Alex Arnout & Black Logic - The Illusions EP [Hard Times]

Tracklist:

A1. Illusions ft. Tempo O'Neil  
A2. Dusty  
B1. Chasing Daze ft. Tempo O'Neil  
B2. Disco Down  

Hard Times welcomes back Alex Arnout and his project BLACK LOGIC, following their recent Pull Up EP, with a second installment of new music from the collective: The Illusions EP.

Hailing from West Yorkshire, Arnout spent his formative years on the Hard Times dancefloors, soaking up the rhythms and energy that would later shape his own productions. His relationship with the label was rekindled when he was invited to remix Michael Watford's classic Love Change Over and Steve “Silk” Hurley's more recent hit All I Need. Now he returns with something truly special.

“Black Logic was born during the pandemic,” Arnout comments. “I wanted to get away from drum machines and synths, and get back to jazz sampling and 90s deep house, taking inspiration from artists like Bugs in the Attic, Jazzanova, and Ernest Saint Laurent.”

What began as a solo project soon evolved into a collective effort. Bassist and guitarist Alan Riggs, formerly of Delta 5, joined the sessions, bringing warmth and groove to the productions. Vocalists Tempo O’Neil, Anthony Beckford, Mariana Orsho, and Sophie Barker added their distinctive voices, completing the vision.

Across four tracks, The Illusions EP takes us deeper into the rich and electric universe of Black Logic. The title track combines Tempo O’Neil's vocals with a deep, enveloping bassline, while Dusty arrives amidst gentle snare rolls and ethereal Rhodes chords, with saxophone lines winding through the mix like smoke. Chasing Daze, with its shimmer of analog synths and Tempo's velvety tone, sits between hypnotic groove and an almost astral elevation.

The EP closes with Disco Down, a joyful ensemble of Hammond organ, flute, guitar, bongos, and brass intertwining in a conversation full of cheer.