Never Enough Notes e-zine // reviews + interviews + music

Another short sharp shock from Jem Stone. Well, not a shock exactly, although “Perpetual Lotion” is definitely short and pretty darn sharp. Having thoroughly enjoyed the delights of his previous “Electric Circus” EP, what’s on offer here will be familiar, but thankfully not in an ‘oh great, more of the same’ way, more in an ‘oh great! More of the same!’ way. If you see what I mean.

Mid-tempo and deeply funky are the watchwords here, with sleek basslines, pin-sharp beats and delightfully distorted brass jiving away with the fresh-out-of-a-wormhole deep space effects that make Jem Stone’s compositions stand out from the electro swing crowd. My personal highlight would have to be “Grand Fandango”, which juggles fabulous live drums with crystal clear processed beats, a purring cyberkitten of a bassline and the echoes of several jazz bands lost in the wilderness of subspace. This producer’s tractor beam must never get a moment’s rest.

What’s great about these tunes is that they’re obviously not just made for DJs to mix, they’re made to listen to in their entirety. Each piece builds and shifts and mutates, adding new layers and bits and pieces, making this EP a full and very satisfying listening experience. I’m now extremely intrigued to see what a Jem Stone album might sound like, because if his EPs are anything to go by, we’re in for something scrumptious, sumptuous and rambunctious. “Perpetual Lotion” drops at the beginning of next month. Don’t miss it!