Album Review: Suol’s “Summer Daze 2014” Compilation

Suol label is back with the next installment in its noteworthy Summer Daze series. The follow up to last year’s inaugural Summer Daze compilation, this year’s edition features 15 exclusive tracks from Suol heavyweights Till von Sein, Daniel Bortz, Meggy, Fritz Kalkbrenner, and Chopstick & Johnjon. Fans will also be delighted to find an exclusive cut from the recent soul- and pop-oriented musical project by Marlon Hoffstadt and HRRSN, Tender Games. The compilation is available in two formats: mixed (for your traffic jam commute or Friday night get together) and unmixed (for those who like to skip around).

Pieced together by Suol label bosses Chopstick & Johnjon, the 2014 album delivers an abundance of lazy, warm melodies and feel good grooves from a wide spectrum of musical influences. This beautiful sonic journey contains gems to take you from a pool side warm up set to a big room dance floor and back. All of the tracks on the album work seamlessly with one another to set the tone for any kind of summertime party, whether the focus is on downtempo chill or a more upbeat club-y sound. The compilation does a great job of shining a spotlight on each and every member of the Suol crew, as well as several guests outside the family; Berlin duo Death On the Balcony lend their touch to the mix with the driving dance floor tune “Seasons of Human Nature,” and rising stars Tuff City Kids, Few Nolder and Paskal & Urban Absolutes also get to showcase their talent on the album.

Opening up the compilation is Patrick Chardronnet’s “Shibuya,” a mournful, tribal piece structured around a warm and driving sub-bass that’s difficult to resist once it picks up.

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Bringing more of  a techno flavor to the mix, Daniel Bortz‘s “Break After Break,” juxtaposes a gritty futuristic bass line with sweeping chords to create an eerie, ominous vibe.

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On the opposite end of the spectrum, Smash TV makes their Suol debut with a deep house weapon of mass funk, the bouncing “Coupe De Ville,” which uses an infectious groove, clever arps and chord stabs to create a nostalgic retro vibe that is perfect for a sunset beach party.

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We were also impressed with Tender Games’ addition to the compilation. The chic and sexy “Sweet Love” is a gorgeous mover that packs some serious heat by pairing emotive and catchy vocals with a driving staccato beat that makes for a perfect dance party weapon.

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Label bosses Chopstick & Johnjon go a little bit harder with their brawny number, “Believe,” which serves up a strong and imposing bass line to complement Oyasoul7’s seductive vocal.

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One of our favorite tunes on the album is the beautifully contradictory “Azzura” by Canadian newcomer James Flavour and ESB, which lays down raw and mechanical stabs along a beat that was indisputably designed for the dancefloor. At the same time, however, soft and ethereal strings create harmonies that contrast stunningly against the track’s gritty foundation.

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We won’t give it all way for you; just know that overall, the compilation maintains that laid back, easygoing groove that was central to initial concept behind the series:

Summer Daze 2014 Complete Track List

1. Patrick Chardronnet – Shibuya

2. Daniel Bortz – Break After Break

3. Smash TV – Coupe DeVille

4. Till von Sein – 61 Block Party Jam

5. Tuff City Kids – Summer Scam

6. Chopstick & Johnjon – Believe Feat. Ovasoul7

7. James Flavour + ESB – Azzura

8. The Avener – Fade Out Lines (Chopstick & Johnjon Remix)

9. Few Nolder – Sweet Storm

10. Paskal & Urban Absolutes – Shining Feat. Larissa Kapp

11. Death On The Balcony – Seasons Of Human Nature

12. Tender Games – Sweet Love

13. Nils Penner – Holdin’ On Feat. Matthias Vogt

14. Fritz Kalkbrenner – Bad Walk Down

15. Meggy – Touch It