Tech-house – a broad dinosaur term that pigeon holes music derived from the syncopation and structure of Chicago house and Detroit techno segued with dub infected bass lines – is an uneven album medium. Despite giving the world some absolute gems (Ian Pooley’s ‘Meridian’ and Timewriter’s ‘Diary Of A Lonely Sailor’ are undisputed classics of the genre), it has always been 12 inch and sometimes very London centric.
Clubs like the The End and Fabric have long love affairs with the genre, and Harold Heath is without doubt a star on that scene, DJing at both clubs and releasing on Bushwacka’s impeccable Oblong label. His first full length album ‘Hole Funk’ is an inconsistent affair, which has moments of brilliance, but too much filler. Strange disco noodling and poor quality breaks sit awkwardly amongst his trademark sparkling techno and dub heavy bass house. It unfortunately lets down what could have been a corker.
This is a debut and when Heath shines, he shines brightly. His pitched up house is at times reminiscent of early Terry Lee Brown Jnr; all sweeping chords, tight drum patterns and massive basslines. It’s the kind of smoky, sexy, late night stuff that destroys the back room at Fabric. The fact that Heath keeps this sound fascinating is testament to his creativity and skill, not just as a studio boffin, but also as someone who knows what rocks a dance floor. ‘Giftwrap’ is one such excursion, Heath layering steely drums and urgent bass lines while seductive layered chants lock down a hypnotic groove. ‘Your Love’ is vintage tech house, emotive and acidic in all the right places, and the down tempo ‘Toshiro’ is the kind of melancholy, rainy day piece that soundtracks dreaming out misty windows perfectly. The rest of the album, though, feels rushed and unfocused. Opener ‘Hole Funk’ and ‘Food For A Fat Pig’ try the slow afro molasses disco thing, but end up sounding a little thin and short on ideas. The vocal numbers, in particular the Hybrid-esque ‘Another Sky’, have good intentions, but fall a little flat.
‘Hole Funk’, despite its patchiness, is a solid effort and Heath definitely makes a mark with his debut. Keep an eye out for this guy, his next album may very well be a tech-house treasure.
