Crazy P – ‘MTS Vol.2’

Getting unpacked in the back of record shops as we type is a reunited Crazy P on 12-inch vinyl with a brand new EP entitled ‘MTS Vol.2’.

Following a spate of solo appearances on various labels, the band members have regrouped and returned to Futureboogie with three original tracks, plus a remix by Bristolian house duo, Outboxx. The EP marks their first collective output since the 2011 album ‘When We On’, and is a warm-up for their forthcoming LP, due in 2014.

The tracks – ‘Burning’, ‘Clouds’ and ‘Virtuality’ – have all been road-tested by Crazy P during their hectic summer schedule headlining events such as Glastonbury, Wilderness, Gottwood, Shambala, Festival No.6, Garden and DC10, among many others. Outboxx, who were enlisted by the band following meetings in Berlin and Croatia, will no doubt have dropped their remix of ‘Clouds’ to an approving crowd in Belgium last week.

All three originals are characterised by instrumentals of a slightly more underground house nature than that for which the band is typically known, although Danielle’s vocals, except where sampled, are classic Crazy P. The funky disco vibe of opener, ‘Burning’, is offset by some solid kicks, edgy vocals and a dark undercurrent of bass. ‘Clouds’ lightens the mood a touch with softer drums and a more soulful vocal, with a restless piano line that builds up to a breakdown of layered percussion, adding a prominent live band sound. ‘Virtuality’ brings back the tough kicks alongside some vintage deep house keys and an array of chopped & shaped samples.

With the EP’s un-remixed material already fit for an assortment of credible dancefloors, it was down to Outboxx to deliver to something even more energetic, and their interpretation of ‘Clouds’ is totally on-point. The track initially seems to have as much in common with ‘Vituality’ as it does the original; soft rhodes chords setting deep house coordinates from the outset. But once the sampled vocals drop, a serious old school vibe starts to creep in, and the deal is quickly sealed with piano keys that Crystal Waters would be proud of. Bouncy kicks, hats that cut through like the proverbial hot knife and claps drenched in reverb complete a record that could quite easily be slipped undetected into a compilation of 90s house anthems.

As previously mentioned, the vinyl edition of this release is about to hit shelves imminently, but the digital edition won’t be available until November 18th.

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