Escobar Eli: Shout

Just over a year on since he released his stunning LP Happiness on Classic Music Company Eli Escobar returns to the label with an album which couldnt be further removed in sentiment. Whereas Happiness radiated sublime house/disco hybrid bliss throughout Shout is a heartfelt rage against Americas developing political disasters. The quintessential New York City DJ Eli is a devoted collector explorer and connoisseur of all kinds of music from his hip-hop roots. He is hugely well-respected in the New York club circuit after over two decades of mutual love for the city and the house scene. Having been switched on to Eli by his debut album Up All Night Classic Music Company is now his creative home. Shout starts robustly with Nightmare Rag police sirens ringing out in the background while a disgruntled voice repeats ode to America and a dream-like piano riff gathers momentum turning into a punchy acid beat. Giving way to tangible heartbreak in Interlude American Sorrow with lamenting saxophone and light percussion Eli maintains the political message in The People urging the listener to wake up by using crafty vocal samples and hypnotic chords. Further highlights include heavier tracks like Muzik which picks up the pace of the record before City Song brings back the New York house vibe with vocal cuts and warm synths. City Song Part 2 and Body and Soul show Elis disco influences while Goin On flickers with hope. A stormy departure from the glowing balminess of his previous LPs Shout addresses Elis anguish over his country hitting self-destruct while still putting his own twist on his citys house and disco soundtrack joining the dots between yesterdays golden era classics and todays club anthems. Underpinning it all is Elis acute musical sensitivity whether its a straight-up party jam or a crafty disco cut-up warmth and soul are poured in.

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