toolate groove: líbrame
Francisco Espregueira
Brussels-based producer Toolate Groove has built a solid reputation for his jazz-infused approach to dance music. (Shout out to his releases on Cosmic Breeze Records still making everyone vibe). Classically trained on the piano, he masterfully blends 90s underground nostalgia with deep, evolving rhythms. His latest offering arrives via Mate Records. The Spanish imprint, run by Rafa Santos, preserves with brilliance a blueprint of pure deep house, refining the core soul of the genre. This philosophy aligns perfectly with the release of Líbrame, a super tasteful, five-track masterclass. The record highlights the Belgian artist's knack for merging live spontaneity with timeless club grooves.
The EP kicks things off with the title track. It is a quietly euphoric cut that sets an effortlessly warm mood from the jump. You can also find a delicious alternative take via the Urbancity Recs’ dub version. Next up is "97 Ride" (Club Mix). This track leans heavily into the producer's love for vintage garage. It bounces along with swinging claps and fun, improvisational Rhodes jamming. The energy turns up a notch on "Destiny Dream Dub." This one brings a smoking female vocal and a noticeably heavier bassline to the floor. Finally, the project closes out with "Fresh From Abidjan." Here, he trades standard house beats for dusty breaks and a surging, hypnotic groove. Frankly, this package is as classy as electronic music gets from front to back. Available on vinyl.