For a certain type of DJ and digger a new record from Dez Andrés is a present for your birthday, whenever your birthday happens to fall. I had only a vague idea this was coming down the pipe from Beretta and it exceeded all expectations of a new release coming from the artist or the entity. For Andrés, this is a versatile four track EP of three ice cold soulful originals and a remix from the Beretta crew.

In order: “Back In My Space” is like that carpet in your grandma’s house: you just step inside and you hush and you just… SINK. It loops for 3 and a half minutes and it could loop for another 3 and a half years before I’d get sick of it. A candy cane vocal loop, nervous strings and thundering drum lines out of Haitian Kanaval week fall into a groove like they were made to be there. Andrés’ tracks are so infused with some sticky stuff, some organic unity that holds everything together, like each track are made of one piece, minted as a solid whole, and something no science or technology could with any effort pull apart again.

The B-Side leads with Brian Kage and Ryan Sadorus as Airport Society’s remix of “Back in My Space,” with a metallic tang and drums that stomp until the floor gives way. I like records that pull apart their remixes like this and separate them on opposite sides of vinyl — I don’t know about anyone else and it could just be the years of having 10 remix Traxsource packs pushed down the feeding tube at me but when they’re back-to-back I always find myself listening not to hear what’s new but what’s different, what’s missing, what’s added. It’s not a healthy way to approach music, especially when you have two highly divergent mixes, like you do here. Without sacrificing integrity, there’s almost a big room friendliness to Airport Society’s remix — I mean you’re not going to hear this at the Ibiza Superclub, there aren’t nearly enough moments for DJs to put their hands in the air and shoot finger guns for one thing, but even for a slightly more commercial DJ than the type that reads 5 Mag, this would go over like gangbusters.

There’s one more original as Andrés closes with “Back To Nature,” a slow drawl of funk. It’s Christmas night at the speakeasy when the only folks that show are the hardcore lovers. You could take this record apart with pliers and you’d never figure out what makes it shine. Just know that it does, and it shines bright.

Note: Now reissued on vinyl direct from Beretta – no doubt in limited quantities…

⚪️ Tracklisting

Dez Andrés: Back In My Space (Beretta / 12″ Vinyl / Digital)
1. Dez Andrés: Back In My Space (03:44)
2. Dez Andrés: Don't Be Fooled (06:21)
3. Dez Andrés: Back in My Space (Airport Society Remix) (06:03)
4. Dez Andrés: Back to Nature (04:04)

⚪️ Disclosure Statement

This record was not submitted as a promo.

⚪️ Previous Coverage

⚪️ Brawther & Andrés remix Jonno & Tommo’s “For Dan” (2022)
⚪️ Andrés + Moods & Grooves = Happiness (2022)
⚪️ SELECT: the Sound of Beretta Music (2022)
⚪️ Andrés takes everyone back to church on “Praises” (2021)
⚪️ #ListenUp All U Gotta Do Is Listen from Andrés (2019)

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5 Mag Issue 206
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MOVE: This was originally published in 5 Mag Issue #206 featuring DJ, dancer, teacher and producer Coflo, Alland Byallo, Phil Kieran, DJ Rocca, Jeff Mills’ Metropolis Metropolis and more. Help keep our vibe alive and our shine bright by becoming a member for $2/month and get every issue in your inbox right away!