the soul pops: the mask ep
Francisco Espregueira
T
Chicago's underground scene has a deep history. Veteran selector Dejay Cease continues to carry that torch. Operating under his alias The SouL Pops, he is famous for his eclectic sets at the Buddha Lounge. His productions naturally blur the lines between organic soul and driving club rhythms. Now, he makes his grand debut on Cataleya Music. He introduces his sound to the imprint with The Mask EP. This new release is a highly musical project, leaning heavily into his soulful influences and delivering a truly spiritual edge for the dancefloor.
The tracklist kicks off with a fresh spin on George Benson's classic, "This Masquerade." Trevor Johnson provides beautiful vocals over a classy soulful house groove riding on a highly impressive piano display. No matter the year we’re in, it’s a composition that feels like love. Moving forward, "Afro-Rican Jazz" shifts the energy. It pairs powerful, textured percussion with an infectious, key-led rhythm. Finally, the project rounds out with "Something About You." This closing tune wraps listeners in strong organ blasts and life-giving strings. Ultimately, The Mask EP is an absolute winner from front to back, available on vinyl all the way from Sweden’s Cataleya Music.