PRESS
Ross Couch - "Soulstrings" (Panther)
DJ
Magazine (Feb / March) Tech House review by Dan
Irwin 4/5
"Panther
is the third arm of the Hook/Bellboy stable, specialising in
deeper, techier sounds, as is proved here by two excellent tracks
from Ross Couch. As the name suggests, the lead track 'Soulstrings'
takes an emotive, string-led approach, leaning heavily on Detroit
for it's deep pads and layered melodic sound. Late night sounds
for druggy, tech floors. The second track 'Liberty' picks up
the pace a little with sharper beats and piercing sounds, eventually
making way for haunting pads and spoken word vocals. The emphasis
on both tracks is the mood and groove, nothing to in-yer-face,
but still managing to kick."
DMC
Update (17/02/03) Techno review by Kieran Wyatt
4/5
"A deep and funky brace of grooves from Couch, that set
an hypnotic, tech-house course but throw in curveballs in the
shape of glacial Detroit strings and spiralling percussion.
Think Ron Trent (in 'Altered State' mode) meeting Circulation
for a cheeky half and let the soul 'n' strings do the rest."
dotmusic.com
- dance reviews 14/02/03 by Chris Finan 7/10
"Couch has chosen his title well because the music here
does just what it says it will on the label. The title track
here is an emotive house groove that's full of lush strings
and sweeping synths. It treads into tech territory, but is deep
and introspectiv, filled with layers and textures that result
in a very soulful outing indeed. 'Liberty' on the flipside is
a more laid back excursion into funky deep house. Again it's
rich and warm, but with a more uplifting vibe. Expect to hear
both tracks on more cultured dancefloors everywhere."
Progressive
Sounds - Review by Simon Jones 7/10
"Ross
Couch has been part of the Bellboy family for a while now, with
his third release for the label 'System Check/No Return' out
shortly. In the meantime however he has put together this equally
compelling release for Panther, entitled the 'Soulstings EP'
The
intro to 'Soulstrings' misleads you into thinking that this
is a full on progressive house track, but the underlying groove
and sounds soon change that impression.as deep snares change
the key of the groove as a warm melody exudes from within. Smoky
effects shuffle underneath the groove and add yet another layer
of depth to this already emotive track as techy percussion draws
it all to a close.
'Liberty'
lends itself to a more traditional structure of funky rolling
percussion with deep grooves. Techy sounds pepper the groove
as varying bleeps rise to the surface, fading to a singular
break as an etheral sound takes control before slowly but surely
working the groove back in.
Watch
out for further material from Ross in the near future with a
possible collaboration with Chris Cowie also on the cards."
Laurent
Garnier - "I like it very much. Will definitely
play the A side."
Colin
Dale - "My fave 12" at present...This is
class. Ross is a new name to my ears, but shows a real lot of
promise...simply excellent. More please." 9/10
Dave
Lambrechts (Mostiko Records, Belgium) - "A really
Deep Dish styled record - I love it!" 9/10 No.15
DJ
Misjah - 8/10
Fred
Numf - "Good moody 12 inch. Love both sides."
7/10
Frederik
(Majestic Music, Holland) - "This is the shit! In top 10
of my chart. Wicked! Have been playing it fuckin' loads from
CDR already. Vinyl is much more fun of course!"
DJ
Remy (Holland) - 8/10
Dave
Twomey (Tokyo) - "Stunning strings led 4am techness."
No.3
Christian
Steriopulos (djsinabox.com) - "nice vibe. good
for those early sets or bar gigs - prefer Soulstrings and will
be playing that a lot." - 8.5/10
Dave
Begg (M8) - No.7
Lewis
Dene (Music Choice/Sky Digital) - "Quality slice
of driving house with some quirky moves. Will support."
8/10
Steve
Smart (Kiss FM, London) played Soulstrings on show
30/01/03
Pete
Snodden (Cool FM, Belfast) - "Like both tunes
- Soulstrings nice break good vocal. However Liberty rocks -
bassline and stabs are top notch - this works well." 9/10
No.19
Paul
Hillyer (Power/Southern FM, S England) - "Soulstrings
is a great tune." 8/10
Paul
Hughes (98.6 Energy FM, Isle Of Man) played Soulstrings
on show 01/02/03
Ritsaert
Van Vugt (Hype Radio, Rotterdam) - "Nice sound!
Soulstrings is the better track. high quality material."
9/10
Brian
Cody (Nova 94.7FM, Dublin) - "Head straight to
Soulstrings with a superb tech groove, solid and crisp percussive
rhythm and a string melody that has a sweet lift to change the
mood." 8/10 No.4
Andy
Morris (Kiss FM) played 'Soulstrings' on show 30/01/03
Paul
Mendez (Beat 106fm, Scotland) - "Another wicked
effort on the superb Panther label, Ross is a very underrated
producer and hopefully this will open some eyes for him."
9/10 plays on show.
Marco
Haarmans (ID&T Radio/BNN Radio, Amsterdam) - "Wicked
production, I will play this all the time." 8/10
Kris
Keegan (23rd Precinct, Glasgow) - "Coolcuts."
Morph
(Covert, Brighton) - "A bit Dave Angel or Vince Watson?
Definitely one for us." No.15
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