This is “one for the DJs”. That does not mean to say us regular folk can’t enjoy it, but the DJ influence can be heard right through the core of this tape from the funk to the drums. You could slip it in to a mix like a foot in to a slipper.

Souleance are a French production duo, and although they’ve only been around for a few years (they released their debut in 2009) they’ve obtained a substantial reputation. Following on from last year’s LP release, Souleance have put together twenty tracks of breaks,  guitar, huge snares, soul and groove on La Beat Tape that’ll come somewhere close to recapturing the essence of the dance floor back in the funky 70s with a very contemporary twist. They argue that they’ve released it at a very modest £5 – who am I to disagree – along with a 7″ “containing four tracks that we feel will be most useful for the DJs”. So check it out!

Following on from the success of their debut LP ‘La Belle Vie’ from 2012, the French duo have been busy in the studio producing La Beat Tape. 20 tracks deep, the release is aimed squarely at the DJs, with a succession of guaranteed party-starters. This is rounded out with some typically quirky interludes, jazzy beat excursions and blissed out trip hop. Souleance are producer Fulgeance (Musique Large / One Handed Music) and DJ Soulist (What The Funk Paris?). Since releasing their debut EP (Le Monde) back in 2009, they have built a solid reputation for their idiosyncratic take on modern beats. With fans including Gilles Peterson, Danny Breaks, Lefto and Mr Thing, their debut album was the culmination of 3 years of beat-making, touring, partying and drinking too much Pimms. Whilst other producers would rest on their laurels after releasing their debut, Souleance got straight back into the studio to produce La Beat Tape – their sole aim to create tracks that they would DJ with themselves. The result is 20 tracks of pure dancefloor fire peppered with a smattering of chilled, lounge tracks in classic Souleance style. Like any classic beat tape, variety is the key, and Souleance do not disappoint. La Beat Tape takes in heavy Turkish breaks (Sauce Samourai), Hammond funk (L’insouleance), tripped out western cinematics (Tout Doux), brooding jazz (Kipseli Street Interlude), Shadow-esque breaks (Strongest Love), Just Blaze-style horn-heavy hip hop (Como Estan Bitches), 80s synth-hop (Cocktail Time) and much much more. The release is available as a budget-priced download and a limited edition 7″ containing four tracks that we feel will be most useful for the DJs. With artwork by long-term collaborator Alice Dufay, it’s sure to join their previous vinyl releases as a genuine collectors item.

Purchase: Bandcamp