- Timeless techno soul from one of Detroit's longest-running producers.
- Eddie Fowlkes's RA Podcast interview last week was entertaining in part because of his swagger and confidence, but really, he's not wrong about any of it. More than 40 years later, he's still making records that deliver the goods. 2023 marks a series of more prominent releases for the Detroit "techno soul" pioneer, including this one on Rekids, which finds him in tip-top shape. It's hard to explain why a track like "Shake Your Hips" is so moreish without just playing it—but, from its sultry vocals and just-slightly funky swing to the light sprinkling of Rhodes, it's a near-perfect exercise in blending techno and house, complete with a retro "move your body" reference.
The track title "Nice" is instructive—with its effortlessly soulful drum programming, it's just a pleasure. "What About Us," all lush tones and springy drums, has major promise, but the titular Brandy sample ends up a bit lopsided, riding the beat awkwardly. Still, in the right hands, and in the right blend, it could add a bit of leftfield charm. That leaves the title track, which uses a whole bag of pleasing tricks: flanged drums, seismic basslines, rave sirens and voices talking about a fantasy. It captures Fowlkes's two sides—the rowdy and the deep—and brings them together into something party-starting. That's the epitome of techno soul, and the hint is right there in the title: forever.
Tracklist01. Forever
02. Shake Your Hips
03. What About Us
04. Nice