Following the success of Counterfeit Soul Vol 2, the bearded man in disguise, Frazer Campbell, returns with another powerful 4 tracker, this time for the label’s third release. Campbell of course, is the label boss at Elliot Project, a burgeoning label with a MO that focuses around top class house and techno. Aside from the label owner, the imprint has also hosted music from, DRED Records John Osborn and Freerotation’s Tom Ellis, proof if needed that they’re very much on the up. If the latter names give you an idea of what to expect, the fact that Campbell often collaborates with celebrated techno artist Steve O’Sullivan should no doubt compound the fact that this is an individual who’s very much switched on when it comes to contemporary electronic music.
Volume 3 keeps the energy levels in the red courtesy of some clever sampling work, sexy vocals and feel-good synth work. The vocal in ‘Don’t Leave me Honey D’ is lifted quite brilliantly from the soul classic ‘Don’t Leave me This Way’, while Campbell brings things toward a deeper, more contemporary place on the effervescent, timeless strands of ‘My System’. It’s Biggie’s inspired vocals which provide the flair on B-side opener ‘The Drama’, before matters come to a head thanks to ‘Gazette’, a brilliantly sprightly house gem that’s been made for peak-time floors. Carry the signature Soul in disguise dressed with lashings of Frazer’s signature shuffling 909 drums, Vol. 3 is a perfect record for the peak-time dance session.
