Berlin-based Belgian dj/producer Locked Groove aka Tim Van de Meutter is hurled into orbit with his debut album ‘SUNSET SERVICE’ on British label Hotflush Recordings, the record label founded by Paul Rose aka Scuba in 2003.
This release touches close to home, since the album was inspired by the infamous Belgian dance, rave and new beat scene of the late eighties and early nineties.
Locked Groove has been toying with and sharpening his sound for the past 7 years. Trained as a classical pianist, LG’s production stands out through its overarching musicality. This debut release straddles the artist’s many influences, putting a contemporary spin on EBM, trance, 90s Belgian rave, New Beat and techno through broken beats, melodies and fevered synths. You can listen to a playlist of influences here.
The artwork for ‘Sunset Service’ and the two previously released EP’s was brokered by KNOTORYUS and conceptualised by Antwerp graphic design legend Paul Boudens whose skills have previously been enlisted by Yohji Yamamoto, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten and MoMu to name a few.
In the run-up to the release of ‘Sunset Service’, Locked Groove dropped a 2-track EP with an exclusive B-side that re-interprets classic 90s Belgian underground styles. ‘Do Not Freak’ is a hybrid of New Beat and rave while ‘Attack’ is synth-heavy and dark. ‘Out Of Orbit’ experiments with classic rave while ‘Wally’s Groove World’ - referencing the beloved Antwerp vinyl store is highly inspired by local 1990s underground music.
All 12 tracks on ‘Sunset Service’ meld into a singular and delirious exploration of Belgian subcultures with a fixed gaze on the future.
Not to be slept upon! Do you hear us, festival promotors & bookers?
Tracklist
01. Pudding ft. Nate Brown
02. Do Not Freak
03. From Beyond
04. Out Of Orbit
05. Zillion
06. Soma
07. Oscillate
08. Swimming Upstream
09. Round And Round
10. Sunset Over Coku Tau 4
11. Whistle
12. Eden ft. Stella
‘Sunset Service’ by Locked Groove is out via Hotflush Recordings.
More info here