Christopher Iwatsu and Jameel Wollaston, the duo behind All Shade, return to Berlin-based imprint Hatsu Records with their latest outing, “Consummation EP”—a full-bodied follow-up to their December debut, “Maiden Voyage”. As the needle drops on the record’s opening track, “Caught Up”, the duo’s musical evolution unfolds in a House-infused tapestry woven with hypnotic hues and Acid-laced precision.
“Caught Up” instantly immerses the listener in a steady yet grooving momentum, driven by a crisp rhythmic backbone that subtly nudges forward. A slick acid line bubbles beneath the surface, neither overpowering nor subdued, but rather threading through the track with an understated elegance. It’s this delicate balance between movement and atmosphere that marks All Shade’s signature touch. Dreamy pads stretch across the arrangement like a mirage, refracting light through a hazy dancefloor lens, evoking both the warmth of deep house and the forward thrust of early-morning club euphoria.
Yet, what makes “Caught Up” particularly compelling is its restraint. The duo crafts an immersive soundscape without falling into excess, allowing each element to breathe and build naturally. The hypnotic pads aren’t merely decorative—they become an integral part of the track’s momentum, their airy textures weaving through the groove, elevating the composition from a straightforward club tool to a piece with introspective depth. The Acid line, while sharp, never demands the spotlight but rather coexists within the dreamlike ambiance, an emblem of the duo’s refined approach to production.
As the opener to “Consummation EP”, “Caught Up” sets an impressive precedent, marking All Shade’s debut EP with a maturity that suggests their sonic journey is only just beginning. The track feels like both an arrival and an invitation—one that beckons listeners deeper into the duo’s evolving narrative, where House music’s timeless essence meets the duo’s forward-thinking, finely curated aesthetic.
Words by Holger Breuer
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