EP Review: Slipstream / Pressure's On - Estate

https://soundcloud.com/estate/sets/slipstream-ep Available March 25th, 2013 on Beatport, TraxSource, JunoDownload, iTunes, and more via Bass United Recordings. Artist: Estate Title: Slipstream / Pressure's On Label: Bass United Recordings Release: 25th March 2013 Cat No: BUR015 Minneapolis' Bass United Recordings teams up with local three-piece Estate for a superb new single of funk laden electronic pop backed with remixes from Dirty McKenzie, DCUP and Sloslylove... Minneapolis three piece Estate have been producing musical electronic gems for the last seven years, taking their sound on the road with the likes of Yelle, Ellie Goulding and Gigamesh and releasing three critically acclaimed albums and a host of singles. The trio are heavily influenced by an array of sounds with obvious links to 70's and 80's funk, soul, electro and new wave, as well as modern house and nudisco; in their own words they simply look to "make feel good music that is at home on the dancefloor or in the bedroom". For their latest single Estate team up once again with the Bass United Recordings label, an imprint that has been pushing outstanding eclectic and electric music for the last decade. The single kicks off with the 'Official' version of 'Slipstream' a catchy and uplifting slice of disco pop that marries classic synths and rich bass with the bands distinctive vocals, quality stuff. The original version is followed by a remix from label boss Dirty McKenzie whose 'Flutestream mix' does what it says on the tin, delivering a delightful version that pulls together a retro 70's disco B-line with funk guitar licks and a standout flute solo. The last of the 'Slipstream' mixes sees Australian producer DCUP turn in a chopped up electro influenced reworking that provides another outstanding alternative. The second 'Official' track comes in the shape of 'Pressure's On' a soulful and laidback cut that shows Estate's chilled side with it's hypnotic vocoded vocals and heart stirring melodies. The original version is backed up with a mix from new US artist Sloslylove who drops a delightfully left of center reworking that utilizes fluid sounding drums and intense pads to provide a perfect soundbed for the vocal parts, sublime stuff. This is another winner from Estate and the ever excellent Bass United Recordings, enjoy! Tracklist 1. Slipstream (Official) 2. Slipstream (Dirty McKenzie Flutestream remix) 3. Slipstream (DCUP remix) 4. Pressure's On (Official) 5. Pressure's On (Sloslylove Remix)

Out later this month, this is the first release on Minneapolis' Bass Nites Recordings to appear on BlackPlastic.co.uk and it features local three-piece Estate, with remixes from Dirty McKenzie, DCUP and Sloslylove.

Slipstream / Pressure's On is a double a-side showing off Estate's funk and house influenced pop sound. They've toured with Yelle and Ellie Goulding amongst others and on hearing their sound it's clear why - this is polished, clean electronic pop. The band make a point of highlighting its appropriateness for both the dance floor and home listening, and it is unashamedly aiming to cross-over.

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Slipstream / Pressure's On - Estate

Slipstream opens, a slick melodic number with yearning end-of-summer vocals, a crisp bass line, sparkling disco melodies and a series of warm pads. It's a little clinical, but the warm production and that bass make it a pretty enticing soundtrack to beers by a sunny pool. The vocal is fairly incomprehensible but in comparison to some of the populist EDM flooding the market state-side this is pure gold.

Pressure's On is a little funkier, but still fairly horizontal, with a loose bass line, snappy drums and filtered vocals. The synth melody picks out a soft melodic patter amongst the reverb of the percussion that gives the track a cool, relaxed feel.

The Slipstream remixes struggle to keep up with the original. Dirty McKenzie's Flutestream remix layers the vocals over a chugging funk bass and hands over the centre stage to a flute solo - neither do anything for me. It's a little campy but more importantly not really any fun.

Also remixing Slipstream is DCUP, who does what DCUP is known for, with the Australian taking the filtered disco / crunchy techno thing popularised by Ed Banger a few years back. It's a chopped-up, funky take on the original - unfortunately what it achieves in catchiness it loses in originality.

Finally Sloslylove gives Pressure's On a Ballearic overhaul - guitar licks emphasised, atmospheric chimes added and soft, off-time drums providing the smallest sense of forward momentum. It's the more successful of the mixes and helps Estate lose a little of that slickness that currently stops them from being great rather than good. ​

​Slipstream / Pressure's On is released through Bass United Recordings on 25 March.