The next release on the LA-based Culprit truly represents the new age of global, musical connectivity. A showcase of original material from three artists, separated by locale but united by a like-minded approach to dance music - Londoner and frequent Culprit flier Matt Tolfrey, Miami-based Lazaro Casanova, making his label debut, and the local Angeleno boy Nikko Gibler pay tribute to a lifestyle spent in planes, hotel and at airports with the aptly named, LAX EP.
Proving that connection of the minds can be as fruitful as physical proximity, the LAX trio collaborate on three pieces of immaculate, jet set-themed electronic house. In a organic blend of talent, each bring their own indelible mark to the project: Matt Tolfrey's natural sense of swing and his dancefloor drive - the result of 10 hyper-busy years on the global DJ circuit; Lazaro Casanova's pristine studio skills and versatility - 2013 honed after years of successful projects across many sub-genres and Nikko Gibler's singular musicianship, contributing perfectly pitched vocals and keyboard flourishes.
While never sharing the same space, the LAX auteurs deliver a very tight and coherent 3-track statement, bursting with ideas and rich with cosmopolitan class. The title track is the night time dancefloor destroyer: crisp tribal-infused beats, driven by a infectiously catchy bassline and disembodied vocal bits - all leading to a smooth synth-laden drop that's poised to explode into an all-out four-on-the-floor moment. Many a club will be brought to its peak tension with LAX. Globe is its briskly-paced melodic counterpart, shimmering with early 1980's inspired synth pads and riffs, with the deeply propulsive bassline and the catchy vocal hook, courtesy Gibler, riding on top. Metronomy is the trio's own version of modern deep house, with the fresh take on its essential elements: chunky clap-driven drums, hugely funky low-end, culminating in profoundly warm keyboard chords. True to Culprit's spiritual home %u2013 this one was impeccably conceived with the rooftops of the dance music world in mind.