Lucky Tiger EP Picture Disc edition

Lucky Tiger sees Axel Boman make his debut on bespoke and beguiling imprint Glass Table ahead of the release of his full length album (from which the original tracks here are plucked) later this year. It's an EP which follows in the label's short but solid history of offering up house music from the outer edges of any known template, and is one which continues the Stockholmer's impeccable run of form which last included one of 2010's finest records, 'Purple Drank'. Named after one of the fun loving party-boy's many tattoos ("rub it and it brings you luck" he promises) the EP opens with the deep and dreamlike steel drums and subliminal funk of 'Esteban Peligro'. Buried in aqueous echo and reverb, it features all the requisite off-kilter percussion and sampling the underground world has come to expect of Boman, whilst the taught, spraying synths and drunken bass rhythms of the Appleblim & Al Tourettes remix is also as essential as you would hope. Next effort 'Naomi' operates in a more serene headspace with background melodic colour floating by like a cloud through which firm kicks, a male vocal hook and metallic percussion rain down. The thing melts to synthy puddles more than once, but emerges out the other side and maintains its momentum as well as your attention. Final offering 'Depression 01' is anything but… delicate keys and patched vocals chase each other atop a slo-house beat as various little funky, groovy threads unravel themselves in its midst…slow burning and steadily evolving, it draws on a fresh palette of sounds that strike a balance between beauty and melancholy like few others can. After standout offerings already from Jimmy Edgar, Kyle Hall, Soul Clap and Catz & Dogz, Axel Boman's debut on Glass Table confirms the continued excellency of both label and artist.