A cocktail of tabla, handclaps and speedy snares open LOGIC1000. It sounds punchy and simple. But Samantha Poulter's danceable beats conceal great complexity. Individual drum lines drop in and out of the mix, rejuvenating those that had surrounded them. Poulter's touch here is deft, near-invisible. It makes the first track pass in seconds.
'The River is Tight' follows -- a short, moody sketch, punctured by a relentless, funereal gong. We nosedive from the opener's euphoria into implacable unease. It's the only track bereft of an immediate sense of joy. It's also your last opportunity to catch your breath.
Straight into this EP's standout, 'DJ Logic Please Forgive Me'. It's an infectious remix of 90s R&B legend Deborah Cox; irresistible old-school vocal house. This is a shameless throwback whose ambition doesn't extend that far beyond making everyone dance. But Poulter finds strength in pragmatism. She achieves her ambitions by imposing smart limits on them. Better to do one thing well — and this does its thing exceptionally.
Once she's got you dancing, Poulter follows up with 'Derrière'. This charismatic piece swaddles a charming and cheeky vocal sample in insistent rhythms and buzzing bass. It's LOGIC1000's infectious sense of fun, boiled down into one brief, potent package.
This is an absolutely loveable release. Stuffed with diverse influences; tight, bouncy grooves and squeaky-clean production. The second it's over you'll want to start it again.
Shades of the stellar Kelly Lee Owens, Kelela and Aaliyah. LOGIC 1000 is available to stream and purchase here.
Words by Andrew O’Keefe