So the story goes, „I Like The Sun (But Not On LCDs)“ was the disco jewel of Dresden newcomer Jacob Korn’s live show, unearthed by Running Back’s ever astute A&R operation (ie. Gerd Janson), at the Toronto leg of the RBMA. Things become more interesting when you consider that this deal was cut over 30 months ago, yet I Like The Sun appears now, in the latter stages of 2009, to slot neatly into the Running Back catalog without the imprint having to break its stride.The title track arrives like a time traveling Salsoul number, that’s just stepped out of the vessel. Everything residing above the kick drum is treated with a joyous shimmering coat, from the spiral staircase lead line, to the push-pull strings, and arpegiated bass line. Like an upturned insect struggling on its back, the track does flip to reveal a darkened underbelly, but soon resolves itself and scurries off on its sunny way. „Selene“ offers a comparatively brooding, yet half as satisfying lurch towards techier-territory. A synth line reminiscent of Omar-S‘ „U“ piques the interest, but the straight-out the box hats, and more markedly, the disjointed clap don’t play so well with it. Prins Thomas‘ „Diskomiks“ of the A1, is a pleasant enough 13 minutes of slackened drums and fuzzy guitars, but feels too much like a straight-up live cover version. Imagine LCD Soundsystem forming a Jacob Korn tribute band and you’ll be most of the way there. Not the Norwegians finest hour, but Thomas‘ version does at least serve to shine a light on the strength of the source material.

Although the strike rate tallies to one out of three, this release by no means signals a drying of the Running Back run; rather another facet in its intriguing discography.

http://www.residentadvisor.net/review-view.aspx?id=6610

Review of „Little White Earbuds“

[Running Back]

Gerd Janson first heard Jacob Korn’s “I Like The Sun (But Not On LCDs)” almost two and a half years back at a Red Bull Music Academy gig in Toronto. Not that you would know it, as the three tracks on the latest Running Back still sound box fresh and, in fashion-editorial speak, “on trend.” What that says about how far ahead of the curve Running Back are, or how retroactive house music is these days, or even how laborious the process of signing, pressing and promoting a track is, are matters best discussed elsewhere. What matters here (this is a review, right?), is that eventually the music got released, and it’s really rather good.

The pleasingly naivety of the child (apparently Prins Thomas’ son)’s crayon drawing that is the cover matches the wide-eyed and innocent tone of the “I Like The Sun.” A lilting, punch drunk nu-disco groover made with dub-house aesthetics, the hiss and echo only serving to further highlight the euphoric, chiming riff. Thomas’ “Diskomiks” version takes the Kosmiche route, spreading Can’s “Sunday Jam” over 11 minutes of toasty, buttery rolling drums. Mm, tasty. But as with so many Running Back releases, it’s the inside cut, named after the Titan goddess of the moon, that eclipses the title track. “Selene” is initially shy, with nervous handclaps temporarily hiding charms. A cut-up wordless vocal that conjures the ecstatic feel of Pépé Bradock’s best work (or indeed the most recent Floating Points) drops “Selene”’s guard, however, and swirling, endlessly delayed chords extravagantly display like a peacock courting a peahen. It may have taken a while, but actually the timing of this release is impeccable. The versatile tracks perfect for the dying rays of summer. As the carving on the inside of the vinyl says “Sol lucet omnibus”; for those not versed in Latin “the sun shines for everyone.”

http://www.littlewhiteearbuds.com/jacob-korn-i-like-the-sun-but-not-on-lcds/

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