Rick Wade - Deep Incantations Trilogy Vol 1 [Art Is The Place]

Born less than an hour from Chicago but currently based in Detroit, Rick Wade trained as a DJ at Michigan’s Nectarine Ballroom through the 80s and early 90s, just as a certain Jeff Mills was also starting to make his mark at that same venue. Wade’s sound is more rooted in deep house, but, as this four-track EP demonstrates, there’s a cosmic spirituality and an otherworldly air to his music that aligns it with the best of UR and other Detroit greats. We begin with “Groove Tool”, propelled by a supple and funky bassline, adorned with floating chords and subtle bells in the higher frequencies. “Pimp Prophecy” boasts a more disco-infused air, with a nagging guitar riff and deftly played bongos. “Jazzy Tears” revolves around a sturdy kick drum and a processed, time-stretched vocal refrain, juxtaposed with jazzy guitar chords and sky-ascending strings. “Ooo Ahh” is probably the most infectious of them all, with a wonky foundation beat and a catchy hook, all wrapped – as all four tracks are – in an understated but luxuriant musicality. “Deep Incantations” indeed.