The comeback of Len Lewis is, probably, one of the best things that happened in house during the last years. After the silence he took since 2005, he was resurrected on vinyl on Swag Classics’ reissue in 2020. Before that, there was his Bandcamp-comeback (you should check this one too if you’re more into digital stuff). After that – releases on Banoffee Pies, Real Deal Records, Physical Education, XIII, and a plan of landings onto Discobar and Drifted Records. The last one is the most interesting for us today.
Must say here – the whole EP is totally in the style, you can imagine after knowing that it was made by Len Lewis. But the A1 from the first seconds of its preview clip feels like a journey into the early 00s. The reason behind it as I was told is quite simple: “Critical Mass” was written at Swag Records in Croydon in the early 00s. The name came about after growing a strain of skunk called ‘critical mass’ that caused “mind destruction mann”! The DAT tape was found in a cabin in Norway, then travelled to Scotland where Pete Hurst (engineer at Swag) has sent it back over to me. I had forgotten all about the track until last year!”
In other words, we’re dealing with something like a fine, 15-year barrel-aged Croydon’s whiskey here (if that’s a thing). A light and easy track with a tooly structure, perfectly put samples and nothing unnecessary in general. Definitely worth a 15-year wait.
“King Kong” feels like another time travel experience here. This time into Len Lewis’ breaksy side. The Buzzard Necks – if you know, you know. “Born Blind” will be my bet on the biggest hit of the record with its weird and catchy vocals. And “Tribal Player” seems to be his b-side soulmate, just with, you know, tribal feel. With a setup like that, I don’t know, why this record should leave the bags of the deejays this summer even for a minute, to be honest.
Seems that Drifted Records can already plan their third sold-out (after Tommy Vicari Jnr and New Members) so you better not miss this record while you can. All good shops are ready and waiting for your pre-orders.
More information on Len Lewis
Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Discogs
More information on Drifted Records
Facebook | Instagram | Resident Advisor | Soundcloud | Discogs
