Michael Hooker & HoodyHoo – Sirens Call (Re:Sound Music)

It’s wonderful to see the rise of underground producers as they find, and then refine, their style and move out to be accepted by bigger DJ’s and audiences.

This is exactly what has happened to Michael Hooker. I’m guessing that perspiration is as important as inspiration to Hooker, but perhaps a recipe with ingredients of equal measure is what bakes the perfect cake. What is clear is he strives to reach a level of quality in sound you don’t hear every day with each sound clear and balanced, but still with plenty of space in the mix.

Label boss of Re:Sound Music, Hooker himself, has had some great highlights such as the impeccable ‘Journey To The Rising Red’ as featured in Sasha and Digweed’s Miami mix that was a real standout (although in some steep competition from other tunes).

This release on Re:Sound Music, a collaboration with HoodyHoo is a triumph. I’m taking an educated guess here that Hooker and HoodyHoo are long-term friends. Their sound meshes, it’s intertwined and complimentary. That’s not a bad start, but ‘Sirens Call’ is intriguing. The groove is funky, it’s progressive. That on it’s own is attractive. At two minutes I’m drawn in, heads-down and floor workin’. But then there’s a touch of the Future Sound of London, the gated pads, the build and especially the vocal sample.

This is riding a bike into a big-rig at Burning Man or throwing shapes at a wild outdoor party.

When the groove kicks in from the break it transforms again into a techno stomper, a runaway train of a track with confronting stabs and sharp rolling bass.

It’s like all the seasons came at once; summer sunrises and winter ice, autumn beauty and spring freshness. As an end user of ‘Sirens Call’ you won’t know whether to put on your shorts or your bobble hat – and that’s just the way we like it.

There’s an Anakim remix too, and it’s solid. It is however a tough job to stare down the original and is left a little lacking because of it.

‘Sirens Call’ has grown and grown on me. It’s one of those tracks you should be proud to discover. Watch out for Micheal Hooker, mark my words he’s on the rise. Miss this release at your peril and whilst you’re at it check out ‘Journey To The Rising Red’.

Score: 9/10

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