Berlin based label Mood Waves, run by DJ Tjizza and Shaque, manifests everything one loves about modern House Music: They put quality ver quantity, limited their pool own artists and follow a strict vinyl-only distribution policy that makes every record something special for the listener and artist at the same time.
For the label’s seventh outing, Tjizza and Shaque chose sound-wizard and Bizarre Trax collective member Jhobei, who has previously appeared on respected and renowned labels like Nuances de Nuit, Picnic or Locked In and thereby managed to spread his approach of music to quite an audience.
First, many artists try to emulate Progressive House from the 90s or make trendy synthetic Cosmic-Prog, but apparently they lack a vision of their own, a distinctive flavor, hence they an trademark sound. And all the before-mentioned is something that Jhobei definitely has and has refined over time. His nuanced production techniques, a certain weirdness and quirkiness in his tracks as well as an always danceable funky bassline demonstrate that he is definitely on the top of his game.
Jhobei kicks of his Mood Waves EP, which is called On Her Majesty’s Jobseeker Service, with a classy Progressive House groover names Mickey’s Mambo – with the track title being an alliteration. The track’s nuanced acidic sub-bassline is combined with catchy chords creating early night or late morning vibes all the way.
The EP continues with M-I-Sex – in the service of his majesty? However, the track shows Jhobei at its best. The sensational funky bassline is refined with an almost cinematic Pink Panther-style melody and rather obscure samples. Let’s say it’s blissful machine funk, so delightful that it’s simply not imaginable that any dancefloor is not going ecstatic about this track.
Up next is Contami-Nation (Raw Mix) which is an essential modern Tech-House tune. It’s fast, it’s straight to the point, it’s functional – by all means it’s ripping floors apart. The well-nuanced and small details as well as the robotic vocals add class and peak-time moments to it. Again Jobe Elliott-King, Jhobei’s real name, showcases a different side and facet of his but remains true to his style.
The EP concludes with the psychedelic downtempo goddess Psyfunk, which won’t sound out of place on chill-out floors or simply in a forest rave. This one is definitely inspired by the 90s but does not simply emulate this period of electronic music.Â
Ultimately Jhobei delivers a mature EP and shows that he’s not taking himself too serious. Probably that’s the strength of the artist to come up with defining tracks like those ones united on On Her Majesty’s Jobseeker Service. This EP has it all, it’s rich in style and class and contributes the soundtrack for the main- and chill out-floor yet Jhobei follows his distinctive credo, namely of producing music, which has the artist’s note and vibe. Don’t sleep on this release as it’s probably the best the artist has delivered up to date.
Jhobei’s On Her Majesty’s Jobseeker Service is out on Mood Waves.
Words by Pasha Pliskin
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