Review: Jimena Angel - Aguacero (Partyfine)

Yuksek's Partyfine label seeks out party music and this time, it's all out worldwide Aguacero, Cumbia, Latin electronica, pop and reggae: talk about 'Universalismo'?

You'll recall the compilation from earlier this year Partyfine's Vol. VII Universalismo (see review HERE) when we first came across Jimena Angel on the track 'Liego la Luz'. 

'Liego la Luz' is perhaps the most obvious dancefloor track on the album that's full of her modern Cumbia that's she's now perfected on her fourth album, the first with Yuksek.  But Yuksek being Yuksek and perhaps, Angel being Angel, they don't leave it there as all ten tracks are 'aguacero' - the title track itself being stand-out Latin funk-with a gothic flamenco dub vibe!

If you're already excited about the return of WOMAD next year, pack 'Caracoli' in your bags for a twangy shuffle and 'Erasonia' for some pan flute on the dancefloor (and there's that dub echo again).  This must be what's hot in Bogotá (where Jimean is from) and 'Que Yo Ta Voy Pa' that has more of Cumbia feel whilst being more percussive heavy and then 'Selflove' which reverses into reggae (some great horns on this) . 

If a bit of a knock out to start with but as it comes at you as a mystery (like the cover artwork, what pictures can you see in the shadows?)  But on repeated listens, the reggae-dub vibe of other tracks like the heavy Tierra Caliente' and the closing track 'Adios' are great fun; can only imagine what Wrongtom/Mad Professor would do with a full-on dub brief!

We're told this album was written whilst on tour in Europe (she's a guitarist in a number of rock band) and living in the Carribean thus the "musically influenced the sound with dub, highlife, Konpa and tropical disco fusing with the melodies of Colombian bullerengue and the “magical realism”.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: https://jimenaangel.bfan.link/aguacero

Artist: Jimena Angel

Title: Aguacero 

Release date: 28th November, 2025

Label: Partyfine

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Chilam Balam - Par La Fenêtre feat. Pat Kalla (Partyfine)

Partyfine is Yuksek’s label who return to Chilam Balam with help from Pat Kalla to follow-up on  'Ritmos Proféticos, Vol.1', a great opportunity to look through the round window!

You'll recall Chilam Balam (being Léopold Collard and Bastien Francoulon) from their three tracks on 'Ritmos Proféticos, Vol.1' (see review HERE) and Pat Kalla of course, from Alma Nega's Delusions Of Grandeur EP, 'La Plage' (see review HERE).

Unlike 'La Plage', 'Par La Fenêtre' is chilled out summer pop that's ready for the beach.  A little bit of a departure from Kalla's comfort zone of creator of the Super Mojo albums and being the voice of Voilaa Sound System; with dreamy flute and synths, it's a bit like when Jazzanova went downtempo folk rock jazz with 'Secret Love'.

It'd be nice to hear a full on dub version but more than happy to chill to this at a window or a beach.

Love the lino-print cover artwork.

BUY LINK: TBC

Artist: Chilam Balam 

Title: Par La Fenêtre feat. Pat Kalla 

Release date: 19th September, 2025

Label: Partyfine

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Various Artists - Partyfine Volume VII - Universalismo (Partyfine)

Yuksek's reputation means that he's got easy access to loads of dancefloor favourites that want to be a part of the most up-to-date Partyfine compilation series and No. 7 has a bumper collection so why not call it 'Universalismo'?

What fantastic artwork to accompli this 13 track compilation (Ed. is that you and Mrs Hectic?) that includes some of our favourites like Tigerbalm (remember 'Profunda Alma' - see review HERE), Partyfine's own Chilam Balam (see review HERE) and, of course, Yuksek himself (check out that video below!)

Yuksek is now known for being a bit of a maverik who loves anything from acid, disco, house, indie, house, Latin, leftfield, synth-pop, world and more.  You certainly get a taste of that in the first three tracks with Tigerbalm's 'Cumbia Calypso' featuring Jimena Angel, 'Ceasy' by Alex Blex and Claap!'s 'Caracas'. 

It's been 20-ish years since Yuksef started out and I remember thinking that his electro based releases on the flamboyant Relish Records were a bit different so you're in for a 'surprise' when he and Chilam Balam get on a Klub mix of Bertand Burgalat's 'Nuit Bleue' that's so 70s disco (with a bit of 'Ring My Bell'n'dub): this is dance music of the Lacey Lady, Room At The Top, Goldmine and Maison Royale 'Nite Club' all rolled into one.

Yuksek also features on the Juveniles' 'Roll With That', his track 'Hyprasesorial' featuring Voyou & Paula as remixed by Bellaire; well it is his label after all.

That said, if you ever get over 'Nuit Bleue', Weekend Affair's 'Promenons-Nous' (Klub Mix) is another Saturday night space boogie banger, like a Wang Chung protege.

The Mang Dynasty remix of Chilam Balam's 'Yaxuma' is a previously unreleased track (and it's black hole heavy!) and there's even time for some more Latin coolness with Invigo's 'Otxie Otxia', Jimena Ángel's 'Llegó La Luz' before finishing on more Claap! (and Destiino) 'Viiens' (set your phazers to 'Acid' and your "ga-ga" to "gou-gou") and chill out to 'Noix De Coco' by Tchiki Boum.

 

An "outstanding collection of tasty disco sounds" indeed but so much more, if you want to impress your friends at a party, fine - if you want to impress yourself, even better.

BUY LINK:: https://partyfine.bfan.link/partyfinevol7

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Partyfine Volume VII - Universalismo

Release date: 21st March, 2025

Label: Partyfine

Cat. No: TBC

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Chilam Balam - Ritmos Proféticos, Vol. I (Partyfine)

Partyfine is Yuksek’s label that he set up in 2013 out of this studio in Reims and to say his release of 'Chilam Balam' with 'Ritmos Proféticos, Vol.1' is so fun and party, it's rediculous(ly good).

I first came across Yuksek in the mid 00s when he seemed to be remixing everyone as he know how to move a dancefloor.  I can only imagine how excited the "French DJ" would be when Chilam Balam (being Léopold Collard and Bastien Francoulon) rocked up with the three tracks on 'Ritmos Proféticos, Vol.1' to the studio.

If you can image Space (the French group famed for the hit 'Magic Fly'), Bala Desejo and SHOLTO deciding to club together as a post-disco, library and Brazilian infused dance band.

The 3 tracks, 'Tzintzuntzan', 'Yaxuma' and 'Citlacoatl' are drenched with tropical disco that some have even said to be like Japanese synth pop ('Citlacoatl').  I get that plus it reminds me of the synth heavy space grooves of Bear Funk / Nang Records with a strong updated 70s vibe: I bet they'd love a Todd Terje, Max Essa or Art Of Tones remix (more on Art Of Tones, see HERE).

Luckily, these tracks don't need a remix as they are perfect just as they are; its not chill, it's not Bal(h)am (SW17) but this could be the start of a journey with Chilam Balam, Gateway to the South (Misquoting, "Balham, Gateway to the South" - Ed. ask your grand parents).

BUY LINKS: https://chilambalam.bfan.link/ritmosprofeticosvol1

Artist: Chilam Balam 

Title: Ritmos Profeticos Vol.1 

Release date: 22nd November, 2024

Label: Partyfine

Cat. No: -

Format: Digital / Bandcamp