Theo Parrish - American Intelligence (2014)

Deep house savant and pioneer Theo Parrish serves one of 2014's most eagerly awaited, not to mention controversial, LPs with 'American Intelligence'. Containing 3 x LPs with silver-inked centre labels in a lavish trifold jacket, it's evidently a premium item, and priced by Sound Signature accordingly; possibly in a throw down to the hordes who deify his name without ever really investing any time, money or effort to understand his music's context. Or then again, maybe he's being greedy. Fxxk knows really. Anyway, as expected, it's a sterling session, unfurling nine inimitable (no matter how much everyone tries) grooves tangling signature drum calculations and lissom keys with sinuous synth flesh. It includes previous single 'Footwork', plus big highlights in the cowbell-slinging shimmy of 'Cypher Delight', the supine soul tristesse of 'As', featuring Marcellus Piutmann, Ideeyah & Duminie Deporres, and potential anthem material in the Barrington Levy sampling shuffler 'Make No War' or the skeletal percussive workout, 'Fallen Funk'. To answer the burning question: is it worth it? Yep.