Review: Adam Shelton - Black Forest (Incl John Dimas Remix)

Black Rose are back with a new release from the house authority Adam Shelton. Black Forest dropped earlier this week, featuring a remix from the very talented John Dimas.

This release is a sharp and thoughtful facsimile of both Shelton’s influences as a producer, and of an era of dance music which represents the genesis of the genre itself. The replication of classic early US and acid house is superb, making use of what appear to be period samples and a rich expressive 4 on the floor groove in both of his tracks. Although this stands as an effective tribute, it doesn’t go as far as to update this sound or integrate it into something new and exciting, it simple feels like a carbon copy of a release from the early 90’s.

The opening track Thorn Star is the clearest example of this, starting out with a pounding 4 on floor beat which with the open and slightly tinny sound of the high hat on the upbeat alone takes you back a couple of decades. The bassline is wonderfully simplistic, 2 notes and generally played on every beat, with a slightly mid level tone that is again sharply reminiscent of the sort of hardware tonality of the period. The attention to detail to conure this vivid image is faultless and a achievement in itself, especially the use of heavily digitised vocals chops that provide the top end as the track progresses. In true acid house fashion the simplicity works in its favour rather than render it tedious which is the hallmark of an experienced producer. However nothing is added to this sound, there is little sign of Shelton’s individual style or even a hint that this track is being made retrospectively. It’s almost as if it is an exercise in dance music history.



Black Forest moves away from the early US house style slightly and crosses the pond to take on a more garage / grime vibe with the intensely minor semi-melodic synth lead and reese sounding bassline. Although it still suffers from the same drawbacks as its predecessor, the mix of different styles renders them slightly less limiting. There more of a feel of ingenuity and the influences stay influences as opposed to solid mould by which the song is constructed.



John Dimas Black Forest remix does the release the justice of changing the feel of the song as much as possible, not to say Black Forest was a bad song but there is nothing worse than a remix that adds nothing. The acid house vibe is back with a vengeance, but this time the bright synths and very period snare take the track to a more euphoric standard and elevate this piece of nostalgia. This track is a personal stand out for me.

The latest offering from Blackrose is a lot of fun, it will transport you back to a simpler time when dance music was still in its adolescence, even if like me you were still in nappies. This will appeal greatly to those diehard house fanatics who thrive on the knowledge the sound is still alive and strong. However for those of you looking for a new twist on a classic sound, this offering is lacking in venture.

You can by the vinyl here.


Ben Stevens