Artist: Jozif
Title: Standard Rising (EP)
Label: Culprit
Released: 29th August 2012
Distribution: Above Board
Cat no: CP027
www.facebook.com/CulpritLA
Tracklist
A1. Standard Rising
A2. Guitar Player
B1. Benny Benjamin
B2. Benny Benjamin (Djebali Remix)
For his second release on the label this year, Culprit welcome jozif and his ‘Standard Rising’ EP. Sharing the former’s anticipation and buzz, ‘Standard Rising’ is the middle installment in the LA-based imprint’s anthemic summer trilogy. Exuberant and profoundly catchy the EP is bursting with fresh ideas that are uniquely jozif and perfectly matched to Culprit’s forward moving sound.
‘Standard Rising’ forms a fascinating companion to jozif’s first full Culprit EP, ‘The Lady B.’ While bound by the same sonic ethos, the two releases showcase the artist’s and the label’s two harmonious and complimentary sides: ‘The Lady B’s’ wistful and intensely personal musicality and ‘Standard Rising’s unbounded joy and e sweep. Culprit’s commitment to creating a catalogue that appeals as both listening and dance-floor, moving experiences of personality and depth are represented by an artist who is fast becoming of one the label’s producers-in-residence.
Titular track is a special one for Culprit, having been written specifically for jozif’s return appearance for the label’s signature party, Culprit Sessions at The Standard Hotel rooftop in LA. The song is a perfect and timeless encapsulation of this party series’ feeling, crackling with irresistible melodic elements, deep sub-bass, all peaking with a vocal hook that will leave no summer dance-floor safe from it’s blissful bombast.
‘Guitar Player’, a favourite of the Culprit clan’s, is all live drums and bassline, swelling strings, staccato piano riff and wah-wah guitar driving a spoken word sample that could have been picked only by jozif. jozif’s sense of dynamic is flawless, yet again.
‘Benny Benjamin’ is the modern disco piece par excellence, with a Stax soul-style orchestra of one, combining an incredibly rich palette of instrumental elements blending into that singular bit of music that could have been created at any point in the dance music’s four decade continuum but being unmistakably jozif – and Culprit.
Rounding off the release is a much welcomed label debut of Djebali, part of a long-term brotherly relationship between Culprit and the former Freak n’Chic clan. Djebali brings his trademark old-school house verve to ‘Benny Benjamin,’ led by the pulsating deep bassline, perfect percussive groove and subtle organ keys. The remix compliments this strong release with impeccable taste and execution.
They Like It
Anthony Collins: very nice overall ep
Adultnapper: digging all 4 cuts, esp. Djebali remix. nice grooves.
Dyed Soundorom: Will play Djebali remix ! boom ! Thanks !
Maceo Plex / Maetrik: Very funky. Will try it out.
James What: liking the old school vibes of djebali here.niice one James Teej : benny benjamin is hype! M A N I K: Solid EP here- I am digging this one. jozif again does his thing… Doc Martin: Very Cool Ep!!! Kiki: « standard rising » smells like summer! Lula Circus: cool and quality ! love Crazy P (James Baron): serious this is, always loving Jozif´s sound and this funkier side of him is really working´! thanks. Dusky: Love the Donald Fagen sample on The Guitar player, nicely done ;) Ralph Lawson: more awesome grooves that sound like Jozif has got a band in his studio ! Russ Yallop: Amazing. nuff said Funk DVoid: interesting, can´t choose one fave but initial response is good. Ivan Smagghe: great funk stuff! Ahmet Sisman: pure quality as always from culprit! loving it! and standard rising is a fucking bomb!No Regular Play (Nick Debruyn): great stuff Kate Simko: Super sexy funky.. full support on these!! Horse Meat Disco (Jim Stanton): Love Standard Rising and Benny Benjamin, groovy! Ibiza here we come Magda: Download for Magda Laura Jones: Definitely one of my favourite releases on Culprit so far. Remember hearing jozif playing The Guitar Player at Lo´kee NYD. Immense! Good skills guys :) Death on the Balcony: Very Interesting and fresh sounds here from Jozif! Definitely an ethos and standard we have come to expect from our LA faves Culprit! Good Work guys! x Luca Bacchetti: Only the brave and a music lover can do this! This is why I love Jozif and Culprit. 10/10 jef k : waoo this is fantastic my man jozif rocks it again in all the tracks with his special touch and mehdi does the remix job in a great way !! will defo chart and play … thanks a lot Silicone Soul: LOVE IT! Burn Baby Burn! ThX for the great music, summertime fun! Maher Daniel: standard rising is the bomb Full support on another stormer from culprit jozif for the win Inbal Lankry: proper dancefloor killer James Friedman (Lets Play House / Throne Of Blood): four super nice cuts. thanks guys! 
