Freerange Records hit milestone with Jimpster and Waajeed
The long-standing label mark their 250th release with typically flawless production on Jimpster’s ‘One EP’
In a landscape where record labels appear and disappear as swiftly as they arrived, reaching a landmark 250th release is no mean feat. Freerange Records has survived and flourished by establishing itself as a beacon of quality in the saturated world of deep house and techno music — with a catalogue stretching more than two-decades deep, including music from Switch, Detroit Swindle, Kirk DeGiorgio and many more.
To celebrate their achievement, co-founder and regular contributor Jamie ‘Jimpster’ Odell is joined on the controls by one of Detroit’s brightest lights — and Cosmic Tiger favourite — Waajeed, on the ‘One EP’.
The title track sees Jimpster employ the vocal talents of NYC Casamena to deliver a warm, feel-good slice of hip-house.
It’s Waajeed’s inspired ‘One Nation’ interpretation we decided to play you here. Rich pads fly over solid beats, as heavy string stabs provide the bed for the achingly soulful motor-city lead melody. The cut has an effortless funk that Waajeed consistently exhibits in his work, illustrating why everything he releases is worthy of full attention.
Jimpster
Waajeed
Next, we wanted to play you the interstellar explorations of ‘The Way It Is’. Here the immaculate production gently builds over a solid groove, spacey synths dive in and out over deep bass stabs, before the track climaxes with heavily delayed piano motifs. Carefully layered, melodic and driving. Every ounce of Jimpster’s 30 years of deft studio experience is on show here.
No signs of slowing down from the man or the label, congratulations to the Freerange team.
Jimpster ‘One EP’ is out February 21 on Freerange Records. You can buy it here.
