S.O.N.S: Shinjuku One Night Stand Vinyl 2LP

Hype sticker reads "Authentic Electro Tek with Dark Vocals, beach samples, trance drums, Sensitive Jams and a subtle jungle feel." Couldn't have said it better. The second installment in S.O.N.S.' T.O.K.Y.O. series with a double dose of vintage jungle, rave and breakbeat goodness that actually lives up to the hype. Heads in the know will do well to cop on sight to beat immediate Discogs price inflation that plagued the first release, but those unfamiliar should check the sound samples to get a taste. Nineties rave nostalgia may be at an all time high, but these tracks prove S.O.N.S. are able to capture the pure vibe without feeling too postured or contrived. The opener "Landing On The Unknown" sets the tone, weaving spaced-out atmospherics and lush pads that slowly build on some Orb meets Chain Reaction tip. Up next we get into acidic rave breaks on "Acid Dreams" that pairs heavy 303's with classic breaks and all of a sudden it's 1992 on the dancefloor.  Flipside gets deep with the entrancing 10+ minute "Sunrise," and that's only the first disc! Already worth gripping, but disc two continues the feeling with "Hurricane Mortal Kombat Mix," along with the restrained "Yamanote Underground Beach" and the bangin' electro-fied funk of "City Of Fear." Not to be missed!

• double vinyl pressing
• music label: S.O.N.S 2016

reviewed by Tofu Van 03/2017