JBravo
The second release to hit Soul Quest Records is a decadently smooth two-track bomb fit for listeners seeking rays of sonic sunshine.
East Londoner Max Sinàl, for the first time under this alias, teams up with emerging vocal talent and pianist Hutch The Great, jazz trumpeter Mark Crown, and London-based poet, Melodi Marsh. Together they deliver lustrous jazz-flecked deep house music.
The a-side, Let Your Hair Down with Hutch, invites you to, well, let your hair down. Seriously silky, fragile and heartfelt vocals, a combination of luscious keyboard and piano, and an irresistible bassline. There’s not much more to ask for when it comes to sun-drenched, laid-back house music.
The b-side, Let You In, is another steady house jam that features the magical noodling of Hutch’s keys and his smattering of lazy vocals. Being brought into the fold here is the spoken word poetry of Melodi Marsh. She effortlessly fits into the groove a deep story about a significant other hiding away – “I wish you’d let me in instead of drowning your sorrows” – before the track ascends into a dazzling explosion of keys from Hutch.
If you’re looking for the perfect soundtrack to endless sunsets this summer, you’ve just found it.
The EP, SQR002, will be released on 7th July 2023 and will be available in both physical and digital formats, including 100 hand-stamped 12” copies.
We caught up with Max for a quick chat about what’s going on in his world. Check the interview below!
INTERVIEW:
Who is Max Sinàl?
Max Sinàl is my new alias I launched in 2023 to coincide with my new label Soul Quest Records which I started with two close friends of mine.
With Max Sinàl, I want to concentrate on making and playing deep and soulful house music with jazzy influences. Not necessarily peak time dancefloor stuff, more just music I’m passionate about that has some feeling to it and can tell a story.
Tell us about your new release ‘SQR002’ on Soul Quest Records?
It’s a 2-track a/b side release which establishes the direction in sound I will be releasing moving forward.
Both tracks feature the incredibly talented Hutch The Great on keys and vocals. He’s someone who I have worked with on various other pieces before including my other main passion project, 2fox.
On the b-side ‘Let You In’, my good friend and amazing trumpet player, Mark Crown laid down some muted horns and Melodi Marsh makes her debut on a track with some of her signature spoken word.
What was the first thing that attracted you to the world of electronic music?
I grew up in Hackney, East London where there was pirate radio station pretty much on every block. I started listening to jungle via my older sister when I was about 10 before getting my first set of belt drive decks for my 13th birthday. By this point it was all house and garage for me, initially the early U.S inspired stuff then followed by the more 2 step Uk sound. There was something about the energy of it and the way it made me feel that I had never experienced before and have been obsessed with ever since.
Who are your greatest influences?
Louie Vega:
I am a huge Louie Vega/Masters At Work fan boy and an obsessive collector of all of Louie’s vinyl from his various projects.
As a DJ as well, he’s just top tier. His extended sets are always an education and is someone who I’ve always looked up to for longevity in this game
Moodymann:
It’s probably easy to hear from SQR002 that Moodymann is a big inspiration for me. I love the laid back swag of his tunes and his ability to try weird and wonderful things in his productions that catch people off guard. Also heavily relate to his views of what a DJ should be, not a superstar just a selector.
Ricardo Villalobos:
I would love to spend a day in this guys mind. He’s a genius producer and Dj. You never quite know what you’re going to get in his Dj sets and with his productions. The sounds he uses in his tracks, especially the drums are always perfection. His mix downs, especially the space he creates around the different sounds is something to study!
How would you define your sound?
Real, deep soulful house music with live influences that’s not trying to be anything it’s not.
How has your sound evolved so far?
I’ve been producing properly now for 10 years, I’ve always made house music but I feel like in the last year I’ve really found my sound. Taking the pressure and expectation away of what I think I ‘should’ be making in order to get bookings has made all the difference. Everything I’m making now is from the heart, no industry tactics.
What is the scene like in London at the moment?
It hasn’t been an easy few years for nightlife in London. Lots of club closures and politics and covid obviously didn’t help. But the house scene overall is thriving I would say. Some really great music being produced by exciting up and coming producers. Really good parties throughout the year and some really cool intimate venues focusing on high quality sound.
What else can we expect from you over the next year?
Just wrapping up my next ep which will also be out on Soul Quest. Also have a couple of remixes finished and scheduled which you can expect soon and some cool gigs coming up.
Artist: Max Sinàl
Title: SQR002
Label: Soul Quest Records
Release Date: 2023-07-07
– jbravo
Juany Bravo
Managing Editor
jbravo@musicis4lovers.com