BnB Review: Simon Baker - Traces | Album reviews- BeatsandBeyond.com

BnB Review: Simon Baker - Traces

Written by Youri Jozee

House -

Simon Baker recently dropped his new album Traces on the mighty 2020Vision label. Here’s what we think of the man’s latest outing…

With acclaimed releases on Playhouse, Cocoon and Get Physical, Simon Baker is lauded for his warm, soulful house tunage that always seems to have a subtle nod to the past without taking this over the edge. “I do things when they feel right naturally. I feel now is my time” said Simon of Traces, “I have the experience now to put an album together that isn't just straight club tracks. I wanted it to represent me, my years in this music and show my more musical side. This shows in the direction I have taken in the album.”
Traces has become a very musical affair remarked by delicacy and emotion, with 11 tracks that drift from pure club tunes to sofa-flavored cuts.

The album opens with No Pressure, a quirky piece of ecstatic tech house that refers to the early 90s Chicago sounds and includes some very nice vocal work. After this lovely introduction, the LP continues with tracks that hold a perfect balance between oldschool house and contemporary compositions such as the playful Grey Area, the supercool Let Me In (a track that sounds deceivingly basic, yet is made up from well programmed elements with a special mention of the ingenious drum structures), and the glowing strings in Dead Air. Near the end, we are treated to a more stomping kick on Traces, after which the album closes with the beautiful, slo-mo house on Olek, a tune so subtle, emotive and laidback that we found ourselves playing it over and over again after a hard day’s work.

Our verdict:
With Traces, Simon Baker delivers an album that manages to mix elements from 20 years of (Chicao and Detroit), house and techno into a mesmerizing longplayer. Whereas many producers tend to go over the top, Simon Baker convincingly manages to avoid the pitfalls of house nostalgia by delivering an album that sounds very credibly and refreshing at the same time. Praise where praise is due: Traces is one of the best albums available in the house genre today.

Stand out tracks: Let Me In, Dead Air, Olek
Weak moments: none

Rating: 8.5/10
Label: 2020Vision
Release date: Out Now