San Francisco is one of the biggest forces in the west coast house scene to date. Duo Jondi & Spesh have been revered for their clubs in the bay area, the record label Looq, and their DJ sets because of the love that they have for the music and for their home base. This team has been producing house music since 1993 and have over twenty releases under their belts as well as two previous full-length artist albums. Their tunes and remixes have been featured on countless releases including Bedrock Black, SOG, Renaissance, and of course Looq. They get plays from the likes of Sasha, Digweed, Anthony Pappa, and Lee Burridge. The new artist album is The Answer for most deep house lovers. It stays true to their West Coast roots with minimal beats and touches of vocals throughout.
The title track, "The Answer," begins the musical journey. It is a very dark and driving track with a haunting vocal that seems to jump right out of the speakers. It truly is what you would expect from a Jondi & Spesh track. On the next track they put the "World in Motion." The female vocal is very provocative and is flanked by a straight house bassline and some floating synth sounds. They continue with a more downtempo sound on the third track "Fly (On Your Own)." They break up the beat a bit along with some chilling synth work and flowing loops. The presence of female vocals have found their way into first part of the album but don't give a hint of a commercial sound. Keeping it slow and melodic, they give up the track "Can You Remember." This introspective track is more of a deep downtempo song than it is house. It is very smooth and seductive. Passing the halfway point is the song "Back Alive." This song is much more driving than the ones past. It is full-on progressive with a funky bassline and some dancing vocals. The lyrics are well-written and take the song on a musical journey.
The "Longest Day" is next on the list of slower, deeper tracks. The subtle percussion elements blend together with some soulful vocals that once again tell a story about the "The Longest Day." The sound becomes heavier on the song "Ten Cities, Ten Days." I am not sure if this is a musical tale of their DJ experience, but it is pure passion. It takes the listener on a ride to the highs and lows of progressive. However it does end on a short note at under four minutes and rather abruptly. The next tale is of the West Coast super party Burning Man. The track "Everybody Went to Burning Man" is truly a west coast progressive house tune by definition. The loops are not too piercing and the song builds fully. Rounding out this unmixed artist album is the track "Ozone." It has a pounding bassline and some bass licks that give the song character. It is a great track to take the CD out. Jondi & Spesh will be providing everyone with a US and European tour to flex some progressive muscle. Be on the lookout for them coming to your town and go check this CD out as soon as you are ready for the West Coast progressive experience.
