“Dancing is the warmest jacket,” was one of the slogans of the 1990s rave scene in Germany and perhaps they’ve also heard that one in the Netherlands. However, Joppe Harinck and Marco van der Meulen aren’t making any belting techno tunes. Their joint studio project Club Warme Deken (Club Warm Blankets) is instead indebted to the other strain of electronic dance music that originated in Detroit, the city’s specific take on house music: Moodymann’s jovial, funk-inspired aesthetic seems to the be a core inspiration while the bone-dry yet soulful Omar-S approach has also left its mark on their more peak-time-tailored productions.
Having released their first EP last June, they now return with a double package: The 7inch »Night Susan« see them team up once more with San Proper on vocals for two tracks whose sleazy funk-rock sound makes them just perfect for open-air sundowners. With the 12inch »Koude Douche« (»Cold Shower«), they aim more directly for the dancefloors both inside and outdoors, but retain their quirky humour throughout. Working with one vocalist per tune allows Club Warme Deken to broaden their musical palette even more. Opener »Smokey and the Fundance Kid« is a cute electro banger, »Mixdemos« merges shuffling rock rhythms with a house beat, »Mind the Gap« is a sensuous acid house slammer, “Droidt” a wonky mid-tempo breakbeat tune, and finally »Grappa« a lysergic track for the afters. It’s a stunningly varied package, this one—you’ll need a cold shower after this one for sure.
Koude Douche
