘Moonda’ is broken up by delicate tapping percussion elements; these never fully drive the track, but instead, work as injections of consciousness. It is incredibly seductive, much like ‘Polywarp’. There’s more of an overt percussion element here though, creating the feel of a Hip-Hop record in terms of its movement. The synthesis is thick resulting in a pleasant warming sensation, like a wood-burning stove during the winter. The wood begins to pop and click, clashing with a squelchy bass resulting in moments of intensity, so when the track lays off its whimsical pad before releasing it again, it’s welcomed.

Moon B shows off here with his introspective, dream-like approach gracing over varied beat types, merging genres in a weird and wonderful way to make them fit under his umbrella. In places this is a good record to dance to, but as a whole, it’s one hell of a good record to listen to.

Check the preview below and pick up your own copy here.

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