Single Review: Beautiful World - Amirali

This debut release from Iranian / Canadian producer Amirali really reminds me of the whole tech-house prog movement of the early to mid-noughties. That may feel like a bit of a backhanded compliment but the sweeping cinematic sounds and large echoing bass lines come together to make a promising debut release from Amirali.

The original is a little bit gothic, and sure, it takes leads from Booka Shade and label mates Art Department but everyone here is ultimately just singing from the same hymn sheet popularised by Depeche Mode and The Normal's 'Warm Leatherette'. As source material goes you could do worse, but it inevitably feels a little sterile in comparison to the real thing.

The original is backed with three remixes. Daniel Bortz's is more minimal with a large scale breakdown complete with pregnant pauses laced with paranoia. As Hrdvsion, Nathan Jonson turns in a starker electro-influenced mix - functional but it lacks the impact of either of any of the other versions.

Deniz Kurtel, also on Crosstown Rebels, delivers the stand out mix however. Adding in a dark bass line with distorted synths and drums packing masses of reverb it is the only version that really delivers on the promise of the original, the extra flourishes playing off the darker sounds the original feels inspired by.

Amirali's debut album is out this Spring on Crosstown Rebels. Beautiful World is out on 13 February.

Competition: Win Deniz Kurtel's Music Watching Over Me

Deniz Kurtel's album Music Watching Over Me dropped this week on Crosstown Rebels and we have to say - it's a bit of a grower. From the stable of Wolf + Lamb her debut is further evidence of a real movement building around the duo, particularly hot on the heels of Nicolas Jaar's excellent album, Space Is Only Noise.

As with Space Is Only Noise, this is an album of atmospherics. The difference is that its sights are set squarely on the dance floor. The tracks marry a stripped down techno aesthetic to the more lively rhythms of house - the result is subtle but classy and timeless. Particularly strong are the US Garage stomp of 'Best Of' and the dark and brooding 'Vagabond', which actually sounds like it could be by Chloe - which is no bad thing.

We'd definitely recommend seeking this out but if you are feeling lucky BlackPlastic have three copies up for grabs. To be in with a chance of winning one simply send an email to Competitions@BlackPlastic.co.uk with the subject line 'Just because I enter competitions, it don't mean I'm cheap' [now closed, thanks for entering!]. Winners will be selected randomly at midnight on 23 March 2011. Please include your full name and address on entries so we can send out the prize if you win!

BP x

Music Watching Over Me is out now on Crosstown Rebels, available from Amazon.co.uk on CD (though out of stock at the time of writing) [affiliate link].