cem mo: what remains ep
Francisco Espregueira
Amsterdam-based Cem Mo is releasing is debut vinyl titled What Remains EP on Metro Beirut Records. Drawing from classic Chicago and Detroit house, he is able to provide a fresh perspective of moods and tonalities. Born in Ankara and later relocating to Amsterdam, Cem Mo developed his style through jazz, improvisation and a growing fascination with rhythm-driven electronic music. That path has already led him to releases on labels like Handy Records and Rhythm Section, while his collaborative project Nowhere People found a home on Artisjok Records. Across this EP, those different influences settle into a deep, detailed sound focused on groove, movement and subtle melodic shifts.
The collaborations give What Remains EP extra depth without overcrowding it. Moritz Schuster’s sax work cuts through “Solitary” with a smoky unpredictability. On “The Hard Way,” Franco Corica helps steer things into soulful territory. Then Malik Kassim, formerly known as Retromigration, flips the energy with a remix that keeps the warmth intact while nudging the EP toward the dancefloor. It all feels connected, less like separate tracks and more like musicians passing ideas around a room late into the night. Available on vinyl.