The first release on
Theo Parrish's Sound Signature label proves to be an effective sampler of the Detroit artist's production styles. The A-side's sprawling "Carpet People Don't Drink Steak Soda" functions well as a taste of
Parrish's knack for taking a simple house structure, stripping it down its most essential basics -- emphasizing rhythmic percussion -- and then slapping on a heavily filtered disco-style sample that weaves in and out of the song's mix for innumerable minutes. It's a formula not far removed from
DJ Sneak's timeless classic "Can't Hide From Your Bud," and it works nearly as well here, though a bit more relaxed. The B-side of this EP proves a bit more interesting and less conventional, starting off with the six-and-a-half minute "Shadow Dancing," a minimal ambient house track with a nice melody and a subtle vocal. The EP then concludes with "JB's Edit (Wait a Minute)," a peak-hour house anthem pieced together from
JB's samples, including a trademark
James Brown "wait a minute!" howl contorted to near indecipherability -- this fiery track truly stands out among
Parrish's mostly mid-tempo canon. Overall, a well-rounded debut EP that represents the three sides of
Parrish's future output: the down-tempo chill-out track, the mid-tempo house stomper, and the up-tempo frenzied anthem, all crafted with an organic touch and plenty of old-school flavor.