Kerri Chandler is our best example of a dance music artist that’s continued to evolve his sound without scrambling to copy whatever next big thing dominating the main room or the terraces at Ibiza. “Checkmate” is a phenomenal 12″, showcasing Kerri on the keys which for me at least means Kerri at his best. The chords are banged out so skillfully and with such an addictive little bounce that it almost bends into pop music territory (albeit a very eclectic form of pop) underneath a bassline that vibrates with the untamed and dangerous energy of a blown down powerline.
For Kerri’s older fans, this is also an introduction to Cinthie, one of my favorite Deep House producers to emerge from Berlin in the last few years. Her remix navigates into deep waters reminiscent of Stacy Pullen – there’s just a brightness to these chords, a bounce that borders on swagger that brings to mind so many of Stacy’s best tracks.
Kerri Chandler: Checkmate (Watergate Records)
A1. Kerri Chandler: “Checkmate” (6:27)
A2. Kerri Chandler: “Checkmate” (Cinthie remix) (7:23)
B1. Kerri Chandler: “Checkmate” (Steve Rachmad remix) (8:02)
