Julio Bashmore - 9/10

Four years on from achieving mass communication with 'Battle For Middle You', a track so all-pervading it almost singlehandedly spearheaded the house music renaissance, Julio Bashmore's long gestated debut album finally drops. And so familiar has the oeuvre of the flame-haired house hero become these last four years, 'Knockin' Boots' is more a case of what Bashmore did next than an initial statement of intent. Thankfully, what Bashmore did next is make a bloody good album, showcasing a decidedly more soulful side to his output than we might have seen before.

The title track and opener 'Knockin' Boots' sets out its stall with a soaring disco vocal that's more than capable of soundtracking the best roller-disco ever, while first single 'Holding On' shows Bashmore pulling off that nifty trick again of creating something that's as at home on daytime Radio 1 as it is being dropped by everyone from Motor City Drum Ensemble to DJ EZ.

The majority of the album can be split into two camps, with Bashmore alternating between full-pelt filter house anthems like 'She Ain't' and 'What's Mine Is Mine' and the more soulful fare of 'Simple Love' and the seductively catchy 'Let Me Be Your Weakness'. But this juxtaposition never feels incoherent. The battle's been won.

File under: Roulé-style house rollers

Download: 'What's Mine Is Mine', 'Let Me Be Your Weakness'

Like this? Try: 'French Touch Anthology' (Wagram)

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