I'd say if you like CiM, then you've gotta check out Lackluster if you
haven't already. Focus/DeFocus is(are?) an amazing label, even though the
good fact remains that only 4 CDs are available so far (I think?). I've
heard all of them 'cept Aphelion - "Zugzwang," but I can only guess that
it's as kickin' as the others. Lackluster's stuff is somewhat similar -
subtle ambient shapings. And the new John Tejada release is along that same
vein, 'cept he brings more hip-hop elements to the table (even a collab. w/
Divine Styler!). I haven't given the Tejada record a solid listen cuz I
just yesterday got it in the mail. But what I have heard if very Focus-ish.
Looks like Focus is gonna be a very specific kinda label. I doubt we'll
hear many releases that stray too much from what's already been put out; the
sound will evolve of course, but it won't scatter too much. At least that's
what it looks like so far, even though the latest release (Tejada) suggests
scattering with the different elements introduced.
The Focus label makes me wish I was a vinyl nut. Looks like about 50% of
the releases are 12's, which is discouraging cuz I don't even have a player.
I'm just now starting to notice how much I need one, with all the goodness
coming out of labels like Focus, Toytronic, Obliq, Toshoklabs, etc. Guess
I'll be getting one in the next few months, and you better believe that the
Focus 12's will be within the top numbers on my to-buy list. But if you
aren't a vinyl nut (which I'm assuming you aren't considering that you
bought the cd of Reference according to your mail) I'd highly recommend
looking into all of the former Focus releases, 'specially Lackluster -
Container. You can listen to samples here:
www.twoplayer.co.uk/labels/focus/
Another label I'd recommend is Merck (www.m3rck.net/). A blooming label
much like Focus based in Miami. There are only 3 releases so far, all cd.
But it looks like a dozen more and then some are in the works. I own MD -
Appelsap, which I like a lot and could easily compare to CiM. And a very
good thing about Merck is that you can listen to samples of each song from
each release. So you definitely know what you're buying. The Squadron
compilation looks very cheeky according to the samples, but I haven't been
able to find it at any of my usual shopping places online (does anyone have
it in stock??).
Anyway, I definitely agree with you in that Reference is a lite n' tasty
treat that doesn't get old fast at all, kinda like Froot Loops! So good
luck in finding more stuff that sounds like it. Looks like the other
responses you've gotten are very well informed. Have a good one.
-char
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