The man himself, Ian Pooley, returns in 2022 with “Studio A Pt.2”, an intrinsic and introspective journey developed from his home studio and released on Rekids.
Pure analog sound from a wide array of proven hardware gives “Studio A Pt.2” a clear definition when it comes to musicality. Brilliant displays of old school house and dub are woven through organs and Roland instruments as only Ian has found a way to do over the past 30 years of releases. Cheers to Rekids (Radio Slave’s label) for providing a platform for “Studio A Pt.2”. The timing of the release conveniently lines up with the 25th anniversary of Daft Punk’s “Homework”, featuring a wonderful mix of “Burnin’” by Mr. Pooley.
The story begins with “JV Organ & Matrix”, a jazzy groove featuring airy synth work and funky bass lines. Beautiful control of sound effects throughout the song breathe life into the slick melody, producing an ultra-defined and precise tune. The organic and natural sonic waves seemingly come alive as they exit the speakers. The dynamics are impressive, with layers of frequencies depicting a clear yet complex array of patterns, driven home by the perfect tuning.
Version 2 of “JV Organ & Matrix” features a more signature Pooley sound and vibe as dubby, accelerated bass flutters set the stage for MPC high-hats and snare shots. The reverb on the chord stabs adds a dramatic touch as the notes slowly dissipate into each other. The result is a Chicago-sounding track with future elements of dub, making for a fun ride.
“Back Up” is an aptly titled 303 jam incorporating hypnotic effects and a raw, harsh drum kit. The poignant vocal commands are direct and frequent, giving a nod to the old school acapella staples of ‘90s underground house. Dissonant acid notes ride like a rollercoaster as they scream up and down with a couple loops thrown in for good measure. Quite funky and certainly a feel-good tune, “Back Up” warps in transient, echoing bells like a cherry on top of an ice cream sundae. Chef’s kiss!
“101202” starts with open cymbal clashes and a melodic bass rundown that make for super catchy dance number. The efficient compression of the radiated clap spices things up and commands heads to nod. Sick bass rhythms encompass a vast array of scaling possibilities as only a production maestro like Pooley could. The composition and structure of the song are obviously well planned and executed, and the result is quite emotional. Traveling through many levels and patterns, it has a deep progressive path that paints a near perfect mosaic. In particular, the drum progression is satisfying on a deep level as it completely switches up half way through.
Things get slowed down a notch on the final track, “Back Up (Beats Bass)”. A dissected version of “Back Up”, it keeps the funk and skews the tempo to give it a visceral and even more raw feel.
Tried and true house legend Ian Pooley gifts us with a complete package of masterfully produced material to chew on. The evolution of Ian’s music is evident in “Studio A Pt.2”, and just when you thought he couldn’t get any better, he levels up. The release is inspiring to listen to and a joy to play at any time or place. Contributing to the greater good of electronic music for well over 3 decades, Ian Pooley delivers once again.
-Jack Plumb
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