tom esselle: evolutions & revolutions
Francisco Espregueira
Last friday, the renowned Rhythm Section INTL unveiled Tom Esselle’s new EP titled Evolutions & Revolutions. Tom Esselle has been a quiet but pivotal force in the South East London scene for over 15 years. His journey began as part of the formative Wholemeal collective, where he famously booked Floating Points in a 200-cap basement in 2009 and curated a decade of events that served as a veritable who's who of the London underground. His indelible mark on Peckham's vibrant subculture deepened with the opening of YAM Records, a hub that, alongside the Local Radio platform Balamii, provided crucial grounding for talents like Chaos in the CBD - whose early successes were intertwined with YAM and Rhythm Section INTL releases. This record is the culmination of years immersed in the scene, and with engineering tips and studio time from the globe-conquering "Beans" (Chaos in the CBD), it's clear Tom’s knowledge and musica instincts are ready to be shared.
Evolutions & Revolutions showcases a brand of house music that’s rooted in organic grooves, infused with Latin percussion and warm synths, and executed with confident precision. Esselle's production is precise yet groovy, arresting but never obnoxious, striking a perfect balance between directness and nuanced evolution. His tracks are designed for "maximum dancefloor destruction," with songs that subtly mutate, swell, and contract, demonstrating a deep understanding of what makes a track truly move. For those who appreciate classy, forward-thinking house music that deftly balances the golden era of tech house with contemporary soulful compositions, this EP on Rhythm Section International is an essential listen, a testament to a foundational figure finally stepping into the spotlight. Evolutions & Revolutions is available on vinyl.