Review: Ron Trent - Lift Off (Rush Hour)

If you're a superstar DJ with a reputation the size of Ron Trent, you don't need me to recommend you get ready for his new album 'Lift Off', but I will anyway: be prepared for 'Lift Off'.

You know what they say about judging books by the cover, well, for this LP, you can as it's a perfect graphical interpretation of what on the inside and it's heritage.  From the 60s roots of Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) in Chicago to 70's Black Panther movement with EW&F funk / soul  pyramids (along with Sun Ra's Birthday this week) the digital automobile 'spaceships' of today with musical scrolling, Trent nails the lot into 10 outer world grooves that would grace any DJ set.

The track 'Jazz Funk' nails this from the start along with a 'monster' that is 'Woman Of Colour' which is particularly deep that holds your attention for the full 11 minutes.  'Sexstrology' squeezes in a bit of Balearic guitar with the jazzy funk keys (for very nearly 11 minutes) whilst 'Let Me See You Shining' up the tempo and brings in some gospel/house vocals.

Typically, long instrumentals with funky jazz percussion rich with strings/synths, it's surprising to be told that these tracks have been recorded over the past 10 years and much of the post-Lonnie Liston Space minimal house seems to be very now along with Trent's take on Chicago and New York House, Detroit tech and 90s ambient; 'Like And Fly Away' (11 minutes), 'Street Wave' (the longest track at 12 minutes and the epitome of 'Lift Off') and 'Her' (10 minutes of RT's take on Desert Disco, did some say, "Flying Mojito Bros' 'Just Passing Through'?)

And, of course, as soon as you think you've got it sussed, 'Just Another Love Song' has a New Order/80s pop elements to it (Ed. could even be a hit?) with some Kraut-Balearic canned into 'Juice' for some "sunset dance'. 

It's been a while since we were at Rush Hour with Planet People's 'Terra Firma' EP (see review HERE) but Mr Trent is high above that, so do yourself a favour and 'Lift Off' to another level.

Ron's will be extensively touring to promote this album so be sure to catch him in 2025.

Artist:  Ron Trent

Title: Lift Offf

Release date: 23rd May, 2025

Label : Rush Hour

Catalog Number : TBC 

Format: Vinyl / Digital /Bandcamp

Review: Planet People - Terra Firma EP (Planet People/Rush Hour)

It's always exciting to find a new 12" with Amsterdam's Rush Hour's seal of approval on it and Planet People's 'Terra Firma' is no exception.

If you're a DJ on NTS Radio and claim your label (Lost Control Records) showcases, "the best hydrotrip for the 7th dimension", you can imagine when owner, Black Eyes got together with Reedale Rise to form Planet People, the results on the Liverpool-Berlin expressway where only going to be a blend of Detroit techno dub distilled from Chicago & New York House & 90s UK ambient.

The result is instant classic with 'Hyper Glidin' and 'Portal Funk' leading the way closely followed by 'Reaktor Theory' (this one having a touch of synthed up 'Thousand Fingered Man' to my ears).

 'Subsurface Nature' slips into the basement for some bin biz space synths.

The vinyl is super limited so get your feet off the ground and onto your likely suspect record shops quick before they run out.

Artist:  Planet People

Title: Terra Firma EP

Release date: 16th December, 2022

Label : Planet People / Rush Hour

Catalog Number : PP-001 [12” - Limited Edition of 300 ]