Isaac Carter & Callum Asa - Last Call [Rhythm Section]

Format: 12” in printed house bag.
CAT: RS076LP

Have Isaac Carter & Callum Asa created the most stylish tech house EP in recent memory? The short answer is, yes…

Isaac and Callum, known for their respective parties OCHI and Planet People, have both been quietly grafting away in the depths of the underground dance music for quite some time now.

Isaac – perhaps most recognised for his regular appearances at Circoloco and Phonox – has shared line-ups with the likes of Moodymann, DJ Bone, Kai Alce, Laurent Garnier & Marcellus Pittman, whilst artists such as Joy Orbison, Ben UFO, Moxie, Seth Troxler, Raresh & Floating Points have championed his music, to name just a few. With such an impressive CV and widespread endorsement, it feels incredible to think the first EP released on his own OCHI imprint only surfaced in 2023. His rise is clearly meteoric; so when we add his long-time collaborator Callum Asa to the equation, things get really interesting.

Callum has been at the helm of Planet People for the last few years, inviting incredible names such as Shed, Surgeon, Willow, Ploy, Cooly G & Rroxymore, amongst many others. Iron sharpens iron, and after being surrounded by so much high-level talent, it’s clear some has rubbed off; the duo present here four refined, meticulously constructed and utterly club-ready pieces, each with a personality of their own and an insatiable groove.

“Feel Me” sets the tone with a descending bassline capable of shaking even the most reluctant onlooker into action. The twisted dub further adds to the groove, setting a darker, more immersive bounce for the heads. By the time “Understand” is fully into its stride, we’re under Carter & Asa’s spell – this is the sort of roller that could go on forever. Synth embellishments and analogue synth layers draw us deeper and deeper, preparing us for the closer “Try You”, a track that slowly boils with a deep, murky intensity.

The magic of this duo’s appeal is that this EP will land in the bags of deep diggers and in the hands of a new generation of house heads alike. There are accessible elements, yes, but in the right hands, this EP can open portals into new worlds.