Milton Jackson & Brian Kage - Fire Emoji EP [Freerange Records]

It’s always a pleasure to welcome Scottish producer Milton Jackson back to Freerange, and this time he is joined by a trio of Detroit heavyweights for the Fire Emoji EP. Brian Kage is a producer, DJ, and founder of the Michigander label, with releases on respected imprints such as FXHE and Planet E. Here, Brian collaborates on production and takes care of mastering, bringing a raw yet musical approach to all four tracks on the EP. Detroit native HazMat Live is known for his unique approach to both production and live performance, with collaborations including Kenny Dixon Jr., Amp Fiddler, Bilal, Soul Clap, and Delano Smith. Finally, Jon Dixon brings his unmistakable flair to the release with his delicate keyboard work. Jon not only leads the live projects for Underground Resistance, Galaxy 2 Galaxy, and Timeline, but he has also performed with the likes of Jeff Mills, Carl Craig, and Mike Banks, as well as Goldie, Leon Ware, and Dwele.

Lead track Fire Emoji could best be described as a bona fide floor filler. A stripped back club tool that pumps hard and keeps the energy high on any respectable dance floor. Echoing vocals and reverb-laden hits give it a psychedelic feel, whilst an extended break adds drama and tension to the arrangement.

The Sunsetters lightens the mood with an uplifting slice of solid, melodic deep house that provides a bed for HazMat Live to lay down an epic synth solo, accompanied by lush strings, deep pads, and 909s pounding out the beat.

Wanna C U fuses US and UK garage sounds to form a muscular and tight groove, locking you in with its beefy stabs, swinging beats, and a sampled vocal hook that repeats hypnotically.

The EP closes with The Shine, featuring Jon Dixon on keys, who builds the track to a climax with his masterful jazz piano flourishes, UR-esque pads, and a soulful synth solo.
Credits